I was coming down off 57 in rush traffic when the car died unexpectedly. Completely shut off, no warning, and would not start again. Several tries, more gas, more shut offs, screaming horns and I got it to the gas station off the highway. It went to garage. Its exhaust valve, wires and plugs were changed. Died on drive off the garage. Went in, had more repairs. Died in parking lot. Had computer diagnostics. 172 and 174 were diagnosed-failure of computer in exhaust system and mass air valve control. Basically, the exhaust system failed and shut off the engine. One of the heads is also suspicious.exhaust leaks are bad for the engine. All this, over $1,000 repairs, on top of transmission leak, two sets of brake pads and two sets of tires, in a truck between 39,000 - that is when it started- and 50,000 miles. In case you don't know this, right after the factory warranty expired, the truck fell apart. I found out that one person died of such failure in Washington state and 2 were injured in Oregon. All in Ranger truck. Truck is well serviced, tires are not worn at all, have less than 12,000 and it is a killer truck. Ford is not responsive to the fact that their truck is a lemon. Their service center: I brought it to yorba linda Ford dealer at 39,000 because the idle was rough, was told it was in my head and 12,000 later the idle is still dying, killing the engine.

- Brea, CA, USA

2005 Ford Ranger with a 2.3 L engine. Changed oil at 33K and retrieved a valve keeper. Subsequent removal of overhead cams and timing chain assembly (5.8 hours of labor) and 500+ dollars out of my pocket revealed no valve keepers were missing. The dealership gave me a 1-800 number to ask questions.

- Battlefield, MO, USA

The vehicle will shut down and you lose total control. Power steering gone. Engine gone. It will happen at any time. The reason it is so dangerous is because I have had it shut down on the freeway going 65mph. I was lucky enough never to have gotten hit but it was a close call. 1. the vehicle would just stall like it was running out of gas. 2. when the part was going bad it would occur every day. When the part was totally malfunctioning it would not even start. 3. the first time I had the dealer replace the part via the warranty. The second time I paid to have it replaced. The third time I replaced it myself. It lasts about a year then it goes bad.

- Reno, NV, USA

My Ford Ranger (2005) lost power going down the freeway. After much investigation, time, safety issues (quitting at 55 + mph) and money it turned out to be the inertia switch.

- Milner, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine oil change. The mechanic informed the contact that while attempting to perform the oil change, the engine blew. The mechanic stated that the cam-shaft pulley separated and cause the timing to jump and lock the engine. The failure was so severe that the engine was unable to be rebuilt. The dealer advised the contact that they were not liable for the failure. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 112,000. Updated 9/13/10 updated 09/15/10

- Mount Pleasant , IA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. He stated while driving at 50 mph he noticed that his check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken a dealer and inspected where it was determined that number four cylinder was failing and in order to make the repair the vehicle would need to have the valve seats replaced. The contact was in the process of contacting the manufacturer. He feels that there should be a recall on the aluminum head valve seats because they lose compression with the metal that the manufacturer is using for the aluminum head valve seats. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage is 87,000. Bl updated 10/5/09 updated 10/07/09

- Roseville , CA, USA

Purchase vehicle July 2005, vehicle never had a good pull to it and I thought it was the way the truck just pulled until May 2006 when I was hit from behind by a Ford Explorer, my truck got worse. In June 2007 engine light came on wouldn't go off. Gas cap light came on wouldn't go off. Tried to tighten cap, lights still haven't went off. Took truck to mechanic found out that my truck had a cracked head that was indicated that it could have been a defect from the manufacture and or possibly due to collision also Ford manufacture had a defect call back on all 2005 Ford Ranger. In December 2005 five month after I purchase the truck and they ( Ford) did not even notify me of the defect. I do have a copy in my possession from my mechanic. Also I was told that my truck could ignite and catch a fire at any time.. updated 01/11/08. There was a cracked head on the fuel sending unit. Updated

- Jefferson, GA, USA