FaultScore

2005 Ford Ranger fuel system problems

50 of the 353 complaints about the 2005 Ford Ranger are about the fuel system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 48,199 miles.

D

50

Complaints

2

Crashes

4

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 24 48.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System 13 26.0%
Fuel System, Other 8 16.0%
Delivery 2 4.0%
Tank Assembly 2 4.0%
Fuel Pump 1 2.0%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Ford Ranger year

1989 10 2.1%
1990 12 2.5%
1992 11 2.3%
1993 22 4.6%
1994 65 13.6%
1995 25 5.2%
1996 39 8.2%
1997 71 14.9%
1998 20 4.2%
1999 20 4.2%
2000 27 5.7%
2001 31 6.5%
2002 17 3.6%
2003 19 4.0%
2004 22 4.6%
2005 50 10.5%
2006 16 3.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 55,000 miles West Lawn, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WOULD BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES JUST GOING AT 25 TO 35 MPH. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS A CLOGGED FUEL LINE SINCE IT WOULD SOMEHOW RESET ITSELF AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC SO I REPLACED THE FILTER EVEN THOUGH I COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON A BACKCOUNTRY ROAD THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE FUEL PUMP SO I HAD THE WHOLE THING REPLACED. IT HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME AFTER THAT, I WAS PULLING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST GOTTEN UP TO SPEED 55 MPH AND THERE WAS A TRACTOR-TRAILER BEHIND ME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AGAIN EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH MOMENT BUILT UP I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE GETTING HIT BY THE TRACTOR-TRAILER. I FINALLY LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT SOMEONE HAD MENTIONED THE SAME PROBLEM IT MAY BE THE INERTIA SWITCH. I CALLED UP A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HAD ASKED THE PARTS PERSON IF THE HAD A REPLACEMENT AND IF HE HEARD ANY PROBLEMS ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF THEM, THEY HAD SOLD A FEW IN THE PAST MONTHS. WHEN I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD OH YES WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THAT HAPPENING BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. I EXPLAINED HOW IT COULD BE A SAFETY PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT MUST NOT BE HAPPENING ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A RECALL. I RECENTLY FOUND THIS SITE AND HAVE SEEN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD THIS HAPPEN SO AT LEAST I KNOW I WASN'T CRAZY.

NHTSA complaint #11321490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 245,000 miles Montecito, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED WHEN GIVING VEHICLE FALL OPEN THROTTLE, THROTTLE PEDDLE STICKS AND THERE IS NO CONTROL OF SPEED. UPDATED 10/17/18

NHTSA complaint #11118155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,450 miles Villa Park, IL 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE STALLED OSTENSIBLY FOR LACK OF FUEL. FIRST ENGINE STALL EPISODE OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFTWARD INTO DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 2 MPH AND AT APPROX 5 DEGREE ANGLE OF INCLINATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM WHERE IT CAME TO REST TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE DIAGNOSIS WAS FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP (FORD OEM PART.) VEHICLE PERFORMED RELIABLY THEREAFTER FOR A PERIOD OF APPROX 39 MONTHS WITHOUT STALLING. SECOND EPISODE OCCURRED AFTER VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND RESTING ON FLAT DRIVEWAY SURFACE OVERNIGHT. THE FOLLOWING MORNING ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT FIRE OR START. AGAIN TOWED TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE DIAGNOSIS WAS AGAIN FUEL PUMP FAILURE HOWEVER UPON ATTEMPT TO RESTART FOLLOWING PUMP REPLACEMENT, ENGINE WOULD NOT FIRE OR START. TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED FUEL INERTIA SWITCH REQUIRED RESET AFTER WHICH ENGINE STARTED, SYSTEM TESTED OK AND VEHICLE PERFORMED SEEMINGLY PROPERLY FOR NEXT 10 DAYS. MOST RECENT (3RD) STALLING EPISODE OCCURRED AT TRAFFIC CONTROL LIGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCELERATION FROM FULL STOP ON LEVEL SURFACE AND ATTEMPTING TO TRAVEL DIRECTLY FORWARD WITH NO TURN OF THE WHEEL. FOLLOWING REMOVAL FROM ROADWAY, ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED UNTIL AFTER FUEL INERTIA SWITCH WAS RESET. VEHICLE THEN RAN UNDER ITS OWN POWER ADDITIONAL 2 MILES TO HOME WHERE IT REMAINS PENDING FURTHER TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11072722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wallkill, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE INERTIA SWITCH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #11030537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Fort Pierce, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FORD RANGER 2005 4 CYLINDER FUEL CUTOFF SAFETY SWITCH CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, FIRST TIME IN 2012 WHILE OUT OF STATE, TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, TRIED TO PULL OVER, BUT NOT MUCH OF A ROAD SHOULDER. I HAD IT TOWED 11 MILES TO AN UNFAMILIAR GARAGE THAT, REPLACED THE SWITCH FOR $360. IN 2015 SWITCH FAILED, TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THEY RESET THE SAFETY SWITCH AND CHARGED $70 DOLLARS. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, FOUND OUT THE SWITCH IS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE AND CAN BE RESET. I CANNOT START MY VEHICLE MORE THAN THREE TIMES WITHOUT RESETTING THE SWITCH. THE FORD DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP FOR $850. I DOUBT THAT IS THE PROPER FIX. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING AND QUITE DANGEROUS. I DON'T KNOW WHY FORD IS TURNING AWAY FROM THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN THE NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. I LOVE MY TRUCK, I HATE THE INCONVENIENCE. THERE ARE OTHER MODELS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE CUTOFF CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME, WHILE IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL.

NHTSA complaint #11025217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Little ELM, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS ACCIDENT CUT OFF SWITCH CUT OUT RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING ON A SMOOTH FLAT ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED AS WELL AS AROUND TOWN AT SLOWER SPEED. A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD HAVE HAD A DEADLY. ACCIDENT. I RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD TO REPLACE IT. FORD SHOULD HAVE HAD A RE-CALL ON THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD SWITCH IF IT IS NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10894818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Wichita, KS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

LEAKING GAS FROM FUEL PUMP FUEL PUMP HAS BIG CRACK IN PLASTIC WHERE FUEL LINE COMES OUT

NHTSA complaint #10726715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Spanish Fork, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FIRST TIME WE WERE SHOPPING, WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR IT WOULDN'T START. WE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP? WHEN IT HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME WE WERE DRIVING WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF,WE WERE ON A DIRT ROAD HAD NO POWER STEERING,NO POWER BRAKES ONLY GOING 20 MPH.THE SHOP TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE IN CASE OF A CRASH. I PURCHASED THE RANGER 5/30/13 FROM A FORD DEALER.OVER THE PAST YEAR THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED 8 TO 10 TIMES.WE ON A WENT TRIP LAST WEEKEND IT HAPPEN TWO TIMES ON I 84 IN IDAHO WE WERE GOING 75 MPH. I DID GET THE TRUCK OFF THE FREEWAY BUT WONDER WHAT IF WE WERE IN BOISE OR SALT LAKE WITH ALL OF THE TRAFFIC WHAT MITE HAVE HAPPEN.HAS THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER RANGERS ?????

NHTSA complaint #10596540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,400 miles Ramona, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED O BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,400.

NHTSA complaint #10574761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Mammouth Cave, KY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SWITCH THAT SENT FUEL TO THE ENGINE HAD A SHORT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10532313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Huntington Beach, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AS A PASSENGER ENTERED MY TRUCK, THEIR FOOT HIT THE INERTIA SWITCH KILLING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 15 TIMES, 3 OF WHICH NO PASSENGER WAS EVEN IN THE TRUCK. THIS SWITCH IS PLACED IN A COMMONLY KICKED AREA AND ONCE TRIPPED THE FIRST TIME IT BECOMES EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO VIBRATION. ONE TIME IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS IDLING IN LINE AT A DRIVE-THRU. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND RELOCATED.

NHTSA complaint #10501901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles West Chicago, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE ENGINES SHUTS OFF WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN 20 TO 30 TIMES OVER THE LIFE IF THE VEHICLE. HAS HAD 4 INERTIA SWITCHES INSTALLED. FORD HAS CLAIMED " INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS ARE NOT OUR PROBLEM." MULTIPLE FORD DEALERSHIPS HAVE ALSO SAID THAT IT DOESN'T "THROW A CODE" AND IS THEREFORE NOT IN NEED IF BEING FIXED JUST "A QUIRKY VEHICLE." I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO BUY A NEW TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10493194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Cape Coral, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MULTIPLE SHUT OFFS FROM THE INERTIA SWITCH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2+ YEARS AFTER DRIVING FOR 30-40 MINS TRUCK WILL JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE, DRIVING AROUND TOWN OR SITTING AT STOP LIGHT. ENDED UP MELTING THE CONNECTION. HAVE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10486209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Garden City, ID

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE TURNING A CORNER THE TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF AND DIED. HAD TO PUSH IT OVER TWO LANES AND INTO A PARKING LOT ONLY TO FIND OUT THE FUEL PUMP INERTIA SWITCH WAS POPPED. RESET IT AND THE TRUCK STARTED FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE OFF IT DIED AGAIN. RECHECKED THE INERTIA SWITCH AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT POPPED. PULLED THE CONNECTOR OFF OF THE SWITCH AND JUMPED THE CONNECTOR AND THE TRUCK RAN FINE ALL THE WAY HOME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS SWITCH HAS GIVEN ME TROUBLE. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO IT DID THE SAME THING BUT THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED A $400.00 FUEL PUMP ONLY TO FIND OUT LATER THAT THE FUEL PUMP INERTIA SWITCH HAD POPPED. THIS SWITCH SEEMS TO POP IN SOME ODD AND BAD LOCATIONS WITH NO APPARENT REASON. NO BUMPS IN THE ROAD, NO HARD BRAKING, OR HARD ACCELERATION ETC. THIS TIME WHEN I PULLED THE SWITCH I FOUND THE CONNECTOR SLIGHTLY MELTED AND REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION IN THE SWITCH ITSELF. HAD TO ORDER A SWITCH KIT WHICH RELOCATES IT INTO THE FUSE PANEL KICK PLATE OF THE TRUCK. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS AS IT IS A GOOD WAY TO CAUSE AND ACCIDENT IF THE TRUCK WAS GOING HIGH SPEED AND ALL THE SUDDEN STALLS AND YOU LOOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ETC. COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED. THANKFULLY I CAUGHT MINE BECAUSE I AM A MECHANIC AND KNOW A LOT ABOUT FORDS.

NHTSA complaint #10470688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles S Rockwood, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DRIVING ON I75 WHEN ENGINE STOPPED. I LOST ALL POWER. WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, TRUCK STARTED AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM. CONTINUED TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM, DIDN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING OR IF I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND IT WOULD STOP REPEATEDLY IN ONE WEEK OR GO FOR MONTHS WITHOUT A PROBLEM. TRUCK WOULD STOP AND WOULD EVENTUALLY RESTART WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES OR UP TO 30 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD STOPPED. I REPEATEDLY HAD TO COAST OR PUSH THIS TRUCK FROM THE ROADWAY WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. IN EARLY 2011, THE TRUCK STOPPED THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY. THE THIRD TIME, IT STOPPED IN FRONT OF FRIENDLY FORD, MONROE, MI. THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO WEEKS BUT IT ONLY STOPPED RUNNING FOR THEM ONE TIME AND IT REPAIRED ITSELF BEFORE THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. IN MAY OF 2012, IT BEGAN STOPPING MULTIPLE TIMES IN ONE DAY. IT STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AND I HAD IT TOWED TO CREST FORD IN FLAT ROCK, MI. THEY DISCOVERED THE FUEL SHUTOFF INERTIA SWITCH HAD FAILED AND REPLACED IT AND THE PIG TAIL WIRING HARNESS. IT APPARENTLY HAD OVERHEATED FOR SOME TIME AND HAD MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SWITCH. I PAID $367.94 FOR THESE REPAIRS. AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK ONLY HAD 28,370 MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK WAS USED VERY LITTLE AND WAS ALWAYS KEPT INSIDE MY GARAGE. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. FORD TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS TIME BUT TO KEEP MY RECEIPT IN CASE OF A FUTURE RECALL. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS SWITCH IS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL PUMP DURING A CRASH SO AS NOT TO FEED A FIRE. I GOOGLED FOR "FORD RANGER DEFECTIVE INERTIA SWITCH," AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WHERE THEIR RANGER WOULD SUDDENLY STOP AND EVENTUALLY WOULD REQUIRE THE INERTIA SWITCH TO BE REPLACED AND IN SOME INSTANCES, IT WAS REPLACED AS MANY AS THREE TIMES DURING OWNERSHIP. *JB UPDATED 07/19/12

NHTSA complaint #10463214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,121 miles SAN Juan Capistrano, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MINUTES AT 55-70 MPH AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING. PULL OVER WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND ENGINE STARTS. DRIVE ANOTHER 30-40 MINUTES AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. PULL OVER WAIT A FEW MINUTES ENGINE STARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10419370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,121 miles SAN Juan Capistrano, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 MINUTES AT 55-70MPH AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING. PULL OVER WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND ENGINE STARTS. DRIVE ANOTHER 30 TO 40 MINUTES AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. PULL OVER WAIT A FEW MINUTES - ENGINE STARTS. WENT TO PUT GAS IN TRUCK AND ENGINE WOULD NOT START. RESET FUEL INERTIA/SHUT DOWN SWITCH AND TRUCK STARTED.

NHTSA complaint #10419376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles North Tazewell, VA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER EDGE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STALLING WAS CAUSED BY THE RESET BUTTON BECOMING TOO HOT AND STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SECOND FUEL PUMP BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #10404321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

THE FUEL INERTIA SWITCH WOULD MALFUNCTION FOR NO REASON. THE CAR WOULD JUST DIE, LOSING ALL POWER (MANY TIMES HAPPENING AT 65 MPH ON FREEWAY). IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 15 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE "RESET" BUTTON WOULD HAVE TO BE USED TO GET VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. EVENTUALLY, THE COMPONENT "MELTED," AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP NOT TO LET THE FUEL LEVEL GET LOWER THAN 1/4 TANK, TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE, WHICH FORD IS AWARE OF< BUT DOES NOTHING!

NHTSA complaint #10390078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,800 miles APO, AE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TWO TIMES IN 2 DAYS I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED/SHUTOFF. FORTUNATELY BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. IT FELT LIKE MY PEDAL WENT DEAD, I LOST MY POWER STEERING AS WELL. SINCE I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET THROUGH MY PHONE I WAS ABLE TO SEARCH "FORD RANGER SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING." AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF RESULTS INDICATED TO RESET MY INERTIA FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH. I FOUND IT, RESET IT AND THE TRUCK STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I RESEARCHED FORD RANGER RECALLS, ONLY TO FIND THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. I FEEL VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING MY TRUCK, NOT KNOWING WHY IT SUDDENLY DECIDES TO TRIP THE FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10383518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,672 miles Cross Lanes, WV Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL INERTIA SWITCH MALFUNCTION, SWITCH SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE INERTIA SWITCH WOULD TRIGGER AND SHUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE TRUCK, THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 25TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW, THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS SITTING STILL IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND IT JUST SHUT OFF. I REACHED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH BOARD TO RESET IT AND COULD FEEL THE HEAT FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE FIRE DIED OUT. THE SAFETY SWITCH IS TOTALLY FRIED.

NHTSA complaint #10379966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Torrington, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CUTOFF SWITCH CONTINUOUSLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SWITCH AND RESUME DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA complaint #10369496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Reno, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10356230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,199 miles Escondido, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY (WHICH WAS SMOOTH) AND MY INERTIA SWITCH WENT OUT. THIS SHUT OFF MY POWER STEERING, MY POWER BRAKES AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK BECAUSE OF THIS. IT HAPPENED 10 TIMES TODAY, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND FORD HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED (ON THE FREEWAY), AND ONCE AGAIN ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THEY HAVE ALREADY TRIED FIXING THIS BEFORE AND IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING AND BELIEVE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT, AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. I HAVE A 2005 FORD RANGER. THANK YOU FOR READING MY PROBLEM, I AM VERY DISTURBED BY THIS AND HOPE FORD WILL FIX THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10349390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Milner, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10341382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Elma, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 19 YEAR OLD SON OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER WE PURCHASED THROUGH A DEALER LAST YEAR. FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO HE HAD TO RESET THE FUEL PUMP INERTIA SWITCH TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE ONE TIME HE WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 65 AND THE TRUCK TURNED OFF ON HIM. IT'S HAPPENED TO HIM ABOUT 5 TIMES AND NOW HE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. DON'T KNOW IF THE INERTIA SWITCH IS BAD OR IF SOMETHING ELSE IS CAUSING THIS. I HATE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SINCE THEY TEND TO THROW PARTS AT IT AND NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS SO DANGEROUS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE FORD DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10339517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Toledo, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

I HAVE A 2005 RANGER TRUCK AND IT OCCASIONALLY FEELS LIKE IT IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK ALL PHASES OF WHAT COULD BE WRONG AND HE FOUND NOTHING. I NEVER HEARD OF THE INERTIA SWITCH UNTIL READING ON HERE. I WILL MENTION THIS TO MY MECHANIC TODAY. THANKS FOR THE INFO. I DID NOT WRITE DOWN DATES AND TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10336136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,420 miles Apple Valley, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DRIVING EAST ON I-10 NEAR ONTARIO, CAL AT 70 MPH 5/22/2010 9PM, TRUCK DIED THE INERTIA FUEL SWITCH WAS OPEN . HAD TO DRIVE WITH SON HOLDING DOWN ON THE BUTTON TO KEEP TRUCK RUNNING TO GET OFF FREEWAY AT 4TH ST. INERTIA SWITCH IS DEAD USED A PAPER CLIP ON WIRES TO DRIVE HOME. ALSO THE WIRE CONNECTOR TO THE INERTIA WAS MELTING SOME. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEN IS IN OCT 14 2005 AND 4 OR 5 TIMES SENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10332006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Beach, OR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE TRUCK WOULD SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING. IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES WEEKLY, SOMETIMES MONTHLY, I NEVER KNEW WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN. IT WOULD EVENTUALLY RESTART. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER AND THE FUEL PUMP (TWICE) TO NO AVAIL, I ASKED MY NEIGHBOR TO LOOK AT THE INERTIA SWITCH (FORD WOULD NOT; THEY SAID THAT "COULDN'T BE THE PROBLEM"). THE SWITCH WAS ALL FRIED OUT INSIDE, AND THE CONNECTOR AND THE WIRE LEADING TO IT WERE MELTED. APPARENTLY, THE CONNECTOR WAS BAD. HE SAID THAT IT SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE ALREADY. HE REPLACED THE SWITCH AND PUT IN A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR AND I'VE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT, AS I MOSTLY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AND IN THE MOUNTAINS.

NHTSA complaint #10331596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52 miles Pawtucket, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2005 FORD RANGER STALLED ON ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND HAS DONE THIS BEFORE DRIVING AROUND TOWN WHENEVER THE FUEL KILL SWITCH IS BUMPED BY SOMEONE'S FOOT WHILE SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT. WHENEVER FUEL KILL SWITCH GETS BUMPED IT STOPS THE FUEL PUMP THEN TRUCK STALLS.(VERY DANGEROUS SOMEONE'S GOING TO GET HURT IF NOT FIXED) THE FUEL KILL SWITCH IS LOCATED ON PASSENGER SIDE FIRE WALL WHERE YOUR RIGHT FOOT IS. IF YOU STRETCH YOUR LEG YOU WILL HIT THE SWITCH. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM. RELOCATE SWITCH BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AND YOUR TRUCK STALLS CAUSE SWITCH GETS BUMPED. IT DON'T TAKE MUCH TO SET SWITCH OFF. I HAVE BEEN TO TASA FORD IN R.I. AND EXPLAINED THIS PROBLEM TO THEM AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT HAD A RECALL!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. HOPE YOU CAN HELP THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10326104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 2005 Ford Ranger report