RoadVitals

2005 Ford Ranger Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Feb 4, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 289 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that upon arriving to the residence and applying the parking brake and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a complete stop after rolling across the street and through the neighbor’s fence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 223,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11640744
Incident
Feb 4, 2025
Mileage
223,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V306000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA ID
11544124
Incident
Sep 12, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 10, 2021

Incident was reported to me by an employee. Driving in traffic on a highway with normal, dry road conditions the accelerator pedal started moving down on its own. The truck accelerated on its own from 50 mph to 70+ mph. Applying the brakes the truck did NOT slow down. Eventually, the accelerator pedal corrected itself and started working normally. There was no indication on the dashboard of the issue. This could have resulted in a serious accident or death. The truck is waiting to be towed to the Ford garage for repair. Thank you, Wendy McNeill

NHTSA ID
11443366
Incident
Dec 9, 2021
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2015

MALFUNCTION/FAILURE OF VEHICLE ABS UNIT. FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN PERMANENTLY IN THE FALL/WINTER OF 2014. VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD BUT HAD LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND MILES, AND HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR ITS ENTIRE OPERATIONAL LIFE. IT TOOK SEVERAL MONTHS FOR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE NEW OEM ABS UNIT, IMPLYING THAT MANY OTHER VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING THIS UNIT FAILURE. NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO BRAKES LOCKING UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. RECEIPT FOR REPAIR IS ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID
10779612
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
29,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 7, 2014

I HAVE A 2005 FORD RANGER EXTENDED CAB. I WAS DRIVING IT AND I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES FELT REALLY FUNNY SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED OUT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE BODY MOUNTS ARE ROTTED OUT, THE SHACKLES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FRAME RAILS IN BETWEEN THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF, AND IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY ELSE DRIVING A FORD RANGER THAT IS NOT AWARE IF ITS ISSUE. I AM ALSO NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT NEEDS WORK DONE THAT WILL COST TWICE AS MUCH AS IT IS WORTH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631330
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
35,433 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2014

WHEN APPLING BRAKES, JUST BEFORE YOU COME TO A STOP THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SPONGES AT THE END OF THE STOP, PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627225
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Oct 30, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CORROSION WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10550124
Incident
Jul 10, 2013
Mileage
56,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 7, 2013

ELECTRIC FUEL INERTIA KILL SWITCH MALFUNCTION(OVER HEATING AND CAUSING ENG> SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING!) EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10515743
Incident
Feb 8, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKE BOOSTER, ROTORS, AND FRONT DISC WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ID
10327175
Incident
Apr 16, 2010
Mileage
46,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 2007

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES ON 2003 THROUGH 2005 FORD RANGER PICKUP TRUCKS. I HAVE OWNED A BRAND NEW 2003 FORD RANGER EDGE STANDARD CAB PICKUP AND NOW OWN A 2005 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. BOTH PICKUPS I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE 2003 FORD RANGER, THE READ BRAKE SHOE LININGS CAME DETACHED FROM THE SHOE CAUSING DAMAGE AND HAVING TO HAVE THE BRAKE COMPONENTS REINSTALLED AT MY COST. THE 2005 FORD RANGER HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUES BUT WITH HARDWARE FAILURE OF THE SPRINGS AND TENSIONERS. BOTH SITUATIONS THE BRAKES FAILED AND ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE 2003 FORD RANGER, I WAS SHOWN THE SHOES BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND TOLD THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE LASTED AT LEAST UNTIL 50,000 MILES BUT THE "SALT" FROM NY WINTERS EATS AWAY THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE SHOE LININGS TO THE SHOE AND CAUSES IT TO SEPARATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH FORD BRAKES ON ALL MODELS DUE TO THE WINTER SEASON. IN BOTH CASES, I HAD MY BRAKES SERVICED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID TO HAVE THEM "CLEANED, INSPECTED, AND LUBRICATED" PER THE SERVICE MANUAL. I HAVE SPENT LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY WITH PROBLEMS ON MY BRAKES EVERY YEAR ON BOTH OF THESE VEHICLES THAT I OWNED. I NO LONGER OWN THE 2003 FORD RANGER BUT I CURRENTLY OWN THE 2005. IF THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED DURING DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A VERY LARGE SUM OF MONEY TO REPLACE BRAKES THAT CONTINUE TO BE PROBLEMS ON THIS MODEL. MOST OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY AND VERY LITTLE OFF ROAD. THE PARTS IN THE BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OF LOW QUALITY AND OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT (GLUE NOT HOLDING, SPRINGS BREAKING, PARTS BREAKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS). I THINK THERE IS SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PARTS TO INCLUDE SPRINGS, TENSIONERS, PADS AND SHOES ON THE 2003 TO 2005 FORD RANGERS ENOUGH TO CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO FAILURE OF COMPONENTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197824
Incident
Jul 28, 2007
Mileage
40,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .