2004 Ford Ranger: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 14, 2020 · Suspension · 110,000 miles · GA

The front subframe where the lower control attaches has separated or broken due to rust. I was headed home from work, under normal driving conditions, with no extra load on vehicle. I hit a bump going thru parking lot n heard a pop. I had stopped at gas station n seen that driver side wheel n tire were not straight up n down, it was at a degree or angle. Got underneath n seen that subframe was rusted all the way thru where lower control arm was attached

Filed Apr 30, 2014 · Suspension · 61,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the rear shackles failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that there was corrosion around the control arm where it was mounted to the frame. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 06/18/14*lj updated 06/24/2014 *js the consumer stated the repair technician advised the steel rim was leaking at the weld seam where the two halves joined. The spare tire rim and holding device were rusted and rendered the tire could unable to be removed. The vehicle was repaired. Updated 06/24/2014

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Body · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine oil change when it was advised that there was rust around the control arm where it was mounted to the frame. There was a manufacturer's recall initiated to address the corrosion issue however, the contact's vehicle had exceeded the five-year rust warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2006 · Suspension · 45,264 miles · MA

My 2004 ford ranger pickup has 45,265 miles on the odometer. I brought the vehicle to the local ford dealership to get brake work done plus another issue as outlined in the federal safety agency complaint/confirmation#10151518. I was trying to get my vehicle an inspection sticker for the state of massachusetts as well. I was told that I need new lower ball joints pn#f87z-3050-ba in order to get my sticker. My vehicle is a 2004, with 45.264 miles of highway and secondary road usage only! No off road or severe usage at all! Ball joint replacement and required front-end alignment cost me over $430.00! I have the bad ball joints in my possession. Vehicle is driven by me daily, to and from work only!

Filed Apr 27, 2004 · Suspension · 7,840 miles · FL

We noticed extreme tire wear on the rangers front tires, which at the time had 7840 miles on it. I immediately took the vehicle to bay harbor ford. The service person explained that the tires were only warranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles. *ak on april 27th , I arrived early and spoke to the service manager, mr. Jim basilotto. He looked at the vehicle and agreed there was an alignment problem. I explained that the vehicle is garage kept and it is only driven back and forth to work on the local roads. The vehicle has never been off- road or even on bad roads and never traveled farther than port charlotte, fl. She or I can not ever remember hitting a pothole that would come close to causing a problem. The service people put the car on the lift and checked the tie rods by trying to wiggle them while the vehicle had its full weight on the tires. ( I personally check front end parts by raising the wheels off the ground and check for play in the ball joints also) the tire pressure in all 4 tires was low (lower 20 psi) and they added air. Again the tire pressure is as it was when it left the showroom. It is our conclusion that the alignment problem had to exist when we left the dealership with the vehicle and should be covered under the warranty. In comparison, my 2001 explorer has 53,000 miles on it and the tires are in great shape. It has been off road on many occasions, through the worst bone jarring potholes on the cross bronx expressway and never had any alignment problems. I now have to pay to get a wheel alignment and a new set of tires for the ranger and it only has 7845 miles on it. I feel that the dealership should have covered the tires and alignment under the 3 year , 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty.