Page 7 of 9 · complaints 301–350 of 405

2004 Ford Ranger complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Electrical System
Filed Apr 17, 2009MA

THE INERTIA SWITCH HS TRIPPED ITSELF A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 9, 2009IL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A PATCH OF ICE. HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HER VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. SHE DID NOT NOTIFY THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Feb 11, 200921,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE SPLITTING AROUND THE RIMS. ON FEBRUARY 6, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES WERE WEARING AROUND THE RIM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

Tires
Filed Feb 10, 2009156,651 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR MICHELIN XC LT4 TIRES, SIZE 225/70R15. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND. HE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A FAULTY VALVE STEM. A NEARBY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAULTY VALVE STEM. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. AFTER REVIEWING ONLINE COMPLAINTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MICHELIN TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 156,651.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 6, 200980,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. IN AUGUST OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER DID NOT RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE CONTACT CALLS THE DEALER, HE IS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. IN JANUARY OF 2009, HE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE, WHICH STATED THAT HE DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE FIRST NOTICE. ON FEBRUARY 4, 2009, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 24, 200866,000 milesAL

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSTICS CHECKED ON IT , BECAUSE MY ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON , AFTER HAVING THE PLUGS CHANGED. THE DIAGNOSTICS SAID IT WAS A FIX IT PROBLEM, WITH THE VALVES, I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, IT SEEMS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BECAUSE OF THE MI. BEING 66,000 MY WIFE AND I WERE PLANNING TO GO OUT OF TOWN TO VISIT OUR GRANDCHILDREN, BUT CANNOT NOW. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO MAKE A RECALL. I WILL BE CONTACTING EVERYONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE HELP US BY TELLING EVERYONE YOU KNOW!! MERRY CHRISTMAS ! WHO STOLE OUR CHRISTMAS FORD ! CALL YOUR GOV, OFFICIALS HELP MAKE THIS A RECALL NOT A FAIR WARRANTY 3YRS OR 36000 MI. BUY A FOREIGN CAR FROM NOW ON. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 29, 200866,016 milesCA

MIL ON WITH VARIOUS MISFIRE RELATED DTC'S PO300-PO306 AND PO316 - 3.0L-2V VULCAN ENGINE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 17, 200862,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE WATER IN THE FUEL TANK. HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE VALVE SPRING CAME OUT OF THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER. UPDATED 12/11/08. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 25, 200860,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HORN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/15/08.*JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 18, 200855,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2004 FORD RANGER P/U THAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. FROM TIME TO TIME (AND GETTING MORE FREQUENT)THE CRUISE WILL NOT WORK AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALSO THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. I KNOW THAT FORD HAS A RECALL FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH CRUISE PROBLEMS , BUT MY TRUCK VIN DOES NOT FALL UNDER THOSE BEING RECALLED. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ,THEY INFORMED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AS IT WASN'T COVERED.I CALLED A LOCAL DEALER SERVICE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID TO ME OH YEAH WE GET THAT PROBLEM AND 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES IT'S A SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT WRAPS THE WIRES AND ALONG WITH NO CRUISE OR HORN YOU ALSO LOSE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG PROTECTION!!!NOW THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM,AS HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW TEST THEIR HORN BEFORE DRIVING OUT THE DRIVE AND FOR THAT MATTER REALLY HOW MANY PEOPLE EVEN USE CRUISE CONTROL ON A REGULAR BASIS? I KNOW IN MY CASE THAT IF IT DOES GO IN CRUISE AND I AM GOING DOWN THE NYS THRUWAY AND HAVE TO TAP MY BRAKE FOR SLOW TRAFFIC AND THEN TAP RESUME AFTER TRAFFIC CLEARS AND CRUISE DOES NOT FUNCTION THAT TELLS ME MY HORN ISN'T GOING TO WORK AND MY LIFE COULD BE IN DANGER IF I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY AIR BAG IS ALSO INOPERABLE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 15, 200832,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY. HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE PARK POSITION. HE HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND REMOVE THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND ONCE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, IT COULD BE RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY FURTHER FAILURES. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED DURING COLD STARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,700. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed May 12, 200891,000 milesVT

COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING DETAILS: ON APRIL 26, 2008, A MINOR RHYTHMIC SQUEAKING SOUND WAS NOTICED FROM BENEATH VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. ON MAY 3, 2008, UPON RAISING VEHICLE ON LIFT, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE RIGHT WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING BRAKE ROTOR, ABS COMPONENT AND HUB DROPPED FROM VEHICLE. AN ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS NEEDED (+$500). AS AN EMT WHO RESPONDS TO VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS IN THIS RURAL STATE IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER I WAS FLOORED TO THINK HOW CLOSE I WAS TO DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE RANGER. BASED UPON OTHER REPORTS (ODI CASE NUMBER: 10155010) I CONSIDER MYSELF FORTUNATE, THANK GOD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 6, 2008114,000 milesWV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST 2007. EVERY MONTH THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS 04/2000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jan 24, 2008CA

ONE OF FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE TRUCK WITH 4.0L ENGINE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS (235/75 X 15) WITH ONLY 22,852 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE SIDEWALL EXHIBITED CRACK LINES ALL ALONG THE UPPER PART OF THE SIDEWALL AND I TOOK IT TO THE TIRE SHOP FOR REPAIRS THE TIRE STARTED BULGING OUT ALONG ONE SECTION OF THE CRACKS AND THEIR WAS MASSIVE LEAK OF AIR. I WAS CONCERNED THAT OTHER THREE TIRES WOULD EVENTUALLY BLOW OUT SO I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A BRAND NEW ONES. *TR

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)Crash
Filed Dec 19, 200726,000 milesVT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A WOOD SPLINTER, WHICH DAMAGED THE TIRE, ALUMINUM WHEEL, BUMPER, AND TAILGATE. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THERE WAS A VACUUM LEAK IN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE THAT CAUSED THE GEAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000. UPDATED 01/08/08 *BF

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 1, 200777,000 milesCA

MY 2004 FORD RANGER STARTED IDLING ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A FEW MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THREE CYLINDERS DO TO THE VALVES NOT SEATING PROPERLY. THE CORRECTION IS TO HAVE BOTH HEADS REPLACED, A COST THAT NEITHER FORD OR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY IS WILLING TO PICK UP. I AM A 3RD GENERATION FORD OWNER AND EXTREMELY IRATE THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL CONSIDERING THAT THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE MISTAKE ON THEIR PART, AND THAT THEY ARE MAKING THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THIS. FORD IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY HAVE ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2007155,000 milesMI

ROUGH RUNNING, MISFIRE AND A LACK OF POWER DUE TO A LOSS OF COMPRESSION. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Jul 24, 200741,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHEN THE CONTACT REDUCED THE SPEED OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE WIPERS CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT A FAST SPEED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO STOP, CAUSING HIM TO DISCONNECT THEM FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE THEN HAD TO RECONNECT THE WIPERS WHEN THEY WERE NEEDED AGAIN. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

Tires
Filed Jun 7, 20077,500 milesRI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDE WALLS OF HER GOODYEAR TIRES WERE CRACKED AND BUBBLING. THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE IS P9245-75R16. THE DOT AND ADDITIONAL TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,500.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 200736,000 milesMD

2004 RANGER 4X4 AOD TRANS SLIPPED AND MISSED SHIFTS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. TOOK TO WINNER FORD NEWARK DE, WAS TOLD "NO CODES CAME UP, IT'S OK". SLIPPING CONTINUED, GOT WORSE, NOW, WITH 40,000 MILES TRANS WILL SHIFT LATE TO 2ND, MAKES THE SHIFT VERY ROUGHLY, THEN O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND TRANS WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OD. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS WITH 2003 EXPLORER AUTO TRANS. NHTSA SHOULD HOLD MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel Cylinders
Filed Mar 28, 200748,000 milesOH

2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN HE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES BOTH TIMES THE TECHNICIANS FOUND NOTHING. CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WERE NEVER REMOVED TO EXPOSE THE LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDERS. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED AT A SLOW PACE AND DISSOLVED THE BRAKE LINING AND CAUSED ALL THE OTHER SPRINGS AND COMPONETS TO RUST AND BREAK. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 20, 2007LA

2004 FORD RANGER, 3L V6, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER SAID WAS AN INJECTOR PRPOBLEM. TOOK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC SHOP, WHO FOUND ZERO COMPRESSION ON 5 AND 6 CYLINDERS, AND THE VALVE SEATS WERE DAMAGED. INJECTORS WERE OKAY. BOTH CYLINDER HEADS NEED REPLACING WITH THE NEW . CYLINDER HEADS WHICH WOULD REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE, ORIGINAL CYLINDER HEADS ,PER THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN FORD RELEASED ON 05-26-2003, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS OR RECALL THE VEHICLES. THIS WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND FORD COULD BE IDENTIFIED AS A CRAP COMPANY FOR DEFRAUDING THE PUBLIC AND ROBBING ME. LIGHT CAME ON AT 55, 000 MILES.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and LinkagesCrash
Filed Mar 16, 20076,438 milesPA

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT POOR DESIGN OF BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS , WHEN WEARING WORK BOOTS IF NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL PUSH ON GAS PEDAL AS YOU APPLY BRAKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES ACTUALLY EXCELERATING, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE , ONCE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT DURING HIGHWAY PANIC STOP

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Wheel Cylinders
Filed Mar 15, 200720,495 milesOH

BRAKES WERE IMPROPERLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH LED TO UNDO REPAIR BILLS. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS OF MY 2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LINING AND ALL OTHER SPRINGS & COMPONENTS TO RUST, BREAK AND PARTS TO DETERIORATE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 2, 200748,400 milesOH

ON TWO OCCASIONS ALL POWER IN THIS 2004 FORD RANGER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL I RESET THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED BENEATH THE GLOVE BOX AREA AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. 3/01/07, LATE EVENING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON AN EXPRESSWAY. LUCKILY, WE WERE IN THE SLOW LANE AND COULD DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BEFORE PUSHING THE RESET BUTTON FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND IT STARTED. FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO AN ASSIGNED LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER SAID IT WILL COST $59.95 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE AND IF THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IT IS NOT WITHIN THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY AND IF FORD PAYS A PORTION IT WOULD BE A VERY SMALL AMOUNT. I HAVE READ TWO OTHER ON-LINE COMPLAINTS, ALMOST IDENTICAL. ONE WAS LISTED UNDER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE OTHER ONE WAS UNDER ENGINE PROBLEMS. I AM GLAD WE WERE NOT IN THE FAST LANE OR HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS AT THIS TIME. *JB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 28, 200760,805 milesVT

I HAD AN ACCIDENT AT STOWE MTN. RESORT ON ROUTE 108 THAT INVOLVED A FRONT END COLLISION ABOUT 20 DEGRESS FROM FRONT CENTER OF THE FORD RANGER TRUCK. I HIT A STONE WALL AT ABOUT 25 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR AND THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK HAS TO BE REPLACED BY INSURANCE. DAMAGE WAS 6922.77 BEFORE THE REPAIR HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN DAMAGE. HIT A WALL AND FORD SAYS NO PROBLEM WITH TRUCK AS FAR AS AIR BAGS, BUT THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER NOR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED! CONTACTED DEALER AND FORD AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG DID NOT MALFUNCTION. HIT WALL WITH TRUCK, FORD MOTOR CO. CONSUMER COMPLAINT IN FLORIDA (800 NUMBER),AND DEALER, FORMULA FORD OF BARRE, VT. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 17, 2007NY

04 FORD TRUCK RANGER( FORD REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY)**CC THE CONSUMER REPORTED A BINDING/SEIZING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERN. THE SECOND INCIDENT THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE COST FOR NEW BRAKES WAS $777.96. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS REPLACED *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 15, 200635,000 milesPA

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Nov 24, 200647,278 milesOH

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TRUCK HAS 46K MILES. I AM LOOKING TO TRADE IT IN ON A TOYOTA, WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST JAPANESE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER CONSIDERED. RUST IS ALSO STARTING TO FORM BETWEEN THE BED AND THE GATE. *NM

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Nov 22, 20069,500 milesWI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE RIM WAS 16 INCHES INSTEAD OF 15 INCHES AND THE TIRE ITSELF WAS 70 SERIES INSTEAD OF 75 SERIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A PROPER SIZED SPARE TIRE. UPDATED 12/26/06.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Oct 17, 200637,270 milesNY

I JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF BRIAN AT THE PHONE NUMBER 1800-392-FORD (THAT THE DEALER GAVE ME) ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE SAFER CARGOV WEBSITE. AMONG OTHERS. THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2004 FOR RANGER EDGE 4X4. I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. KNOWING THAT FORD DOES NOT COVER WEAR ITEMS" I FIGURED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE SHOES SHOULD NOT SEPARATE (WEAR YES, SEPARATE NO). A TRUCK WITH 37 K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE REAR BRAKE PADS COME APART PERIOD. IF THIS IS WHAT FORD CALLS QUALITY THEN IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PURCHASE. AND AS OF NOW I AM DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE LACK OF CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM THIS COULD CAUSE. ITS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS NOT GOING 50 MPH OR HIGHER WHEN IT LOCKED UP. OR ON TOP OF THAT HAVE ANOTHER PERSON IN THE VEHICLE ..SAFETY? OR WEAR? YOUR CALL QUALITY ? *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 13, 200646,000 milesCA

2004 FORD RANGER WITH 3.0 LITER FUEL INJECTION. BOTH CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED AROUND EXHAUST VALVE SEATS. BOTH HEADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 46,000 MILES AND NOT ABUSED. *NM

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 11, 2006387 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE FRONT LEFT SEAT WAS RECLINED TO THE FULL EXTENT; THE BACK OF THE SEAT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE REAR WINDOW, POPPING THE GLASS OUT OF THE SEALS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

Tires
Filed Aug 26, 2006NH

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR (INSIDE EDGE) ON FRONT TIRES AT LOW MILEAGE (5,000+) AND CONTINUING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED BY THE DEALER TWICE SINCE PURCHASE. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Aug 22, 20061,449 milesOR

NOISE AT TIMES. FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 13, 20068,000 milesOH

DASH/RADIO SURFACE BUBBLING UP COSMETIC/APPEARANCE DEFECT. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jul 17, 2006CA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE LATCH WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. IT USED TO LOCK, BUT HAS BECOME INOPERABLE. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE HOOD DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE DEFECT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED DUE TO THE HOOD AND THE HOOD ALSO BECAME DENTED.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 18, 200630,000 milesMA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6-15-06 THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON. DEALER LUBED THE LOCKS AND LATCHES. *TT

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Apr 26, 200618,083 milesIA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP. THE DIFFERENTIAL UNLOCKED AFTER ROCKING THE VEHICLE BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS.

Suspension › Front › Wheel BearingCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 11, 200635,400 milesCA

ON MARCH 06,06. EXACTLY 2 MONTHS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF A "QUALITY CHECKED PREOWNED " 2004 FORD RANGER PICKUP FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 4:30 AM S/B ON THE I 15 SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE VEERED HARD LEFT SLAMMED INTO THE CENTER GAURDRAIL THEN FLIPPED AND ROLLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE A CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE CO. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE I WAS DRAWN TO THE FACT THAT THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING BRAKE ROTOR AND HUB WERE DETACHED FROM VEHICLE AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS THAT THE WHEEL BEARING RETAINING ASSEMBLY IS AT FAULT. THE SPINDLE IS FLAT ON BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE THREADED TIP WHERE THE WHERE THE AXLE NUT THREADS SHOULD MESH AND HOLD, BUT THE THREADS OF THE NUT ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO NOT BE CONTINUOUS,BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE SEPARATED TO WHERE 2/4 S OF THE INSIDE AREA IS THREADED AND THE OTHER 2/4 S HAS NO THREADS AND ARE STAGGERED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ALLOW THE AXLE NUT IF ALLOWED TO SPIN AT ALL EVEN JUST 1/8 OF A TURN TO POP OFF WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE EXCEPT FOR THE SMALL LOOKING COTTER PIN WHICH CAME OUT IN PIECES MAYBE BECAUSE THE PRESSED METAL CASTLE NUT WANNA BE WHICH IS OF A LOOSE FITTING STYLE COULD EASILY HAVE WORN THE COTTER PIN WITH ITS RATHER SHARP EDGES SEEMINGLY FROM JUST NORMAL USE AND EVEN MORE SO IF THE WHEEL WAS NOT ADJUST PERFECTLY OR IF THE WHEEL SEAL WAS NOT SEATED PERFECTLY WHICH AFTER SOME TIME WOULD CAUSE A MORE PRONOUNCED LOOSENESS IN THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY THUS C

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 5, 2006ME

WHILE COMING TO A STOP (TWICE) THE FORD RANGER ENGINE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY TO A POINT IT COULD NOT BE COMPLETELY STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. HAD ANY TRAFFIC BEEN COMING I WOULD BE A DEAD MAN. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR NOR ARE THERE ANY FLOOR MATS IN THIS TRUCK TO GET STUCK UNDER THE ACCELERATOR. I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND I KNOW THAT IF I BRING IT TO THE FORD GARAGE THAT ITS GOING TO COST TONS OF MONEY AND THEY ARE GOING TO SAY THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH A CONTROL MECHANISM SOMEWHERE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. ONCE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT A MILE. THE SECOND TIME (TODAY) AFTER DRIVING FOR HOURS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME OUT I REALLY AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Mar 31, 200663,200 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THIS OCCURRED 4-5 TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO GAIN SPEED EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT WAS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND IT BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Mar 27, 2006MO

2004 RANGER MADE A SCRAPING NOISE WHEN IN 2ND GEAR. WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE GEARS OR SHIFT, THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED INCREASES. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE IDLE HAD BEEN RESET, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE NOISE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY IT STARTED TO AFFECT THE 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SHIFT PATTERN HAD A LOT OF PLAY. *JB

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 9, 200630,000 milesWI

FRONT SUSPENSION CAUSES SHIMS NEEDED IN FRONT END ALIGNMENT TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND CAUSE FRONT TIRES TO WEAR INCORRECTLY ON INSIDE OF FRONT TIRES. NEEDED TO GET FRONT END ALIGNMENT. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND DOES WARRANTY THESE PART FOR 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. SPOKE WITH FORD TECH AND AGREED WITH ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE UNTIL WELL AFTER THAT TIME FRAME. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and LinkagesCrash
Filed Mar 6, 200630,000 milesPA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AT A STOP SIGN, DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE TWO WERE PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD RESULTING IN A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND SEAT BELTS WERE USED. MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

Suspension
Filed Mar 6, 200634,000 milesWI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE TIRES WERE WORN. UPON INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THE REAR SUSPENSION SETTLED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND RESULTED IN EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING ADDITIONAL TESTING BEFORE REPAIRS ARE MADE.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 1, 200645,264 milesMA

PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF ALL DIRECTIONAL AND ABS/BRAKE INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER PICKUP. WHEN PULLING OUT OF STOP ONTO A MAIN THOROUGHFARE, MY DIRECTIONAL QUIT WORKING AS I MADE THE TURN. I TRIED TO CLICK THEM MANUALLY, BUT TO NO AVAIL...AT THE SAME TIME AS I LOST MY DIRECTIONAL, MY ABS/BRAKE FAILURE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. NOT ONLY WAS I NOT ABLE TO SIGNAL A TURN (AT 20:00 HOURS), BUT OTHER DRIVERS COULD NOT SEE MY HAND SIGNALS BECAUSE IT WAS SO DARK. IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAKE A TURN (TO RETURN HOME), ANOTHER DRIVER HONKED AT ME (FOR LACK OF TURN INDICATION) AND CUT ME OFF, CAUSING ME TO JAM ON MY BRAKES. WITH NO ABS AVAILABLE, I OF COURSE STARTED TO SLIDE. I QUICKLY LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MANUALLY PUMP MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS AS FOLLOWS; CUSTOMER REPORTS ABS LIGHT ON', 'CUSTOMER REPORTS ALL DIRECTIONAL INOPERABLE. VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND FUSE #20-10AMP BLOWN, REPLACED FUSE, BLEW AGAIN. FOUND WIRING ON FRAME RAIL CORRODED AND SHORT TO GROUND. REPAIRED AND CHECKED, ALL OK'. *JB

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 1, 200645,264 milesMA

MY 2004 FORD RANGER PICKUP HAS 45,265 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET BRAKE WORK DONE PLUS ANOTHER ISSUE AS OUTLINED IN NHTSA COMPLAINT/CONFIRMATION#10151518. I WAS TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE AN INSPECTION STICKER FOR THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED NEW LOWER BALL JOINTS PN#F87Z-3050-BA IN ORDER TO GET MY STICKER. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004, WITH 45.264 MILES OF HIGHWAY AND SECONDARY ROAD USAGE ONLY! NO OFF ROAD OR SEVERE USAGE AT ALL! BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT AND REQUIRED FRONT-END ALIGNMENT COST ME OVER $430.00! I HAVE THE BAD BALL JOINTS IN MY POSSESSION. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY ME DAILY, TO AND FROM WORK ONLY!*JB

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Feb 7, 20065,467 milesMI

2004 FORD RANGER FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS DUE TO A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK WHICH LEAKED ONTO THE WIRES AND IGNITED. *JB *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 3, 20065 milesWI

I HAVE A 2004 FORD RANGER WITH 12000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE VERY MUCH. AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE SHOT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS METAL WAS PEELING OFF. I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. I DID SAVE THE OLD ROTORS.*NM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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