1993 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a wide spread of problems on an older truck, with brakes, tires and speed control drawing the most complaints. Two themes dominate the sample: rust in the frame and rear suspension mounts, and fuel leaking from cracked or split plastic tanks and filler hoses. Many reports come in at 70,000 to 140,000 miles, and several describe gradual corrosion rather than a sudden failure.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Rusted frame, leaf spring shackles and cab mounts

   Mentioned in 11 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe rear leaf spring hanger brackets and shackles rusting through until the spring and axle drop or the truck sits low on one side. Several report cab mounts rusted away and the frame itself corroded, sometimes with brake lines torn loose when a bracket broke. Repair shops reportedly described the shackle replacement as a common job on these trucks, and in some cases replacement parts were hard to obtain. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 140,000 miles on older trucks, in northern and rust-belt climates.

   What to check: Inspect the rear spring hangers, shackles, cab mounts and frame rails closely for perforation or heavy scale, ideally on a lift. Ask whether any hangers, shackles or cab mounts have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “How can the frame of my truck rust out faster than the bed or cab. The cab mounts are gone. The shackles of the leaf springs are paper thin and ready to collapse. When I drive down the road and hit a bump it sounds like the cab is going fall to the ground. I am afraid one of these days , I'll get in an accident and the entire cab is going to fly off the truck. The motor has outlasted the frame. Make laugh.”

   NHTSA complaint #10904264, filed 2016-09, 139,000 miles

   “Rear leaf spring brackets ( which attach leaf springs to the frame) have rusted out and leaf spring and axle came loose. This vehicle has less than 100,000 mi. It broke as I was pulling in to my driveway. Both brackets on right side were replaced as well as brake lines which were torn loose. Mechanic said left side brackets were ready to break also and will be replaced as soon as he gets them ordered. He said this was a very common repair on Ford Ranger pickups. Old parts are available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10139799, filed 2005-10, 100,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks from cracked plastic tank or filler

   • 18 complaints (8%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2017

   Owners report a strong fuel smell and fuel dripping or pooling under the truck, traced to a crack in the upper part of the plastic fuel tank, often near a strap, or to a split filler neck hose. Some dealers replaced the tank; one owner reported being told the tank had separated, and another said the dealer first suggested a fuel pump that turned out not to be at fault. Reported from roughly 68,000 to 86,000 miles, and also on trucks with no mileage listed; appears across climates, not tied to cold weather.

   What to check: Look for staining, dampness or a fuel smell around the top of the tank, the straps and the filler neck, and fill the tank fully once to check for weeping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1993 Ford Ranger 4wheel drive pick up suddenly started leaking gas. The dealership told me that the gas tank separated and thats what caused the leak. This vehicle is 4wheel drive, but I never take it off roads and I live in a very temperate climate (the bay area). We have no extreme cold or heat and I find it hard to believe this is normal. I want to make sure this is not some defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10020787, filed 2003-05, 158,000 miles

   “Fuel filler neck has split at the tank connection bend. Fuel leaks profusely out of this split when tank is filled. When the tank reaches full capacity, the fuel filler outer hose fills up partially. The fuel in the outer hose then leaks out onto the tank and ground. I am repeating this claim for 2 separate vehicles, a '93 and a '94.”

   NHTSA complaint #10291275, filed 2009-11, 101,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Parking brake does not hold; vehicle rolls

   • 18 complaints (8%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 14.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe the parking brake pedal or lever failing to hold, so the truck rolls on a slope or in a driveway even with the brake applied. Some reports mention a self-adjusting pawl that slips, or a pedal that goes to the floor before eventually catching. Several owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by a parking brake recall, and one mentions a wedge was installed without resolving the problem. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage trucks to around 130,000 miles, and in everyday parking situations.

   Recall 94V169001

   What to check: Test the parking brake on a slope with the transmission in neutral. Ask whether recall 94V169001 was performed on this vehicle and whether the ratchet and pawl have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 1-20-04, I started my vehicle to warm up. I had the emergency brake engaged. However, the emergency brake system failed and the vehicle rolled down my driveway, into my neighbors driveway, and hit their trailer and garage, causing damage to their property and my vehicle. After investigating, I have found that there had been a recall on my vehicle for the emergency brakes, for the same problem that caused my vehicle emergency brake system to fail. However I had never received notification of the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10063648, filed 2004-03

   “Consumer complained of an emergency brake problem. Consumer received recall 94v169001 concerning emergency parking brake: mechanical. Consumer was never informed of the recall. When consumer stepped on the brake pedal it dropped all the way to the floor, if he repeated this it would eventually catch. Parking brake pedal occasionally does not engage. The problem occurs frequently.”

   NHTSA complaint #10102048, filed 2005-03, 74,000 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   Tire tread separation

   • 25 complaints (11%)
   • median 93,000 mi at 11.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2012

   Owners report tread separating from tires, in several cases on the Firestone FR480 size fitted as original equipment, sometimes on tires with most tread remaining or only a few months old. Reports describe pulling over after a separation, and one describes a crash after a rear tire came apart at highway speed. Owners say replacements were handled by the dealer or tire maker. Reported across a range of mileages, most often on original-equipment tires from the early 1990s; conditions vary.

   What to check: Check tire date codes and look for bulges, cracking or separating tread, and confirm what tires are currently fitted since original equipment may be long gone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had 4 firestone fr480 that came with my pickup. I replaced two. The other two have 8/32 tread left as of this date. However, the tread is starting to separate from the tires. I cannot receive any satisfaction out of the Ford motor company here in petoskey michigan so I am asking you what I can do. I don't want to die in a vehicle crash when they separate. ( DOT number: tire size: p22570r14 )”

   NHTSA complaint #727871, filed 2000-08

   “Although firestone is denying the problem with tires they have yet to recall, there is definatley a problem with other tires I have had to replace numerous tires sometimes only months after the tire is placed on the vehicle please do something about this horrible problem (tiresize: p265/75/r1)( DOT number: tire size: p265/75/r1 )”

   NHTSA complaint #734665, filed 2000-10
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle or cruise control holds high engine speed

   • 10 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 5.5 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Owners report the engine staying at high rpm or accelerating after the accelerator is released or the cruise control is disengaged, sometimes with the cruise control not in use at all. In cold conditions one owner described the throttle sticking at high engine speed until the engine was shut off. Dealers reportedly disconnected the cruise control cable in one case, and another owner said the dealer had no information on the problem. Several reports involve very cold winter weather; mileage is often not recorded, with recorded cases around 50,000 to 57,000 miles.

   Recall 95V231001

   What to check: Ask whether recall 95V231001 was completed, and check that the throttle plate returns freely and the cruise control cable is not binding, especially before cold-season driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle went to full throttle when shifted into drive gear. The cruise control was not turned on at the time of the failure. Ford factory service and the dealer have been contacted. Dealer has no information on this failure, but will try to find out. Dealer has temporarily disconnected cruise control cable from throttle for safety purposes until the problem can be resolved. Ford has not responded to my complaint other than tell me to take it to the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #705953, filed 1999-04

   “Vehicle throttle sticking, resulting in high speed. Tt throttle will stick in very cold weather condition causing vehicle to race at 6000 RPM, the only method of control is to shut the engine down thus disabling power steering and brakes, after vehicle has sat for 5 to 10 minutes engine can be restarted.”

   NHTSA complaint #978856, filed 1996-02

Buying note. These trucks are old enough that condition matters more than the model year: have the frame, spring hangers, cab mounts and fuel tank inspected before purchase, and confirm whether the parking brake and speed control recalls were completed. Minor service records and a rust-free underside are worth more than low mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.