NHTSA Complaint #10054418 — 2002 FORD RANGER

DRIVING A 2002 FORD RANGER WITH 19,831 MILES, A LOUD NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK OCCURRED, BRAKING WAS IMPAIRED, THE BRAKE PETAL WAS GOING UP AND DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. ON DECEMBER 2, 2003, JOE TAYLOR FORD IN SENECA, PA , "VERIFIED CONCERN FOUND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS FROZE, SPRINGS RUSTED, DRUMS WARPED AND ADJUSTERS FROZEN REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS." IN ADDITION THERE WAS BRAKE SHOE FAILURE. STAFF AT THE DEALERSHIP NOTED THIS WAS TYPICAL OF 2002 RANGERS AND STATED WE WERE IN SERIOUS DANGER IN DRIVING THE TRUCK. "THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND ONE THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY IN RANGERS AND F-150'S." (PER STAFF) IN ADDITION IT RELATES TO NHTSA ITEM 620159 AND 10002516. THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE DRIVE SHAFTS (WHICH I HAVE HAD REPLACED FOR LOUD NOISES, IS PROBABLY BEING CAUSED BY REAR BRAKES THAT ARE CONSTANTLY ON. I HAVE ALSO HAD THIS TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. THE RANGER BRAKE LINING WAS INSPECTED AND IT CAME OFF IN CHUNKS AND THE DRUMS WERE WARPED DUE TO HEAT. THIS RANGER IS UNDER ITS ORIGINAL 36,000 MILE GUARANTEE AND I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR PART OF THE REPAIRS. THIS TRUCK HAS A BRAKE SAFETY PROBLEM. OUR TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE WATER AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. BRAKE CYLINDERS AND ADJUSTERS DO NOT FREEZE IN 19,000 MILES UNLESS THERE IS A SERIOUS QUALITY PROBLEM. WE HAVE DEALER DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW WHAT WORK WAS PERFORMED AND THE $58.30 PAID FOR BRAKE SHOES ON THIS ONE YEAR OLD TRUCK. WE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH THREE MANAGERS AND THEY ALL SAID THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WITH DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEMS. PLEASE HAVE THEIR REAR BRAKES INSPECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. *CB