Ford Ranger Complaints (1998)

582 consumer complaints on file.

#565698May 8, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, WHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT INSIDE THE IGNITION WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, THE CHIMER WILL KEEP DINGING UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE JEWEL MODULAR, HOWEVER THE BULBS INSIDE THE DASH KEEP BLOWING, WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE TURNED ON THERE IS A CRACKLING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WIRE SHORTING OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACT ERRACTICALLY WHEN IN DELAY MODE, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, WHEN HE TURNS THE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION, THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND WHEN CONSUMER TURNS THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION, THE LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#760870April 18, 2002
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER SEAT SUPPORT IS DEFECTIVE. AT LEAST TWO WIRE SUPPORTS (DIAMETER OF A CLOTHES HANGER) IN THE DRIVER CHAIR (BACK REST) HAVE SNAPPED AND ARE PIERCING THROUGH THE BACK OF THE CHAIR. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE METAL. IF MORE WIRES SUPPORTS BREAK THIS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO FALL THROUGHT THE SEAT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I WEIGH 155 POUNDS AND THE FIRST BREAK MAY HAVE HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO WITH A POPPING NOISE (WHICH UNKNOWINGLY WAS INSIDE THE CHAIR). ONE SUPPORT WIRE HAS COMPLETELY BROKE AND FELL OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CHAIR, THE OTHER IS PIECING THE BACK OF THE CHAIR. FORD WAS CONTACTED TODAY AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS NO FURTHER ACTION OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8006643March 29, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8006268March 25, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL IDLING AND SMOKE STARTED COMIING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8006271March 25, 2002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS SITTING/IDLING AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8005715March 14, 2002
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AND MAKING A LEFT WITHOUT WARNING FRONT END OF THE TRUCK MALFUNCTIONED. INVESTIGATOR FROM FORD INVESTIGATED VEHICLE, STATING THAT MALFUNCTION RESULTED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TRUCK AND NOT THE DRIVER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#758556February 24, 2002
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
AT 30000, THE FIRST SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE BELT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE MORE SINCE THEN, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES. AROUND 40000 MILES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED CLUNKING EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. THE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRONT END STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BUSHINGS ARE WHAT IS CAUSING THE CLUNK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#758299February 15, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT DISABLES LEFT DIRECTIONAL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#758051February 10, 2002
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEM 1: TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN STARTING OUT FROM STOP, OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. WHILE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT,RATHER MANIFESTS ITSELF OVER A PEROID OF TIME, WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THE MILEAGE WAS PAST WARRANTY BUT THE TIME( 3 YEARS ) WAS NOT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS INVOLVED A PART THAT FORD KNOWS TO BE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. FORD HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE PART, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE POORLY DESIGNED PARTS, KNOWN TO BE PROBLEM PLAGUED, WAS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, WELL UNDER THE WARRANTY-I.E. 0 MILES, 0 MONTHS.PROBLEM 2&3 INVOLVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-LANE CHANGER HAD BAD CONTACTS ( I COULD HEAR NOISE WHEN ENGAGING ) FROM ALMOST DAY ONE, BUT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETLY AFTER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR HAS COME ON IN WET CONDITIONS SINCE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX MANY TIMES, OFTEN FAILING TO DUPLICATE, UNTIL I DROVE DIRECTLY TO DEALER WITH DOOR AJAR ON. EVEN THEN THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR COMPROMISE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#563924January 8, 2002
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FIRST GEAR IS AT LEAST 30% TO FAST, AND 80% TO FAST ON REVERSE GEAR AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#756024December 26, 2001
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#755560December 12, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXEL BROKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#898833November 6, 2001
TIRES
PE00 020; CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT TIRES. SHE RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL O1D77 FOR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. BUT, FIRESTONE MECHANIC REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRES WITH MICHELIN CROSS TIRES. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#753899October 30, 2001
INTERIOR LIGHTING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
INTERIOR LIGHT WILL STAY ON EVEN W/ALL DOORS CLOSED, DOOR AJAR LIGHT SHOWS ON DASH, DID HEAR POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER DASH, WHEN LIGHTS DID GO OFF AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, PARKED VEHICLE IN P-LOT AT WORK WITH LIGHT STILL ON, WENT TO CHECK AN HOUR LATER THE LIGHT WAS OFF, SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#898188October 25, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH VEHICLE JUMPED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#752312September 18, 2001
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#896419September 17, 2001
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHIMMY/ VIBRATE AT 35MPH AND ABOVE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND HAD TIRES ROTATED EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRESTONE, AND NOTHING WAS BEING DONE ABOUT THE TIRES. P225/70R15 ON A 1998 FORD, RANGER.*AK CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A FIRESTONE PROBLEM.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#752209September 14, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 -15 MINUTES AFTER A COLD START AND RUNNING IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES TO 2500 - 3000 RPM WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM SLOWING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE RPM REMAINS CLOSE TO 1000 - 1200 RPM, ABOUT WHAT YOUR WOULD EXPECT. AS SOON AS I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASES TO NEARLY 3000. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ENGINE RPM WILL REMAIN HIGH FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS OR UNTIL I RELEASE THE CLUTCH OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED, I RESTART THE ENGINE THE ENGINE. IT STARTS NORMALLY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTINUES USUALLY WITHOUT INCIDENT ALTHOUGH IF THE TRAFFIC IS EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY, THE PROBLEM MAY REOCCUR IN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. THIS IS SORT OF LIKE REBOOTING A COMPUTER. BOTH TEAM FORD AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELL ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I CONSIDER IT TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I MUST STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ACCORDING TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ALL FORD RANGERS (1998 - 2000) WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.0LITER ENGINE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM NEVER OCCURRED UNTIL I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR OVER 45K MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#895748September 5, 2001
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
WHILE BACKING OUT SLOWLY, STEERING WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM STEERING MECHANISM, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING, DEALER SAID THAT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BOLT WAS STRIPPED, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751622September 4, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL. THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE STICKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAVE NEARLY REAR ENDED TWO VEHICLES DUE TO THIS DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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