Dt: the caller said both front ball joints were defective. The vehicle was making noises in the front end. This was the only indication that something was wrong. The dealer told the consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. An independent mechanic told the consumer that the ball joints were bad. The mechanic told him that the ball joints should not go bad at that mileage. The manufacturer offered no help. The consumer did not know if the problem was with the lower joints. *ak (11/15/05) the noise was coming from the drivers side front tire. The consumer was informed that the noise was coming from both ball joints and the cv joint.
2001 Ford Ranger suspension complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 87 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
After 15,000 miles on good year tires I had strange wear of all 4 tires. I went to the ford dealership burt ford 303‑643‑9020 and approved through ford all tires had been replaced. (this was bought new off of ford lot with goodyear tires) they stated the tires had coupled? Bad tires and replace. 20,000 miles later the same thing happened all 4 tires and I was told by ford customer care, 1-800-241- ford, and burt ford that again it was the tires and again the new tires have started coupling. I feel this is the ford ranger 2001, 4 wheel drive, build defect that is making this happen. I at this time fear the vehicle has a major defect and this will make the truck unsafe and possibly cause loss of life. Ford stated they checked front end only. They are not taking this as a real issue and have now placed me and my family in danger.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and mechanic notified consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. However a independent mechanic determined that lower ball joint wore out.
I have a ford ranger edge 2001. I purchased it jun 11 2003. I just started feeling weird vibrations and sounds from the front end .I took it to a mechanic and he told me both upper suspension arms need replacing.this is going to cost over a $1000.00 dollars. I was told if I don't do it soon I could loose one or both of my front tires at high speed or off road. He also told me he has a lot of ford rangers are having the same problem. Please help.
Consumer stated that front end is wearing. Dealer notified.
At 6k mi while making right turns at speeds 30 MPH and lower, there was a distinct vibration in the front end. Ford replaced the steering rack. Now at 23k mi same exact problem is back.
The rear end of the vehicle swayed, when the vehicle hit a bump in the road.
Vehicle is pulling to the right side. Right/front tire feels as if it is going to buckle up under vehicle. Please provide any further information.
While driving 57-67 MPH there is a constant vibration. Engineer from ford stated it was a characteristic of the truck.*ak ford recommended and installed new goodyear wrangler tires on vehicle.
Date of purchase smelled rubber on the drivers front wheel. Truck bounces all over continues to do so, this causes poor steering control as well. Brakes alternates from grabbing or slow in working, PCM has been reprogrammed, yet the whinning in the engine or drive train continue. Suspension very weak, vehicle leans to the right on the curves and steering control is dangerous.
A piece of tire flew off and made a loud thud sound in the wheel-well. Tire then began to fly apart while driving at 65mph. Truck began to swerve off the road when I began to apply the brakes. Tire came off the rim before we could stop. Bell ford and firestone dealer told me the tire was not under warranty as it happened while I was driving the vehicle. They called it a "road hazard." "hazardous tires" would be more accurate. Another couple brought in a tire just like ours with the same problem. We were both turned away. We have replaced all five tires on the vehicle because of the nature of the situation and the danger we felt. I have had flat tires on the freeway before, but I have never had a tire disintegrate into hundreds of pieces or come off the rim like that. Please advice the federal safety agency of poor quality of this firestone product which ford motor company uses on their new vehicles. Thank you for your help to the comsumers. *ak (dot number: 027476 tiresize: 70r15)
The problem is a non-compliance of the installed springs and shocks assembly. The whole truck bounces over a bump instead of the suspension compressing and absorbing the shock. The results are that the back end of the truck bounces to the right or left and makes me almost lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle ended up on two wheels on one occasion and almost rolled over. The vehicle finally settled back down on all four wheels and I was able to continue on my way.
Whenever vehicle runs over a bump or a pothole it causes rear end to kick to the right or to the left. Dealer replaced front and rear shock, some improvements were made, but the problem still occurs. *ak consumer states that the vehicle oversteers when pressure is applied like during a turn, the problem seems to only occur when the left side of the vehicle hits a bump. Engine light illuminated.
I have had this truck for only one year and have had many problems. First the transmission went beacause it would not go past 2nd gear and the overdrive light was flashing. It was found to be internal parts and external wiring of the transmission. That same day the alternator went and left me with a dead battery. I have taken it into the dealer about 3 times for rough idle and have been turned away saying the cannot feel anything and that not to worry because its still under warranty. Twice I have taken it in for the front suspension due to a vibration to the steering wheel and truck. All rotors were turned and the front was reallined. Also the truck seems to go through gas a bit too quickly, just about a bit over a quarter tank for every 10-15 miles.
Vehicle wanders and it is difficult to control, the rear end has excessive roll at highway use, lack of control exist when the road conditions change.
While driving vehicle would start to vibrate/ shimmy, higher the speed shimmying would be worse, consumer would grip steering wheel, and would be hard to maintain control, had taken vehicle to two different dealerships, each mechanic just rotated the tires, this failed to correct the problem.*ak goodyear replaced all four tires. Rts wrangler p235/75r15)
While traveling up hill and making turns consumer noticed steering wheel vibrating. Dealer has been contacted. Dealer encouraged consumer to put more miles on vehicle. *ak vehicle has rough idle when waiting for a light or a stop sign, it doesn't matter if it is in gear or not.
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