1996 FORD RANGER Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD RANGER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Mileage: 161,200

1. UNDERBODY CORROSION LEADING TO PERFORATION OF METAL BRAKE LINES 2. PARTIAL UP TO COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. FIVE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF BRAKING 3. REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LINES - OLD CORRODED LINES AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

MY 1996 FORD RANGER HAS A RECURRING PROBLEM OF THE FRONT BRAKES STICKING. THIS OCCURS MOST OFTEN IN WET WEATHER BUT ISN'T STRICTLY LIMITED TO THAT. I NOTICED A FORD RANGER THAT HAD SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR ON A SANDED CORNER AND RECALLED THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME A FEW YEARS AGO AS MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE GRAVEL CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS AND I ONLY MISSED RUNNING INTO THE CAR IN THE OTHER LANE BY LETTING OFF THE BRAKE AND TWISTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT POOR MAN PROBABLY GOT A TICKET FOR GOING TOO FAST BUT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW, NOT A MATTER OF SPEED. I BELIEVE THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANTILOCK BRAKES, BUT THAT IS NOT HOW ANTILOCK BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO PERFORM. MECHANICS HAVE VERIFIED TO ME THIS BEHAVIOR PROBLEM FOR RANGER'S SO IT SEEMS THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. HAD MY BRAKES REWORKED A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH NO CHANGE. YESTERDAY THEY LOCKED UP AGAIN AND SEEING AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT TOYOTA I FINALLY OUT WHO TO REPORT THIS TO. *TR

Mileage: 188,000

1996 FORD RANGER TRUCK HAD EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO THE RIGHT BERM AND GOT WEDGED BETWEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BRIDGE WALL. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS BRAKES FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0535-91)*JB LETTER UPDATED 03/17/10*BF

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKES BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE. THIS OCCURRED ON MAY 24, 2005. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAW THE BRAKE PEDAL HANGING DOWN. UPON INSPECTION, THEY NOTICED THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT. THE MOUNTING THIS WAS MADE OF POT METAL, AND IT HELD THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TOGETHER. THE WHOLE THING BROKE. THE ESTIMATED SPEED WAS ABOUT 30-35 MPH.*AK

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE COURTESY LIGHTS AND TRUNK CARGO LIGHTS STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING OR PARKING. BLOWER MOTOR WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHILE THE SWITCH ARE IN THE OFF MODE OR IN THE ON MODE. DEALER AND MANUFACTRER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE ABS BRAKES LOCK UP ON WET PAVEMENT. *YH

ABS FAILED WHEN PEDAL HELD DOWN IN RAPID STOP. PULSES AND THEN DROPS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE REENGAGING. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS MANY TIMES DURING ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED TRUCK. TECHNICIANS CAN FIND NO INFORMATION ON WHY THIS MIGHT OCCUR. *AK

FRONT BRAKES WERE LOW,REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACE ROTORS. *YH

FRONT BRAKES WERE LOW,REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACE ROTORS. *YH

THERE WAS LOOSE GRAVEL ON ROAD AND PAVEMENT WAS WET AT THE INTERSECTION, WHEN ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN BRAKES LOCKED UP, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

THERE WAS LOOSE GRAVEL ON ROAD AND PAVEMENT WAS WET AT THE INTERSECTION, WHEN ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN BRAKES LOCKED UP, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

BRAKES LOCK UP ONLY DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN TRUCK IS DRIVEN IN THE MORNING, NO MATTER AT WHAT SPEED, REAR BRAKES LOCK UP. TRUCK IS FINE FOR THE REST OF DAY. OWNER PHONED TWO DEALERSHIPS ABOUT PROBLEM. OWNER WAS TOLD BY ONE OF DEALERSHIPS THAT THERE WAS A NEW MATERIAL ON THE BRAKE LINING THAT WOULD PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.*AK

ABS LIGHT ON DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SENSOR UNIT. *MJS

THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION, THEY WERE FALLING APART. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW TWO-LANE ROAD, I PROCEEDED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. I ACCELERATED AND KICKED THE TRUCK INTO PASSING GEAR. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I USED THE BRAKES TO FIGHT THE OUT OF CONTROL ENGINE AND VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE CURVY FOR 3 TO FOUR MILES UNTIL I GOT TO A PULLOUT PLACE WHERE I APPLIED THE BRAKES SO HARD THAT IT KILLED THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES WERE DOWN TO NO PADS, WERE VERY HOT, AND COOKED OUT GREASE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AT WHICH TIME THE THROTTLE WAS NO LONGER STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW TWO-LANE ROAD, I PROCEEDED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. I ACCELERATED AND KICKED THE TRUCK INTO PASSING GEAR. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE WIDE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I USED THE BRAKES TO FIGHT THE OUT OF CONTROL ENGINE AND VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE CURVY FOR 3 TO FOUR MILES UNTIL I GOT TO A PULLOUT PLACE WHERE I APPLIED THE BRAKES SO HARD THAT IT KILLED THE ENGINE. THE BRAKES WERE DOWN TO NO PADS, WERE VERY HOT, AND COOKED OUT GREASE THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AT WHICH TIME THE THROTTLE WAS NO LONGER STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. *AK

PASSENGER'S FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP WHICH CAUSES BRAKE LOCK UP, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. FIRST TIME IT WAS THE REAR BRAKES. CURRENTLY, DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NO SUMMARY

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE HAS FALLEN ON TOP OF CROSSOVER PIPE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE ,BURNING THROUGH CABLE. THE 1998 MODEL WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADDED HEAT SHIELD TO PREVENT BURNING. BRAKE PADS, SHOES AND CALIPERS REPLACED ON (7-22-99). *AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE HAS FALLEN ON TOP OF CROSSOVER PIPE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE ,BURNING THROUGH CABLE. THE 1998 MODEL WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADDED HEAT SHIELD TO PREVENT BURNING. BRAKE PADS, SHOES AND CALIPERS REPLACED ON (7-22-99). *AK

ABS LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE ABS BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED. *AK

BRAKES GRAB IN DAMP AND HUMID WEATHER.

CALIPERS STICK WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO WEAR OUT & ROTOR FAILURE. *YC

AT LEAST 12 SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE"4 IN UDER 9000 MILES, RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS" 3 TIMES AT TURNING ROTORS/ENGINE REBUILT AT 52000 MILES STILL WITH LOSS OF PORWER. 2 EGR VALVES/2 WIPER SWITCHES/SYNCRONIZERS/2 SLAVE CYLINDERS ON TRANSMISSION AND OIL LEAK. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. ENGINE IDLES HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT NEEDED FOR INTOWN DRIVING. SPEEDS OF 45MPH CAN BE OBTAINED BEFORE HITTING PEDAL.

AT LEAST 12 SETS OF BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE"4 IN UDER 9000 MILES, RESULTING IN 2 ACCIDENTS" 3 TIMES AT TURNING ROTORS/ENGINE REBUILT AT 52000 MILES STILL WITH LOSS OF PORWER. 2 EGR VALVES/2 WIPER SWITCHES/SYNCRONIZERS/2 SLAVE CYLINDERS ON TRANSMISSION AND OIL LEAK. ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. ENGINE IDLES HIGH ENOUGH THAT THE USE OF THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT NEEDED FOR INTOWN DRIVING. SPEEDS OF 45MPH CAN BE OBTAINED BEFORE HITTING PEDAL.

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THEY FREEZE/LOCK UP, AND THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT, ALSO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

BRAKES FAILED.

WHEN DRIVING DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED SOFTLY THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP AND DON'T WANT TO RELEASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET, APPROX. 30-35 MPH, NEEDED TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE/SHAKE/ AND OUT OF CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIR AT THE COST TO CONSUMER. *AK

WHEN IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER CAN'T FIND SOLUTION. *AK

HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED.

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT READY TO MAKE A TURN SHE PUT ON BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER MANAGED TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND FLUIDS LEAKING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THEN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

BRAKES GRAB CONSTANTLY, WORSE IN DAMP WEATHER.

FRON TAND REAR ABS BRAKES FAILED. ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SHOES.

FRON TAND REAR ABS BRAKES FAILED. ALSO REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND SHOES.

WHILE DRIVING THE BRACKET THE HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL IN PLACE BROKE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL, LEAVING NO ACCELERATION. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO A STOP. THE PROLBEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.

VEHICLE PULLS LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL MUST BE GRIPPED TIGHTLY TO CONTROL. REPLACED PADS/MACHINED ROTORS AND SANDED SHOES. *AK

VEHICLE PULLS LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL MUST BE GRIPPED TIGHTLY TO CONTROL. REPLACED PADS/MACHINED ROTORS AND SANDED SHOES. *AK

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL MUST BE GRIPPED TIGHTLY TO CONTROL. ALSO, REPLACED PADS/MACHINED ROTORS AND SANDED SHOES. *AK

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING AND STEERING WHEEL MUST BE GRIPPED TIGHTLY TO CONTROL. ALSO, REPLACED PADS/MACHINED ROTORS AND SANDED SHOES. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC

ANIT-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO FAILURE.

BRAKE SHOES FAILED.

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED.

DRIVING, STARTED APPLYING BRAKES, REAR BRAKES GRABBED AND LOCKED UP, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HAPPENS ONLY WHEN HUMIDITY IS HIGH OR WEATHER IS RAINY. WAITING FOR PARTS FROM DEALER SINCE JULY. NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FRONT WHEEL LOCK-UP, A LOUD GROWLING NOISE IS HEARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *AK *JB

VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FRONT WHEELS LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING IN WET/RAINING ROAD CONDITIONS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES IN THE RAIN AND THEY LOCKED UP, ALSO IF IT IS DAMP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WILL GRAB AND LOCK UP, AFTER THE PADS DRY UP THEY WILL FUNCTION NORMALLY, BUT WHEN THEY ARE DAMP THEY DO NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY. *AK CONSUMER STATED WHEN ON DAMP OR HUMID MORNINGS WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST DRIVEN THE BRAKES TEND TO GRAB UPON THE FIRST OR SECOND STOPPING ATTEMP, IF VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR 15 OR 20 MINUTES ON A RAINY DAY THE BRAKE TENS TO GRAB UNTIL DRUMS AND ROTORS ARE WARMED UP AND DRY FROM USE.*JB

ANTI LOCK BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED.

BRAKE PADS FAILED.

ROTORS FAILED.

CALIPERS NEEDED REBUILT.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES.

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED SUDDEN SEVERE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATION DUE TO CRACKED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

IN WET AND COLD WEATHER THE ABS BRAKES STICK AND DRAG (LOCK UP), VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT HIGH IDLE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. *AK

UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE FRONT BRAKES GRAB, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. *AK

BRAKE CABLE TO RIGHT FRONT TIRE BOLT CAME LOOSE/PREVENTING DRIVER FROM BACKING UP, CAUSING RIGHT WHEEL TO CRACK.

ANTILOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP 20 TIMES.

LEFT REAR BRAKES BIND/DRAG. *AK

ACCIDENT--BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DRIVER WAS INJURED.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE WENT INTO DITCH ON ONE OCCASION, BRAKES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED TO THE LACK OF REPLACEMENT PARTS.

BRAKING ABILITY IS REDUCED BY APPROXIMATELY 60% IN WET WEATHER. (1ST VEHICLE ON 601633)

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, ALSO SEAT BELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKING POWER. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE BRAKE DIDN'T STOP TRUCK, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

TRAVELING AT MODERATE SPEEDS ON ANY ROUGH SURFACE AND MAKING A PANIC STOP, THERE APPEARS TO BE LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND A RESPONSE FROM REAR ABS.

THE FRONT BRAKES PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE ARE POWER DISC BRAKES IN THE FRONT AND ABS IN THE REAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK