1998 Ford Ranger complaints

HAZARD OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION FROM INFERIOR PARTS. HOSES AND PIPES FROM FILLER NECK TO GAS TANK ARE BEING REPLACED BY BENEFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE IN MOORE OKLAHOMA. TANK HAS TO BE FLUSHED AND FILTER REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO GAS FUMES AND LEAKING FUEL FROM THE DECOMPOSING FILLER NECK HOSES. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THIS DONE FOR THE SAME REASON ON MY '98 FORD E250. FORD DEALER PARTS SALESPERSON SAYS THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM(EVEN HE STATED HE ANTICIPATES THIS WITH HIS FORD TRUCK) AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN RE-ENGINEERED TO CORRECT THE RUBBER DECOMPOSITION WHICH ALSO CLOGGED THE FILTERS AND FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CAUSING CHRONIC STALLING AND ROUGH RUNNING ON BOTH VEHICLES. HAD TO HAVE FILTERS REPLACED AND INJECTION SYSTEM SYSTEM CLEANED NUMEROUS TIMES. FORD HAS REFUSED TO EVEN SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT PARTS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. LEAKING GAS AND FUMES COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH IF THIS IS NOT HANDLED. THE RECENT REPAIR TO THE E250 WAS IN EXCESS OF $200 (PARTS WERE $100+ FROM DEALER. THE REENGINEERED PARTS FOR THE FORD RANGER ARE $250+ AND LABOR WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT AS THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE TRUCK BED AND TANK TO REPLACE THE PARTS AND FLUSH THE TANK. ADDITIONALLY MY DRIVEWAY IS DAMAGED FROM THE LEAKING FUEL. REFERRED TO YOU BY CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE. LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR RESPONSE. SINCERELY, VINCE DENNIS. *NM

WHILE BACKING MY 98 FORD RANGER 4.0 SUPERCAB WITH TOW PACKAGE (WHICH HAS THE BEEFIER BRAKES) THE ALUMINUM BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE BAR THAT THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH HINGE ON, BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. THIS LEFT ME HEADING IN REVERSE WITH NO BRAKE OR CLUTCH. I WAS IN SHOCK, IMAGINE THE STEERING WHEEL COMING OFF IN YOUR HANDS WHILE DRIVING; THAT'S HOW I FELT. I DIDN'T THINK TO HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT I WAS ALREADY HALFWAY INTO THE GARAGE AND HAD VERY LITTLE TIME TO REACT PROPERLY BEFORE I CRASHED INTO THE BACK WALL (CINDERBLOCK) PUNCHING A HOLE IN THE WALL WHICH KILLED THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED AT THE FIRE STATION WHERE I WORK! THE POLICE DID A REPORT. HE SAW AND REPORTED THE BRAKES WERE BROKE ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK VERY CLOSELY. MANY OF MY SUPERIORS AT THE JOB SAW THAT THE BRAKES HAD BROKE AWAY AND WERE NOW DANGLING, USELESS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE BILL THE STATE OF THE BRAKES AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. I REQUESTED THE BROKEN PARTS AND THEY ARE NOW IN MY POSSESSION. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY STATED THE OBVIOUS, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO STATED THEIR WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT TRUE; I KNEW ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAS HAD THE FIRESTONES REPLACED. I GUESS THEY MEANT ON THE BRAKES. I SAID YES, BUT CERTAIN THINGS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON A VEHICLE ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE ANTIFREEZE ATE THROUGH THE SOFT PLUGS OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SOFT PLUGS AND HOSES OF THE WATER PASSAGE.

MY 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT FIRE ON JULY 31, 2006. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND A WATCHFUL NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOW, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS COMPLETELY CHARRED, PROPERTY ON THE HOUSE IS DAMAGED, AND THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I WILL HAVE A FIRE INSPECTOR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL SWITCH PRESENT ON MANY FORD VEHICLES. THE NHTSA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER, AS IT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED OVER 550 COMPLAINTS FROM SIMILAR INCIDENTS. PLEASE MAKE A REPORT OF THIS COMPLAINT AND CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED A SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, TIE RODS AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.

THE CAB OF MY 1998 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SEAL OVER THE PASSENGER DOOR, BUT THE WATER IS RUNNING IN THE CAB ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW AND THE SEAL IS TIGHT ON THE WINDOW. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE WATER IS GETTING IN ALONG THE SEAM OF THE CAB ROOF JUST BEHIND THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAB. THE WATER HAS FOUND ITS WAY UP INTO THE FELT AND ROOF INSULATION AND LEFT WATER MARKS BUT (THANKFULLY) NO SEPARATION OF THE ROOF FELT FROM THE CAB BODY YET. I DID USE GE SILICONE CAULK TO FILL IN THE SEAMS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB, AND IT DID REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER GETTING IN, BUT YESTERDAY IT RAINED AND I NOTICED THAT THE WATER IS STILL GETTING IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAB ROOF. I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE INSPECTED THE DOOR SEALS AND THEY SEEM PLIABLE AND FIRMLY AFFIXED TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE KNOWING BECAUSE THE WATER HAS RESULTED IN TWO SHORTS IN THE TRUCK'S INTERIOR LIGHTING CAUSING ME TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAB GETS WET INSIDE, THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN L TURN THE TRUCK OFF. THE REMOVAL OF THE FUSE, ALTHOUGH GIVING A REMEDY TO THE DOME LIGHT PROBLEM, HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AT NIGHT WITH NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE FLOOR OR DOME. QUITE FRANKLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE WITH ALL THIS DAMPNESS

TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT THE SPARE TIRE AFFIXED UNDER THE TRUCK BED OF MY 1998 FORD RANGER PICKUP WITH 79,000 MILES FELL OFF. WHEN I RETRIEVED THE TIRE AND METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE I OBSERVED THAT THE CABLE HAD APPARENTLY SNAPPED. HAD I BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE OR OTHER MAJOR HIGHWAY SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD THEY SAID THEY HAD NO OTHER REPORTS OF THIS TYPE FAILURE AND I WAS TO PAY A DEALER TO REPLACE THE DEVICE AND RECEIVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE TRUCK INDICATE TO ME THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT JUST WEAR AND TEAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS HAPPEN, BUT A LIFE OR LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN LOST. I AM DEBATING AS HOW BEST TO SECURE MY SPARE AND CURRENTLY JUST CARRY IT IN MY TRUCK BED AND BRING IT INTO MY HOME AT NIGHT TO PREVENT THEFT. THE CABLE IS STILL IN THE TRUCK MECHANISM AND I HAVE THE METAL PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK RESPONDED WITH AN "OH WELL", FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOOK AN INTEREST, BUT AS NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THEY SAY NO OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE ARE IN THEIR RECORDS TOO BAD FOR ME. THEY REFERRED ME TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP IN TOWN WHO WANTS $100 TO FIX IT. I WILL NOT PAY THEM OUT OF SPITE AND WILL TRY TO DETERMINE ANOTHER SAFE METHOD OF CARRYING MY TIRE. I DO NOT TRUST THEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ORIGINAL LEFT REAR WHEEL IS CRACKED AND RUSTING ALONG THE INNER PORTION BY THE VALVE STEM OF THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL DETERMINED THE RIM FRACTURED DUE TO RUSTING OF THE STEEL MATERIAL OF THE WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM ONLY EXISTED ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL RIM. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HARSH WEATHER OR OTHER ELEMENTS, THE RUSTING RIM ALLOWS AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE ATTACHED TIRE. *NM

1998 FORD RANGER HAD THE DOOR AJAR SWITCH REPLACED 3 OR 4 TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS. THE DOOR AJAR IS LINKED TO THE DOME LIGHT. IF THE DOOR AJAR SWITCHES BECOME CORRUPTED OR MALFUNCTION, THE DOME LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON. THE POSES A SAFETY HAZARD IF IT HAPPENS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN THE DOME LIGHT OFF WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS ARE FIRMLY CLOSED AND LOCKED. THE GLARE FROM THE DOME LIGHTS MAKE DRIVING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH NO REPAIR FACILITY CLOSE BY.*JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE 1998 FORD RANGER ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE AND THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD CONSIDERABLY LESS POWER AFTER THE LOSS OF THE SPARK PLUG. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG EARLIER TODAY. WHEN THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUG FAILED IT WAS HANGING BY ITS WIRES. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT THIS POINT. *AK (11/15/05) *SC

REPLACED FUSE THAT HAD BLOWN ON CRUISE CONTROL ON 1998 FORD RANGER. STEPPED ON BRAKE TO PUT IN GEAR AND NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND MECHANISM IN FRONT OF MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR ON FIRE. SMALL FIRE TORCHED FRONT OF RESERVOIR I PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A TOWEL BREAKING THE MECHANISM, CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE DISCONNECT. *NM

PURCHASED TRUCK USED IN MAY 1999 WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. PROBLEM STARTED AFTER HAVING 25,000 ODOMETER MILES ON TRUCK. VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE UPON STOPPING OR SLOWING. HAD IDLE ADJUSTED NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (30K). AS OF THIS DATE, AUGUST 19, 2005, VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATES ON VERY RARE OCCASIONS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS FROM THE 45K MAINTENANCE CHECK THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO STALL AT RANDOM WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING. AT REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECKS I WOULD TELL TECH ABOUT STALLING PROBLEMS. MOST OFTEN TECH COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM ON ROAD TEST. VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED, STALLING PROBLEM WOULD STOP FOR A VERY SHORT TIME, AND THEN PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK. JULY 12, 2005- I WENT ON ROAD WITH TECH ON ROAD TEST AND FOUND TECH WAS DOWN-SHIFTING AT STOPS. TOLD HIM NOT TO AND THEN VEHICLE DID STALL WHEN COMING TO STOP. DEALER: INSPECTED AND VERIFIED COMPLAINT, CHECKED AND FOUND IDLE AIR CONTROL FAULTY, REMOVED AND REPLACED IAC MOTOR AND CONCERN. TECH NOTES: STILL ACTING UP. FOUND IDLE SPEED ADJUSTED TOO HIGH. READJUSTED IDLE SCREW, ROAD TESTED AND RECHECKED OK. PROBLEM WAS SOLVED FOR A BRIEF THREE WEEKS AND RESURFACED. AS OF AUGUST 19, 2005- THE STALLING PROBLEM STILLS EXISTS. IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE, AS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE ACCIDENT CALLS. EXAMPLES: 1) TURNING OFF A VERY BUSY STREET (45MPH) INTO PARKING LOT, HAVING VEHICLE STALL AND LOSING ALL POWER STEERING INTO TURN, HAVING TO AVOID HITTING TREES, BUILDINGS, PEOPLE, AND OTHERS CARS IN PROCESS. 2) COMING TO A RED STOP

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 10, 2003 THERE WAS A FATAL ROLL OVER. THE TIRES SEPARATED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND BLEW OUT. ACCORDING TO CONSUMER'S INVESTIGATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE WAS A 1998, FORD, RANGER. THE HIGHWAY PATROL CAME TO THE SCENE AND ISSUED A REPORT. IT WAS CONSUMER'S COUSIN VEHICLE. THE TREAD CAME OFF FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER THOUGHT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THERE WAS TWO OCCUPANTS, AND BOTH WERE KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE EXACT MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN.*AK

AT APPROXIMATELY 150,000 VEHICLE MILES, THE MIDDLE LEAF ON BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAS FRACTURED JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. DISCOVERED 5/27/2005 WHEN THE BROKEN PIECE FELL OUT OF THE LEFT SPRING. SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THE IDENTICAL PIECE WAS MISSING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. RECOVERED PIECE SHOWS FATIGUE FAILURE.

WHILE PARKED THE CONSUMER'S 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS USED FOR 4 1/2 HOUR THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE ERUPTED. *NM THE CONSUMER'S HOME SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE SMOKE AND FIRE DAMAGE. *NM

I HAVE HAD 3 DOOR SWITCHES REPLACED ON MY RANGER DUE TO THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE W/FORDS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON, AS DOES THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND SOMETIMES THE HORN STARTS BLOWING. *JB

DOOR AJAR SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS; CAUSES DOME LIGHT TO STAY ILLUMINATED; HAD TO REPLACE SWITCH INSIDE DOOR ASSEMBLY. *NM

I HAVE A STANDARD 1998 FORD RANGER XLT AND AM WONDERING IF THE RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE PERTAINS TO IT? THE THROTTLE REVS UP TO ABOUT 2200 RPM WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP.*AK

1998 FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCK. PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL,L SUSPECTED WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 1991 FORD EXPLORER. FIRST OCCURANCE IN MARCH 2001 FORD REPLACED ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY ON 2/12/2001, VEHICLE HAD 24,170 MILES AT TIME OF REPAIR.SECOND TIME WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AT 42717 MILES ONLY 18547 MILES AFTER FIRST PROBLEM ON 5/27/2004. ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN THEY WERE RUSTY AND PITTED. I PAID FOR THIS REPAIR THE DEALER WAS GOING TO TAKE IT UP WITH FORD REP BUT CLAIM WAS DENIED. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATION WITH DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP TO NO AVAIL. ONE SERVICE REP I TALKED TO INSINUATED THAT FORD RANGERS ARE PRONE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND OPENED A COMPLAINT FILE. I AM CONVINCED FORD HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH BRAKE ROTORS ON THIS MODEL. EVERYONE AGREES ROTORS SHOULDN'T WEAR THIS FAST. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE AGAIN. *AK THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO MOVE THE SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE LIGHTS BACK ON. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB

WHILE TURNING, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A LOUD POPPING NOISE/HEAVY VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THEN, TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN SEAL. ALSO, MACHINE DID NOT CALIBRATE THE FRONT AXLES PROPERLY. *AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND THE VEHICLE THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN EVEN THOUGH IT IS LATCHED SECURELY.*AK

I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR DOOR JAM SWITCHES DUE TO SWITCHES GETTING GUMMED UP AND FAILING. ALSO LATCHES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOORS WHERE THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED HAD ALOT OF COROSION ON THEM. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATED. A MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT HAS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION.*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TURN SIGNAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED A PUFF OF SMOKE, AND A CRACKLING SOUND BEHIND THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER DETERMINED THAT MULTI-FUNCTION MODULE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER MUST TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE AGAIN. *AK WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACED THE HIGH BEAMS ON, THEY WOULD FAIL TO GO BACK TO DIM. THE SWITCH ON THE DASH SOMETIMES FAILED TO BRING THE LIGHTS ON, WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE GOING OFF. THE SWITCHES IN THE DOORS WERE FAULTY AND CASUED THE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO TURN OFF. *SC

MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT STAY ON AFTER YOU GET IN AND OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. FROM POSTINGS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON FORD PROBLEM THAT THEY IGNORE. DRIVING FORWARD (REVERSE WON'T DO IT) WILL RESET THE LIGHT MOST OF THE TIME AND MAKE THEM GO OUT. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PULL THE FUSE. WD-40 SEEMS TO BE A SHORT TERM FIX BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE DOOR SWITCH JAMS. *AK

HEATER WENT BAD ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THAT IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER'S FAULT FOR MAKING A BAD HEATER. *LA *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, TURNED IT AROUND, AND WENT BACK HOME. AT HOME CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE SEPARATED. CONSUMER WAS SCARED BECAUSE HE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45-50 MPH. *AK

DOOR WAS AJAR AND LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE, BUT HAS RECURRED. *AK

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE INTERMITTENT EVEN WHEN 4X4 LIGHT IS ON AND 4X4 SWITCH IS ENGAGED. MOST NOTABLE WHEN BELOW OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW. MULTIPLE FORD DEALERS HAVE TRIED BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE CONDITION. THIS CONDITION IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND HAS CREATED SOME DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS DUE TO LACK OF TRACTION WHEN DRIVER THOUGHT 4WD SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. *CB

VEHICLE'S DRIVE SHAFT BROKE RESULTING IN LOST OF CONTROL. *MR *SC *JB

PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM JOINT GREASE PROTECTOR HAS DETERIORATED ALLOWING MOISTURE AND DIRT TO ENTER THE JOINT.*AK

THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, (1998 FORD RANGER) THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET THE RACK AND PINION STEERING CHANGED. (SEE ODI NUMBER 10052130 FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2002 FORD ESCAPE).*MR *CB *JB

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN CAME APART. DRIVER THEN SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES UNTIL VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ASHTRAY BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A LIGHT NEAR THE ASHTRAY. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.*AK THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO OPTION TO ADD A LIGHT TO THE ASHTRAY. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED LED LIGHTS AND INSTALLED THEM HIMSELF. CONSUMER FEELS ANY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AN ASHTRAY SHOULD HAVE LIGHTING TO MAKE IT VISIBLE. *PH *JB

WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE ANTI THEFT DEVICE WOULD ACTIVATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. DRIVER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. *AK A TECHNICIAN DISABLED THE RELAY. *TS *NLM

BRAKE PEDAL FELL OFF WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT.CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I HEARD A 'POPPING' SOUND AS IF MY TIRE WAS FLAT. THE NOISE CAME FROM THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT. MY TRUCK (A 98 FORD RANGER) WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE GRASS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE, I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKE AND CONTINUED TO DO SO AS I MOVED ONTO THE GRASS. UNFORTUNATELY WHETHER THE GRASS WAS TO WET, OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, MY TRUCK DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND I RAN INTO A TREE- RENDERRING MY TRUCK UNDRIVEABLE. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE TREAD OF MY FIRESTONE P225 70R15 WILDERNESS TIRES HAD PEELED. THERE WAS STILL AIR FILLING THE TIRE, BUT THE TREAD HAD PEELED OFF. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND WRAPPED AROUND REAR AXLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

REPLACE HEATER PLUNTUM BECAUSE HEAT EXCHANGE DOOR BROKEN. IT IS A BAD PART BECAUSE IT WAS REPLACE WITH A NEWER IMPROVED PART.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT (BLOWOUT WAS A SIDEWALL). UP TO THIS POINT, TIRES HAD WORN EVENLY. TWO MONTHS PRIOR, ALL TIRES WERE CHECKED BY VARIOUS TIRE SHOPS AS I WAS THINKING OF REPLACING THE TIRES. NO ONE COULD FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF WEAR AND RECOMMENDED I KEEP THESE TIRES AS THEY WERE IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE. REAR TIRES NOW SHOW EVIDENCE OF WEAR THAT IS NOT VISIBLE ON FRONT TIRES.*AK

OUR 1998 FORD RANGER XLT WITH THE 4.0L V-6 AND THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING. ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK AND WOULD ON OCCASION ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHILE IN DRIVE. THE PROBLEMS RECENTLY BECAME WORSE AFTER ONLY 44K MILES AND BEGAN TO IMPACT THE DRIVING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHILE IN DRIVE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE AND HAD BECOME UNPREDICTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AAMCO DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION FOUND THAT THE CENTER SUPPORT HAD STRIPPED AND THAT THE BROKEN TEETH WERE BEING CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BROKEN PIECES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GEARS IT WOULD CAUSE THEM TO HANG AND CREATE A PRESSURE LOSS. THE SERVICE REPAIR TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE PART BEING IMPROPERLY CAST DURING MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AND THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE CIRCULATION OF THE BROKEN TEETH IN THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED A PARTIAL REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION TYPE: 5R55E PRODUCTION DATE: 02-98. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT FELL OUT OF THE CASE. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE THE LEVEL WILL GO DOWN . BUT THE BRAKE LEVEL WILL NOT COME UP AT ALL. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE AND RESULTED IN OVER $12,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *NLM

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RESULTED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION THROUGH THE GARAGE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM