1998 FORD RANGER Power Train Problems

4WD STOPPED WORKING SOME TIME AGO, SERVO/ACTUATOR SEEMED TO BE FREE, RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES IN THE FRONT RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE HUB IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. SORT OF POPS OUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP HVAC DOES NOT WORK, FAN SPEED ONLY INTERIOR COURTESY STOPPED WORKING

Mileage: 150,000

WHILE IN BED AT 2:00 AM TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

1998 FORD RANGER, DRIVE SHAFT BROKE ON VEHICLE. *BF AFTER THE DRIVE SHAFT BROKE, IT WENT THROUGH THE GAS TANK CAN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0294-89 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF UPDATED 05/24/10 *BF THE REAR AXLE PINION FROZE, THE DRIVE SHAFT TWISTED AND BROKE IN TWO. UPDATED 05/28/10

Mileage: 35,000

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

Mileage: 125,628

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THEN, TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN SEAL. ALSO, MACHINE DID NOT CALIBRATE THE FRONT AXLES PROPERLY. *AK

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE INTERMITTENT EVEN WHEN 4X4 LIGHT IS ON AND 4X4 SWITCH IS ENGAGED. MOST NOTABLE WHEN BELOW OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW. MULTIPLE FORD DEALERS HAVE TRIED BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE CONDITION. THIS CONDITION IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND HAS CREATED SOME DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS DUE TO LACK OF TRACTION WHEN DRIVER THOUGHT 4WD SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. *CB

Mileage: 43,000

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE INTERMITTENT EVEN WHEN 4X4 LIGHT IS ON AND 4X4 SWITCH IS ENGAGED. MOST NOTABLE WHEN BELOW OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW. MULTIPLE FORD DEALERS HAVE TRIED BUT CANNOT DUPLICATE CONDITION. THIS CONDITION IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND HAS CREATED SOME DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS DUE TO LACK OF TRACTION WHEN DRIVER THOUGHT 4WD SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. *CB

Mileage: 43,000

VEHICLE'S DRIVE SHAFT BROKE RESULTING IN LOST OF CONTROL. *MR *SC *JB

OUR 1998 FORD RANGER XLT WITH THE 4.0L V-6 AND THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING. ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK AND WOULD ON OCCASION ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHILE IN DRIVE. THE PROBLEMS RECENTLY BECAME WORSE AFTER ONLY 44K MILES AND BEGAN TO IMPACT THE DRIVING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHILE IN DRIVE WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE AND HAD BECOME UNPREDICTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AAMCO DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION FOUND THAT THE CENTER SUPPORT HAD STRIPPED AND THAT THE BROKEN TEETH WERE BEING CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BROKEN PIECES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GEARS IT WOULD CAUSE THEM TO HANG AND CREATE A PRESSURE LOSS. THE SERVICE REPAIR TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE PART BEING IMPROPERLY CAST DURING MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AND THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE CIRCULATION OF THE BROKEN TEETH IN THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED A PARTIAL REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION TYPE: 5R55E PRODUCTION DATE: 02-98. *AK

Mileage: 44,045

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT FELL OUT OF THE CASE. *AK

ONLY 55,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY USAGE NO HAULING/OFF ROAD AXLE AND BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. DT

PURCHASED TRUCK USED WITH 18,000 MILES. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED FEELING A BUMPING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT UNDER WARRANTY. BY THE TIME THE TRUCK REACHED 40,000 MILES I STARTED TO FEEL IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT THAT WAY SINCE AND IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERS WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MR

I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON MY WARRANTY BUT, I WASN'T OVER ON THE ALLOWED MILAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE SURE IF MY TRUCK DIDN'T HAVE OBVIOUS ABUSE THAT FORD WOULD STILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THEY DISASSEMBLED MY TRANSMISSION THEY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD PUT IT IN PARK WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIWAY, WHICH IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD DECIDED NOT TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BILL BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER HAD TOLD THEM. I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT THAT SPEED, INSTEAD OF BLOWING APART, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INJURIES BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A SIX LANE HIWAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS WAS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PART FAILURE. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT WENT.*AK

ON 2-14-02 ODOMETER READ 54250--------ON 3-15-02 ODOMETER READ 4,862. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING FROM OVERDRIVE TO A HIGHER GEAR AS IF IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN, ALSO THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES DUE TO IT LEAKING.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING FROM OVERDRIVE TO A HIGHER GEAR AS IF IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN, ALSO THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES DUE TO IT LEAKING.*JB

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

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

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

REAR AXEL BROKE. *AK

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

MY TRUCK WAS JUST 3 MONTHS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.I WENT TO START IT TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING:JUST WOULD NOT.I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER SERVICE AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OUT THERE,SO I HAD MY HUSBAND DO THAT AND HIS FATHER FOLLOWED IN HIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND SAID HE HAD A HECK OF A TIME.TRUCK KEPT KILLING AND WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING.I TOLD HIM TO GO IN THE MORNING SO AS NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL OUT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!BOTTOM LINE:NEEDED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR:COST:$360.00.I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF BEING ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY.I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS,3 MONTHS AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED BY FORD FOR THE $360.00 I HAD TO PAY. I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT HAD THAT HAPPENED ON MY GOING TO WORK OR GETTING OFF WORK OR MY HUSBAND ON HIS WAY TO TAKE IT TO BE REPAIRED!*AK

IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVESHAFT DOES NOT FIT ON THE TRANSMISSION FAR ENOUGH WHICH CAUSES IT TO FIBRATE OUT OF BALANCE AND KNOCKS THE OIL SEAL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD?*AK

INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP WHEN COMING OUT TO A STOP OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

TRANSMISSION IS EXPERIENCING A CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS APPLIED FROM A STOP POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE DRIVESHAFT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND DEALER STATED CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE HIS REPLACED WITH THE NEW DESIGN, RECALL 99V204. *SLC

THE TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TO FAIL ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NLM

COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATIONS IN FRONT END BEGAN 9-98. THIS TRANAMISSION WAS SERVICED AT 16321. COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME VIBRATION CONTINUED AND WAS NEVER ELIMINATED. AT ABOUT 50300 THE VIBRATION BE CAME MORE VIOLENT AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION SEALS TO LEAK. THE THE RESULTS WAS A COMPLETE BREAK DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

TRANI 3RD/4TH GEARS FAILED. REQUIRED REBUILT (WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED). *AK

4- WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING, IT HAS ONLY BEEN USED 3-4 TIMES. ALSO HORN HAS FAILED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DOOR AJAR AND LIGHT STAYING ON FOR 45 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE SHUTING OFF. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK A SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LEAKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PLACE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED IS GOING TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER CHIP, AND DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A THUMP IN THE DRIVESHAFT, THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM ACCORDING WITH PDF 99-13-4 AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE STARTED AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A THUMP IN THE DRIVESHAFT, THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM ACCORDING WITH PDF 99-13-4 AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE STARTED AGAIN AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *SLC

ON TAKE OFF AND STOPPING THERE IS A JURKING IN THE VECHICLE UPON TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALER NEAR ME ( JEFFERS FORD IN NEW LEXINGTON OHIO) FIRST TIME IT WAS IN THEY TOLD ME THEY FIXED IT . ON THE SECOND TIME THE HEAD MAINTANCE MAN TOLD ME HE CALLED FORD AND THEY WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFTS BEING BAD (TO LONG ) IS WHAT I THINK HE SAID FROM 1997-2000 FORD RANGERS .SO THEN HE WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO INSTALL A NEW ONE AT MY COST.AT WHICH HE DID SAY MY WARRENTY WAS OVER MILES SO IT WAS EXPIRED BUT IT WASNT AT THE FIRST TIME I HAD IT IN TO THEM WHICH THEY SAID THEY FIXED. I JUST HOPE NOT TO MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE THIS EXPERANCE AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT OUT OF THERE POCKETS ..ISNT THIS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM?OH I DID ASK THE MAINTANCE IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HE RESPONDED THEY (FORD MOTOR CO.) DIDNT SAY. THAT MADE ME FEEL REAL GOOD AND SAFE OUT ON THE ROAD ..THANK YOU . EDWIN W HALSEY

DRIVESHAFT FAILURE. *SLC

CLUTCH PEDAL ABOUT 1 1/2" FREE PLAY. WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED @ AIRPORT MARINA FORD ON 05/16/00, 05/22/00,08/16/00, 08/24/00.CLUTCH PEDAL NOW FEELS SPONGY. ACCORDING TO PAPERWORK, SLAVE CYLINDER, MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED, SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. *AK

CLUTCH PEDAL ABOUT 1 1/2" FREE PLAY. WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED @ AIRPORT MARINA FORD ON 05/16/00, 05/22/00,08/16/00, 08/24/00.CLUTCH PEDAL NOW FEELS SPONGY. ACCORDING TO PAPERWORK, SLAVE CYLINDER, MASTER CYLINDER, BLEED, SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. *AK

ON GOING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IN HOT WEATHER CONDITION WHEN APPLYING TRANSMISSION TO STOP OR DECLINE FROM A HILL. IT CAUSES RMPS TO INCREASE TO 1500. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE TRANSMISION TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO WHINE FROM APROX. 2,500 RPM UNTIL GEAR SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN OVERDRIVE IS DISENGAGED ABOVE 50MPH THE TRANSMISION SLAMS. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN 1 ELONGATED RIM. AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM THAT IT WAS WITHIN "FORD" SPECS, YET MIRACULOUSLY IT IS COLD AGAIN FOR APPROX 1-2 MONTHS.

THE TRANSMISION TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO WHINE FROM APROX. 2,500 RPM UNTIL GEAR SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN OVERDRIVE IS DISENGAGED ABOVE 50MPH THE TRANSMISION SLAMS. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN 1 ELONGATED RIM. AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM THAT IT WAS WITHIN "FORD" SPECS, YET MIRACULOUSLY IT IS COLD AGAIN FOR APPROX 1-2 MONTHS.

THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH HAD TP BE LUBRICATED EVERY TIME. YH

STRONG ODOR OF GEAR OIL WAS FOUND COATING SOME OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MUCH OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK FLOOR AND OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE AREA OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. PONTENTIAL OF FIRE OR AN ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM SEIZURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL (FROM LACK OF OIL ) IS FEARED.

THIS FAILURE HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT BACK IMMEDIATELY AND IT WAS CHECKED BY FORD, AND KOONS MECHANICS. THEY STATED EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. ALL KOONS DID FOR ME WAS REPLACED 4 TIRES THAT WERE WORN ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF ALL TIRES. I HAVE CONTINUED NOTIFING KOONS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING. I FINALLY FOUND OUT FROM A BACK YARD MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLE WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I TOLD KOONS' MECHANICS THAT ,AND I ORDERED THRU AN EXTENDED PLAN THE SHAFT TWO MONTHS AGO 2/10/00 .I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM KOONS YET. I FEEL THAT THE JUMPING AND SWAYING WILL COST ME TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THANK YOU. *AK

CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER BOLTS CAME OUT KNOCKING HOLE THROUGH TRANSMITION CASE.TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER HAD TO BE CUT OUT AFTER SPEED NUTS BROKE LOOSE.HEATER FAILED THREE TIMES.THERMOSTAT REPLACED TWICE DIDN'T HELP.BOLTS HOLDING COOLING FAN ON CAME OUT.SWITCH FOR DOME LIGHT FAILED, AND BRAKE ROTORS WARPED.*AK

CLUTCH WOULD NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, DUE TO WAY I DRIVE, WHICH IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND $623.00 TO REPAIR. TRUCK HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS TWO TRUCKS I OWNED HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN I SOLD THEM AND BOTH HAD ORIGINAL CLUTCHES. I HAVE NOT CHANGED WAY I DRIVE, AND I DRIVE IN SAME AREA. BROUGHT TO AAMCO FOR SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH FAILURE. WAS TOLD BY AAMCO IT WAS PROBABLY DESIGN DEFECT DUE TO ONLY 32,000 MILES AND PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. ALSO, AAMCO REP. STATED NEW FORD RANGER AND F-150 MANUAL TRANSMISSION USES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND HAS 3 RUBBER PLUGS IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING. AUTO TRANS. FLUID EATS AWAY RUBBER PLUGS, WHICH ALLOWS DIRT IN AND FLUID OUT, ANOTHER DESIGN DEFECT.

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OUTSIDE OF STORE . PARKING EMERGENCY BRAKE WASN'T ON, AND VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR. VEHICLE ROOLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE STREET. THEN ROLLED BACK TO THE SAME STREET AND THEN RAN INTO A 12FOOT DRAINAGE DITCH. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

REAR END (?) WHINES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER REBUILT DIFFERENTIAL, PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES (NOT ABS)AND STEERINGS WHEEL SHUDDERS (LEFT/RIGHT) WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS. (NOT REPORTED TO DEALER, HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE). OIL FILTER- TO REMOVE FILTER IT MUST BE WEDGED PAST THE SOLENOID/STARTER. IT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXPOSED WIRES/LUGS? ON THE STARTER. THERE IS NOTHING PROTECTING THIS EXPOSED AREA. MY DEALER HAS BEEN EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND UNDERSTANDING IN DEALING WITH THE TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS.THROUGH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED HERE ARE NOT LIMITED TO MY EXPERIENCES. THANK YOU. *AK

REAR END (?) WHINES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER REBUILT DIFFERENTIAL, PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES (NOT ABS)AND STEERINGS WHEEL SHUDDERS (LEFT/RIGHT) WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS. (NOT REPORTED TO DEALER, HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE). OIL FILTER- TO REMOVE FILTER IT MUST BE WEDGED PAST THE SOLENOID/STARTER. IT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXPOSED WIRES/LUGS? ON THE STARTER. THERE IS NOTHING PROTECTING THIS EXPOSED AREA. MY DEALER HAS BEEN EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND UNDERSTANDING IN DEALING WITH THE TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS.THROUGH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED HERE ARE NOT LIMITED TO MY EXPERIENCES. THANK YOU. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. ENGINE FELT LIKE IT HAD DIED. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN IN LOWER GEAR ONLY, WOULD DIE OUT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER'S TWICE. *AK

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

REAR DRIVESHAFT EXHIBITS A CLUNKING NOISE/FEELING UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. BEGINS AT AROUND 10,000 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE.

LOAD SQEAL HEARD WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A STOP AND I THINK I CAN HEAR IT IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, BUT NOT CERTAIN AS THE ENGINE NOISE COVERS THE SOUND. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I DID FIND ANOTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAIN SIMILAR TO MINE. ALSO I FOUND A SERVICE BULLITEN #2521 THAT STATES THAT THE PARTS CATALOG BOOK REFERENCES AN INCORRECT CLUTCH PART NUMBER FOR SOME VEHICLES WITH THE 3.0L ENGINES. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY TRUCK HAD THE WRONG PART IN IT ORIGINALLY OR THEY PUT THE WRONG PART IN ( THROUGOUT BEARING REPLACED JULY 1999) WHEN THEY FIXED IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I WILL BE CONTACTING ANOTHER DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS I WAS NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE THAT I GOT FROM THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS, JAY GROVER

WHILE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. *AK

CLUTCH SLAVE UNIT FAILED RESULTING IN ENGINE RACING AND THROTTLE STICKING. MJS

LOAD 'SQUEAL' HEARD WHEN RELEASING CLUTCH PEDAL BETWEEN 1ST-2ND, 2ND-3RD, 2WD & 4X4 HIGH. WILL BE SERVICED FOR THE 3RD TIME MARCH 1999. FIRST TWO INSPECTIONS RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF PRESSURE PLATE(2) AND FLYWHEEL (1).REAR DRUM BRAKES FAILED TO RELEASE AFTER EMERGENCY LEVER PULLED. OWNER HAD TO APPLY UNACCEPTABLE GAS PEDAL PRESSURE TO MOVE VEHILCE, RESULTING IN A LOUD 'CLUNK' WHEN DRUM BRAKES FINALLY RELEASED.

VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR 5 HOURS AND SUDDENLY STARTED UP BY ITSELF. THEN TOOK OFF AND HIT A GARAGE. OWNER HAD TO JUMP IN VEHICLE AND AND TAKE CAR OUT OF FIRST GEAR. *AK

DRIVING ON I90 WEST WITH NO PROBLEMS NOR WARNING THE REAR END SUDDENLY LOCKED UP COMPLETELY, SEVERING THE DRIVESHAFT AND ROTATING THE DIFFERENTIAL SO THAT IT EMBEDED ITSELF IN THE SPARE TIRE (MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE). RESULT WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND RAN OFF THE FREEWAY INTO THE MEDIAN. REAR WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND UN-MOVABLE. INVESTIGATED BY WSP (REPORT # 0570977). CLEARLY AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE DEFECT. FORD DEALERSHIP (EVERGREEN IN ISSAQUAH, WA) MECHANICS ALL CONCURRED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. *YC

VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD WHILE PARKED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. MJS

TRANSMISSION GEARS FAILED. MJS

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. YH

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. YH

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,THE DRIVER TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE KEPT GOING. OWNER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE AXLE BENT, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO GO OUT. *AK

STANDARD TRANSMISSION MODEL IS PARKED ON A SLIGHT GRADE THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL, NEITHER THE TRANSMISSION NOR THE ENGINE WILL HOLD THE VEHICLE

DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE.

REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP AT 50MPH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID AND THROW IT OFF ROAD DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT. ONE OCCUPANT WAS INJURED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER SAID THAT HIS TRUCK IS ALL MESSED UP DUE TO TRANSAXLE FAILURE. *AK

CLUTCH PEDAL IS SPONGY. TRAVELS HALF ITS NORMAL DISTANCE WHEN DWPRESSED BEFORE ENGAGING TRANSMISSION.