FordRanger1994Overview/ford/ranger/1994/base/

1994 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 1994 Ford Ranger is a truck specified with a 5.0-quart engine oil capacity and 5W-20 API viscosity. Within the 1990–2020 Ranger complaint history, this model year drew 508 owner complaints and 11 recalls, with Service Brakes, Hydraulic standing out as the top reported problem area. That volume sits below the 1999 peak of 818 complaints yet far above the 2014 low of one, marking 1994 as a comparatively moderate year whose reliability profile is dominated by brake-system concerns.

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Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

ThermostatRT1106

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase125.2 in
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.4–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 1993 XLT Regular Cab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1993XLT Regular Cab 4.0L V68.40 sec16.60 sec160 hpRWD
1993XLT Regular Cab (7'02" Bed) 4.0L V68.90 sec16.70 sec160 hpRWD
1995Splash SuperCab 4.0L V68.70 sec16.70 sec160 hpRWD
1995Splash SuperCab 4.0L V69.50 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints , rear
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 14-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15-22 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate)
Every 12,000 miBattery (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Injection System (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 1990 to 1993 complaints rose steadily from 139 to 254, then jumped to 508 in 1994, the highest total in the dataset up to that point. Recalls also increased, reaching 11 in 1994 compared with 5‑10 in the preceding four years. After 1994 complaints dipped to 377 in 1995 before climbing again to peak levels in the late‑1990s, showing that 1994 sits at an early spike in an overall upward trend for the generation. The data do not specify any root cause for the elevated complaints or recalls in 1994. Consequently, given the markedly higher complaint and recall counts relative to surrounding years, the 1994 Ford Ranger presents a less favorable risk profile for a used‑vehicle purchase unless the price reflects that increased likelihood of issues.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
122
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
508
Owner complaints
56 involved a crash · 17 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 508 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic74
Tires60
Fuel System, Gasoline52
Power Train51
Parking Brake43
Suspension28
Electrical System24
Vehicle Speed Control23

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 122 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
41022003-10-30Engine And Engine CoolingEBP SOLENOID SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM TURBO. SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. MAKE/MODEL UNKNOWN…
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
021422002-07-22Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A…
012122001-10-29EquipmentSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A LOUD A/C CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Ranger take?

5.0 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.