Ford Ranger 1995 - Service brakes - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Ford Ranger 1995

Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
9845	03/02/1998	601264	Availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment. *yc	07/15/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
95212	10/01/1995	46478	The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. if petroleum-based grease is used to lubricate any par	04/25/1996
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
980319	04/01/1998	603512	Concerns with false abs activation while light braking at low speeds. *yc	02/23/1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
99194	09/20/1999	6090082	Information for servicing and diagnosing brake vibration, brake inspection, and brake friction material replacement. *tt	03/06/2000
985A36	03/18/1998	601043	A grabbing and/or sticking condition during the first few brake applications when the brakes are cold or in the morning after an overnight rain may occur on some vehicles. *yc	06/23/1998
985A11	03/18/1998	601009	Service tip information regarding elimination of sanding rotors and drums. *yc	06/17/1998
96222	10/21/1996	50941	Brakes - elimination of sanding rotors and drums - service tip. *tw	06/17/1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
985A13	03/18/1998	601012	The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable. *yc	06/17/1998
97615	03/17/1997	51997	Brakes- squealing noise and/or sticking during first few brake applications after a rainfall and/or when brakes are cold. *jd	07/17/1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
9814	01/19/1998	605562	Subject regarding the availability of hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment. *tt	07/09/1999
985A5	03/18/1998	601003	Hub-mount brake rotor machining equipment from rotunda is now approved for warranty and service use. *yc	06/17/1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
BC0324972301	01/23/1997	51434	Rear brakes grab when cold or damp. *jd	06/27/1997
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE LIGHT
02176	09/02/2002	10008580	Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock. *mj	08/05/2004

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
		5	04/15/1995
	Rotors warp at approx. 10000 miles, dealer turns them and then they warp in 5000 miles. then process repeats.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
10/09/2010		1
	1995 ford ranger. consumer states lost of control of vehicle due to a fire in the brake system tgw the consumer stated after the vehicle was declared a loss, he received a recall notice in the mail regarding the speed control system. jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK

	When the brakes are applied in a panic stop pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. dealer has been contacted. please provide further information.*ak
06/07/2002		1	08/01/2095
	After vehicle was warmed-up and driving home after about 5 miles of stop and go driving, the brakes failed without any prior indication of problem. when i hit the brakes, the brake pedal had absolutely no play or brake feel. it was as if a brick had been placed behind the pedal assembly. the brakes would only slightly engage (e.g. it took about 500 to 600 feet to stop from 15 mph after several fruitless attempts to pump the brakes. almost all free-play was gone from the pedals, the brake feel was all gone & i had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. the brakes had worked flawlessly up until this point. i checked all warning lights, fluid levels and hydraulic lines and connections & under the dash (no obstructions to the brake pedal were found). the fluid in the master brake cylinder was correct and no leaks were detected. as my dealer is out of town & the car must be towed (brakes remain non-functioning) - i am having a local repair service - visalia expert tire & wheel & brake (firestone dealer) check the brakes tomorrow morning. for their determinations, please contact me by e-mail. thanks!*ak
01/01/1999		4	08/01/1998
	If you were to actually look at the reports already filed about the brakes on these vehicles you would see a pattern of non-working brakes and many crashes i was smart enough to disable my abs and have had no accidents. *ak
04/25/1996		1	11/01/1995
	No summary for above vehicle. *ak
07/11/2000		1	08/01/1995
	Consumer was pulling into a parking space & suddenly vehicle accelerated. consumer was unable to stop vehicle. brakes were pressed completely to the foorboard. vehicle was stopped by a 2,000 concrete barrier. insurance company was taking over. consumer has been instructed to contact manufacturer. *ak
11/28/1999			10/01/1996
	Windshield wipers -- beginning summer 1998 i experienced problem with my windshield wiper, dome light, and door chime coming on intermittently. in december 1998 the wipers stopped working so i brought the vehicle to maguire ford for repair. the wiper motor was replaced (obviously this intermittent on/off cycle burnt it out), as was a switch for the door. the features were trouble free (though the dome light still has problems) until 5/10/2000. on that day i started the vehicle during a rain storm, and the wipers would not work. i brought the vehicle back to maguire ford for repair. i was told the vehicle had been repaired, but when i started it the wipers still would not work. the vehicle is still in the shop and requires a part (costing ~$150). the mechanics at ford kept referring to intermittent wiper problems on other ford's, prompting me to check the car talk web site, which had a link to the nhtsa site. on this site i saw that many others have been having similar wiper/door chime/dome light problems. while on this site i noticed numerous instances where people had problems with their abs systems. on 11/28/99 while driving on i-81 just north of binghamton, ny i had a frightening experience with my brakes. a car cut closely in front of me, prompting me to apply my brakes with force, in order to prevent a collision. the brake on the front right-hand side lock, causing the truck to jerk to the right. i surprisingly was able to maintain control of the truck, but after another 30 miles of driving i began noticing a grinding sound in the area of the front right brake. i took the truck to midas and was told the the caliper on the front right brake broke and that something (the brake?) had seized. i paid for repairs and dismissed this incident until reading on the car talk - nhtsa link that many other have experienced a similar events with their brakes. the problem, it seems, is worthy of a recall. thanks for your help. *ak
01/29/2000			09/01/1998
	When applying the brakes in the 4 wheel drive mode, the back brakes seem to grab quicker causing the brakes to lock on all 4 wheels. this causes the vehivcle to go in to a uncontrolled slide. this has happened numerous times on hills or even level ground in snowy conditions. when the vehicle is in 2 wheel drive, the brakes appear to act normal. but when in 4 wheel drive the brakes lock and pulse, there is no controlled deployment of the pads. the tires on the vehicle are the size that the manufacturer calls for, the only difference is that i use studded tires on the rear. as i stated there does not seem to be a problem in 2 wheel drive.( dot number: tire size: 205,70r-15 )
02/15/1998		30	02/01/1997
	While driving the vehicle out off a lot in pouring rain brakes will lock up. if consumer drive over slick surface and attempts to apply brakes ,the brakes automatically release and driver is forced to pump the brakes in order to gain control of vehicle. has contacted the dealer. dealer told consumer that the pump that distributes the brake fluid is leaking and is not covered under extended warranty, and refused to repair or replace. *ak
12/30/1996		2
	Brakes lock-up in bad weather conditions causing vehicle to loose control and went off the road, consumer took vehicle to two different dealers to correct failure, problem still exist. *yc
04/30/1999			01/20/1996
	When the brakes are applied on wet conditions they grab and become hard and grab, and often times the pedal goes to the floor , resulting in extended stopping, once causing a minor collision. dealer has replaced the front disc pads . manufacturer has not been notified. *ak
		6	08/09/1997
	When it's raining outside or it's foggy and damp, rear right brakes will lock up when applied. dealer has not seen. *ak
04/30/1999		20	03/01/1995
	When cold or wet, brakes lock up and fail to catch pavement briefly before stopping. happens every time it is raining or very cold outside. no accidents yet, because we are aware it may happen and prepare for it, but know it can inevitably cause an accident in more adverse conditions.
		10	06/01/1998
	Rear brakes grab when wet in snow, causing antilock to release brakes, at low speed causes a no brakes condition. *ak
11/10/1996
	While driving on ice/snow or gravel and applied the abs, the brakes would not kick in. driver lost control of the steering.*ak

	Abs warning light remains illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. also, when the brakes are applied they grind and make a loud popping noise, cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
09/19/1995
	While driving the truck when it was wet outside the driver applied the brakes and the truck slid. the brakes do not hold when it is wet. the truck does not stop when applying the brakes. *ak
10/24/1995		10	03/10/1995
	The anti lock brake system failed, pedal goes all the way to the floor.
11/10/1996		2
	When there is ice or snow on the road the abs would not kick in, causing the truck to lose all control of the brakes and steering,this only happens when there is ice or snow located on the road. ak jb
03/17/1997		30
	Abs brake failure, when brakes are applied in humid/damp or wet weather conditions , brakes lock up when they become wet, has no control, vehicle skids and slides. *ak
07/25/1995
	While applying pressure to abs brakes on /off road conditions brake pedal drops to floor. *ak
08/01/1995
	Abs brake failure, in cold or wet weather the brakes lock up and grab, and vehicle come to complete stop/jerks very hard. *ak
11/30/1996		0
	While driving applied brakes (abs), exiting on ramp, pavement wet, vehicle skidded & spun & hit guard rail, driver's side air bag did not deploy. vehicle taken to dealer for repairs. dealers adjusted abs sensors. *ak
07/15/1996		1
	Abs: after driving through puddle of water had little or no brakes, only front brakes worked, according to local mechanic, drum filled with water, also, found rust inside drum casing, caused an accident, hit another vehicle, front brakes locked up. *ak
		7	01/01/1996
	When applying the brakes, the vehicle's rear abs brakes locked up, vehicle skidded and lost control*ak
08/20/1996		1	05/01/1995
	Antilock brakes lock up, brake fluid would boil and change from liquid to vapor state.
07/29/1996
	While driving, on wet pavement during panic stop experience rear wheel locked up, causing vehicle to go into skid, and near accident.*ak
07/14/1996
	Abs, brake failure makes a loud noise, replaced rotors and replaced calipers and vehicle continued to have failure. 8ak
03/29/1996
	Abs, when applying brakes on wet roads, experiencesd brake lockup. *ak

	While driving, normal stopping and going rear brakes locked up, also in starting one rear brake locks up, then breaks away, no prior warning, abs brakes. *ak
01/01/1996
	Abs, brakes front driver side continue to lock up, causing loss of control of vehicle, brakes will release when applied 1/2hr later. *ak
08/10/1995
	(abs) when you apply the brakes the vehicle change gears the vehicle goes forward. *ak
12/04/1995
	Abs: brake pads are prematurely worn at 6,000 miles; loud grinding sound. tt
06/01/1995
	Consumer says abs brakes fail to stop, it takes alot of effort to brake . tt
05/03/1985		1
	Abs brakes failed, starting to skid out of control. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
06/26/2002
	When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. dealer has been notifed. please provide additional information.*ak
		25	12/01/1998
	Check engine light stays windshield wipers come on at random,stay on when turned off, operate at different speed than wanted, door chime stays on constantly, interior light on ceiling stays on at random; regarding brakes: during wet weather the first 2 or 3 times brake is applied severe grabbing occurs that could lead to an accident;on when turned off. *ak
10/17/1997		2	06/09/1995
	Brakes grab and lock up in wet weather.

	Consumer states that when applying the brakes the vehicle will then take off at great speed. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
		2	08/01/1995
	During rainy weather, front brakes grab especially when first applied. dealer replaced pads and turned rotors, but problem still exists. ongoing problem since purchase. *tt
04/25/1996		1	11/01/1995
	No summary for above vehicle. *ak
07/01/1995		999	06/01/1995
	No summary provided by consumer
			04/01/1996
	Wipers turn on intermittently and sometimes turn off when needed; almost caused crash.
		1	07/01/1996
	Brake failure, causing accident.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
06/29/1997		1	07/01/1996
	Caliper assembly failure, causing vehicle to pull while braking.

	Calipers locked up while running in four wheel drive, locked up and skidded on passenger's side. *ak
		2
	Brake calipers seized, resulting in brake failure. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
04/30/1999			01/20/1996
	When the brakes are applied on wet conditions they grab and become hard and grab, and often times the pedal goes to the floor , resulting in extended stopping, once causing a minor collision. dealer has replaced the front disc pads . manufacturer has not been notified. *ak
06/29/1997		1	07/01/1996
	Brake pads/shoes failed, causing vehicle to pull while braking.
12/04/1995
	Abs: brake pads are prematurely worn at 6,000 miles; loud grinding sound. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
		2
	On several occasions, brake rotors have prematurely cracked. ak tt
06/15/1999		1	01/01/1996
	Windshield wipers when turned on to intermittent setting stop in the middle of the windshield and will not continue. this causes a vision problem when driving when the wiper blade is in the path of the drivers vision. must turn wipers on to either low or high speed (non-intermittent setting) to get them out of the way. brakes: rotors cracked and caused heavy vibration and trouble braking. *ak
08/15/1998		1	03/16/1996
	Brake rotors overheated and cracked.
06/29/1997		1	07/01/1996
	Brake rotors failed, causing vehicle to pull while braking.
12/12/1996		2	01/01/1995
	Brake rotors: front brake rotors cracked at 11798 miles, dealer replaced rotors, had 28686 rotors cracked again. feels that this is very unsafe, could cause serious brake problem. *ak
01/01/1996
	Both front rotors warped and rear drums turned at 6000 miles, causing excessive vibration in the vehicle and steering wheel. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM

	Rear brakes lock up when the humidity is high. when you frist drive after the humidity is high the rear brakes lock and tend to cause a slide even if you apply the brakes lightly. i have spoke to several other 1995 ranger owners and they all have the same problem. it caused me to have a minor accident. i took the truck to a ford dealer while still in warranty and the rear brake shoes were replaced but that did nothing as after a short time the same problem started again. *ak

	When applied the brakes the left rear brake graps . tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
07/15/1996		1
	Abs: after driving through puddle of water had little or no brakes, only front brakes worked, according to local mechanic, drum filled with water, also, found rust inside drum casing, caused an accident, hit another vehicle, front brakes locked up. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
06/12/2000		1	04/13/1996
	Spare tire is rubbng against the brake line, causing a hole, and resulting in loss of brakes.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
		1	06/02/2000
	Master cylinder is leaking. nlm
06/29/1997		1	07/01/1996
	Master cylinder failed, causing vehicle to pull.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
02/18/1997			08/04/1995
	Continuous problems with brakes dragging and not releasing when foot is removed from pedal.