This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
When the dealership disconnected our speed control (recall) the ABS light came on and stayed on which eventually led to failure of the rear brake system. They would lock up while going down the road. We had to have the rear brakes and wheels rebuilt and spent over $1,000 on repairs. When the ABS light came on immediately after disconnection of the cruise control the dealership check it out and said it would be fine. I have a hard time believing that this vehicle just developed a sudden brake issue that just happened to co-inside with the disconnection of the cruise control. What is even harder to believe is that once it was fixed the brake light magically went off.
I've owned my 2002 Ford Ranger since new and have had all service performed by the dealer. The vehicle has 60,000 miles and was serviced under a contract purchased with the vehicle when new. Issues with the brakes started within the first year of ownership and have steadily worsened since. The complaint has been submitted to various dealers at least ten times with no trouble found. One failure mode I have observed resulted in three very close calls where the brake pedal is firm, but the vehicle does not slow. Pressing the brake harder does not increase braking effectiveness. In one instance, I was forced to drive off the road to avoid (killing) a pedestrian. A second failure mode is the opposite; a slight amount of pressure applied to the brake pedal results in the front brakes locking. A third failure mode is where braking results in a violent shimmy, which caused me to lose control on snowpack and slide off the road. None of these failure modes has been consistent, nor have they repeated at the dealership. I am very concerned for my safety and that of those around me. My research has revealed many folks with similar issues.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Ranger. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V33600 (vehicle speed control). The dealer disconnected the deactivation switch. The ABS warning indicator light illuminated intermittently after the switch was disconnected. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by a failed pressure control switch. The contact stated that not being able to use the cruise control was an inconvenience. The dealer stated that the part wouldn't be available until after January of 2008. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 66,000. Updated 03/13/08.
On February 1, 2007, I was slowly following an SUV in a crowded parking lot as we both looked for a parking spot. The SUV stopped. I applied the brakes and then suddenly my 2002 Ford Ranger accelerated. The tires squealed as the brakes fought the acceleration. I hit the SUV from behind. The SUV pulled forward and the Ranger continued to accelerate an hit the SUV again. I shut off the engine. The Ranger was towed to a body shop. When the body work is complete I will have the Ranger towed to a Ford dealer to address the sudden, unintended acceleration problem.
Consumer complained about a brake problem. The brakes on one side of the vehicle wore normally but the driver side front brake was completely destroyed. Consumer purchased an extended warranty which was to cover the vehicle for up to 60,000 miles. Dealer will not honor the extended warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Muskegon, MI, USA