2004 Ford Ranger Brakes Problems

MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD RANGER XLT PICKUP TRUCK WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION. THE BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ALLOWING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT THE FLOOR. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON A SNOW COVERED PARKING LOT. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD (0 DEG. F) AT THE TIME, AND THE 4X4 SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR SO THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THERE WAS NO PULSING SENSATION FROM ABS. AS A RESULT, MY VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE BOTH DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I HAVE TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. THE FORD DEALER IN MY TOWN WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT FIND ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER ON MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE UPGRADED WITH NEW FIRMWARE. THE DEALER INVOICE FOR THE BRAKE INSPECTION IS ATTACHED. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS ON FORD AUTO ENTHUSIAST FORUMS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING TO OTHER FORD RANGER AND EXPLORER VEHICLES WHEN THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A TIGHT TURN AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. SO IT SEEMS THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THIS PARTICULAR FORD BRAKING SYSTEM.

ON NOVEMBER 2, 2012, I WENT TO THE PLACE WHERE I PURCHASED MY TIRES TO HAVE THEM ROTATED AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED TO ME THAT MY REAR DRUM BRAKES WHERE METAL TO METAL. THE NEXT DAY I PULLED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE AND DRUM AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO LINING ON ONE OF THE SHOES. I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF BRAKE SHOES (10") AT AUTOZONE AND ON NOVEMBER 5, 2012 DROVE TO MY FATHER'S HOME TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SHOES. UPON REMOVAL OF THE OLD SHOES, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE LINING OF THE SHOE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT SAME WHEEL WAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE AND COMING OFF ON ONE END. WE ALSO NOTED THAT THE MISSING LINING WAS A BONDED SHOE AND THE CRACKED LINING WAS A RIVETED SHOE. THIS WAS CONFIRMED AFTER INSPECTING THE SHOES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH APPEARED TO BE WEARING NORMALLY BUT THAT SIDE ALSO HAD ONE BONDED SHOE AND ONE RIVETED SHOE. DON'T KNOW WHY THERE WOULD BE A MIX MATCH OF BRAKE SHOE TYPES. THE REPLACEMENT SHOES PURCHASED FROM AUTOZONE WERE RIVETED ONLY. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL SHOES FOR ANYONE'S INSPECTION. I RECALL HAVING MY VEHICLE BEING STUCK FROM MOVEMENT AFTER SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, EVEN AFTER REMOVAL OF THE PARKING BRAKE, ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I HAD TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT TO BREAK FREE. THE BRAKE SHOE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE REASON BEHIND THAT HAPPENING. *TR

REAR BRAKES RUSTED, HOLDING SPRINGS RUSTED, SUPPORT PINS FELL OUT AND CAUSED BRAKES TO DRAG AND BECOME WORN AND OVERHEATED WAY BEFORE THEIR TIME CAUSING REPLACEMENT ABOUT 30,000 MILES BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. COULD HAVE CAUSED BRAKES TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING. *TT

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH MY WIFE DROVE DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY AND LOST HER BRAKES. THE DRIVEWAY IS PITCHED ABOUT 15 DEGREES SO THE TRUCK, A 2004 RANGER WITH 60,000 MILES, PICKED UP SPEED. PUMPING DIDN'T HELP. SHE STEERED THE CURVE THEREBY NOT FLYING INTO THE SHED; SHE AIMED AT A 10 FOOT DEEP FLOWERING BUSH TO AVOID THE STONE WALL AND THE TRUCK WENT THROUGH, MISSED THE ASH TREE, AND CAME TO A HALT 200 FEET DOWN IN THE MEADOW. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE ABOUT TO FAIL, NO SOFTNESS THAT EITHER OF US NOTICED, NO WARNING LIGHT. THE DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALERSHIP IS THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER 'FAILED'; NO LINES BROKEN, NO FLUIDS HAVING LEAKED. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING FORD WOULD DO, EXCEPT REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. A MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD OUTLIVE THE REST OF A VEHICLE. THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. IT IS NOT JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS, LIKE A FLAT TIRE. *TR

BRAKES WERE IMPROPERLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH LED TO UNDO REPAIR BILLS. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS OF MY 2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LINING AND ALL OTHER SPRINGS & COMPONENTS TO RUST, BREAK AND PARTS TO DETERIORATE. *JB

04 FORD TRUCK RANGER( FORD REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY)**CC THE CONSUMER REPORTED A BINDING/SEIZING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERN. THE SECOND INCIDENT THE REAR BRAKES SEIZED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE COST FOR NEW BRAKES WAS $777.96. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE SHOES AND DRUMS. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS REPLACED *JB

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TRUCK HAS 46K MILES. I AM LOOKING TO TRADE IT IN ON A TOYOTA, WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST JAPANESE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER CONSIDERED. RUST IS ALSO STARTING TO FORM BETWEEN THE BED AND THE GATE. *NM

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. *JB

I JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF BRIAN AT THE PHONE NUMBER 1800-392-FORD (THAT THE DEALER GAVE ME) ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE SAFER CARGOV WEBSITE. AMONG OTHERS. THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2004 FOR RANGER EDGE 4X4. I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. KNOWING THAT FORD DOES NOT COVER WEAR ITEMS" I FIGURED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE SHOES SHOULD NOT SEPARATE (WEAR YES, SEPARATE NO). A TRUCK WITH 37 K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE REAR BRAKE PADS COME APART PERIOD. IF THIS IS WHAT FORD CALLS QUALITY THEN IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PURCHASE. AND AS OF NOW I AM DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE LACK OF CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM THIS COULD CAUSE. ITS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS NOT GOING 50 MPH OR HIGHER WHEN IT LOCKED UP. OR ON TOP OF THAT HAVE ANOTHER PERSON IN THE VEHICLE ..SAFETY? OR WEAR? YOUR CALL QUALITY ? *NM

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT POOR DESIGN OF BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS , WHEN WEARING WORK BOOTS IF NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL PUSH ON GAS PEDAL AS YOU APPLY BRAKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES ACTUALLY EXCELERATING, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE , ONCE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT DURING HIGHWAY PANIC STOP

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AT A STOP SIGN, DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE TWO WERE PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD RESULTING IN A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND SEAT BELTS WERE USED. MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 FORD RANGER WITH 12000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE VERY MUCH. AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE SHOT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS METAL WAS PEELING OFF. I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. I DID SAVE THE OLD ROTORS.*NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT 40MPH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DIRECT REAR END COLLISION, BUT CLIPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED ONLY MINOR DAMAGE. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED TWO PREVIOUS FAILURES WITH THE BRAKES, BUT NO ACCIDENTS RESULTED IN THE OTHER INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAS BEEN HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE PEDAL HAD A SPONGY FEEL WHEN IT WAS PRESSED DOWN. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE CAP ON THE RESERVOIR TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEN, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RESERVOIR, THIS STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS, AND THIS SEEMED TO STOP THE LEAK OF THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT DID NOT HELP THE BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE BRAKING PROBLEM RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AVOID AN ANIMAL IN THE ROAD. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND HE COULD NOT GAIN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SIX TO SEVEN TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS ONE FATALITY, AND TWO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OR THE SERVICE DEALER BECAUSE OF INJURIES SUSTAINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE IN A TOW YARD IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA. *AK

WAS BACKING DOWN PART OF MY DRIVEWAY WHICH IS FAIRLY STEEP. WHEN REACHING POINT WHERE WANTED TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT BUDGE SO 2004 FORD RANGER CONTINUED ROLLING BACKWARDS UNTIL HITTING TREE IN ITS PATH. IT STOPPED THEN! DAMAGE WAS $4,000 AND SOME. TRUCK IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN 12,000 MILES USE. FORD SAID COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES. BODY SHOP REPAIRED BED.

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE BRALKES LOCKED UP THE TRUCK WENT SKIDDING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKE SHOES AND RESEALED WITH SILICON ON THE BACKING PLATE. THE DEALER ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. . *BF *NM

DT: 2004, FORD, RANGER XLT, FRONT BRAKES ON DRIVER'S SIDE ARE GRABBING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP TWICE. CONSUMER CAN MASH THE BRAKES DOWN, AND HEARS A GRINDING SOUND. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE TRUCK, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE FREEZING UP. ALSO, HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STILL COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEAL ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAL WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE OWNER TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX WHAT EVER NECESSARY, AND THE SEAL WAS NOT FIXED. THE VEHICLE HAS 40,000 MILES.

TRAVELING DOWN LAKESHORE PARKWAY AT APPROX. 30 MPH AND NOTICED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HIT MY BRAKES WITH NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE, THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP. I TRIED TO STEER TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP THE TRUCK KEPT GOING STAIGHT CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT.

2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN HE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES BOTH TIMES THE TECHNICIANS FOUND NOTHING. CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WERE NEVER REMOVED TO EXPOSE THE LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDERS. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED AT A SLOW PACE AND DISSOLVED THE BRAKE LINING AND CAUSED ALL THE OTHER SPRINGS AND COMPONETS TO RUST AND BREAK. *JB