FaultScore

1988 Ford Ranger brake problems

11 of the 117 complaints about the 1988 Ford Ranger are about the braking system — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 127,000 miles.

C

11

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Drum 3 27.3%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 18.2%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 1 9.1%
Master Cylinder 1 9.1%
Disc 1 9.1%
Rotor 1 9.1%
Caliper 1 9.1%
Pads 1 9.1%

Brakes across every Ford Ranger year

1988 11 1.2%
1989 10 1.1%
1991 13 1.4%
1992 18 2.0%
1993 67 7.3%
1994 130 14.2%
1995 71 7.8%
1996 83 9.1%
1997 53 5.8%
1998 71 7.8%
1999 105 11.5%
2000 88 9.6%
2001 63 6.9%
2002 24 2.6%
2003 38 4.1%
2004 24 2.6%
2005 11 1.2%
2019 21 2.3%
2021 15 1.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 127,000 miles Salem, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED AROUND TRAFFIC AND COASTED TO A STOP ON A SIDE STREET. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE BRAKE LINES AND THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10168047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salinas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR BRAKES LOCK UP AFTER VEHICLE HAS SET OVERNIGHT AND ESPECIALLY DURING DAMP WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #746568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bandon, OR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NOTICE (98E01000) FOR REPAIRS FOR BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE. HOWEVER, TWO RECALLS WERE DONE AND IT DOES NOT SHOW THAT IT HAS BEEN DONE.

NHTSA complaint #547206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Osceola, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE LINES BURST TWICE IN A 2-YEAR PERIOD.BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS.THE PROBLEM OCCERS WHEN BRAKING HARD.

NHTSA complaint #702868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pine Bluff, AR Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

DRV DOOR PWR WINDOW WON'T STAY UP\PASS SIDE PWR WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN . REAR DRV SIDE BRAKE SHOES WORN OFF {STUCK IN THE STOP POS ?} CAUSING SMOKE

NHTSA complaint #700270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bartlett, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

THE BRAKE PISTON HANGS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE ON THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE. THE CALIPER DOES NOT RELEASE AND THE ROTORS GET EXTREMELY HOT, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #816917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bartlett, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE BRAKE PISTON HANGS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE ON THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE. THE CALIPER DOES NOT RELEASE AND THE ROTORS GET EXTREMELY HOT, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE BRAKES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #816917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arnold, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

REAR BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE IS SET TOO TIGHTLY OR IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #505853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Philad, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

BRAKE CALIPERS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #504368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Philad, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

RIGHT REAR BRAKE SHOE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #504368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP/LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #484079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1988 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 1988 Ford Ranger report