1997 FORD RANGER Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST OF AL THE TIRES..I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB ALSO DID NOT REMOVE LCKING PIN FROM SPINDEL. *TR

Mileage: 1,500

SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE --TWO INSTANCES FIRST IN SEPT 2009 AND TODAY --SEVERE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINES AND LOSE OF BRAKE FLUID AND NO BRAKES ---NEED TO CHECK ALL 1997 FORD RANGERS XLT FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE AS AFRAID OF REPEAT ALSO NOTICE CORROSION AT FRONT BRAKE LINES. *TR

Mileage: 170,800

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF FRONT ROTORS- STEPPED ON BRAKES- AND PULSES AND SHAKES, REMOVED TIRE TO CHECK ROTORS- ROTOR CRACKED- SAME SCENARIO EACH TIME- PASS SIDE 1ST TIME 30K (AUGUST 1999), 2ND TIME 48K(APRIL 2001) , 3RD TIME 58K, PADS FAILED- REPLACED NOV 2001, AND JAN 2002- REPLACED CALIPER AND PADS.- NOW HAS 84K AND SO FAR OK. 1ST TIME CHANGED BY FORD UNDER WARRANTY- 2ND TIME 18 MONTHS LATER- FORD DEALER CHARGED $600 + FOR NEW ROTORS- 3RD AND 4TH TIME I CHANGED - ALONG WITH CALIPER -EACH TIME DEALER ASKED TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE ROTOR TO FAIL- PLEASE CORRECT- EACH TIME THEY SAY - JUST A BAD ROTOR----AND WHEN THE 48K FAILURE OCCURED- FORD CLAIMED TO NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE REPAIR- THOUGH IT WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY-FINALLY AFTER THE 3RD FAILURE- FIGURED IT MADE MORE SENSE TO FIX IT MYSELF- RATHER THAN PAY A DEALER $650, AND HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN IN 18000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 48,000

1997 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT THIS "T" HWY INTERSECTION, I RAN PAST IT, AND HIT A 12" DIAMETER TREE HEAD ON. ICE ON THE ROAD. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INDENTATION ON THE FRONT BUMPER WAS OVER TWO FEET DEEP. MY HEAD AND RIGHT SIDE OF MY BODY SMASHED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MY I BROKE MY LEFT COLLAR BONE, FRACTURED AND BRUISED SEVERAL RIBS ON MY RIGHT SIDE, BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT HEEL BONE, CUT MY NOSE, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER MINOR CUTS, BRUISES AND ABRASIONS. AFTER ABOUT 45 SECONDS, A HUGE BALL OF FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE CRUMPLED HOOD. I FELT THE SUDDEN HEAT ON MY FACE, SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE TRUCKS BODY. A LADY, AN ANGEL OF GOD REALLY, HELPED ME OUT OF THE TRUCK AND INTO THE BACK SEAT OF HER CAR. SHE DROVE ABOUT 100 YARDS TO WAIT FOR THE AMBULANCE TO ARRIVE. BEFORE WE CAME TO A STOP, I HEARD THE TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY TRUCK BLOW UP. ALL I COULD SEE WAS A BALL OF FIRE BURNING ABOUT 20 FEET HIGH. TWO THINGS SEEM TECHNICALLY WRONG: THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND THE FUEL PUMP MUST HAVE KEPT PUMPING FUEL, FOR THE FIRE TO SPREAD SO RAPIDLY AND BURN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK SO VERY COMPLETELY. THIS WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS AND THE FUEL PUMP SAFETY CUTOFF SWITCH. MY TIRES WERE ONE MONTH OLD MICHELINS, SO THEY WEREN'T A FACTOR. THE TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND IT WAS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. EVERYTHING WORKED ON IT AND NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY KIND WERE ON PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE VERY GOOD MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD BY TELEPHONE AND VIA E-MAIL, TO LET THEM KNOW OF WHAT I THOUGHT COULD BE A POTENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECT AFFECTING OTHERS ALSO. I ALSO CONTACTED THEIR LEGAL OFFICE VIA PHONE, AND THEY NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. *NLM

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE BRACKET SNAP CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE, HAS HAD ROTORS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

REAR BRAKES PULLED, SERVICED, REPORTED UNVERIFIABLE, BEGAN LOCKING UP IN SHORT BURSTS WHEN STOPPING, REPORTED, FOUND FAULTY , REPLACED COMPLETE REAR ASSEMBLY. WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS CENTER WHILE DRIVING FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, STARTED AT TOP STRIP PASSENGER SIDE SPREADING ACROSS TO DRIVERS SIDE IN JUST MINUTES. DOOR AJAR SWITCHES FAILED CAUSING DOME LIGHT TO REMAIN ON MAKING NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY IMPOSIBLE. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING ROUGH IN SECOND GEAR HARD TO DOWNSHIFT, VERIFIED, REPAIRED BEARINGS IN SHIFTER. REOCCURED A FEW MONTHS LATER, SERVICE CLAIMED UNVERIFIABLE, WORSENED STUCK IN FOURTH GEAR IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO BE PUSHED TO SHOULDER , AND DISENGAGED. FOUND TO BE FAULTY, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT ,NO NOTICABLE CORRECTION , RETURNED TO SERVICE, CLAIMED UNVERIFIABLE, CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CORPORAT OFFICE, ADVISED TO GO TO DIFERENT DEALERSHIP , WHILE INVESTIGATED INTERNALLY. DID SO, DEALER REPORTS UNVERIFIABLE, DROVE WITH SUPERVISOR OF SERVICE DEPT, WAS THEN VERIFIED, AND ORDERED REBUILT FOR 2ND TIME.EPAIR, SAME TIME AS EXTENDED WARRANTY TOOK EFFECT, REPAIRS DONE, NO NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE, IN FACT NOW WORSE, ALL GEARS NOW EFFECTED.AND AT TIMES, DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION ONCE MORE, IN EFFORT TO GET HELP WITH EXTENSIVE RENTAL CAR COSTS WHILE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, WAS TOLD NOW THAT TWO INCIDENCES WERE IN NO WAY RELATED NOW THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT TOO MUCH TIME PASSED, THOUGH EVEN ONLY LESS VTHAN 1000 MILES, IS STILL UNREPAIRED TODAY. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN A 20 MPH ZONE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES THAT LIGHT CAME ON. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS WAS SECOND TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SAME PROBLEM. *AK

REAR BRAKES GRABBED CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL ON DAMP ROAD. VEHICAL WAS INSPECTED MAY 2000. GOOD BRAKE LINNING FRONT AND REAR. *AK

CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE OUTER DISC OF THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A LARGE CRACK WHICH CAUSED RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE PADS. *SLC

CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE OUTER DISC OF THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A LARGE CRACK WHICH CAUSED RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE PADS. *SLC

AFTER WHEELS WERE TAKEN OFF FOR TIRE RECALL WITH FIRESTONE, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR. ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO DRIVER DID HEAR A THUMPING SOUNDS COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK DUE TO THE BRAKE ROTOR. BRAKE ROTOR WAS REPLACED AT OWNER EXPERIENCED. *AK

TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A BRAKE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BRAKE ROTORS WERE DISINTEGRATING. BUT, BRAKES PADS WERE FINE. TRUCK MILEAGE WAS 36,000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

BRAKES LOCK UP AND TRUCK WILL SKID NO MATTER WHAT SPEED, TRUCK BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND SPRAY DURING SOME LEFT TURNS, FOR NO APPARANT REASON. THIS CAUSES THE INABILITY TO SEE. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED(AND TRUCK GOES NUTS)THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT LAUNCHES FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT IS LOCKED INTO POSITION. ONE INCIDENT WAS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN MY WIPERS CAME ON AND SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER, I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND TRUCK STARTED TO SKID, AND THE SEAT HOLDING MY INFANT SON'S CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DASH. I WAS TRAVELING MAYBE 4-6 MPH. SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAY I HAVE NO RECOURSE AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH THINGS HAPPENING WITH THIER VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED AND I AM TOLD THAT THEY LOOK FINE, AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS DUMMY LIGHT COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE, PLEASE CAN YOU MAKE FORD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS TRUCK POSTED HERE ON NHTSA'S SITE. THANK YOU. *AK

LEFT FRONT ROTOR. CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIAL THICKNESS CRACKS. ROTOR IN GOOD SHAPE

LEFT FRONT ROTOR. CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIAL THICKNESS CRACKS. ROTOR IN GOOD SHAPE

BRAKES AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE.. THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT ALL TH E WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *AK

BRAKES AND TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. *AK

BRAKES GRAB AFTER TRUCK HAS SET DURING MOIST CONDIATIONS

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, CAUSING BRAKES TO PULSATE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, CAUSING BRAKES TO PULSATE. *AK

THE ABS SENSOR IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS DIRT GETTING ON THE SENSOR, CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON WHICH IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK

WITHIN 36,000 MILES THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, LESS THAN 3,000 MILES LATER THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED. THE FIRST ROTOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WITHIN 36,000 MILES THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, LESS THAN 3,000 MILES LATER THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED. THE FIRST ROTOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND ONE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED & LEFT IN SUN FOR A LENGTH OF TIME & THEN START UP, ABS LIGHT COMES ON & STAYS ON. ABS BRAKES WOULD SHUT DOWN. NEED TO TURN VEHICLE OFF & RESTARTED TO ACTIVATE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK

BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN VEHICLE "FROZE" AND RAN OVER CENTERLINE NEARLY MISSING ONCOMING VEHICLE

FRONT, LEFT ROTORS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. NEVER BEEN TURNED BEFORE. STILL IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE PER FIRESTONE REPAIR. SENT LETTER TO FORD. NO RESPONSE. ALSO HAD TO PAYED FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ROTORS EVER THOUGH NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IT WAS BUILT. OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT COULD HAS CAUSED ACCIDENT. FIRESTONE QUOTED THAT THEY NEVER SAW THIS HAPPEN. *AK

WHEN IT RAINS BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKS UP WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. ALSO, DEALER CLEANED THE DRUMS, BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH FRONT WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SPLIT IN HALF, CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKES.. OWNER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TRUCK HOME SAFELY. DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

SELLING DEALER NOTIFIED EACH TIME, SOME REPAIRS MADE, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. *AK

BRAKES FAILED. YH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION/PULSATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES DUE TO ROTORS CONSISTENTLY WARPING. DEALER CONTACTED TWICE, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHICH STILL OCCURS. *AK

WHEN CONSUMMER STEPS ON THE BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE HE CAN FEEL A VIBRATION ON ENTIRE VEHICLE. DEALER HAD EXPLAINED TO CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. CONSUMER SAID THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT 15000 MILES, AND THE SECOND TIME AT 24000. *AK

WHEN CONSUMMER STEPS ON THE BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE HE CAN FEEL A VIBRATION ON ENTIRE VEHICLE. DEALER HAD EXPLAINED TO CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. CONSUMER SAID THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT 15000 MILES, AND THE SECOND TIME AT 24000. *AK

BRAKES FAILED TO WORK, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY PULLING, OVERHEATING AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF PADS AND ROTORS.

COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO ANTI LOCK BRAKE FAILURE.

VEHICLE PULLING DUE TO FAILED OF THE PADS AND ROTORS.

VEHICLE PULLING DUE TO FAILED OF THE PADS AND ROTORS.

INTERMITTENTLY THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL BLINK ON AND OFF. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON 8/4/97 AND THE LIGHT STILL CONTINUES TO BLINK. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WILL BLINK ON AND OFF. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON 8/4/97 AND THE LIGHT STILL CONTINUES TO BLINK. *AK

CONSUMER STATES BRAKE CALIPERS STUCK AND OVERHEATED, CAUSING GREASE SEALS TO BLOW, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK