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.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. The gear shift fell out of the case.

- Summit, AR, USA

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.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

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.

- Annville, PA, USA

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.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 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!

- Janesville, WI, USA

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.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

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. The driveshaft has been redesigned and dealer stated consumer should have his replaced with the new design, recall 99V204.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

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.

- East Point, GA, USA

Trani 3rd/4th gears failed. Required rebuilt (warranty just expired).

- San Diego, CA, USA

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.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

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.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

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.

- Pine Bluff, AR, USA

While shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear there is a grinding noise.

- Norman, OK, USA