2002 Ford Ranger brakes problems

Filed Dec 21, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 57,000 miles · NH

We are original owners of a 2002 ford ranger xlt now with 57,000 highway miles, always garaged/washed/maintained, little driving in winter (mostly in summer), always ford maintained/serviced at same dealership, body/engine/transmission in great shape, will likely fail inspection this sping because frame and frame components are severely rusted out. - severe rust on the entire frame including both cross members (engine and transmission), arm bolt points and control arms. - frame also has severe rust down both sides to rear bumper, rear axle and differental, leaf springs and all mounts. - the passenger side stearing knuckle is delaminating. - all brake lines have failed while driving: first the rear brakes including all axle couplings and drum couplings; second the front brake lines failed at the disk brakes and rubber couplings. All brake tubes had to be replaced from the master cylinder to the wheels. - service manager is worried about front cross member failing under the engine, middle cross member failing under the transmission and the gas tank brackets/straps. - the frame and members and mounts must be replaced; the rest of the vehicle is mechanically sound. Service manager said no repair was possible to frame rust is so bad pictures can be provided and/or vehical inspected by the federal safety agency if desired. All brake lines and couplings performed around august 29, 2019.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 140,000 miles · CO · crash · fire · 3 injuries

My son was driving his ford ranger xl 2002 when due to a pedestrian, the car in front of him slammed on their brakes causing my son to rear end them. Snowy weather was a factor. The brakes didn't catch as they should have. His airbags blew up, not deploy- blew up and caught fire! The steering wheel blew up! Extensive damage occurred to the steering column steering wheel and dashboard components. The starter went out and the truck would not start. Insurance deemed the truck totaled. Obviously the airbags were defective!! Was there a recall concerning any of these components that we were never informed of? What compensation is available to us for this obvious manufacturers defect?...updated 02-03-15

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · MI

When the dealership disconnected our speed control (recall) the ABS light came on and stayed on which eventually LED to failure of the rear brake system. They would lock up while going down the road. We had to have the rear brakes and wheels rebuilt and spent over $1,000 on repairs. When the ABS light came on immediately after disconnection of the cruise control the dealership check it out and said it would be fine. I have a hard time believing that this vehicle just developed a sudden brake issue that just happened to co-inside with the disconnection of the cruise control. What is even harder to believe is that once it was fixed the brake light magically went off.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CO

I've owned my 2002 ford ranger since new and have had all service performed by the dealer. The vehicle has 60,000 miles and was serviced under a contract purchased with the vehicle when new. Issues with the brakes started within the first year of ownership and have steadily worsened since. The complaint has been submitted to various dealers at least ten times with no trouble found. One failure mode I have observed resulted in three very close calls where the brake pedal is firm, but the vehicle does not slow. Pressing the brake harder does not increase braking effectiveness. In one instance, I was forced to drive off the road to avoid (killing) a pedestrian. A second failure mode is the opposite; a slight amount of pressure applied to the brake pedal results in the front brakes locking. A third failure mode is where braking results in a violent shimmy, which caused me to lose control on snowpack and slide off the road. None of these failure modes has been consistent, nor have they repeated at the dealership. I am very concerned for my safety and that of those around me. My research has revealed many folks with similar issues.

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 99,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact was informed by his neighbor that his vehicle was smoking in the driveway. The contact noticed black smoke coming from the vehicle. The fire department disconnected the battery and stated that there was electrical failure. There were no flames present, but a fire report was filed. A case was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that the anti-lock braking system caused the failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 99,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 88,000 miles · MO

Received a recall on my speed control. Made a appointment at dealership to replace defective part and they disconnected my speed control, but ran out of parts. The dealership and ford motor company have been contacted about the availability of this part[scds] and they tell me january or february 2008. I have been without speed control for over 4 months. As soon as they disconnected my speed control my anti-lock light on dash has been coming on occasionally. The dealership has been informed of this. I am concerned that this could affect my ability to stop or avoid a collision.

Filed Nov 8, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 65,000 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v33600 (vehicle speed control). The dealer disconnected the deactivation switch. The ABS warning indicator light illuminated intermittently after the switch was disconnected. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by a failed pressure control switch. The contact stated that not being able to use the cruise control was an inconvenience. The dealer stated that the part wouldn't be available until after january of 2008. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 66,000. Updated 03/13/08.

Filed Feb 13, 2007 · Brakes · 22,636 miles · NM · crash

On february 1, 2007, I was slowly following an SUV in a crowded parking lot as we both looked for a parking spot. The SUV stopped. I applied the brakes and then suddenly my 2002 ford ranger accelerated. The tires squealed as the brakes fought the acceleration. I hit the SUV from behind. The SUV pulled forward and the ranger continued to accelerate an hit the SUV again. I shut off the engine. The ranger was towed to a body shop. When the body work is complete I will have the ranger towed to a ford dealer to address the sudden, unintended acceleration problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CA

Consumer complained about a brake problem. The brakes on one side of the vehicle wore normally but the driver side front brake was completely destroyed. Consumer purchased an extended warranty which was to cover the vehicle for up to 60,000 miles. Dealer will not honor the extended warranty. *ak

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · SC

I have a 2002 ford ranger xlt ext. Cab and the brakes started some squealing around 23,000 miles. Well, I took the truck back to the dealer and they had to resurface the front rotors and rear drums. The dealer I think did a great job, it took them 4-5 hours, although they did it at their cost. The pads they said were ok. I talked to ford already (due to a survey I filled out), and they said they would pass it on to their engineers. What gets me is I also own another ford and the brakes have never been touched at 68,500 miles! Now I have got almost 25,000 miles on the truck and when they heat up and/or you apply them they are barly squelling again. So I guess I will have to either take it back to ford or get another truck brand. It seems ford knows something because go look at new ford ranger's at a dealership and the brakes are bigger & better!