2005 Ford Ranger: engine stalls while driving

Filed Feb 13, 2018 · Fuel system · 80,450 miles · IL · 1 injury

Engine stalled ostensibly for lack of fuel. First engine stall episode occurred while vehicle was turning leftward into driveway at about 2 MPH and at approx 5 degree angle of inclination. Vehicle was towed from where it came to rest to repair shop where diagnosis was fuel pump failure resulting in replacement of the fuel pump (ford oem part.) vehicle performed reliably thereafter for a period of approx 39 months without stalling. Second episode occurred after vehicle shut off and resting on flat driveway surface overnight. The following morning engine cranked but would not fire or start. Again towed to different repair shop where diagnosis was again fuel pump failure however upon attempt to restart following pump replacement, engine would not fire or start. Troubleshooting revealed fuel inertia switch required reset after which engine started, system tested ok and vehicle performed seemingly properly for next 10 days. Most recent (3rd) stalling episode occurred at traffic control light in heavy traffic immediately upon acceleration from full stop on level surface and attempting to travel directly forward with no turn of the wheel. Following removal from roadway, engine could not be restarted until after fuel inertia switch was reset. Vehicle then ran under its own power additional 2 miles to home where it remains pending further troubleshooting and repair.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Electrical · 127,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Mar 25, 2014 · Fuel system · 26,400 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. The contact stated that he was at a stop light when the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the fuel pump needed o be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of failure. The failure mileage was 26,400.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Fuel system · 58,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine what caused the failure. The contact had a mechanic look at the vehicle and it was determined that the switch that sent fuel to the engine had a short and caused the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. The contact stated that the inertia switch malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to stall while the contact attempted to park. The vehicle would also sporadically fail to start. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic, who advised the contact that the inertia switch needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the switch replaced. The failure mileage was 52,000.

Filed Nov 27, 2012 · Electrical, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · FL

Multiple shut offs from the inertia switch has been going on for 2+ years after driving for 30-40 mins truck will just shut down while driving has happened on the interstate, driving around town or sitting at stop light. Ended up melting the connection. Have replaced.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Fuel system · 51,000 miles · ID

While turning a corner the truck just shut off and died. Had to push it over two lanes and into a parking lot only to find out the fuel pump inertia switch was popped. Reset it and the truck started for a few minutes but when I went to drive off it died again. Rechecked the inertia switch and this time it was not popped. Pulled the connector off of the switch and jumped the connector and the truck ran fine all the way home. This is not the first time this switch has given me trouble. About six months ago it did the same thing but thought it was the fuel pump and replaced a $400.00 fuel pump only to find out later that the fuel pump inertia switch had popped. This switch seems to pop in some odd and bad locations with no apparent reason. No bumps in the road, no hard braking, or hard acceleration etc. This time when I pulled the switch I found the connector slightly melted and realized that there was a loose connection in the switch itself. Had to order a switch kit which relocates it into the fuse panel kick plate of the truck. Ford should recall this as it is a good way to cause and accident if the truck was going high speed and all the sudden stalls and you loose all power steering and brakes etc. Could get someone killed. Thankfully I caught mine because I am a mechanic and know a lot about fords.

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Engine · 68,000 miles · MI

While driving down the highway, the harmonic balancer failed. The pulley separated from the rest of the balancer and slid back to destroy the crankshaft position sensor. Once the sensor failed, the engine stalled. I was able to pull over to the side of the highway, but this sudden failure is dangerous and if I was not able to get to the side of the highway could cause an accident. After a little research on the internet there are several occurrences of the same issues on the ford 4.0 engine on ranger / explorer. Looking at the federal safety agency complaints sites there are also several occurrences of the same issue (more then 1 year, more then 1 model): odi id number : 10356858, odi id number : 10356913. Odi id number : 10450902, odi id number : 10383429, odi id number : 10243439, odi id number : 10168915, odi id number : 10351279, odi id number : 10390200, odi id number : 10302026, odi id number : 10279040. There may be more, but I was tired of looking.

Filed Jun 3, 2011 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger edge. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the stalling was caused by the reset button becoming too hot and stopping the fuel flow to the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the contact was advised that the fuel pump was faulty. The dealer replaced the fuel pump but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and the dealer replaced the second fuel pump but to no avail. The failure persisted and there were no further repairs. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 52,800 miles · AE

Two times in 2 days I was driving when the vehicle suddenly stalled/shutoff. Fortunately both times I was able to pull over out of traffic. It felt like my pedal went dead, I lost my power steering as well. Since I was able to connect to the internet through my phone I was able to search "ford ranger suddenly dies while driving." an overwhelming amount of results indicated to reset my inertia fuel shutoff switch. I found it, reset it and the truck started again. After the second time this happened I researched ford ranger recalls, only to find this was not one of them. I feel very apprehensive about driving my truck, not knowing why it suddenly decides to trip the fuel shutoff switch. This is extremely dangerous and it needs to be recalled.

Filed Jan 16, 2011 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · FL

Fuel shut off switch - the wire harness connecting to the fuel shut off switch are melted. Ford replaced one of these switches during my warranty period and since then I have replaced this switch twice. I now notice that the harness connected to this switch has wires that are melted. This switch has activated numerous times while I have been driving and when this happens the vehicle fuel is interrupted and vehicle stalls. I have had this happen on interstate 4 and on various other roads. I find it hard to believe that my vehicle is the only one this happens to. I recently picked up a new switch which has been revamped with an additional wiring harness and a new connection bracket. The problem is that the old harness that this will be attached to has bare wires exposed with no insulation covering them. I am concerned that this constitutes a fire hazard. I have spoken to the ford service department in lakeland, fl. But have had no reasonable explanation on this problem.

Filed Dec 7, 2010 · Fuel system · 138,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the fuel cutoff switch continuously caused the vehicle to stall without warning. The contact was able to reset the switch and resume driving. The dealer was contacted but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.