I own a 2003 ford ranger I bought new. On november 26 2010 I pulled into the parking lot @ work and my clutch and brake pedals fell to the floor causing a minor crash. The pivot bracket that holds the steel pedals is made from cast aluminum. I have been a aluminum welder for over 10 years and in my opinion this bracket is very substandard. I searched the web and found that other people had the same thing happen on rangers and other trucks and ford cars. If I was on the road this could have been much worse. I sent pictures and a piece of the bracket to a recall investigator. He said its not a common failure since he cant find any complaints.
2003 Ford Ranger brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 35 of 35, newest first, as owners wrote them.
As I slowly pulled my 2003 ford ranger into a parking space at work this morning with my foot on the brake the truck suddenly accelerated. I applied the brake harder and the truck stopped. I verified that I did not have my foot on both the brake and accelerator, only on the brake.
1. No warning or event. 2. Parking brake cable sheared off by leaf spring. Happened when truck was loaded with 700 lbs in bed of truck ( within rated capacity ). Resulting in loss of parking brakes and possible runaway vehicle. 3. Replaced broken cable but failure will happen again unless the cable guide is modified to prevent the spring from chopping into the cable ( needs raised an inch ).
Brake pedal and accelerator pedal toooo close together! Distance of 2 & 1/4 " causes contact with accelerator when brake is being applied numerous incidents since purchased vehicle in 03.. I wear a size 9 &1/2 to a 10 & 1/2 size shoe. Even though I am aware of the problem, I find that it keeps happening repeatedly; but I only bumped a curb once with my tires.
During wet weather, rear brake locks up when brakes are applied. Causing skidding and lose of control. First time this happen my local ford dealership referred to this as a rear brake lock problem, and replaced rear brake components, after that when it happened again I was told that the problem was due to moisture getting into the brake parts and that if I wanted this fixed I would have to pay for the fix it. The first time I was told that there was a service bulletin out on this and that's why it got fixed,now I'm told no such thing exist.first time with problem truck had about 26,000 to 30,000 miles on it seems funny that at 60,000 I would have the same problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford ranger. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud grinding noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The failure was contributed to the manufacturer installing incorrect hubs on the vehicle. The service repair cost was estimated at $800. The front brake pads were replaced and the contact was advised to not drive the vehicle due to the potential safety hazard. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but there were no resolutions. The failure and current mileages were 60,000.
The first time the brakes locked up and didn't release I was coming down the street where I live going less than 15 MPH and when we hit the brakes my truck didn't stop and we went sideways trying to stay out on-coming traffic. This last time it locked up I was already on the brakes going less than 15 MPH and I came within an inch of hitting the car in front of me. I have brand new tires and brakes all the way around. This should not be happening. There is something messed up in the computer my ABS light never even came on while I was sliding.
When releasing the parking brake during wet conditions the linings stick to the drums, this is especially a problem in the winter months as they will freeze. This also causes the brakes to be extremely sensitive during the first 5 miles (approx) of braking. When the vehicle service brakes are applied the rear wheel grab hard and the ABS tries to release them and can't. I have had two faults on the ABS due to this. This is not a one time thing this happens so frequently that during wet/freezing conditions I actually use a 4x4 wood block to hold the vehicle in place..
Brake and gas pedals are too close, and hit both at same time. Unable to make emergency stop and went through red light. Suspect this to be cause of several accidents recently--some fatal !
2004 ford ranger- tsb 4-17-9 * grabbing condition from rear drum brakes customer states that the problem is more pronounced in the rain**cc the consumer provided invoice for repair and documentation pertaining to defect of vehicle.
Two things on my 2003 ford ranger supercab 2 wd : 1.) front brakes are bad, and continue to be bad, due to bad design of front rotors. The original oem rotors fail, due to warping, resulting in a most the aggravating pulsing when brakes are applied. This results in inadequate stopping when needed, and could cause a very severe accident !!! 2.) the fuel cutoff safety switch ( whatever it is called) above the front passenger leg area (on wall -inside cab) is defective, causing serious consequences to the occupants, due to vehicle losing all power during operation. This has happened to me now 10+ times in the last 6 months. Sometimes while in heavy traffic, with no where to go when all power is lost, gauges go wacky,lose steering control, etc. As soon as the switch is "reset", by pushing in on it from the top of it, and turning vehicle key to on position for 3-5 seconds, then back off ( per owner's manual) the vehicle seems fine,,,until, randomly it happens again when you least expect it. The manual says this switch is for "safety" concerns , when after an accident, it shuts off fuel supply, etc....but my truck has never been in any accident whatsoever, and this device is now becoming a great potential accident producer in itself !!!!! The "incident date" is multiple dates !!!!! And they are still continuing as of today 8 march 2008 * I have been told by mechanics the oem brakes rotors are defective, but since there is no recall, I would have to pay again,,,and again,,,and again...which is just not right.
Dt*: the contact stated while applying the brake pedal, a sound of metal on metal was heard. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed the pad separated from the caliper holder on the front passenger side. An independent repair shop replaced the passenger front brake pad. Updated 12/12/2006 -
Dt: the contact took vehicle to the dealership to have the brake pads changed. The mechanic determined that the front brake rotors where corroded and pitted. The rotors had to be replaced. *ak updated 01/04/06.
I have had to take this vehicle into the dealership for braking problems 7 times now. There has been a constant vibration upon braking. The vibration has become so bad at times, it is difficult to hold the steering wheel. The vibration is being caused by warped rotors. The rotors have been turned and replaced at least 2 times each. I am now on my third set of rotors. The last time I brought the truck back from dealership, it was obvious the caliper was sticking. Ford even had an engineer look at the truck. The engineer looked at the truck 100 miles before the caliper was sticking. He couldn't come up with any reason for the warpage. On taking my truck back to the dealership this past time, the brake pedal started going to the floor and was making a whooshing sound upon depressing the pedal. I was afraid it wouldn't stop. I am now afraid of driving this truck because I don't know what will happen with the brakes next.
(1) I was in heavy stop and go traffic, keeping with the flow of the traffic. At one point I had to slam on my brakes. The truck felt like it didn't want to stop. The brakes felt "greasy" and I had to avoid rear ending the car in front of me. (2) brake failure due to overheating? Rotors were warped after that. Truck shuddered when applying the brake. (3) a ford dealer turned the rotors at 25,632 miles. At around 28,000 the shuddering has returned during braking. Dealership says it will not fix the problem again under warranty.
When braking at any speed the consumer would hear a squeaking noise. The consumer was informed that front brake rotors were worn. The problem was not resolved. *ak the vehicle also displayed a loud clunk that ford was under the front end. The noise appeared to be upon shifting especially when going over bumps or when turning sharply. *sc the drive belts were replaced
The vehicle has been taken to the dealer on three separate occasions for brake failure and accelerator problems. *nm
Consumer stated the pedals are so close together that sometimes when driving he hits both pedals at one time. *ak the consumer stated that the brake needs to be moved 2 to 2 1/2 inches to the left.
When coming to a stop with foot pressed on brake pedal vehicle continued to roll. Consumer had to pump the brakes real fast to get vehicle to stop. Dealer stated consumer was pressing gas and brake pedals at the same time. The driver did not agree.
Consumer stated while driving brake pedal became hard, and it could not be pushed. Consumer took vehicle to two different dealers, and both were unable to resolve the problem.
While coming to a stop consumer noticed brakes became spongy. On december 6, 2003 when the owner applied the brakes to make a stop, the brakes performed erratically. Extended stopping distance was necessary for the brakes to perform efficiently.*ak vehicle was stopped at a stop sign with the driver's foot depressing the pedal. The brake pedalwent all the way to the floor board and the vehicle rolled into the intersection. Vehicle collided with another vehicle. 2003 ford ranger is in the shop and the mechanics are aware that the brakes need to be checked out.
Brake and engine problems. *mr the rotors were turned on the front brakes and a idler was installed because the engine stalled out. (twice after that the vehicle was returned the vehicle for the same problem) *scc
Dealer replaced the master cylinder. Vehicle had only 400 miles.
When applying brakes while driving stopping distance was greatly increased and brake pedal was hard to depress. Took vehicle to dealer who could not diagnose any problem. One day, consumer attempted to apply brakes, but pedal was very hard, vehicle then collided with another vehicle.
The windshield wipers failed and when the brakes were applied, the vehicle failed to stop properly and acted as if the brakes were manual, the brakes had to be pumped before the truck stopped. The vehicle was in the shop previously because the emergency brake failed to release. *jb
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