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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,600 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

problem #5

Jan 052012

Ranger 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Parked out on the street in front of my house, caught on fire around 9 pm. Fire trucks came and put it out and knocked on the door around 9:25 pm.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #4

May 172011

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Rear brakes lockup every time it rains. This causes sliding on wet pavements. As of now I have not been in an accident because of this problem.

- Holden, WV, USA

problem #3

Mar 052010

Ranger

  • 83,000 miles
My 1998 Ford Ranger XLT so far had 2 complete brake failures due to corroded brake lines. This is a systemic problem caused by the spiral protection of the brake lines which keeps the humidity trapped and thus corrodes the lines. When this happens, brake fluid is leaking out when the pedal is pushed down yet no brake function is experienced. As this problem has a clear technical reason in the form of the brake lines, it is systemic in all such vehicles. This has been confirmed by my car mechanic shop which is frequently repairing Ford vehicles with this problem. The problem has no early warning indication and is not detected by the yearly inspection.

- Upper Grandview, NY, USA

problem #2

Feb 272009

Ranger

  • 125,000 miles
Everytime I press my brake pedal, there is a grinding/pulsating and the vehicle slowly "skids" to a stop, usually only 10-15 feet after I intended on stopping. Less than one (1) year ago, the brakes went out on my 1998 Ford Ranger. The mechanic told me that the ABS on the vehicle is where the problem was occurring, yet he didn't know how to fix it. He said the unnecessary pressure being applied by the ABS system caused my master cylinder's seals to crack. I paid over $400 for all brake repairs. Ten (10) months later, I'm driving on a freeway at 60 M.P.H. and my exit is approaching. When attempting to stop, I was again left with no brakes. I narrowly avoided a major accident. Thankfully I had the sense of mind to push my emergency brake (which is awkwardly located on a pick-up truck) and avoid a numerous car pile-up on a busy los angeles freeway. I took the vehicle to a new mechanic as well as a pep boys auto center, and was told that the master cylinder's seals were again cracked, and charged over $400 for the same repairs as before. I've searched numerous online forums, and spoken to numerous mechanics and Ford Ranger owners and every single one of them is very familiar with the problem and has faced near-death situations due to this manufacturing error. I would really appreciate a recall as it's the only one to assure the problem is fixed and the safety of others on the road (as the brakes will no longer work without any warning).

- Monterey Park, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 221999

Ranger

  • miles
While driving and applying the brakes, the rear end of the vehicle shakes and skips across the road. Dealer was contacted and changed the drums but once driving through a puddle of water the problem comes back. Please provide any futher information.

- Ocala, FL, USA

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