Dt: the consumer stated that the 1998 ford ranger engine was making noise and the spark plug had blew out of the cylinder. This happened while driving 20 MPH. The vehicle had considerably less power after the loss of the spark plug. The consumer replaced the spark plug earlier today. When the consumer found that the spark plug failed it was hanging by its wires. The consumer had not contacted ford at this time. The dealer had not been contacted at this point. *ak (11/15/05)
1998 Ford Ranger engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 54, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The engine failed. *dt
The harmonic balancer separated, which made contact with the transmission and front u-joint. The rear end of vehicle tore apart when the front portion of the drive shaft made contact with the road. Dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recalls so there was nothing they could do about it. Ph *tt
The oil was leaking due to a cracked oil pan.
Had oil changed at clean lube-no oil leakage before visit with them-they told me my oil pan was cracked and when I left it was pouring out oil. They kept my oil pan and said they had to send it to a lab to see if they cracked it....I have not heard from them since. The cost of the new oil pan was 404.00 and they said it was a stress crack and it should hace been a recall. They see this in these little trucks.....please help me......they need to pay for my oil pan per mechanic.thank you trish hull.
Consumer states vehicle is experiencing several electrical problems, the inside light will not go off when the door is shut, the door ajar light never goes off, when the keys are left inside the ignition with the door closed, the chimer will keep dinging until the key is removed, the dealer claimed the problem was the jewel modular, however the bulbs inside the dash keep blowing, when the blinkers are turned on there is a crackling noise that sounds like a wire shorting out, the windshield wipers act erractically when in delay mode, the hazard lights work intermittently, consumer has concerns with the airbag light, when he turns the switch to the off position, the light goes off and when consumer turns the switch to the on position, the light indicates that the airbag is off.
At 30000, the first serpentine belt was replaced. The dealer said there was nothing they could do because the belt was not covered under the warranty. The belt has been replaced twice more since then, and the vehicle only has 52000 miles. Around 40000 miles, the front suspension started clunking every time you hit a bump. The mechanic who inspected the front end stated that the front suspension bushings are what is causing the clunk.
As I was turning a corner the vehicle suddenly appeared to lose power. I thought initially the engine had stalled and I coasted to the side of the road. The engine was still running however it would not accelerate out of idle and would stall when the accelerator was pressed. The vehicle would ilde along and I was forced to run on the shoulder of the road in idle the rest of the way home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and two air sensors were replaced at my expense.
The vehicle made a squeak noise in the front end due to lower ball joints failure.
While traveling about 35-40mphand /after crossing a bridge front body mounts broke off. Driver had to jump from vehicle to avoid injury. Vehicle has not been repaired, and has been in storage for six months.
Vehicle idles very roughly. Then idle will go away for awhile. Vehicle turned off without prior notice. Dealership is aware of problem. *ak consumer states that after rough idle goes away, vehicle will hesitate or stall, mass air flow sensor was replaced, however problems still exists. Gas pedal gets stuck. Passenger side front windshield wiper arm was loose. Pwer steering pump was replaced due to when turning wheel it would make anoise.
Mass airflow sensor has failed without warning at 9,000 and 31,000 miles. When it fails, the engine stalls, and is very difficult to restart and keep running. Without engine power, there is limited brake and power steering functioning. This is a safety hazard if it occurs in a moving traffic situation. Ford is unable (unwilling?) to provide any information as to whether this is an acceptable failure rate.
Bought this truck with 16,000 miles on it from earnheart dodge. Dec . 11,1999.on jan 24,2000 took it to berge ford service dept. For noise coming from engine (like marbles runnning around in it) truck stayed there to have engine looked at for 5 days. In the meantime I had to pay for rental.got tired waitng for truck to be looked at and called earnheart ford service to come pick up and take to theirs. Service rep said could be just carbon in it. So they decarboned it.the noise still was there. After 20,000miles on the truck total ,they put in ford factory rebuilt engine in it. Okay for about 1,000 miles , noise came back.took back to ford said it was probably carbon again.how come same problem with new rebuilt engine ? They decarboned it.when truck picked up there was still noise. Service said decarbon stuff still had to work more. Noise got louder. Got in touch to see what now they were going to do.service manager said would be in touch.no calls. Tried calling and leave messages number of times no answer. Finally able to get ahold of service manger and he said they could not do anything more for me even though still under warrenty.said his mechanic called the ford hotline and they told him that they were aware of some of the rangers having these problems with the engine ,but it would not hurt the engine . It had to do with the alignment of the valves in some of the engines. I said wait a minute not only I feel my truck is unsafe to drive making this racket as I drive the freewayu to work 4-5 times a week 40 miles 1 way,but why should I be stuck with a noisy ,unsafe vehicle after paying all the money I have for it and to be unhappy with it? Question.. If this only a noise problem why was the consumers not warned about it when they bought it.and why did they change the first engine?I think these engines should all be recalled to find out the true problem before it becomes another "firestone" disaster. Please respond.
Rattling noise from engine. Engine replaced still rattles. Clunk when shifting from 1st gear.
Clutch slave cylinder bolts came out knocking hole through transmition case.transmission cross member had to be cut out after speed nuts broke loose.heater failed three times.thermostat replaced twice didn't help.bolts holding cooling fan on came out.switch for dome light failed, and brake rotors warped.
Vehicle failed to start numerous times, check engine light is coming on. Yh
Due to design flaw, oil filter is located under manifold. While removing oil filter, the owner had his hand burnt by hot manifold. Yh
While changing oil filter, exhaust pipe burned consumer's hand. This caused the oil filter too touch the bar wire of the starter, causing a spark to ignite the oil, resulting in a fire. Consumer was able to put out the fire. Dealer notified the manufacturer.
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and shut down without warning. Dealer has changed various parts, and the problem still exists.
While consumer is driving the vehicle suddenly looses power, consumer has taken the vehicle to dealer many times but the are unable to diagnose the problem and the computer says there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Nlm
When driving at any speed the vehicle is cutting off, and there is a loss of power when applying the gas pedal due to the mass air flow sensor going out. Vehicle has been in the shop for repairs five times.
Makes chirping noise about half the time when started; two authorized ford dealers have not found the cause
I sent a letter with more details on this incedent and others! This is my main concern the vehicle stalls out and am afraid of an accident and or a death of me or another driver of another vehicle!
Engine continually stalling, hesitation and surging, unable to rectify since purchase. Mjs
While driving on interstate at approx 65mph all of a sudden the vehicle loses power. No prior warning. Contacted dealer several times.
Mass airflow sensor.
Vehicle would lose power. Engine felt like it had died. An intermittent problem. When in lower gear only, would die out. Have been to dealer's twice.
The design of the filter is located under the hot manifold and below that filter is the hot solenoid and starter wires, consumer was injured/burned when changing filter, filter caught on fire when consumer dropped filter from being burned. Mjs
On starting engine hesitated ,almost stalled then raced with high RPM,while huge amounts of white thick smoke and heavy gasoline smell present.truck stalled.restarted same problem with the addition of a large black cloud of smoke from tail pipe on pushing accelerator.throttle sticks causing surging.dealer replaced throttle valve.probelm persists. Brakes make grinding noise when applied,dealer could not replicate after 4 visits they finally ackowledge problem and had to do a complete brake job.brakes are hard now and it appears that the anti locks do not engage.rear slider leaks water into extra cab when it rains. Vibration heard from ex haust area,had to have the heat shield tightened. Noise has returned./
Due to the defective barometric pressure sensor, while driving down hill, the vehicle will stall unexpectedly which almost caused an accident. Dealer refused to repair the barometric pressure sensor. Please provide further information.
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