2001 Ford Ranger: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Transmission · 87,018 miles · HI

I was driving my 2001 ford ranger down the road, I pushed in the clutch to change gears and something popped. My clutch pedal was now incapable of actuating the clutch to change gears or put it in gear after I put it in neutral. I had to jerk the gearshift out of gear into neutral and stop as traffic had stopped for a red light. We had to push the truck out of the way of traffic. After examining the engine compartment, I saw that the clutch hydraulic line that attaches to the clutch master cylinder had popped off. The roll pin that secures that particular connection had worked itself loose and allowed the line to pop off. The next day I removed the clutch master cylinder, reservoir, and hydraulic line. All the parts were still good, so I bench bled the assembly, installed, and bled the clutch slave cylinder. Upon further investigation, I read that ford had issued a technical service bulletin regarding this exact problem and issued a free fix if a customer has this problem and the truck is under warranty. Well, my truck isn't under warranty and fixing it myself was a hassle. I don't need my clutch parts failing like this when I'm crossing an intersection nor does anyone else. It's a major distraction that can cause an accident. Even if this problem doesn't qualify as a recall issue, they could at least mail me a cotter pin with a letter telling me to look out for this problem. The tsb number is 01-24-1 dated 10/01/2001.

Filed Jan 12, 2009 · Airbags, Seat belts · 82,000 miles · ME · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle slid on a patch of snow. The rear wheels lost traction and the vehicle flipped over twice before crashing into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle struck a tree. The driver suffered bruised ribs on the left side and a stiff neck. The passenger sustained major bruises everywhere including her back, legs, and wrists. She also sustained a severe bump on her back and minor cuts. The vehicle was towed and is currently parked in the contact's driveway. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a mechanic or dealer. The contact is assuming that the vehicle is destroyed. He will wait until the spring to check the frame on the vehicle; however, he believes that the passenger should not have sustained that much bruising and injuries. The contact also believes that there is a defect with the passenger side seat belt. During the crash, the seat belt did not tighten up, which allowed the passenger's body to jerk around and become bruised. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 82,000. Updated 02/05/09 *bf updated 02/09/09.

Filed Jun 18, 2004 · Acceleration · OH

While driving at 55 MPH consumer applied the accelerator pedal and the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. This caused the vehicle to jerk. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Nov 11, 2003 · Airbags, Brakes · 35,000 miles · CA · crash

Traveling approx 68 MPH I swurved to avoid going off road.as I jerked the stirring wheel to my rt then back to my left I stepped on my brakes with a hard and consistant presssure,causing my front breaks lockup,which resulted in me losing control of my truck it !!spinning out of control I went only to come to rest after a frontal impact of approximately 55 to 60 mrh as well as a rear impact speed at this point unknown. Besides my front breaks locking up, neither my driver or passenger side air bags deployed.

Filed Apr 18, 2003 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · TX

This complaint is about a ford ranger edge supercab 4x4. I have had this truck barely over 2 years and it has 45,000 miles on it. About one year after purchasing the vehicle I started having transmission problems, the "overdrive off" light flashing and funny shifts from first into second as well as a hesitant acceleration followed by a small jerk. I took it in to have it fixed and apparently it was. About 3 months later the transmission started acting up again in the same fashion. I took it in and once again thought it was fixed until a few months later it started doing the same thing. By this time since I thought the truck was finally fixed I decided to add a 4" suspension lift and 33" tires. When I took it in they told me I need either a new transmission or to have this one rebuilt and that the warranty would cover the cost. After about a week in the shop and torn apart they called and told me the warranty co. Did not want to pay for the rebuilt transmission because of the "extensive suspension mods" and larger tires. Let me remind you, I had it in 2 times before the lift was put on for this same problem that has not yet been fixed. After a bit of arguing I decided that I wasn't going to win and that I need a truck. So I am now paying $150 a month for the $3000+ for the work and rebuilt transmission. Now, after about 4 months after the work, I am experiencing the same problem yet again...can someone please advise me on how to take care of this problem ??? Thanks, aaron.

Filed Nov 10, 2001 · Tires · VA

I was driving south on route 5 in southern maryland. I had jsu gone through st mary's city and was speding up to about 40 when I heard a rumbling that sounded like a door had come partially open. My turnoff was in a couple of miles so I just ignored it. After about 2 miles the left rear side lurched down and I heard the rumbling of a flat tire. I pulled off in about a 1/4 mile (coast to stop and pulled off) and the entire outer side wall of the tire was completely shreaded. I went to my local firestone dealer (9400 main street in fairfax va) and he said this is normal for a tire. Somehow I don't think a complete side wall disengeration is normal under these conditions. I have the tire and will be happy to bring it in if you would like.*ak (dot number: w2uu 1501 tiresize: 225/70r-15)

Filed Oct 23, 2001 · Electrical, Transmission · NC · 1 injury

Problem 1- vehicle regularly stalls or idles so low power steering and power brakes are lost. Problem occurs when slowing for and entering corners and when coming to a stop. Local dealership tells me this is normal and to not worry about it. Problem 2- clutch does not engage when pedal is released. After a moment it releases on its own accord and truck jerks forward violently. Clutch slave cylinder has already been replaced once.