This vehicle is unsafe at high speeds. Recently I bought a used 2002 Ford Ranger XLT, w/ 4.0 liter engine, and I noted the 125 mph speedometer. Last evening an 18 wheeler cut into my lane and I quickly accelerated hitting about 90 mph on the interstate to avoid being crushed. However just as I was clearing the front end of the semi the engine began to faulter and the vehicle began to slow. Pressing on the accelerator didn't increase vehicle speed or engine RPM. I was scared out of my wits. I called the dealership that night and they agreed to look at the vehicle. Which they later deferred on (basically they knew of the defect). After talking to several service department reps at the dealership I was told the fuel ejectors are designed to cut out at high speeds. I pressed further and talked to other dealerships to find out the vehicle has been deteremined unsafe at high speeds by Ford, so this safety feature was incorporated in the vehicle. I got little "positive" responses when I asked why a)the speedomoter went to 125 mph (noting that oler vehichles manufactured in the mid to late 1980's only had 85 mph speedometers) B)why am I paying several thousand dolars for a 4.0 liter engine and C) why is this unsafe condition not disclosed anywhere or at any time during my purchase" I asked if fatty foods are bad for me would I pay full price for a 2 lb. Steak and only be served a 6 oz. One" he had no response.

- Cottonwood, CA, USA

My husband and I were driving on the interstate. My husband attempted to overtake a slow moving vehicle. He had to accelerate between 80 and 85 to overtake in fast moving traffic. Our vehicle acted like it was starved of fuel and was not responding. This put us in a very dangerous situation as there was other traffic on the road. We contacted our local Ford dealership. They test drove the vehicle and stated that they could not find a defect. We expressed our concern that the sudden loss of power puts us in an unsafe overtaking situation. We were invited to take a test drive with a technician. We expressed our concern for the safety of the tecnician and ourselves during a test drive a high speeds. The dealership and Ford manufacturing stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Finally having faxed our concerns to the dealership ON10/14/02, we were offered another test drive with a service technician on 10/15/02. During the test drive at speeds not exceeding 65 miles per hour, the technician explained that the vehicle has a "rev limiter" which is governor which stops all acceleration at 85 mph. We feel that this inability to go above 85 miles per hour places in a very vulnerable position. The truck will not be able to respond in an emergency or avoidance situation. This places everyones lives at risk. It seems that Ford Motor Company is the only one who has decided how fast their trucks should go and have not taken into consideration the danger that they a placing us in. With regard to the air conditioning unit, we have experienced the following: The unit cycles on and off approx. Every 12 seconds. This causes the truck to surge each time the unit comes on as there is a loss of power to the engine. The unit also makes a loud clicking sound as it comes on. The constant surging of the engine makes for a very uncomfortable ride. The Ford delearship and Ford Motor Company do not consider this a problem.

- Plam Coast, FL, USA

As I was driving on an interstate highway, I attempted to pass another vehicle. The other vehicle sped up; I slowed; he slowed; obviously a game of some kind was being played that I wanted no part of, so I tried to get away and when I hit 85mph, my vehicle ceased to accelerate and began acting like it was starved for gas. I spoke to my dealer and Ford Motor Company and learned that the vehicle has a "rev limiter" which is apparently a governor that stops all acceleration at 85mph. As far as I have been able to determine, Ford is the only vehicle made that has such a limiter and it cannot be removed or altered. When I asked Ford why, I was told it was for my own good since speed limits are maximum of 70-75 mph across America. I then asked why the speedometer went to 120 mph and they said the vehicle was designed for it but Ford chose to not let drivers exceed 85. I asked why Ford felt compelled to hold a driver to 85 when every other manufacturer did not and how safe was it to allow me to go only 10mph over the maximum speed when that also meant I could go 55mph over in an area posted for 30mph. Same answer--for my own good. One of the many problems with this is that in rare emergency occasions (such as passing an 18 wheeler and someone ahead pulling out from a side road coming in my direction--there are probably better examples), I may be past the point of being able to slow down or another car may be behind me, and we all get killed because Ford decided their cars should go slower than every comparable vehicle on the road. I could understand all cars topping off at 85, but not only one--and not one that has every indication it would go faster in an emergency and Ford never telling you anything to the contrary until the emergency occurs. This may be the first, or only, complaint you ever receive about a car going too slow, but it was a real problem and I found it extremely frustrating and dangerous.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA