1998 FORD RANGER Suspension Problems

57 complaints about Suspension

57
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Suspension Complaints (57)

Mar 25, 2021

THE REAR OF THE FRAME RUSTED CAUSING THE BUMPER TO HANG OFF. IT WILL FALL OFF IF NOT ADDRESSED

Mileage: 151,000

Mar 30, 2020

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

Jul 25, 2019

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION IS DETACHING FROM FRAME AND FRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND WILL SEPARATE SOON. THE SPARE TIRE AND CARRIER HAVE FALLEN OFF WHERE IS WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE RUST AND THE BED MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED AWAY AND NO LONGER ATTACH TO THE FRAME LEAVING THE BED WITH NO SOLID MOUNT. SPARE TIRE AND CARRIER FELL OFF ON INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 210,050

Apr 7, 2018

VEHICLE BACK BUMPER FELL OFF DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST (WHILE IN MOTION). BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS RUSTED OUT AS WELL AS HOLES IN THE FRAME (ALL IDENTIFIED WHILE STATIONARY).

Mileage: 111,150

Oct 29, 2017

"FRAME RECALL ? " WHILE DRIVING FRAME BROKE IN HALF, BOTH SIDES. SINCE OWNING I HAVE REPLACED LEAF SPRING AND SHOCK BRACKET,AND ALSO REMOVED SPARE TIRE BRACKET BEFORE IT FELL OFF IN ROADWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!!

Mileage: 114,000

Aug 3, 2015

THE REAR FRAME OF THE TRUCK FELL APART RUSTED AWAY

Mileage: 120,000

May 26, 2015

THE BACK SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED OFF THE SPRING HANGERS ARE RUSTED OFF THE FUEL TANK CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED OFF AND THE TIRE HANGER IS RUSTED OFF THE SHOCK MOUNTS ARE ABOUT RUSTED OFF AND THE SPRINGS ARE BENT BECAUSE THE BRACKETS RUSTED OFF

May 13, 2015

DRIVING ON HI WAY, EVAP CANISTER ROTTED OFF, AND ALSO LOST MY SPARE TIRE, I HAVE PATCHED FRAME 13 TIMES NOW WAITING FOR A RECALL TO COME OUT AND YET STILL HAVNT HEARD OF ONE. TRUCK NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. . HOPING ANYWAY POSSIBLE THAT THEY WILL THROW A RECALL OUT THERE FOR US RANGER OWNERS. THANKYOU.

Mileage: 96,000

Oct 25, 2014

MY FORD RANGER FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY IN THE BACK AND THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE REAR SHACKLES AND SHACKLE BRACKETS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE SPARE TIRE HAS EVEN FALLEN OFF FROM RUST. ALSO THE GAS TANK STRAPS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM WERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A TRUCK THAT IS NOT THAT OLD. I HAVE READ THINGS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES FRAMES THAT ARE RUSTED AWAY. *TR

Mileage: 163,121

Sep 11, 2014

I TOOK MY TRUCK TO HAVE A POWER STEERING ISSUE EXAMINED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. I EXAMINED THE FRAME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SIZABLE HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS IN SOLID CONDITION, HOWEVER THE FRAME ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

Sep 8, 2014

MY 1998 FORD RANGER FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE GAS TANK IS READY TO FALL OFF . THE SHOCK FELL OFF. THE STRAP FOR THE SPARE TIRE IS RUSTED OFF HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? *TR

Apr 30, 2014

TOOK IN FOR INSPECTION. IT FAILED BECAUSE OF RUSTED FRAME, SHACKLES, SHOCKS, BRAKE LINES AND REAR BRAKE DRUMS. IT COST ME $3,127.34 TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS. BEFORE THIS, THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. TOYOTA REPLACED THE FRAME OF MY NEIGHBORS PICKUP AT NO COST TO HIM. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAD A YEAR 2000 MAZDA PICKUP THAT HAD A RUSTED FRAME AND WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T THE FIRST COMPLAINT ON THIS SUBJECT. I BOUGHT FORDS FOR YEARS AND MY FATHER WORKED FOR A FORD DEALER SHIP FOR 40 YEARS. SINCE THIS TRUCK, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *JS

Mileage: 90,000

Jun 1, 2013

THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUST. I SHOWED IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE AS IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BUT THEY EITHER COULD OR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COIL SPRING POCKET IS CRACKED AND THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO POP OUT. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE FRAME IS BROKEN AND CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS DUE TO STRESS FROM FLEXING BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I ATTEMPTED TO GET A LOCAL FABRICATION SHOP WELD IT BUT THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT. I CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS IF NEED BE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED REAR SPRING MOUNTS AND SHACKLES BECAUSE OF RUST BUT I CANNOT REPLACE THE FRAME AND NO ONE WILL TOUCH IT. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

Jan 27, 2013

REAR FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT BY THE RIGHT REAR SPRING HANGER CAUSING SPRING TO GO TRU BED AND THE REAR AXLE TO BE DETACHED THE TRUCK AT THIS TIME IN IN OPERABLE DUE TO THIS WILL BE TRYING TO WELD AND REPLACE IT AS BEST AS CAN BE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT IM READING ABOUT ONLINE SURE WISH FORD WOULD STEP UP LIKE TOYOTA DID

Mileage: 180

Jan 20, 2013

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SPOTS ALL THE WAY DOWN THE FRAME. IT LOOKS CLOSE TO BREAKING IN HALF IN SOME SPOTS. A 1998 VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH RUST NO MATTER WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR

Mileage: 131,800

Oct 20, 2012

SEVERELY RUSTED OUT REAR FRAME RAILS THAT WOULD NOT PASS PA. INSPECTION CODES. IN THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE REAR SPRING HANGERS AND MOUNTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FORD RANGER LINE AND IS WHY IM SENDING THIS LETTER AND FORM.

Mileage: 85,107

Jun 30, 2012

REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ROTTED AND BROKEN , REAR BUMPER MOUNTS ROTTED AND VERY CLOSE TO FAILURE , SPARE TIRE MOUNT SEVERLEY ROTTED. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

Jun 28, 2012

REAR SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLD SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE AND FRAME SECTION JUST MISSED A VEHICLE BEHIND ME, AT THIS SAME TIME THE FRAME BROKE OFF JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRING HANGER ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 131,000

Mar 6, 2012

THE FRAME IS HAVING SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS HEAVY RUST AND ROT COMPROMISING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TRUCK. IN FACT A SHOCK MOUNT JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND THE RESULTING LOUD BANG CAUSED ME GREAT STRESS WHILE DRIVING. AFTER PULLING OVER AND LOOKING I COULD SEE THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD ROTTED SO BAD AS TO BREAK OFF THE AXLE HOUSE.AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUCTURES HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE,GAS TANK AND ENTIRE SUPPORT SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

Nov 16, 2009

THE REAR BUMPER IN MY 1998 FORD RANGER (80K MILES) IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, AS THE REAR OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED & BROKEN. I HAVE CABLES HOLDING IT ON NOW. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE & BRACKET RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BROKE IN TWO. THE SPARE TIRE ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM RUSTED BRACKETS. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FORD RANGERS IN WHICH THE REAR BUMPER ACTUALLY DID FALL OFF, OR THE SPARE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MUCH WORSE THAT THE TOYOTA TRUCKS. IN FACT SOMEONE SAID THAT THE FORD FRAMES WERE BOUGHT AT THE SAME FACTORY AS THE TOYOTA'S, BUT I DO NOT KNOW FORE SURE. EVERYTHING ELSE ON MY TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, NOT A SPECK OF RUST ON THE BODY, AND IT RUNS GREAT. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

Feb 27, 2009

AT 40,000 MILES AND NOW AT 81000 MILES I NEED THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ANY CAR UNDER 150,000 MILES MY ENTIRE LIFE, THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE, THIS IS A '98 FORD RANGER. *TR

May 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED A SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, TIE RODS AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 58,864

May 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED A SQUEAKING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, TIE RODS AND BEARINGS WERE REPLACED.

Mileage: 58,864

Jun 13, 2005

AT APPROXIMATELY 150,000 VEHICLE MILES, THE MIDDLE LEAF ON BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAS FRACTURED JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE. DISCOVERED 5/27/2005 WHEN THE BROKEN PIECE FELL OUT OF THE LEFT SPRING. SUBSEQUENTLY DISCOVERED THE IDENTICAL PIECE WAS MISSING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE. RECOVERED PIECE SHOWS FATIGUE FAILURE.

Mileage: 153,500

Jun 10, 2004

WHILE TURNING, THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A LOUD POPPING NOISE/HEAVY VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

Mileage: 66,111

Apr 28, 2004

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATED. A MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT HAS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE VIBRATION.*AK

Mileage: 50,000

Dec 19, 2003

PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM JOINT GREASE PROTECTOR HAS DETERIORATED ALLOWING MOISTURE AND DIRT TO ENTER THE JOINT.*AK

Mileage: 46,200

Mar 14, 2002

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

Feb 24, 2002

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

Aug 29, 2001

AFTER READING OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FORD RANGER , I FEEL I MUST REPAIR THE FRONT WHEELS ON MY TRUCK. THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISES WHEN THEY TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT.. I WAS TOLD THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS EXPENSIVE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 27,000.00 MILES ON IT AND REPLACING THE WHEEL BEARINGS SOUND A LITTLE TO MAJOR FOR A LOW MILEAGE CAR. YET FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS I NEED TO HAVE THIS DONE.*AK

Aug 20, 2001

THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE FELL APART WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *YH

Jun 23, 2001

DEFECTIVE PART FOUND DURING ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. DEALER DECLINED REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRENTY DUE TO > 3 YEARS. SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED DESIGN DEFECTS WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Jun 13, 2001

THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEAK NOISE IN THE FRONT END DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILURE. *YH

Mar 26, 2001

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION LAST YEAR ON 3-14-2000. ALL 4 BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD 29,000 MILES THEN. VEHICLE DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION AGAIN THIS YEAR AT 39,570 MILES. UPPER BALL JOINTS NEED REPLACING. IN VIRGINIA, VEHICLES HAVE TO BE INSPECTED EVERY YEAR.*AK *SLC

Feb 1, 2001

WAS AT A STOP SIGN & HAD HEARD A LOUD CLUNK & CLANG. THEN, THERE WAS A LOT OF RATTLING AND IT GOT WORSE AS VEHICLE MOVED. THEN, SOMETHING FELL. PULLED OVER. NOTICED LEAF SPRING HAD PARTIALLY BROKEN. THERE WAS SOME RUST ON IT. MECHANIC INDICATED ENTIRE REAR LEFT LEAF SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HAD PARTS. *AK *SLC

Sep 13, 2000

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1998, FORD, RANGER WITH 23,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE P235/70R16, DOT VN0811U. ALL 4 TIRES HAD WORN OUT FROM INSIDE AND GOING TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE CAUSING FRONT END TO COME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED 50,000 MILES. *AK

Sep 12, 2000

REAR END HAD REPAIR. *SLC

Nov 18, 1999

FRONT END ALIGNMENT IS OUT, BUT MUST PURCHASE ADDITIONAL KITS TO BE PUT ON BEFORE ALINEMENT CAN BE SET CORRECTLY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS. NOW COST OF REPAIR IS EST $120. MOST PEOPLE CAN NOT AFFORD THAT AT ONE TIME AND WILL DRIVE ON MISALINED FRONT END WHICH CAN BE A BIG SAFTELY ISSUE. *AK

Oct 29, 1999

THE VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY ON A FREEWAY CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM TO THE DRIVER. YH

Oct 29, 1999

THE VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY ON A FREEWAY CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM TO THE DRIVER. YH

Oct 29, 1999

THE VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY ON A FREEWAY CAUSING A SAFETY PROBLEM TO THE DRIVER. YH

Oct 25, 1999

CAB SHAKES SIDE TO SIDE. SOURCE SEEMS TO BE FRONT DRIVE TRAIN.

Sep 1, 1999

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

Jul 28, 1999

LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF DUE TO MISSING SCREW DURING MANUFACTURING. MJS

Jul 28, 1999

FRONT SHOCKS AND FRONT SPINDLE CONNECTING DRAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED. MJS

Jun 16, 1999

FRONT END ALIGNMENT WILL REQUIRE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PARTS ($250 WORTH) WHICH ARE INCLUDED ON MOST OTHER CARS & TRUCKS BUT OMITTED ON THIS $23,000 TRUCK, AND NOT INCLUDED IN "WARRANTY COVERAGE". *AK

May 21, 1999

STEERING WHEEL NOT STRAIGHT AND VEHICLE BOUNCES FRONT TO BACK DUE TO IMPROPER ALIGNMENT. MJS

May 21, 1999

STEERING WHEEL NOT STRAIGHT AND VEHICLE BOUNCES FRONT TO BACK DUE TO IMPROPER ALIGNMENT. MJS

Apr 26, 1999 Crash

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH BACK END HIT SOME GRAVEL IN THE ROAD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND ROLLOVER. CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS SITTING IN THE CHILD SEAT IN THE REAR, AND THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT BUCKLE POPPED OPEN,CAUSING THE CHILD TO BE HANGING OUT OF SEAT. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT THE STRIP FROM AROUND THE CHILD. *AK

Mar 17, 1999

FRONT END KEEPS WEARING OUT TIRES EVER 2500 MILES SUSPENSION COMES LOOSE SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT END TIRE CHOPING AGAIN DEALER HAS HAD FOR 22 DAYS AND 6 TIMES FIXING FRONT END SUSPENSION STILL NOT FIXED( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205-75-15 )

Feb 1, 1999

FRONT TIRES WEAR IMPROPERLY DUE TO POSSIBLE FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. YH

Jan 11, 1999

BRAKES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED TWICE FOR SQUEAKINESS. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NOISES HAVE WORSENED SINCE LAST EXAM ON 12/15/98. THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS OF RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK AND ON THE OUTTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE ENGINGE. DEALER HAS STATED "THAT'S NORMAL" TO REPEATED INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS RUST. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THROTTLE ASSEMBLY PIECE, THE "BUTTERFLY VALVE" REPLACED IN NOV OF 1998. I NOW HAVE SQEAKY NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AS WELL, WHICH I WILL SCHEDULE FOR EXAM THIS WEEK, 1/11/99.

Aug 22, 1998

THE DEALER FIXED THE LEAF SPRING TO CORRECT WHAT WAS A 3 INCH LOWER LEFT REAR THAN THE RIGHT REAR. THE TRUCK FISHTAILED BADBY OVER ANY DEGREE OF ROUGH ROAD. IT IS SLIGHTLY BETTER SINCE THE SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED. BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THE LEANING PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. THE SAID THEY CONTACTED FORD AND FORD TOLD THEM THE LEANING WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL 1998 FORD RANGERS XLT AND OTHERWISE. THERE WAS A SPECIAL SHIM CREATED BY FORD TO CORRECT THE HEIGHT DIFFERENCE IN THE REAR. THE DEALER ORDERED THE SHIM AND I WAIT FOR IT'S ARRIVAL. PAINT WAS BAD IN LOWER REAR OF CAB ALSO. THE AGREED TO FIX THAT. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS SHIM BUSINESS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT A SHIMMED NEW CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING. I AM NOT CONVINCED THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO ME AS NEW & JUST HOPED I WOULDN'T NOTICE. I AM CHECKING WITH A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF THE TRUCK HAS BEEN HIT OR DAMAGED & REPAINTED. IT HAS TAPE ON THE BODY WHERE THE PAINT IS BAD! MY PLAN IS

Aug 5, 1998

THE FRONT MIDDLE SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONS WHEN THE OCCUPANT MOVES TO THE RIGHT AND SEATBELT ADJUSTER SLIDES DOWN, WHICH WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN ACCIDENT. ALSO THE TORSION BAR RUBS AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, RESULTING IN BRAKE LOSS. *AK

Jul 30, 1998

UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE LOUD AND MAKE ALOT OF NOISE WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS OR SLOWING DOWN AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Apr 12, 1998

WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT, STRAIGHT SURFACE, HEARD A CLICK UNDER VEHICLE. VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT LOSING CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CLASH/INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Dec 30, 1997

LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE STEERING MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING LOUD NOISES WHEN MAKING A TURN OR COMING TO A STOP, A NYTHING TO DO WITH THE LOWER FRONT END. DEALER SAID WILL CALL AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK