1998 Ford Ranger Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,299.

NHTSA ID

10734392

Incident

Jun 26, 2015

Mileage

214,299 mi

PARKED OUT ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND 9 PM. FIRE TRUCKS CAME AND PUT IT OUT AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AROUND 9:25 PM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10442704

Incident

Jan 5, 2012

REAR BRAKES LOCKUP EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THIS CAUSES SLIDING ON WET PAVEMENTS. AS OF NOW I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10401387

Incident

May 17, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

MY 1998 FORD RANGER XLT SO FAR HAD 2 COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURES DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE SPIRAL PROTECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES WHICH KEEPS THE HUMIDITY TRAPPED AND THUS CORRODES THE LINES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING OUT WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN YET NO BRAKE FUNCTION IS EXPERIENCED. AS THIS PROBLEM HAS A CLEAR TECHNICAL REASON IN THE FORM OF THE BRAKE LINES, IT IS SYSTEMIC IN ALL SUCH VEHICLES. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY MY CAR MECHANIC SHOP WHICH IS FREQUENTLY REPAIRING FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NO EARLY WARNING INDICATION AND IS NOT DETECTED BY THE YEARLY INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10320329

Incident

Mar 5, 2010

Mileage

83,000 mi

EVERYTIME I PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL, THERE IS A GRINDING/PULSATING AND THE VEHICLE SLOWLY "SKIDS" TO A STOP, USUALLY ONLY 10-15 FEET AFTER I INTENDED ON STOPPING. LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR AGO, THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON MY 1998 FORD RANGER. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ABS ON THE VEHICLE IS WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING, YET HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. HE SAID THE UNNECESSARY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED BY THE ABS SYSTEM CAUSED MY MASTER CYLINDER'S SEALS TO CRACK. I PAID OVER $400 FOR ALL BRAKE REPAIRS. TEN (10) MONTHS LATER, I'M DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT 60 M.P.H. AND MY EXIT IS APPROACHING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, I WAS AGAIN LEFT WITH NO BRAKES. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY I HAD THE SENSE OF MIND TO PUSH MY EMERGENCY BRAKE (WHICH IS AWKWARDLY LOCATED ON A PICK-UP TRUCK) AND AVOID A NUMEROUS CAR PILE-UP ON A BUSY LOS ANGELES FREEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEW MECHANIC AS WELL AS A PEP BOYS AUTO CENTER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER'S SEALS WERE AGAIN CRACKED, AND CHARGED OVER $400 FOR THE SAME REPAIRS AS BEFORE. I'VE SEARCHED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS, AND SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND FORD RANGER OWNERS AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND HAS FACED NEAR-DEATH SITUATIONS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A RECALL AS IT'S THE ONLY ONE TO ASSURE THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD (AS THE BRAKES WILL NO LONGER WORK WITHOUT ANY WARNING). *TR

NHTSA ID

10263001

Incident

Feb 27, 2009

Mileage

125,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10176950

Incident

Dec 19, 2006

Mileage

125,628 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10088265

Incident

May 27, 2004

Mileage

42,717 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10039697

Incident

Sep 10, 2003

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

NHTSA ID

10026811

Incident

Jul 8, 2003

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

NHTSA ID

10022555

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE ABS LOCKS UP AND SKIDS EVERY MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. THE DEALER AND MECHANICS HAVE BOTH VERIFIED THAT THE BRAKES WORK FINE. THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT TO DEMONSTRATE. WHEN THE BRAKES WARM UP THEY OPERATE FINE. *JG

NHTSA ID

786421

Incident

Jun 30, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THROTTLE STICKS OPEN AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. DRIVER FIRMLY HELD BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NETURAL TO GAIN CONTROL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.

NHTSA ID

8015334

Incident

Jul 30, 2002

ABS LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014866

Incident

Jun 26, 2002

REAR WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8006643

Incident

Nov 15, 2001

EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES ARE DESIGNED INCORRECTLY-RUB ON EACH OTHER AND LEAF SPRING CUTTING THROUGH JACKETS. CANNOT USE BRAKE WITHOUT IT LOCKING REAR BRAKES. NOTED A LOT OF RANGERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. PEOPLE CANNOT USE PARKING BRAKE MAKING THE POSSIBILITY OF A RUN AWAY VEHICLE. REPLACING THE SYSTEM AS DESIGNED IS NOT AN OPTION AS IT IS DESIGNED TO FAIL AGAIN. RESULT IS TRUCKS OUT THERE WITHOUT USEFUL PARKING BRAKES. FORD IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FORD WILL NOT COVER SAYING IT IS RUST WHEN IN REALITY IT CAUSED BY THE FAULTY DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ID

752312

Incident

Aug 3, 2001

BRAKE PEDAL BINDS WHEN VEHICLE IS HOT. BRAKES INEFFECTIVE WHEN COLD.*AK

NHTSA ID

747723

REAR BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING ON REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO SHOCK ABSORBER. ALSO, WOULD CAUSE BRAKE LINE TO CHAFE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WOULD PERFORM REPAIRS UNDER CONSUMER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY.FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ID

883391

Incident

Mar 19, 2001

BRAKE LINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED EVERY 40 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO SHOCKS RUBBING ON LINE. DUE TO LOST OF BREAK FLUID. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

882672

NEED TO REPLACE BRAKE LINE EVERY 40,000. RUBS AGAINST REAR SHOCK CAUSING A HOLE THAT LEAKS BRAKE FLUID. *AK

NHTSA ID

742239

Incident

Mar 10, 2001

THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'D DESIGN DEFECT IN EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. CONSUMER NEEDS TO EXPLAIN FURTHER. *AK

NHTSA ID

881554

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION FOUND OUT THAT REAR BRAKES WERE STUCK TOGETHER. NEVER WERE REPAIRED BEFORE. EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS BROKEN, LIKE IT WAS RUBBING TO A PART OF VEHICLE, AND BRAKE PADS AND SHOES WORE OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID

874149

Incident

Oct 30, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

732808

Incident

Sep 28, 2000

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 5 CAR PILE UP ACCIDENT, CONSUMER'S CAR WAS THE LAST CAR HIT. WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES BODY WENT FORWARD AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, AND IS VERY UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ID

867923

Incident

Jun 21, 2000

WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

863754

Incident

Jun 3, 2000

FRONT BRAKES FAIL BECAUSE THEY LOCK UP UPON STOPPING, AND VEHICLE HAS ONLY REAR BRAKES TO STOP WITH. *AK

NHTSA ID

863332