Page 8 of 9 · complaints 351–400 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 →

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 23, 200630,000 milesGA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT 40MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DIRECT REAR END COLLISION, BUT CLIPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED TWO PREVIOUS FAILURES WITH THE BRAKES, BUT NO ACCIDENTS RESULTED IN THE OTHER INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS.

Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices
Filed Jan 11, 2006CA

SEAT BELT PROBLEM. 2004 FORD RANGER 2 WHEEL DRIVE. V-6, EXT CAB, THE SEAT BELT ALARM DOES NOT WORK AFTER IT IS DRIVEN A FEW HUNDRED FEET, CAN UN-BUCKLE BELT WITH NO INDICATION IT IS UN-BUCKLED, DRIVER AND PASSENGER BELT, VERIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER RANGER AT THE DEALER, FORD MT CO KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I NOTIFIED THEM AND RECEIVER A PHONE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH 04 RANGERS AND IS SAFETY RELATED. *JB *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 5, 200645,000 milesMI

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER KEPT COMING ON, I WAS TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT IT WAS AN EMISSION SIGNAL AND THAT IT WOULD RESET. IT DID BUT KEPT COMING BACK. THE TRUCK THEN STARTED RUNNING BAD, SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF MY ENGINES HEADS. AND OF COURSE BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY TRUCK, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I SAID THAT IF FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS DEFECT THEN WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED THESE ENGINES. *NM

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Jan 1, 2006IL

SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS ARE SO HIGH THAT THEY PREVENT GOOD VISIBILITY IN REAR VIEW MIRROR OR WHEN LOOKING BACK. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 22, 2005NC

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS A COMPANY FLEET VEHICLE AND IT WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THE COMPANY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME FUEL LEAKING PROBLEM DUE TO A BROKEN FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE SAME AREA. *AK

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Nov 15, 2005NV

CONSUMER SPARE TIRE WAS NOT THE CORRECT SIZE TO FIT ON 2004 FORD RANGER. *TS THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO GIVE THE CONSUMER A SPARE TIRE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Oct 4, 200522,000 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL WHEN IT WAS PRESSED DOWN. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE CAP ON THE RESERVOIR TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEN, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RESERVOIR, THIS STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS, AND THIS SEEMED TO STOP THE LEAK OF THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT DID NOT HELP THE BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE BRAKING PROBLEM RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AVOID AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND HE COULD NOT GAIN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SIX TO SEVEN TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS ONE FATALITY, AND TWO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE SERVICE DEALER BECAUSE OF INJURIES SUSTAINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE IN A TOW YARD IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 12, 200522,000 milesIN

(1) WHEN I (THE DRIVER) HAVE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE (A 2004 FORD RANGER WITH AUTOMATIC V-6), THE THROTTLE FAILS TO DISENGAGE AND EVEN APPEARS TO BE WORKING TO OVERCOME THE BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED (3) TIMES SINCE THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE ON JULY 30, 2005. (2) WHILE THE OCCURRENCES APPEAR RANDOM IN NATURE, THE ENGINE RACES, TIRES SPIN/SQUEAL EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED EACH TIME WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND ALWAYS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS AT A STOP SIGN OR IN A PARKING LOT. NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED YET, HOWEVER, THIS WAS PURELY A MATTER OF LUCK AND TIMING. (3) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE, AS THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE RANDOM EVENT. *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 30, 2005PA

DT: THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER PRORATED THE PRICE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED ON 6-21-05 AND THE OTHER THREE WERE REPLACED ON 7-26-05. *AK *NM *JB WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 35 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD THUMPING NOISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › LatchCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Aug 26, 2005CA

ROLLOVER; DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OPEN; SPOOL OUT OF SEATBELT.

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Aug 19, 2005CA

2004 RANGER XLT PASSENGER REAR TIRE CAME APART. *MR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD COME OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SEVERELY SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER THEN HAD COME BACK ACROSS THE CENTER LANE. THE BLOWN TIRE LOOKED AS IF HAD COME UNPLUGGED AT THE SIDEWALL. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BULDGE ON THE SIDEWALL. TWO TIRES FAILED IN THE COURSE OF DAYS. CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC *SC *TT

Power TrainFire
Filed Aug 12, 2005WA

2004 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE DRIVER LOOKED OUT OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND THE DRIVER HAD TO COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THAT TIME A BYSTANDER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND EXTINGUISHED IT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN THE CLUTCH PLATE EXPLODED IT FLEW INTO A PARKED CAR CATCHING IT ON FIRE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED RELIEF UNDER THE WARRANTY STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN ABUSED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN UNDER 700 MILES AND ONLY FRO A MONTH AN A HALF. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Jul 22, 2005AL

TRAVELING DOWN LAKESHORE PARKWAY AT APPROX. 30 MPH AND NOTICED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HIT MY BRAKES WITH NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE, THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP. I TRIED TO STEER TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP THE TRUCK KEPT GOING STAIGHT CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 200530,000 milesMO

2004 FORD RANGER FX4. AUTO TRANSMISSION SLIPS FREQUENTLY, AND ALSO SEEMS TO "FLOAT" GEARS EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TRANSMISSION CANNOT SEEM TO FIND RIGHT GEAR AT TIMES AND OFTEN GOES INTO EITHER TOO LOW OR TOO HIGH OF A GEAR. TRANSMISSION MAKES SCRAPING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM ONE GHEAR TO THE NEXT, (APPLICABLE TO ALL GEARS) IT OFTEN "JOLTS" THE VEHICLE AS OPPOSED TO MAKING A SMOOTH TRANSITION. VISITED DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE "NO CODE COMES UP ON THE OBD COMPUTER". PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. DATE GIVEN IS DATE AT WHICH PROBLEM BEGAN.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 8, 2005WI

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER AND THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN THE FRONT END. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT WAS AROUND 35-40 MPH. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF. *AK *SC

Structure
Filed Jun 30, 2005200 milesNV

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE ODOMETER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ODOMETER COULD NOT BE SEEN IN DAYLIGHT OR AT NIGHT. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER HAS A RECALL. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD REPORT IT TO ENGINEERING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 27, 200512,000 milesVA

DT: 2004, FORD, RANGER XLT, FRONT BRAKES ON DRIVER'S SIDE ARE GRABBING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP TWICE. CONSUMER CAN MASH THE BRAKES DOWN, AND HEARS A GRINDING SOUND. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE TRUCK, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE FREEZING UP. ALSO, HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STILL COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAL WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE OWNER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX WHAT EVER NECESSARY, AND THE SEAL WAS NOT FIXED. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES.

Service Brakes, Air › AntilockCrash
Filed Jun 20, 200512,400 milesVA

WAS BACKING DOWN PART OF MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS FAIRLY STEEP. WHEN REACHING POINT WHERE WANTED TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT BUDGE SO 2004 FORD RANGER CONTINUED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL HITTING TREE IN ITS PATH. IT STOPPED THEN! DAMAGE WAS $4,000 AND SOME. TRUCK IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 12,000 MILES USE. FORD SAID COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. BODY SHOP REPAIRED BED.

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed May 18, 20054,250 milesVA

RIGHT PASSENGER MIRROR FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. GLASS PORTION ONLY POPPED OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 28, 20054,500 milesNC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE BRALKES LOCKED UP THE TRUCK WENT SKIDDING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKE SHOES AND RESEALED WITH SILICON ON THE BACKING PLATE. THE DEALER ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. . *BF *NM

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Mar 25, 200590,000 milesMA

WHILE BRAKING ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF THE DRIVETRAIN FAILURE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 13, 2005CA

FORD RANGER 2004 SPEED STANDARD TRANSMISSION, LOSS OF POWER AND STALLING DURING STANDARD OPERATION, KNOWN BY FORD SINCE 1997 FOR THAT TYPE OF ENGINE.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Jan 27, 200522,184 milesMS

TRUCK HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES ALREADY; 1. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BACK WINDOW POPPED OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON-----PUT IN NEW VALVE BODY IN, PUT WINDOW IN AND RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.*AK 2. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON------NEW PURGE VALVE CANISTER IN ENGINE, FUEL PUMP, NEW FUEL TANK. 3. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS(TRANSMISSION SLIPS), REAR WINDOW OUT AGAIN. 2. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGI

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 27, 20052,000 milesTX

2004 FORD RANGER 3.0L 5SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS IN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT WHEN INCLINING OVER THE SLIGHTEST HILL (EG 5TH TO 4TH TO 3RD TO 4TH TO 3RD). IS NOT HEALTHY FOR A TRANSMISSION TO ACT THIS WAY WHEN NOT UNDER STRAIN.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 25, 2005MA

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 24, 200518,700 milesNY

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND A TOW TRUCK PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *JB

Seats
Filed Jan 12, 2005GA

THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DRIVER'S SEATS DESIGN DECREASES THE DRIVER'S PERIPHERAL VISION AND INCREASES THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT. *NM THE SOLID PIECE INCORPORATING THE HEAD REST WAS SO HIGH THAT THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE SEATS AND THE CEILING OF THE CAB. *SC *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Dec 28, 20048,985 milesOR

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER HIT A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Dec 21, 2004NY

WHILE DRIVING IT FELT AS IF THE GEARS WERE GOING TO JUMP. CONSUMER WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE, AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE, AND GEARS JUMPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, CAUSING A COLLISION. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 13, 2004FL

PAST SAFETY RECALLS OTIFICATION DATE COMPONENT DESCRIPTION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER /3/2004 STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS 04V331000 . *AK I BROUGHT MY 2004 FORD RANGER TO THE DEALER THIS DAY 12-13-2004 AND WHEN I MENTIONED THIS RECALL TO INSPECT FOR THIS POSSIBLE FRAME PROBLEM THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE "WORLD FORD" DEALER IN MIAMI, FL. TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 3, 2004KS

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 2, 20041,500 milesIL

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STARTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

Seats
Filed Nov 24, 20044,450 milesFL

I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 FORD RANGER REGULAR CAB IN AUG 2004. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AFTER A HEAVY RAIN THE WHOLE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS WET. IT WAS WET FROM BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HEAD RESTS TO THE FLOOR. IT TOOK A LITTLE OVER A WEEK FOR THE VEHICLE TO DRY OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD A DEFECTIVE WINDOW. THEY DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW BACK WINDOW FOR ME. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM THE SEAT BACK PUSHES OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND WATER CAN GET INSIDE. I AM 6'4" AND I HAVE TO HAVE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK TO DRIVE. WHEN THEY REPLACED THE WINDOW I TALK TO THE AUTO GLASS COMPANY THAT THEY SUB THE WORK OUT TO. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE RANGER REGULAR CABS. HE SAID THAT HE HAS HAD A FEW VEHICLES THAT COME IN EVERY 3 MONTHS TO GET A NEW REAR WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO CALLED FORD AND SPOKE WITH THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED LITTLE HELP. MY NEW TRUCK NOW SMELLS LIKE MOLD AND MILDEW, BUT THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THAT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THEIR FAULT, OR THE WINDOW PROBLEM OTHER THAN REPLACE IT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I THINK THAT THE SEAT IS THE MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT ONLY DOES IT PUSH THE GLASS OUT IT ALSO RESTRICTS THE REAR VIEW OF THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE SEATS GO ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A ACCIDENT IF THE SEAT PUSHES OUT THE BACK WINDOW? *NM

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 17, 2004CO

THE ENGINE CONTROLLER TENDS TO HOLD THE ENGINE SPEED BETWEEN 2000 AND 2500 RPM WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS BEHAVIOR IS MOST OBVIOUS WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE ENGINE RPM IS HELD ARTIFICIALLY HIGH (WAY ABOVE NORMAL IDLE) FOR AS LONG AS I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, UP UNTIL THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE HAS COASTED ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPUTER ALSO DOES THIS WHEN THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED. FOR EXAMPLE, IF I REMOVE PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COAST WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED WHILE IN THIRD GEAR ON A LEVEL ROAD, THE VEHICLE NEVER SLOWS DOWN BELOW APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH (CORRESPONDING TO APPROXIMATELY 2000 ENGINE RPMS). ALSO, WHILE DESCENDING A HILL IN A LOW (2ND/3RD) GEAR USING ENGINE BRAKING (NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL), I CAN FEEL THE TRUCK SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATE. I FIRST TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR THIS COMPLAINT ON 10/22/04. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE BEHAVIOR, INSPECTED VARIOUS SENSORS, PROBED THE COMPUTER FOR ERROR CODES, AND EVENTUALLY RESORTED TO RESETTING THE COMPUTER IN HOPES THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD MAGICALLY DISAPPEAR. THIS OF COURSE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, SO I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 11/16/04 WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT IS A "NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE VEHICLE, SUPPOSEDLY ADDED TO THE COMPUTER PROGRAM TO IMPROVE EMISSIONS. ASIDE FROM BEING ANNOYING, I BELIEVE THAT THIS "FEATURE" COULD POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE

Fuel System, Other
Filed Nov 16, 20044,660 milesCA

FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ENGAGED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE. THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WAS ENGAGED BY THE PASSENGER'S FOOT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT THIS INCIDENT FROM RECURRING.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Nov 3, 2004100 milesWY

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ACCELERATOR WILL REMAIN OPEN EVEN AFTER CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE RPMS WILL HOLD AT 3,000 RPMS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE FUEL EMISSIONS. THIS DEFECT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *SC

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Oct 12, 2004135 milesCT

DRIVELINE "THUMP/CLUNK", 5 SPEED MANUAL, 4X4 4.0L V6. 2004 RANGER SUPERCAB. LOUD CLUNK FROM DRIVELINE WHILE DEPRESSING CLUTCH TO SHIFT GEARS. ALSO CLUNKS WHILE RELEASING CLUTCH AFTER GEAR SELECT. DEALER DEFINED AS "TYPICAL" EXPECTED DRIVELINE NOISE. REFUSED TO CORRECT OR APPLY A FIX, CLAIMED NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN EXISTED FOR THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER DEALER. *NM

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 7, 2004PA

2004 RANGER XLT PICKUP TRUCK HAD FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A STUMP AT 35 MPH ON OCT 3 2004 DOING $10,400 DAMAGE INCLUDING BENDING THE FRAME. NEITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER HAS HEAD, NECK, FACIAL,SHOULDER AND ABDOMINAL INJURIES. DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 2004AZ

1)THERE HAD BEEN A LIGHT RAIN A SHORT TIME EARLIER. 2)ON A 2004 FORD RANGER 4X4 PICK UP; THERE IS A TUBE STEP WITH A RUBBER STEP AREA. AS I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I MADE SURE THAT I WAS ON THAT RUBBER AREA (SINCE IT HAD JUST RAINED). AS I WENT TO STEP IN, MY FOOT SLID OFF THE RUBBER AREA; MY TOE WENT BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR JAM, MY HEEL LOCKED TO THE TUBE. I THEN FELL BACK AND HIT THE GROUND, WHILE MY FOOT STAYED LOCKED IN THE DOOR JAM AREA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY AND NOW HAVE A BLOWN DISK IN MY LOWER BACK THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CORRECT AT THIS TIME.I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK SINCE THIS HAPPENED! 3)IF FORD WOULD HAVE HAD " A BETTER IDEA"; THEY WOULD HAVE JUST PUT THE SANDPAPER NON-SKID IN THE AREA AND THIS HAZZARD WOULD NOT BE THERE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE! OR IS AN ATTOURNY NEEDED?*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 10, 20041,500 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE VEHICLE MADE NOISE AND LOST POWER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Seats
Filed Sep 8, 2004DC

PROBLEMS WITH VISIBILITY AND SEAT HEAD REST.*MR NO ANSWER REQUIRED - NO CONTACT INFORMATION PROVIDED. *MJJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WAS ONE PIECE INCORPORATING INTO THE HEAD REST. THE SEAT BACKS COME VERY CLOSE TO THE CEILING OF THE CAB ALLOWING NO VISIBILITY BETWEEN THE CEILING AND THE TOP OF THE SEAT. THE BACK OF THE PASSENGERS SEAT BLOCKED THE VIEW THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR. *JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 31, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLL OVER MORE THAN TWICE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Seats
Filed Jul 25, 20044,300 milesNC

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE, REGULAR CAB. I AM 5'10", AND SIT WITH MY SEAT AS FAR BACK AS IT WILL GO IN THE TRUCK. THIS, UNFORTUNATELY CAUSED MY REAR WINDOW TO POP OUT OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY SAID THAT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAKE AND YEAR OF MY TRUCK, AND ALL FORD IS DOING IS REINFORCING THE WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS ARE NOT A PROBLEM, IT IS THE SEAT. THE SEAT WAS NOT DESIGNED CORRECTLY FOR THE TRUCK, BUT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO REDESIGN THE SEATS, RECALL THE TRUCKS, OR UPGRADE TRUCKS TO EXTENDED CABS. THIS POSES A PROBLEM BECAUSE EVEN AFTER THE WINDOW IS FIXED, THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. AND "GOD FORBID" I EVER GET INTO A REAR-END COLLISION - WHAT HAPPENS TO MY WINDOW, ME, MY SEAT, ETC?! THIS PROBLEM ENDS UP BEING MORE SERIOUS THAN FORD IS WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND I STRONGLY FEEL THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED. I KNOW FOR A FACT IT IS NOT JUST MY TRUCK WITH THE PROBLEM - A DEALER AND I WENT AROUND TRYING OUT OTHER TRUCKS TO SEE IF THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE LOT, AND SURE ENOUGH, WE PUSHED THE SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK, AND THE WINDOWS POPPED OUT. THIS WAS JUST SITTING IN THE TRUCK!! WHAT HAPPENS IN A COLLISION???*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 24, 20043,600 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM AN INTERSECTION. THE FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED DEAD CENTER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS AT THE TIME OF COLLISION BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ONE INJURY IN EACH VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS TREATED BY THE PARAMEDIC AT THE SCENE. *AK *NM

Tires
Filed Jun 23, 2004400 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT BOTH TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB THE FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE OTHER TIRE. *NM

Seats
Filed Jun 14, 200450 milesOR

CONSUMER INSISTED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOUNTED TOO LOW. THE CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS THIGH WHEN CHANGING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *AK THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH LEG ROOM TO APPLY THE BRAKES. UPON THE CONSUMERS INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM, HE DISCOVERED A BOLT IN THE SEAT TRACK WHICH DID NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO EXTEND FULLY TO THE REAR POSITION. THE BOLT WAS FINE THREAD 2 1/2" LONG-WEDGE IN TRACK-ONE SIDE WORN. THE BOLT WAS REMOVED AND IT WORKED FINE. *SC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed May 11, 20043 milesCA

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL BEING TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME ON MANY OCCASIONS. *AK *SC *JB

Suspension
Filed Apr 27, 20047,840 milesFL

WE NOTICED EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON THE RANGERS FRONT TIRES, WHICH AT THE TIME HAD 7840 MILES ON IT. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BAY HARBOR FORD. THE SERVICE PERSON EXPLAINED THAT THE TIRES WERE ONLY WARRANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. *AK ON APRIL 27TH , I ARRIVED EARLY AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. JIM BASILOTTO. HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THERE WAS AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND IT IS ONLY DRIVEN BACK AND FORTH TO WORK ON THE LOCAL ROADS. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF- ROAD OR EVEN ON BAD ROADS AND NEVER TRAVELED FARTHER THAN PORT CHARLOTTE, FL. SHE OR I CAN NOT EVER REMEMBER HITTING A POTHOLE THAT WOULD COME CLOSE TO CAUSING A PROBLEM. THE SERVICE PEOPLE PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT AND CHECKED THE TIE RODS BY TRYING TO WIGGLE THEM WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD ITS FULL WEIGHT ON THE TIRES. ( I PERSONALLY CHECK FRONT END PARTS BY RAISING THE WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND CHECK FOR PLAY IN THE BALL JOINTS ALSO) THE TIRE PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES WAS LOW (LOWER 20 PSI) AND THEY ADDED AIR. AGAIN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS AS IT WAS WHEN IT LEFT THE SHOWROOM. IT IS OUR CONCLUSION THAT THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM HAD TO EXIST WHEN WE LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IN COMPARISON, MY 2001 EXPLORER HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIRES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. IT HAS BEEN OFF ROAD ON MANY OCCASIONS, THROUGH THE WORST BONE JARRING POTHOLES ON THE CROSS BRONX EXPRESSWAY AND NEVER HAD ANY ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS.

TiresCrash
Filed Apr 20, 2004584 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LANDED IN A DITCH. *AK

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 1, 2004PA

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO HIT A TREE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN HE ROUNDED A CURVE, HIT AN ICE, VEHICLE FISH TAILED, HIT AN ICE AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A TREE. UPON COLLISION WITH THE TREE, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISING OF THE CHEST. FORD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. *LA

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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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