1999 Ford Ranger....left rear tire blow out on freeway...when tire exploded it lifted the rear of the truck up and it started to spin counter clockwise when I tried to keep it straight by turning to the right it changed lanes immediately and I was in front of 2 semi trucks I went under one of them with the bed/rear of truck. I later learned the tire had also pulled the parking brake cable out of the backing plate causing the left wheel to lock completely...the park brake cables need enclosed somehow so the tire cannot apply the brakes.....the rear of the truck isn't heavy enough during a blow out to keep the rear end down..........I had seen this happen to a Ford Explorer where the left rear tire blew and it lifted up 1 to 2 feet turned sideways changed lanes and was hit by a car T-boning it hard.......if nitrogen was used instead of air they may not explode like they do......my tires were good condition from pep boys bought by myself..........I didn't expect to survive this accident.....some people will not!!!!!!!!!

- Hesperia, CA, USA

1999 Ford Ranger emergency brake will not release in cold weather; hard to release the rear wheels at other times. The first time this happened was in Feb 2004. The emergency brake cable was replaced as was the rear brake drum and pads. The heat caused a breakdown of the brake fluid causing the repair facility to replace the fluid, one month after I had done this. Vehicle was purchased used in 2004.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA