NHTSA Complaint #10138556 — 2004 FORD RANGER

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. *AK