53 of the 536 complaints about the 1997 Ford Ranger are about the braking system — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 157,900 miles.
53
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
IDLE SPEED RISES TO 3,000 RPM IN BETWEEN SHIFTS AND WHILE COASTING WITH CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED. DOES NOT DROP TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED UNTIL VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS CAUSES BRAKING TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10883846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP GOING OUT ON FRONT TIRES BECOMING A REAL ISSUE AND HAZARD AND SAFETY THEY LOCK UP ON ROAD AND HAVE GOTTEN SLIDES OFF ROAD. AFRAID IT WILL BE WORSE NEXT TIME. THEY HAVE GONE OUT THREE TIMES AND BEEN REPLACED. THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN AND FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE FOR WORK AN APPOINTMENT NEED THIS TRUCK. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING BUT LOVE THIS TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10680431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
REPORTING NUMEROUS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASED USED ---ORIGINAL OCCURRENCE DATE NOT CERTAIN BUT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS MECHANICAL FAILURES OCCURRED THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITIES. THE FAILURES INCLUDE BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKED ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID --REAR BODY SUPPORT SYSTEM GAVE OUT DURING DRIVING AND REAR WHEELS AND AXLES NOT ATTACHED TO BODY ---VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF INTO SHOULDER--RADIAL AXIAL ARM RUSTED AWAY AND STEERING SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. GAS LEAKS FROM TOP OF TANK IF FILLED TO FULL --LEAKS ON TO GROUND AND COULD RESULT IN GAS FIRE AND EXPLOSION --DO NOT FILL TANK MORE THAN 3/4 ! ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE REPLACED AND FREQUENT CHECKS OF STEERING AND SUSPENSION. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MAKE OWNERS AWARE AND TAKE PRECAUTION TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH..
NHTSA complaint #10614454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 1997 FORD RANGER XLT 4X4 4.0LTR.MANY SHOPS HAVE WORK ON THE FRONT AXEL WHEEL BEARINGS AND SEALS AND RETAINER NUT THIS NUT TAKES A SOCKET 2.3/8 R-6 MOST SHOPS DON'T HAVE IT SO THEY USE WHAT EVER THEY HAVE,CHISELL,LOCKING PLYERS ECT...CREATING FRONT END DAMAGE TO WHEEL BEARINGS,SEALS, BRAKES,CALIPERS,BRAKE DRUMS, MOST OF AL THE TIRES..I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB ALSO DID NOT REMOVE LCKING PIN FROM SPINDEL.
NHTSA complaint #10326662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE --TWO INSTANCES FIRST IN SEPT 2009 AND TODAY --SEVERE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINES AND LOSE OF BRAKE FLUID AND NO BRAKES ---NEED TO CHECK ALL 1997 FORD RANGERS XLT FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE AS AFRAID OF REPEAT ALSO NOTICE CORROSION AT FRONT BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10293426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE --TWO INSTANCES FIRST IN SEPT 2009 AND TODAY --SEVERE CORROSION ON REAR BRAKE LINES AND LOSE OF BRAKE FLUID AND NO BRAKES ---NEED TO CHECK ALL 1997 FORD RANGERS XLT FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. I HAVE HAD REPAIRS MADE AS AFRAID OF REPEAT ALSO NOTICE CORROSION AT FRONT BRAKE LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10293426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
DROVE MY 1997 FORD RANGER TRUCK TO LUNCH AT WORK UPON RETURNING SITTING DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES A COWORKER RAN INTO THE PLANT SAYING MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE MY MASTER CYLINDER FOR MY BRAKES WAS ON FIRE AND WAS PUT OUT THERE IS ALOT OF DAMAGE. I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ABS BREAK SENSOR DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THEM OR NOT HOPE YOU CAN HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10284635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF FRONT ROTORS- STEPPED ON BRAKES- AND PULSES AND SHAKES, REMOVED TIRE TO CHECK ROTORS- ROTOR CRACKED- SAME SCENARIO EACH TIME- PASS SIDE 1ST TIME 30K (AUGUST 1999), 2ND TIME 48K(APRIL 2001) , 3RD TIME 58K, PADS FAILED- REPLACED NOV 2001, AND JAN 2002- REPLACED CALIPER AND PADS.- NOW HAS 84K AND SO FAR OK. 1ST TIME CHANGED BY FORD UNDER WARRANTY- 2ND TIME 18 MONTHS LATER- FORD DEALER CHARGED $600 + FOR NEW ROTORS- 3RD AND 4TH TIME I CHANGED - ALONG WITH CALIPER -EACH TIME DEALER ASKED TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE ROTOR TO FAIL- PLEASE CORRECT- EACH TIME THEY SAY - JUST A BAD ROTOR----AND WHEN THE 48K FAILURE OCCURED- FORD CLAIMED TO NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE REPAIR- THOUGH IT WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY-FINALLY AFTER THE 3RD FAILURE- FIGURED IT MADE MORE SENSE TO FIX IT MYSELF- RATHER THAN PAY A DEALER $650, AND HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN IN 18000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10090583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB. WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES, INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT THIS "T" HWY INTERSECTION, I RAN PAST IT, AND HIT A 12" DIAMETER TREE HEAD ON. ICE ON THE ROAD. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. NEITHER THE DRIVER'S SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INDENTATION ON THE FRONT BUMPER WAS OVER TWO FEET DEEP. MY HEAD AND RIGHT SIDE OF MY BODY SMASHED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL, AND MY I BROKE MY LEFT COLLAR BONE, FRACTURED AND BRUISED SEVERAL RIBS ON MY RIGHT SIDE, BROKE MY RIGHT FOOT HEEL BONE, CUT MY NOSE, PLUS NUMEROUS OTHER MINOR CUTS, BRUISES AND ABRASIONS. AFTER ABOUT 45 SECONDS, A HUGE BALL OF FIRE ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE CRUMPLED HOOD. I FELT THE SUDDEN HEAT ON MY FACE, SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE TRUCKS BODY. A LADY, AN ANGEL OF GOD REALLY, HELPED ME OUT OF THE TRUCK AND INTO THE BACK SEAT OF HER CAR. SHE DROVE ABOUT 100 YARDS TO WAIT FOR THE AMBULANCE TO ARRIVE. BEFORE WE CAME TO A STOP, I HEARD THE TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY TRUCK BLOW UP. ALL I COULD SEE WAS A BALL OF FIRE BURNING ABOUT 20 FEET HIGH. TWO THINGS SEEM TECHNICALLY WRONG: THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND THE FUEL PUMP MUST HAVE KEPT PUMPING FUEL, FOR THE FIRE TO SPREAD SO RAPIDLY AND BURN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK SO VERY COMPLETELY. THIS WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORS AND THE FUEL PUMP SAFETY CUTOFF SWITCH. MY TIRES WERE ONE MONTH OLD MICHELINS, SO THEY WEREN'T A FACTOR. THE TRUCK WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND IT WAS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. EVERYTHING WORKED ON IT AND NO MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY KIND WERE ON PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE VERY GOOD MAINTENANCE RECORDS ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD BY TELEPHONE AND VIA E-MAIL, TO LET THEM KNOW OF WHAT I THOUGHT COULD BE A POTENTIAL COMPONENT DEFECT AFFECTING OTHERS ALSO. I ALSO CONTACTED THEIR LEGAL OFFICE VIA PHONE, AND THEY NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE BRACKET SNAP CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
AFTER 17 THOUSAND MILES HAD TO REPAIR FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.VEHICLE HAD REACHED 28 THOUSAND, AND HAD TO REPLACE FRONT CALIPERS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ; HOWEVER , WER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8013176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE, HAS HAD ROTORS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8008583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES PULLED, SERVICED, REPORTED UNVERIFIABLE, BEGAN LOCKING UP IN SHORT BURSTS WHEN STOPPING, REPORTED, FOUND FAULTY , REPLACED COMPLETE REAR ASSEMBLY. WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS CENTER WHILE DRIVING FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, STARTED AT TOP STRIP PASSENGER SIDE SPREADING ACROSS TO DRIVERS SIDE IN JUST MINUTES. DOOR AJAR SWITCHES FAILED CAUSING DOME LIGHT TO REMAIN ON MAKING NIGHT TIME VISIBILITY IMPOSIBLE. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING ROUGH IN SECOND GEAR HARD TO DOWNSHIFT, VERIFIED, REPAIRED BEARINGS IN SHIFTER. REOCCURED A FEW MONTHS LATER, SERVICE CLAIMED UNVERIFIABLE, WORSENED STUCK IN FOURTH GEAR IN TRAFFIC, HAD TO BE PUSHED TO SHOULDER , AND DISENGAGED. FOUND TO BE FAULTY, AND TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT ,NO NOTICABLE CORRECTION , RETURNED TO SERVICE, CLAIMED UNVERIFIABLE, CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CORPORAT OFFICE, ADVISED TO GO TO DIFERENT DEALERSHIP , WHILE INVESTIGATED INTERNALLY. DID SO, DEALER REPORTS UNVERIFIABLE, DROVE WITH SUPERVISOR OF SERVICE DEPT, WAS THEN VERIFIED, AND ORDERED REBUILT FOR 2ND TIME.EPAIR, SAME TIME AS EXTENDED WARRANTY TOOK EFFECT, REPAIRS DONE, NO NOTICABLE DIFFERENCE, IN FACT NOW WORSE, ALL GEARS NOW EFFECTED.AND AT TIMES, DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CORPORATION ONCE MORE, IN EFFORT TO GET HELP WITH EXTENSIVE RENTAL CAR COSTS WHILE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, WAS TOLD NOW THAT TWO INCIDENCES WERE IN NO WAY RELATED NOW THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT TOO MUCH TIME PASSED, THOUGH EVEN ONLY LESS VTHAN 1000 MILES, IS STILL UNREPAIRED TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #756071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN A 20 MPH ZONE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THERE HAS BEEN OTHER TIMES THAT LIGHT CAME ON. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS IS WAS SECOND TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #881136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE OUTER DISC OF THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A LARGE CRACK WHICH CAUSED RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE PADS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #556803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A THUMPING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, A MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE OUTER DISC OF THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD A LARGE CRACK WHICH CAUSED RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE PADS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #556803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKES GRABBED CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL ON DAMP ROAD. VEHICAL WAS INSPECTED MAY 2000. GOOD BRAKE LINNING FRONT AND REAR.
NHTSA complaint #736634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AFTER WHEELS WERE TAKEN OFF FOR TIRE RECALL WITH FIRESTONE, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR. ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO DRIVER DID HEAR A THUMPING SOUNDS COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK DUE TO THE BRAKE ROTOR. BRAKE ROTOR WAS REPLACED AT OWNER EXPERIENCED.
NHTSA complaint #873140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A BRAKE SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BRAKE ROTORS WERE DISINTEGRATING. BUT, BRAKES PADS WERE FINE. TRUCK MILEAGE WAS 36,000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #864662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #863899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES LOCK UP AND TRUCK WILL SKID NO MATTER WHAT SPEED, TRUCK BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND SPRAY DURING SOME LEFT TURNS, FOR NO APPARANT REASON. THIS CAUSES THE INABILITY TO SEE. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED(AND TRUCK GOES NUTS)THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT LAUNCHES FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT IS LOCKED INTO POSITION. ONE INCIDENT WAS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET WHEN MY WIPERS CAME ON AND SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER, I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP AND TRUCK STARTED TO SKID, AND THE SEAT HOLDING MY INFANT SON'S CAR SEAT WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DASH. I WAS TRAVELING MAYBE 4-6 MPH. SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAY I HAVE NO RECOURSE AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH THINGS HAPPENING WITH THIER VEHICLES. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED AND I AM TOLD THAT THEY LOOK FINE, AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ABS DUMMY LIGHT COMING ON IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE, PLEASE CAN YOU MAKE FORD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS TRUCK POSTED HERE ON NHTSA'S SITE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #711140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
LEFT FRONT ROTOR. CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIAL THICKNESS CRACKS. ROTOR IN GOOD SHAPE
NHTSA complaint #711162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
LEFT FRONT ROTOR. CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PARTIAL THICKNESS CRACKS. ROTOR IN GOOD SHAPE
NHTSA complaint #711162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE.. THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT ALL TH E WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #855246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES AND TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #855247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKES GRAB AFTER TRUCK HAS SET DURING MOIST CONDIATIONS
NHTSA complaint #715311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, CAUSING BRAKES TO PULSATE.
NHTSA complaint #850569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR CRACKED, CAUSING BRAKES TO PULSATE.
NHTSA complaint #850569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS SENSOR IS COMING ON CONSTANTLY. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS DIRT GETTING ON THE SENSOR, CAUSING THE LIGHT TO COME ON WHICH IS A DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #852605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #607183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.