Complain about a product or service

Ford Ranger Safety Problems

Save up to $379 on Your Auto Insurance. Compare Quotes from Top Providers Now! Find the Best Deal and Apply! - Adv.

Cal of Pineville LA (11/17/03):
Ford Ranger 1994, 4 cylinder, standard transmission, standard cab, short bed. While being driven it began to smoke, smoke came from under hood. Vehicle was pulled to a stop and turned off. Fire department called and extinguished fire but vehicle totalled. Fire consumed plastic components on right side of engine compartment and entered cab via the AC unit. Regarding accidents mentioned in this forum.

The Ford Ranger in the above configuration without weight in the bed is a very dangerous vehicle. Yes, the ABS system is known to be difficult to overcome when it is vital that you lock all your brakes. Also the rear brakes don't work properly because of the very light back end. On a dirt "wash board" road the driver will very easily lose control at speeds over 20 mph with the back end trying to come around and join the front end.

On a paved road the rear end will hydro plane extremely easily. If the paved road has "tire tracks" in it that hold the water in two parallel channels, the truck hydroplanes extreme easily with the rear end "coming loose." The truck's high center of gravity, relatively narrow stance, combined with the above make it an accident waiting to happen if you don't keep in mind what you are driving at all times. I bought mine new and kept it only because of the obvious financial considerations.

Eventually truck burned in above described fire. On several occasions prior to that I almost lost control of vehicle in above conditions.

Michael of Los Angeles (8/22/01):
I leased a 2000 Ford Ranger (Extended cab) on July 4, 2000. On the third month after leasing the truck I had a minor accident. Other than getting parking citations, I have never had any accidents or whatsoever in my six years of driving experience. The third month driving the truck I rear-ended a lady with an infant passenger. With the traffic going 25-35 miles/hr. she made a sudden stop. With a two-car distance behind her, I immediately stepped on the brake all the way to the floor.

The same incident happened on 15th of June 2001. A month after I had the truck serviced, I had the same minor accident. Again, no one was hurt, both cars were only dented, and the damages were minor; which just goes to show that both were traveling on a slow traffic. The accident happened at a crosswalk when a pedestrian suddenly crossed in the middle of traffic. Similarly to the other accident, the car made a sudden stop. I had enough distance to brake just like the last time but my truck did the same thing. I couldn't do anything but watch myself for a brief five seconds gliding and smashing into the other cars rear-end.

This time I started entertaining the notion that there might be something wrong with the truck. When I took it back to the Beverly Hills Ford dealership, they explained to me that what had happened was the result of the A.B.S. system. That it was designed to prevent the tires from locking (hence, despite pressing the brake pedal down to the floor, the wheels keeps rolling), that in the event of a sudden stop, one has the option of steering away and avoiding the accident. Basically saying that there is no way to make a full stop to avoid a catastrophic accident; a privilege only offered to Ford Ranger drivers. They concluded in the end that there was nothing wrong with the truck.

On the 13th of August 2001, another incident occurred. All the details were similar; no one was hurt and the damages were minor. This time I decided to go back to the dealership where I originally leased the truck. I told them everything that has happened to me ever since I leased the truck. At the end of the whole ordeal, they told me the same explanation Beverly Hills Ford had told me -- the ABS break system does not allow one to make a complete stop; it gives the driver a chance to steer away from the potential accident.

My question is, if it was an actual person or what if it was a child chasing a ball in the middle of the street? Are they implying that the purpose of the brake system is to provide adequate time for the driver to choose between the child chasing the ball or the friend of the child standing on the side of the street?

If the facts are as presented, there is something seriously wrong with Michael's truck. First, the brake pedal should not go all the way to the floor. Second, ABS or not, when the driver stomps on the brakes in a full-panic manner, the vehicle should start screeching, laying down rubber and, in a word, braking. Michael should insist that the truck be thoroughly examined before he or someone else is killed.

Andria of Naples, ID (1/26/02):
My brother and his girlfriend were out hunting in his Ford Ranger. They were on their way home when they slid off the road down an embankment. They went over a few stumps, hit the passenger side on a tree then came to rest after hitting a large tree going between 20 to 30 MPH. The frame twisted, the front of the truck was pushed into a W shape, the only reason the passenger door was not caved in was because he had nerf bars.

The extended part of his cab was totaled, the impact was so great that it broke the welds on the lid of his diamond plate tool box. The truck was balanced on the transfer case propped up by a stump, but the airbags never went off.

His girlfriend's seatbelt must not have been latched or held very well because it came undone and she hit the windsheild and broke it with her head. My brother even though his seatbelt was on and stayed latched, he hit the the streaing wheel with his chest and arms. It is a 99 Ranger and you are able to turn the passenger airbag on and off. The light now indicates that the airbag is off even though at the time of impact it was on. It reads it off regardless of the position of the key.

Angel of Warden WA (4/26/01):
Over the past several years we have had problems with our Ford Ranger and Ford Bronco II dying in traffic for no reasons. We are not rich people but have replaced and replaced parts on these vehicles trying to solve the problem.

On March 14, 2001 my husband was on his way to Spokane in the Ranger. I had just seen him at my office in Moses Lake, WA, it was a very nice day. Something happened about 30 miles later on HWY 90 East. The Ranger went off the road and rolled. My husband was ejected from the Ranger and died. According to witnesses, he had just passed a truck and was not weaving or acting as if he had problems. I believe the Ranger died again and he was not able to control the car. According to the police, they can not figure out why his car left the road either.

Damage Resulting: My husband died. Due to my economic situation I still have to drive the Bronco II until I can junk it (I do not want anyone else hurt because of these cars). Emotional damage, words can not describe the loss or the fear I have now when I get into a car to drive. I will never trust another automobile or their claims that their cars are safe.

This might be related to the ignition problems that were the basis of a major class action suit. Angel should have an attorney check into it.

Back to the top | Ford Ranger Pickup