I nearly hit the back another vehicle stopped for a red light when my foot caught the edge of the gas pedal. The brake pedal depresses passed the height of the gas pedal. I understand this is a commonly reported Ford ranger issue . I understand a brake bleed software procedure will fix the problem . There apparently is a Ford TSB regarding soft brake pedal issue. I bought the truck new in 2021 and have less than 6000 miles on it. I thought the braking was normal . The bumper to bumper warranty I'll not cover brake issue due to the 36000 3 year coverage.
Ford Ranger spongy pedal problems
12 of the 8,202 owner complaints about the Ford Ranger describe soft or spongy brake pedal, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 19,500
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20213
- 20191
- 20041
- 20033
- 20002
- 19981
- 19921
Often reported together
What owners say
The two rear brake rotors were 75% rusted through, this truck only had 5,642 miles on it at the time. Brake pedal was soft, went to the floor to stop. Asked local ford dealer to look at and they wanted to charge me for two rear rotors and brake shoes. I informed them that I thought this would be a factory defect, they determined it wasn’t. This was unexceptable to me. So I took it to dealership where I purchased truck and they agreed that this was a factory defect and replaced. The only reason I’m writing you is due to all the complaints listed on your site for this truck, not one issue about rusted (badly) rotors. Unless this is an issue but just not being found.? I did read quite a few complaints about soft brake pedals though
The brake pedal is mushy when applied. When you have to press the brake pedal hard, then the brake pedal is about 0.75 inches below the accelerator pedal. I took it to the ford dealer and he said it is working fine.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes had malfunctioned and the brake pedal was spongy or in some cases would extend to the floor causing the braking distance to be extended. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no service was performed. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,500.
2000 ford ranger brake line failure -- the right-rear brake line ruptured. This is the second brake line rupture in a little over 1 year. The first rupture was with the left-rear brake line in march 2007. The cost of the repair was $295.00. The second rupture occurred on july 2, 2008. This repair has not been performed as yet. Both ruptures occurred without warning and during an attempt to apply the brakes. Upon applying the brakes, the pedal went spongy, and both the brake warning light and ABS warning light came on. The vehicle did eventually stop. Fortunately, there where no other vehicles or pedestrians in front of me. Upon initial inspection, the brake line was leaking fluid and the master brake cylinder reservoir was below half full. A closer inspection revealed that the brake line had rusted through near the fittings. This vehicle has approximately 34,000 miles and is driven infrequently.
Dt: the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger edge. The contact stated he has been having brake problems with this vehicle. While driving at 65 MPH and applying the brakes the vehicle would not stop. The pedal had a spongy feel when it was pressed down. The service dealer replaced the cap on the reservoir to the master cylinder. This did not remedy the problem. Then, the dealership replaced the reservoir, this still did not remedy the problem. The dealer replaced the seals, and this seemed to stop the leak of the brake fluid, but did not help the braking capability. The braking problem resulted in an accident because he could not avoid an animal in the road. When he applied the brakes the vehicle skidded and he could not gain complete control of the vehicle. The vehicle flipped over six to seven times. The consumer was driving 75 MPH when the accident occurred. There was one fatality, and two injuries as a result of this accident. The consumer has not contacted the manufacturer or the service dealer because of injuries sustained from the accident. The consumer left the vehicle in a tow yard in winslow, arizona.
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.
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.
When ABS brakes are applied, due to master cylinder they feel soft and spongy. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 3, 2025.
Recall number 25V823000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S77.
Recall number 25V488000 · Recall details
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: actuator
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 ranger vehicles manufactured from june 8, 2009 through february 2, 2010 equipped with manual transmission. It is possible for the parking brake cable to become disconnected from the right rear actuator during cold weather. This may occur when the parking brake is released if wet parking brake shoes have frozen in the applied position. If the right rear parking brake cable becomes disconnected, the pedal will have extended travel and may not fully apply the parking brake.
- Risk
- A manual transmission vehicle parked in neutral without a fully applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a revised right rear parking brake actuator to prevent cable disconnection free of charge. The safety recall began on may 21, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 10V202000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic
- What is wrong
- The studs which attach the brake master cylinder to the power brake vacuum booster assembly can develop stress corrosion cracking after being operated for an extended period of time in the southern california location.
- Risk
- If a crack occurs, it could result in one or both studs fracturing. The master cylinder could then separate from the vacuum booster, when the brakes are applied, preventing the service brakes from activating increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the power brake vacuum booster assembly.
Recall number 96V024001 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional
- What is wrong
- The parking brake control self-adjust pawl does not line up properly with the self-adjust rachet causing the pawl to slip over one or more teeth in the rachet.
- Risk
- When the above occurs, it can result in parking brake system ineffectiveness. The parking brake will not hold the vehicle, causing the vehicle to roll freely, if the transmission is not left in gear.
- Remedy
- A wedge will be installed which will serve to lock the parking brake self-adjust mechanism pawl into engagement with the rachet. Also, owners will be advised to release and reapply the parking brake whenever tooth skip occurs and will be reminded to always turn off the engine and leave the vehicle in gear when the vehicle is parked.
Recall number 94V169001 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Ranger spongy pedal
Which Ford Ranger years have soft or spongy brake pedal problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (3 complaints), 2021 (3 complaints) and 2000 (2 complaints).
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