1998 Ford Ranger

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/1997· SUSPENSION

  LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE STEERING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING LOUD NOISES WHEN MAKING A TURN OR COMING TO A STOP, A NYTHING TO DO WITH THE LOWER FRONT END. DEALER SAID WILL CALL AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/29/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

• 12/28/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 12/26/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,WHEELSCrash

  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 THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MAY FALL OFF. JUST LIKE YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY MAY BRAKE AWAY UNDER YOUR FEET. TODAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD SAYING THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I WONDER IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE MINE AND THEY ARE IN THE FORM OF "SERVICE BULLETINS" SECRET RECALLS THAT KEEP FORD AND OTHER COMPANIES FROM HAVING TO FIX MANY OF THEIR PROBLEMS. *JB THE CONSUNER HAD TO HAVE 2 BAD LUG NUTS REPLACED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

• 12/26/2001· EQUIPMENT

  UPON HAVING A FLAT TIRE I DISCOVERED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT THE PROPER SIZE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS A 4WD AND THE JACK WOULD NOT RAISE THE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO USE UNSAFE METHODS TO CHANGE THE TIRE.*AK

• 12/23/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE POWER THE CORD THAT THAT GOES TO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED SOME OF THE WIRES LOCATED BEHIND SPEEDOMETER. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  '98 FORD EXPEDITION - CAR FIRE - CAR DESTROYED. DROVE 1.8 MILES FROM MY HOME AND WENT INTO A STORE. 5 MINUTES LATER I COME OUT TO THE CAR ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUILT A CAMPFIRE ON THE ENGINE HOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. INSURANCE DID INVESTIGATION BUT COULD NOT PROVE ANYTHING - NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *JB

• 12/22/2003· POWER TRAINCrash

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

• 12/22/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR. ACCELERATOR STUCK 11 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SB

• 12/21/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE IN STOP / GO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE BEEN IN /OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING CAN BE FOUNED. DEALER WANTS CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK. *AK

• 12/21/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

• 12/19/2003· SUSPENSION

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

• 12/18/2000· TIRES

  TIRE WAS LOW ON AIR, AND THE SIDEWALL WAS PEELED BACK TO THE RIM.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN08IPU TIRESIZE: 235/70R16)

• 12/14/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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.

• 12/13/2000· TIRESCrash

  FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRE P225/70R15 DOT W2UU1P0069 WAS CAUSING A NOISE, SO CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SEE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE 1 TIRE, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TREAD, FIRESTONE WILL NOT ASSIST UNLESS TIRES ARE ON A RECALL LIST. *SLC

• 12/12/2001· POWER TRAIN

  REAR AXEL BROKE. *AK

• 12/11/2000· TIRESCrash

  THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE IN MY LANE. I CORRECTED MY VEHICLE TO COME BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY AND WHEN I TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT FRON TIRE BLEW AND THE WEIGHT SHIFTEN FROM THE WEAK SPRINGS IN THE REAR, ROLLING MY VEHICLE FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS ON AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, THEY WERE OVERSIZED (16 INCH, OFF-ROAD PACKAGE) AND UNSAFE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE 16 INCH TIRES ARE NO LONGER BEING PUT ONTO RANGERS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD TIRESIZE: P235/70R16)

• 12/10/2003· STEERING

  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

• 12/10/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO GARAGE AND VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. *AK

• 12/08/1998· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  STARTED VEHICLE UP. HAD DOOR OPENED AT TIMES DRIVER'S LEG NOT INSIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, WITHOUT WARNING. HIT A TRUCK & THEN A WALL. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

• 12/07/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER CAN REMOVE THE KEY AND STILL TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

• 12/07/2000· TIRES

  DRIVER'S REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT OWL TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH.TIRES HAD 8200 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. TIRE SIZE P225/70R15, DOT# UNKNOWN. *AK

• 12/04/2000· TIRES

  CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 225/70R15 TIRES, THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING HANDLING PROBLEMS AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL. *MJS

• 12/04/2000· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD THUMPING NOISE AND WENT TO A TIRE DEALER WHO NOTICED TIRE TREAD HAD PEELED, DEALER ALSO NOTICED THE OTHER 3 TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION, RIGT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 WAS REPLACED, DOT VNHL. *SLC

• 12/03/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENTCrash

  CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKAGE INTO CAB OF 1998 FORD RANGER CAUSED SEVERE SLEEPINESS WHILE DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK AND WHILE AT HOME. EACH DAY FOR ABOUT A MONTH I WAS EXPERIENCING DIZZINESS, SLEEPINESS AND NAUSEA. I HAD A SMALL ACCIDENT WHEN I FEEL ASLEEP WHILE STOPPING FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I REPORTED MY DIZZINESS AND SLEEPINESS TO MY SUPERVISOR WHO NOTIFIED OUR MEDICAL DEPARTMENT AND THEY SENT ME HOME. I HAD A MEDICAL STRESS TEST PERFORMED; IT WAS OK', A SLEEP STUDY PERFORMED AND THE CARDIOLOGIST INCREASED MY DOSAGE OF A BETA BLOCKER. I WAS FINALLY RELEASED TO RETURN TO WORK TWO MONTHS LATER. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SHORTLY AFTER I WAS SENT HOME AND THEY REPORTED THERE WAS NO CO LEAKING INTO MY CAB. I TRIED DISCUSSING MY PROBLEM WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT THEY SAID THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THAT'S ALL THEY COULD DO FOR THE CARBON MONOXIDE WAS ENTERING INTO MY CAB FROM THE EXHAUST OF OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I FINALLY FOUND AND BOUGHT A DIGITAL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WHICH WOULD READ ANY LEVEL OF CO DETECTED. THE FIRST DAY I DROVE TO WORK IT INDICATED 18 PPM CO POISON AND ANOTHER 16 PPM CO POISON ON THE DRIVE HOME AFTER WORK WHICH TOTALED AROUND 34 PPM PER DAY FOR OVER A MONTH. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO MY DOCTOR AND REQUESTED A BLOOD GAS TEST WHICH INDICATED A HIGH LEVEL OF CO IN MY BLOOD. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE PULMONARY DOCTOR THAT THE SLEEPINESS WAS CAUSED BY CO POISONING ENTERING THE CAB OF MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. *TR

• 12/02/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  XLT, PASSENGER AIR BAG SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, LIGHT WAS ON SHOWING IT WAS OFF. CONSUMER HIT A DEER AT 55 MPH, PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. 9 MONTH OLD CHILD WAS IN SAFETY SEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE. SAFETY SEAT BROKE IN HALF AT IMPACT, CHILD'S INJURIES UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AS WELL. TS

• 12/02/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE HARMONIC BALANCER SEPARATED, WHICH MADE CONTACT WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND FRONT U-JOINT. THE REAR END OF VEHICLE TORE APART WHEN THE FRONT PORTION OF THE DRIVE SHAFT MADE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. PH *TT *JB

• 12/02/1998· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK DURING SUDDEN BRAKING.

• 12/01/2016· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR FRAME OF THE TRUCK HAS ROTTED AWAY. THE REAR SUSPENSION AND BUMPER ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. THE BODY ITSELF IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL I STEPPED ON THE REAR BUMPER AND IT BEGAN SAGGING DOWN AND THEN REALIZED THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE FRAMES CROSS MEMBERS WERE ALREADY GONE!

• 11/30/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1998 FORD RANGER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE CALLED THE DEALER WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE NEW YEAR. *KB

• 11/30/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER RAPIDLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE DROVE APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MINUTES TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR BECAME LOOSE. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CLAPPING SCREW ON THE SHAFT SENSOR AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR HIS VEHICLE (ITEM NUMBER 10000592). HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,300. UPDATED 04-09-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOOSE CAM SHAFT SENSOR

• 11/28/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE WAITING AT EITHER AT STOP LIGHT OR SIGN VEHICLE WOULD START TO REV UP, AND LATER STALLED OUT COMPLETELY. SOMETIMES IT FELT AS IF ENGINE WAS GOING TO BLOW UP BECAUSE OF THE REVVING. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL. *AK *JB

• 11/25/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  FIRST, NO ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A 1998 FORD RANGER WITH THE 3.0 ENGINE AND 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS HAS NO EFFECT ON VEHICLE SPEED. IF TRAFFIC IS SLOWING IN FRONT OF ME, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IS THE NORMAL THING TO DO IN ORDER TO START SLOWING DOWN AND NOT HITTING TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME. THIS VEHICLE WILL KEEP ON GOING AND BRAKE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. AS A FURTHER EXAMPLE. COMING TO A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL WANT TO RACE ABOVE 2000 UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT TAKES ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER THE STOP BEFORE THE COMPUTER WILL SLOW THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. BOTH TIMES, THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATION. HOWEVER, THEIR TESTING EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REPORTED IT TO FORD BUT CAN DO NOTHING UNTIL FORD ISSUES A PROGRAMMING CHANGE FOR THE COMPUTER. ONE TIME LAST SUMMER, AT A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE DECIDED TO GO FROM 2000 TO 3600 RPM AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO KILL THE ENGINE. FORD SEEMS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. AS AN ADDITIONAL TEST, I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE, GOT UP TO SPEED, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. THE ENGINE SPEED REMAINED CONSTANT AT 2800. EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN A SMALL AMOUNT, HAD NO EFFECT ON ENGINE SPEED DURING THIS TEST. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO NOT BE PRESENT WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. ONCE WARM HOWEVER, AT LEAST 50% OF THE TIME, THE ABOVE CONDITIONS EXIST.

• 11/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS CHANGED VARIOUS PARTS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 11/20/2000· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A THUMP IN THE DRIVESHAFT, THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM ACCORDING WITH PDF 99-13-4 AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE STARTED AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC

• 11/20/1999· SEATS

  NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/20/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VISIBILITY,SEATS

  COMPLAINT#1: GAS TANK LEAKED AFTER VEHICLE WAS ONLY ONE WEEK OLD. DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A NEW TANK. COMPLAINT#2: POWER WINDOWS ARE 'JERKY' AND THEY CHATTER WHEN GOING DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT YET. COMPLAINT#3: PASSENGER SEAT VIBRATES ANY TIME TRUCK DRIVES OVER ANY BUMPS, LARGE OR SMALL. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT AT THIS TIME.

• 11/19/2002· STRUCTURE

  CONSUMER STATES HIS FATHER IN LAW HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1998 FORD RANGER AND HAD IT TO ROLL OVER 4 TIMES, BREAKING HIS NECK. CONSUMER ALSO STATES HIS FATHER IN LAW LIVED BUT HE THINKS IT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE TRUCK THAT CAUSED THE WAS THE FACT THAT FORD MANUFACTURER TOOK B PILLAR OUT OF THE 2001 MODEL. TS

• 11/18/1999· SUSPENSION

  FRONT END ALIGNMENT IS OUT, BUT MUST PURCHASE ADDITIONAL KITS TO BE PUT ON BEFORE ALINEMENT CAN BE SET CORRECTLY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS. NOW COST OF REPAIR IS EST $120. MOST PEOPLE CAN NOT AFFORD THAT AT ONE TIME AND WILL DRIVE ON MISALINED FRONT END WHICH CAN BE A BIG SAFTELY ISSUE. *AK

• 11/16/2009· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE REAR BUMPER IN MY 1998 FORD RANGER (80K MILES) IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, AS THE REAR OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED & BROKEN. I HAVE CABLES HOLDING IT ON NOW. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE & BRACKET RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BROKE IN TWO. THE SPARE TIRE ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM RUSTED BRACKETS. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FORD RANGERS IN WHICH THE REAR BUMPER ACTUALLY DID FALL OFF, OR THE SPARE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MUCH WORSE THAT THE TOYOTA TRUCKS. IN FACT SOMEONE SAID THAT THE FORD FRAMES WERE BOUGHT AT THE SAME FACTORY AS THE TOYOTA'S, BUT I DO NOT KNOW FORE SURE. EVERYTHING ELSE ON MY TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, NOT A SPECK OF RUST ON THE BODY, AND IT RUNS GREAT. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *TR

• 11/15/2008· TIRESCrash

  WHILE ON FREEWAY LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CENTER DIVIDER. VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. THE TIRE FAILURE APPEARS AS TREAD SEPARATION. *TR

• 11/15/2000· VISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/14/2003· STEERING

  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

• 11/13/1998· TIRES

  FIRESTONE P235/75R15 SPARE TIRE LOCKED UP WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE UNIT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND DAMAGING REAR GATE OF VEHICLE, DUE TO SIZE (BALANCING) OF THE AXLE.

• 11/10/2014· STRUCTURE

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE FRAME BROKE, BEHIND THE CAB WHERE THE BACK BED BEGINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. EXCESSIVE ROT ALL OVER FRAME. *TR

• 11/10/1999· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH WOULD NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, DUE TO WAY I DRIVE, WHICH IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND $623.00 TO REPAIR. TRUCK HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS TWO TRUCKS I OWNED HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN I SOLD THEM AND BOTH HAD ORIGINAL CLUTCHES. I HAVE NOT CHANGED WAY I DRIVE, AND I DRIVE IN SAME AREA. BROUGHT TO AAMCO FOR SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH FAILURE. WAS TOLD BY AAMCO IT WAS PROBABLY DESIGN DEFECT DUE TO ONLY 32,000 MILES AND PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. ALSO, AAMCO REP. STATED NEW FORD RANGER AND F-150 MANUAL TRANSMISSION USES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND HAS 3 RUBBER PLUGS IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING. AUTO TRANS. FLUID EATS AWAY RUBBER PLUGS, WHICH ALLOWS DIRT IN AND FLUID OUT, ANOTHER DESIGN DEFECT.

• 11/10/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ANTI- LOCK BRAKES AND AIRBAG. DURING AN ACCIDENTANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THEIR BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 11/09/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY LOCKING UP.

• 11/08/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  1998 XLT 4X4. BODY IN GREAT SHAPE. FRAME HAS RUST SO BAD REAR BUMBER AND SPARE TIRE CARRIER HAVE FALLEN OFF. BROKE BY THE LEAF SHACKLES ALSO. FRAME WAS COATED. UNABLE TO REPAIR. I AM BEYOND UPSET THAT FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRAME, SOMETHING I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD.

• 11/08/2002· TIRES

  JULY 2002 GOING NORTH ON I65 IN THE EDGE OF LOUISVILLE KY DRIVING APX 55 MPH THE RIGHT REAR INSIDE DUEL TIRE BLEW OUT WITH THE OUTER RUBBER AND STEEL COMING OFF THE CASING OF THE TIRE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF TWO BLOWOUTS. THE SECOND HAPPENED OCT 2002 IN FLORIDA ON I 75 NEAR OCALA. THE FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER IN COLUMBUS INDIANA AT NO COST> THE SECOND WAS REPLACED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER IN OCALA, FL. AT A 60% COSTING ME 50.24. I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME 50% OF THE COST OF THE TIRES ON ANOTHER TIRE THEY SAID I NEED TO UPGRADE TO THE CORRECT TIRE THAT SHOULD OF BEEN PUT ON THE M/H BY FORD FIRESTONE WANTS ME TO PUT 4 TIRES THAT ARE THEIR BETTER DESIGN FOR MH USAGE. THEY WILL GIVE ME ONLY 50% ON 4 TIRES SAYING I ONLY NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES. I HAVE HAD TWO TIRES SEPERATE IN THE LAST 3,000 MILES OR SO. I DO NOT THINK THESE TIRES ARE SAFE AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE TO MIX THE TWO DIFFERENT TIRES. I AM STUCK WITH 7 FIRESTONE TIRES THAT HAVE THE HISTORY OF FAILING . I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE TIRES (6 )ON THE GROUND WITH MICHELIN TIRES AT A COST OF $1,200.00. IS THERE ANY RELIEF I CAN GET FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES? DT