1998 Ford Ranger: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Acceleration · 72,300 miles · WA

Pulled into a sloping down parking spot. Stopped, foot on the brake. Before I could shift out of drive, the engine abruptly revved up to max RPM. I had both feet on the brakes, the back wheels started spinning creating a cloud of blue smoke. I jammed the gears into park and they engine only quit after I turned off the key. I have several witnesses to the event. My regular mechanic disconnected the cruise control cable and it hasn't happened again. Ford contacted but refused to fix the problem.

Filed Mar 17, 2008 · Acceleration · WV

Recall 05s28 cruise control ford ranger 1998 received a notice aug 2007. Have tried to have work performed three times. They tell me the parts are not available,maybe late april. How long does it take to make up a simple line with a fuse or even install a fuse in an existing line. Seems an inordinate time lag to get a repair. Thank you for your time, bob bucci

Filed Feb 29, 2008 · Acceleration · TX · fire

Sitting in friends driveway, not running, no keys. Had been there for 2 hours. Neighbor was the one who noticed the fire and notified us. We could have lost the truck sitting next to it along with the house. My husband put out the fire before the fire department arrived. The firefighters told us there had been a recall on the vehicle and that it was definitely cause by the cruise control switch. The vehicle is a total loss which puts us without a vehicle which I had just purchased four months prior to the fire. I called ford motor company and still have heard nothing back from them. They said it would be 7-10 days before I hear from them. In the mean time I am stranded and no way to get back and forth to work or school. This has definitely put major stress on my whole family.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Acceleration · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford ranger. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer disconnected the cruise control and informed the contact to return in december of 2007. When the contact returned in december, the dealer stated that the replacement part would not be available until the second quarter of 2008. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 89,950. Updated 04/03/08.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Acceleration · NC

Ford sent me letter last fall stating my ford ranger was subject to a safety recall. I stopped by my dealer every couple of weeks for months and they said nobody has parts, because the supplier won't make these parts 'til everything is ready. I'm tired of waiting... I want the gov't to pressure ford to act. The recall I learned is for the cruise control wiring that causes fires... Even when not using cruise control.

Filed Jan 31, 2008 · Electrical · NC

The 1998 ford ranger was part of an august 2007 recall because of a cruise control wiring harness issue. We have been told since then, that no parts were available, don't park vehicle near a structure, bring the vehicle in to have cruise control disconnected, and parts should be available in january. Well, it's nearly ground hog's day, and guess what? Nothing has been done to supply parts. Ford no doubt is still building new vehicles and putting wiring harnesses in them, but they don't take the recall seriously. No wonder they're not a viable automobile entity any more. Bring on the europeans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Jul 25, 2007 · Acceleration · 60,186 miles · NC · fire

I own a 1998 ford ranger. To begin the cruise control quit working. Then I noticed smoke from the engine compartment area. The brake pressure switch on the master brake cylinder caught fire. My husband was able to disconnect it and extinguish the fire prior to any significant damage occurring. I contacted ford and they advised the vehicle was not on the recall list of vehicles for this problem. I spoke to the dealer and they advised the truck had a similar or the same switch as those on the recalled vehicles that have caused fires in the past.

Filed Jul 10, 2007 · Acceleration, Engine · 85,000 miles · SC · fire

Pulled my 1998 ford ranger into a store parking lot. I was getting ready to park when I could smell something burning. Stopped the truck. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I popped the hood and saw an electrical plug burning with flames. I was able to blow the flames out before much else was damaged. I was able to drive it to a ford dealership. They told me that the cruise control plug is what caught fire. It also damaged my reservoir for the brake fluid. They are replacing the master cylinder and the cruise control plug. Of course, this is at my own expense, not fords.

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 125,628 miles · WV · crash

While backing my 98 ford ranger 4.0 supercab with tow package (which has the beefier brakes) the aluminum bracket that holds the bar that the brake and clutch hinge on, broke away from the truck. This left me heading in reverse with no brake or clutch. I was in shock, imagine the steering wheel coming off in your hands while driving; that's how I felt. I didn't think to hit the emergency brake, but I was already halfway into the garage and had very little time to react properly before I crashed into the back wall (cinderblock) punching a hole in the wall which killed the engine. This happened at the fire station where I work! The police did a report. He saw and reported the brakes were broke although he didn't look very closely. Many of my superiors at the job saw that the brakes had broke away and were now dangling, useless. The vehicle had to be towed to a ford dealership where the brake assembly was replaced. The dealership acknowledged on the bill the state of the brakes and clutch assembly. I requested the broken parts and they are now in my possession. I contacted ford customer service, they stated the obvious, that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. They also stated their were no recalls on my vehicle which was not true; I knew about the cruise control and has had the firestones replaced. I guess they meant on the brakes. I said yes, but certain things should never happen on a vehicle. This is a safety issue on a vehicle only eight years old you would not accept that the steering wheel may fall off. Just like you would not accept that the brake pedal assembly may brake away under your feet. Today I received a letter from ford saying they could not help me because the vehicle was not under warranty. I wonder if there has been other incidents like mine and they are in the form of "service bulletins" secret recalls that keep ford and other companies from having to fix many of their problems. *jb the consuner had to have 2 bad lug nuts replaced on the right front wheel. Updated 01/10/07.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · FL · fire

Replaced fuse that had blown on cruise control on 1998 ford ranger. Stepped on brake to put in gear and noticed excessive smoke from under hood. Opened hood and found mechanism in front of master cylinder reservoir on fire. Small fire torched front of reservoir I put out the fire with a towel breaking the mechanism, cruise control brake disconnect.

Filed Jul 26, 2005 · Acceleration · CA · crash · fire

Dt: the consumer stated on july 10, 2003 there was a fatal roll over. The tires separated and the vehicle rolled over and blew out. According to consumer's investigation there was a problem with the fuel on the cruise control switch. This vehicle was a 1998, ford, ranger. The highway patrol came to the scene and issued a report. It was consumer's cousin vehicle. The tread came off from rear driver's side tire. Consumer thought the vehicle rolled over three times. There was two occupants, and both were killed in the accident. The exact mileage was not known.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Acceleration · TX · fire

While parked the consumer's 1998 ford ranger caught on fire. The cruise control was used for 4 1/2 hour the day before the fire erupted. *nm the consumer's home sustained extensive smoke and fire damage.