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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1998 Ford Ranger brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Jun 301999

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The ABS locks up and skids every morning when the vehicle is first started and every time it is driven in the rain. The dealer and mechanics have both verified that the brakes work fine. The problem is difficult to demonstrate. When the brakes warm up they operate fine.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #23

Jun 262002

Ranger

  • miles
ABS light stays on while driving. Dealer notified.

- Saint Bernard, LA, USA

problem #22

Nov 152001

Ranger

  • miles
Rear wheels would lock up intermittently when brakes are applied on wet road. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Petersburg, MI, USA

problem #21

Jul 032001

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal binds when vehicle is hot. Brakes ineffective when cold.

- Satellite Beach, FL, USA

problem #20

Oct 302000

Ranger

  • miles
After taking vehicle for inspection found out that rear brakes were stuck together. Never were repaired before. Emergency brake cable was broken, like it was rubbing to a part of vehicle, and brake pads and shoes wore out.

- St. Mary, PA, USA

problem #19

Sep 282000

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Chantilly, VA, USA

problem #18

Jun 212000

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer was involved in a 5 car pile up accident, consumer's car was the last car hit. When pressing on brakes body went forward and driver's side seat belt broke. Consumer feels this should not have happened, and is very unsafe.

- Blue Island, IL, USA

problem #17

Jun 032000

Ranger

  • miles
While driving braking system malfunctioned, causing rear brakes to lock up, resulting in a crash. Dealer has not inspected the vehicle.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #16

Jun 092000

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Front brakes fail because they lock up upon stopping, and vehicle has only rear brakes to stop with.

- Mountain View, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 131999

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
ABS system malfunction causing light to illuminate and ABS problems. Mjs

- Bandon, OR, USA

problem #14

Mar 212000

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While applying the brakes pedal would go to the floor. Failed to bounce back like ABS brakes were suppose too. Took to dealership & master cylinder/front brakes were replaced. Brake problem was not solved. Dealership informed owner brakes work with pedal to floor. Due to lack of braking power, vehicle was involved in a wreck.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 172000

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
When traveling at 5-10 mph and upon depressing brake pedal to make a normal stop, brake pedal went to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Cap Commell, CA, USA

problem #12

Oct 151999

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
When attempting to stop brake pedal gets hard and truck stopping distance is increased. Have had two very close calls with other vehicles nearly being hit. Problem started about 6 weeks after I purchased truck. Have had vehicle in 7 times to three different dealers. They stated there was no problem but I knew better. Have seen similar problems on this website and would like to contact those people. You have permission to publish my E-mail address.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 011999

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The anti-lock brake system locks up on wet pavement when the pedal is applied. The pedal is hard when applied it only goes half way down, vehicle will slide before coming to a stop. Dealer has been contacted and repaired vehicle, however vehicle still locks up occasionally.

- Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 011999

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
Rear end (?) whines at various speeds, transmission slips. Dealer rebuilt differential, problem persists, dealer now has vehicle installing a new transmission trying to fix problem. Brake pedal pulses (not ABS)and steerings wheel shudders (left/right) when brakes are applied at all speeds. (not reported to dealer, have since found out that this is a common problem with this vehicle). Oil filter- to remove filter it must be wedged past the solenoid/starter. It come in contact with the exposed wires/lugs? on the starter. There is nothing protecting this exposed area. My dealer has been extremely courteous and understanding in dealing with the transmission/differential problem. I have not received any information from Ford regarding these problems.through research on the internet I have come to believe that the problems described here are not limited to my experiences. Thank you.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #9

Jun 151999

Ranger 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the brakes are applied in a panic stop brake pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

- Blue Ridge, GA, USA

problem #8

Jul 041999

Ranger 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying ABS brakes, pedal traveled to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Also, pressure applied to the brakes bent the brake pedal.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 011998

Ranger

  • miles
A vibration has developed under all braking conditions (15,000 miles on). The steering wheel will shudder and twitch from side to side. Entire vehicle will vibrate. Worst under low braking pedal pressure. As the vehicle slows, the sensation is as if the brakes are making varying braking contact with the rotors/drums, consistant with the wheel revolution speed. At low speed and light brake pedal pressure, the steering wheel will suddenly spin 90-180 degrees to the left, causing the vehicle to change driving lanes, unless firmly held back. Dealership inspected and drove the vehicle. Experienced vibration/shudder and wheel pull. States braking and steering systems components are in normal condition, brakes are unadjustable, complaint is common, and usually gets worse. Can offer no solution.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 051999

Ranger 4WD

  • miles
Problem with rear drum brakes grabbing when trying to apply slight brake pressure, aggravated in damp weather. The first time I took it into cole whitney Ford for repair was 2/19 /98 mileage 12282. The dealer said it was caused by a build up of brake dust that when wet would cause lock up. They blame it on the non asbestos content of the shoes. All they did was clean out the drums and sand the shoes. They said there is no known repair other than this.I have now moved to bangor so I have my truck serviced at darlings Ford 403 hogan road bangor Maine 04401 phone 1-800-540-1339. Since the first incident in Feb. 98 I've had the truck in to darling's twice with the same problem. They treated the problem in the same way, still no permanent fix. I asked if Ford would continue to take care of this problem at no charge after the warranty expired. They told me to call Ford customer assistance. They said they would not and I should talk to the dealer as they may do it as a sign of good faith. This is an important safety issue on this vehicle as I travel 60 miles to work in all weather and it's dangerous to have the rear brakes grab when driving on ice. I've had several incidents of nearly losing control when applying very slight pressure on the brakes and the rear brakes locked. I've also had problems in the summer during damp weather on nearly dry roads when the rear brakes locked up causing the anti lock system to come in and greatly increasing the stopping distance. The last Ford truck I owned was a 1987 model it had the same problem which was finally cured by installing brake shoes containing asbestos by me. I 'm told by darlings these type of brake shoes are no longer available.I should think that after 11 years Ford could come up with a fix for this problem.I think this is an accident just waiting to happen and something needs to be done. The brakes acted up again last weekend and I'm taking it in to darlings again Monday 03/15 99, probably another temporary fix.

- Bangor, ME, USA

problem #5

Jan 171999

Ranger

  • miles
When attempting to stop brake pedal gets hard and truck stopping distance is increased. My son experenced problem at about 25 mph, and ran off road into a home owners yard. Owner has also experenced same problem. Dealer has attempted to fix 3 times. Adjusted all components/turned/faced drums/rotors; replaced master cyl; replaced all pads/shoes. Now problem always happens for first few stops after sitting over night or about 1 hr. Service tech. Has experienced problem, but did not fix. Owner will now claim lemon law rights.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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