Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
9923811/15/19996090164A temperature gauge fluctuation and / or a knocking / thumping noise may be audible inthe passenger compartment on some vehicles. *tt03/09/2000
1258303/01/1999605310Some vehicles equipped with 4.0l ohv engines may exhibit a thumping noise from the cooling system. *tt06/08/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1461701/01/2001617995Subject pertaining to broken thermostat. *jb04/03/2001
1458301/01/2001617968Concerns with broken thermostats on engines. *jb04/02/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
0222111/11/200210008304Engine-gear driven synchronizers-incorrect installation-camshaft position synchronizer (cmp) installation tool correct application. *mj07/27/2004
87019710/22/200210000592Incorrectly installed gear driven camshaft position (cmp) sensor synchronizer assemblies causing surge, lost of power, malfunction indicator lamp on and diagnostic trouble codes p1336, p1309 and p0340. *tt03/25/2003
0112406/25/2001622665On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed. *tt10/22/2001
1318009/01/19996090538Information regarding camshaft position (cmp) sensor alignment tool chart. *mjs03/21/2000
699709/01/19996090310Some service manuals may list the incorrect camshaft position sensor alignment tool for vehicles with various engine sizes. *tt03/14/2000
981093009/24/1999607488Some vehicles may exhibit an engine oil leak from the rear main crankshaft seal. *tt09/24/1999
551803/01/1999605190Information on servicing oil pan gasket leaks. *tt06/03/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
1545512/01/2001630562Some vehicles equipped with a 2.5/3.0l engine may exhibit a surge, hesitation, rough idle or malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes p0171, p0174, p0175. *tt04/18/2002
0124612/10/2001630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt04/18/2002
0120510/15/2001627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174. *tt02/26/2002
0119710/01/2001627752Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0l ohv engine may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / onnecting rod bearing knock. *tt02/22/2002
1522609/01/2001625775Some vehicles equipped with a 4.0l ohv engine may exhibit an engine noise that may be perceived by the customer a s adiesel type noise and is known as marble noise. *tt12/03/2001
1519008/01/2001625018Some vehicles may exhibit surge, hesitation, rough idle or malfunction ndicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble codes p0171, p0172, np0174, p0175. *et11/16/2001
1436601/01/2000620429Exhibiting spark knock (ping) under acceleration. *tt08/07/2001
014703/05/2001619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5w-20 motor oil. *tt05/30/2001
1436609/01/2000618637Some vehicles equipped with 3.0l engine may exhibit spark knock (ping) under acceleration. *jb04/18/2001
0024811/27/2000616536Some vehicles equipped with a 3.0l engine may exhibit spark knock (ping) under acceleration. *tt03/02/2001
538212/01/1998615455Some vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator light on, stall at tip-in from idle, engine hesitation, and / or surge. *tt01/16/2001
1278205/01/1999607101Some vehicles may exhibit spark knock under acceleration. *tt01/05/2001
1315408/01/19996091965Subject regarding engine hotline phone numbers. *tt11/17/2000
1311808/01/19996091931Some vehicles may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / connecting rod bearing knock. *tt11/16/2000
1311008/01/19996091919Some vehicles may exhibit an internal low end noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbels in a tin can rattle. *tt11/16/2000
1270505/01/19996091678Some 4.0l ohv engines may exhibit an internal low engine noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbles in a tin can rattle. *tt11/09/2000
689608/01/1999608921Some vehicles may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / connecting rod bearing knock. *tt11/09/2000
1328309/01/19996091663Some vehicles with the 4.0l ohv engine may exhibit an internal low end noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbles in a tin can rattle. *tt11/09/2000
632106/01/1999606801Some vehicles may exhibit spark knock under acceleration. *tt11/08/2000
619905/01/1999607018Vehicle may experience a diesel / marbel type noise. *tt11/03/2000
1150904/01/1998613767Some vehicles may exhibit erroneous dtcs b1398 and b1302 when diagnostic test are perfromed. *tt08/01/2000
1407604/01/2000613711Some vehicles may exhibit an engine spark knock (ping) on acceleration. **mr07/27/2000
007304/03/2000613568Some vehicles equipped with a 3.0l engine may experience spark knock (ping) under acceleration. **mr07/21/2000
980500911/01/1998613033Customer may experience a crank and no start condition. *tt06/16/2000
005403/06/2000612948Vehicles may exhibit various driving conditions, hard to start, engine hesitation, rough or unusual rolling idle, engine surge or lack of power, knock, stumble. *mjs06/14/2000
1348411/01/1999610897Vehicles equipped with 4.0l ohv engines may exhibit excessive oil consumption as reported by the customer. *tt05/18/2000
1352811/01/1999610914Some vehicles with 3.0l engines may exhibit spark knock (ping) under acceleration. *tt05/18/2000
747111/01/1999610836Some vehicles equipped with 4.0l ohv engines may exhibit excessive oil consumption as reported by the customer. *tt05/15/2000
714710/01/19996090765Exhibiting an internal low end noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbles in a tin can rattle. *tt03/29/2000
1327009/01/19996090699Vehicles with the 4.0l ohv engine may exhibit an internal low end noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbles in a tin can rattle. *tt03/23/2000
1311009/01/19996090508Information regarding 4.0l ohv engine-marble type noise. *mjs03/21/2000
9918309/06/19996090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure. *tt03/06/2000
99688408/01/1999608880Customers may complain of an internal low end noise that is described as a diesel and / or marbels in a tin can rattle on vehicles with a 4.ol ovh engine. *tt12/06/1999
9981605/03/1999606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt08/19/1999
980216983-2002/16/1998600602A booming noise may be heard in the cab while driving with engine at 2500-300 rpms. *yc05/27/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1384402/01/2000612439Some vehicles with 2.5l engine may exhibit a belt squeal initially at cold start-up. *tt06/08/2000
809102/01/2000612288Some vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines may exhibit a belt squeal initially at cold start-up. *tt06/07/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
98201010/12/1998603695Experiencing a buzzing or rattling noise from the exhaust system. *yc03/02/1999
986403/30/1998601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt07/21/1998
9831505/27/1998600598On some vehicles, the service bay diagnostic system (sbds) and/or new generation star (ngs) tester may not be able to read the signal from the heated oxygen sensor (ho2s). *yc05/27/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
98231011/23/1998603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak03/03/1999

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
03/20/2008303/18/2007
 Every 4 months i have to change my spark plugs because the ceramic part keeps breaking. *tr
11/27/200760300108/12/1998
 Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford ranger. while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to shutter rapidly and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. he drove approximately eight minutes to a local dealer and they stated that the cam shaft sensor became loose. the dealer tightened the clapping screw on the shaft sensor as a temporary repair. they also stated that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not yet been completely repaired. the contact was informed that there was a service bulletin for his vehicle (item number 10000592). he filed a complaint with the manufacturer. the current and failure mileages were 60,300. updated 04-09-08 *bf the consumer stated there was a loose cam shaft sensor
07/09/200785000103/30/1998
 Pulled my 1998 ford ranger into a store parking lot. i was getting ready to park when i could smell something burning. stopped the truck. smoke was coming from under the hood. i popped the hood and saw an electrical plug burning with flames. i was able to blow the flames out before much else was damaged. i was able to drive it to a ford dealership. they told me that the cruise control plug is what caught fire. it also damaged my reservoir for the brake fluid. they are replacing the master cylinder and the cruise control plug. of course, this is at my own expense, not fords. *tr
112/31/1997
 Temprature gauge failed. yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
11/14/200650000102/24/2000
 Dt*: the contact stated an antifreeze leak was noticed under the vehicle. it was driven to the dealer, who determined the antifreeze ate through the soft plugs of the engine block. the dealer replaced the soft plugs and hoses of the water passage.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
12/01/1999111/01/1998
 Clutch slave cylinder bolts came out knocking hole through transmition case.transmission cross member had to be cut out after speed nuts broke loose.heater failed three times.thermostat replaced twice didn't help.bolts holding cooling fan on came out.switch for dome light failed, and brake rotors warped.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
11/22/1998205/01/1998
 On two occasions the cooling system hoses were loose, causing failure and leakage. *yc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
12/01/1999111/01/1998
 Clutch slave cylinder bolts came out knocking hole through transmition case.transmission cross member had to be cut out after speed nuts broke loose.heater failed three times.thermostat replaced twice didn't help.bolts holding cooling fan on came out.switch for dome light failed, and brake rotors warped.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
09/22/200764000106/01/2006
 Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford ranger. while driving 5 mph, the contact heard a snapping sound coming from the engine and then the vehicle shut off without warning. as of september 24, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. she stated that the crankshaft pulley snapped, which she believed was the cause of failure. the current and failure mileages were 64,000.
09/28/2005143000111/15/1999
 Dt: the consumer stated that the 1998 ford ranger engine was making noise and the spark plug had blew out of the cylinder. this happened while driving 20 mph. the vehicle had considerably less power after the loss of the spark plug. the consumer replaced the spark plug earlier today. when the consumer found that the spark plug failed it was hanging by its wires. the consumer had not contacted ford at this time. the dealer had not been contacted at this point. *ak (11/15/05) *sc
12/21/20021
 The engine failed. *dt *jb
11/27/200281000102/01/2002
 The harmonic balancer separated, which made contact with the transmission and front u-joint. the rear end of vehicle tore apart when the front portion of the drive shaft made contact with the road. dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recalls so there was nothing they could do about it. ph *tt *jb
101/01/2000
 The oil was leaking due to a cracked oil pan. *yh
03/28/2002101/01/2000
 Had oil changed at clean lube-no oil leakage before visit with them-they told me my oil pan was cracked and when i left it was pouring out oil. they kept my oil pan and said they had to send it to a lab to see if they cracked it....i have not heard from them since. the cost of the new oil pan was 404.00 and they said it was a stress crack and it should hace been a recall. they see this in these little trucks.....please help me......they need to pay for my oil pan per mechanic.thank you trish hull. *ak
07/12/2000
 While traveling about 35-40mphand /after crossing a bridge front body mounts broke off. driver had to jump from vehicle to avoid injury. vehicle has not been repaired, and has been in storage for six months. *ak
10/15/1998108/13/1998
 Due to design flaw, oil filter is located under manifold. while removing oil filter, the owner had his hand burnt by hot manifold. yh
10/15/19981
 While changing oil filter, exhaust pipe burned consumer's hand. this caused the oil filter too touch the bar wire of the starter, causing a spark to ignite the oil, resulting in a fire. consumer was able to put out the fire. dealer notified the manufacturer. *ak
107/27/1998
 Time belt failed. yh
10/15/19981
 The design of the filter is located under the hot manifold and below that filter is the hot solenoid and starter wires, consumer was injured/burned when changing filter, filter caught on fire when consumer dropped filter from being burned. mjs
08/15/1998
 Design of the oil filter location causes electrical sparks whenever the filter comes into contact with starter hot terminal. a protected cover should be designed so this condition would not occur. dealer notified. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
07/17/2001107/01/1998
 As i was turning a corner the vehicle suddenly appeared to lose power. i thought initially the engine had stalled and i coasted to the side of the road. the engine was still running however it would not accelerate out of idle and would stall when the accelerator was pressed. the vehicle would ilde along and i was forced to run on the shoulder of the road in idle the rest of the way home. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and two air sensors were replaced at my expense. *ak
04/30/2001112/11/2000
 The check gauges light comes on and the engine continues to knock after repair was done by the dealer. *yh
12/11/1999212/01/1999
 Bought this truck with 16,000 miles on it from earnheart dodge. dec . 11,1999.on jan 24,2000 took it to berge ford service dept. for noise coming from engine (like marbles runnning around in it) truck stayed there to have engine looked at for 5 days. in the meantime i had to pay for rental.got tired waitng for truck to be looked at and called earnheart ford service to come pick up and take to theirs. service rep said could be just carbon in it. so they decarboned it.the noise still was there. after 20,000miles on the truck total ,they put in ford factory rebuilt engine in it. okay for about 1,000 miles , noise came back.took back to ford said it was probably carbon again.how come same problem with new rebuilt engine ? they decarboned it.when truck picked up there was still noise. service said decarbon stuff still had to work more. noise got louder. got in touch to see what now they were going to do.service manager said would be in touch.no calls. tried calling and leave messages number of times no answer. finally able to get ahold of service manger and he said they could not do anything more for me even though still under warrenty.said his mechanic called the ford hotline and they told him that they were aware of some of the rangers having these problems with the engine ,but it would not hurt the engine . it had to do with the alignment of the valves in some of the engines. i said wait a minute not only i feel my truck is unsafe to drive making this racket as i drive the freewayu to work 4-5 times a week 40 miles 1 way,but why should i be stuck with a noisy ,unsafe vehicle after paying all the money i have for it and to be unhappy with it? question.. if this only a noise problem why was the consumers not warned about it when they bought it.and why did they change the first engine?i think these engines should all be recalled to find out the true problem before it becomes another firestone disaster. please respond.
01/01/1998
 Rattling noise from engine. engine replaced still rattles. clunk when shifting from 1st gear.
08/03/1998308/03/1998
 Engine continually stalling, hesitation and surging, unable to rectify since purchase. mjs
409/01/1998
 Vehicle failed to start numerous times, check engine light is coming on. yh
 Intermittently vehicle will stall out and shut down without warning. dealer has changed various parts, and the problem still exists. *ak
08/04/1999605/20/1998
 While consumer is driving the vehicle suddenly looses power, consumer has taken the vehicle to dealer many times but the are unable to diagnose the problem and the computer says there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. nlm
07/15/19997006/01/1998
 Makes chirping noise about half the time when started; two authorized ford dealers have not found the cause
03/24/1998203/24/1998
 Engine head failed twice. yh
10/10/1998808/01/1998
 I sent a letter with more details on this incedent and others! this is my main concern the vehicle stalls out and am afraid of an accident and or a death of me or another driver of another vehicle!
08/05/1999
 While driving on interstate at approx 65mph all of a sudden the vehicle loses power. no prior warning. contacted dealer several times. *ak
1
 Engine light came on, possible engine failure. *yc
06/29/1999
 Vehicle would lose power. engine felt like it had died. an intermittent problem. when in lower gear only, would die out. have been to dealer's twice. *ak
01/19/1999610/01/1998
 On starting engine hesitated ,almost stalled then raced with high rpm,while huge amounts of white thick smoke and heavy gasoline smell present.truck stalled.restarted same problem with the addition of a large black cloud of smoke from tail pipe on pushing accelerator.throttle sticks causing surging.dealer replaced throttle valve.probelm persists. brakes make grinding noise when applied,dealer could not replicate after 4 visits they finally ackowledge problem and had to do a complete brake job.brakes are hard now and it appears that the anti locks do not engage.rear slider leaks water into extra cab when it rains. vibration heard from ex haust area,had to have the heat shield tightened. noise has returned./
08/25/1998
 While driving the vehicle will stall unexpectedly (all power will go out) which almost could result in an accident. cause unknown. dealer replaced battery, fuses etc. dealer cannot determine problem. please further details and vin #. 8ak
08/15/199805/01/1998
 At maintenance oil and filter change, attempted to remove filter by conventional method out through bottom of engine compartment. filter contacted starter and chassis frame which created a electrical short circuit resulting in fire involving plastic wheel well and parking brake cable housing. also destroyed two ground straps and main battery ground wire before battery could be disconnected and fire extinguished with dry chemical extinguisher. ford of hyannis told us that no other similar incident had been reported. no caution or information was included in the owner's manual or in the dealer orientation which would have alerted the owner to the necessity of removing the filter through the top of the engine compartment. had it not been for the immediate availability of large dry chemical extinguisher, the vehicle would have been destroyed and garage attached to home severely damaged.
05/01/1998
 Due to the defective barometric pressure sensor, while driving down hill, the vehicle will stall unexpectedly which almost caused an accident. dealer refused to repair the barometric pressure sensor. please provide further information. *ak
12/08/1998305/01/1998
 Problem: engine continues to rev to 2000-3500 rpms when clutch is engaged or put into neutral. per technical service bulletin it's a slow return to idle #617400. calibration strategy change, message 11966.
11/01/199806/01/1998
 Engine knocking, diagnosed as carbon build up, carbon remover added, engine seized, dealer replaced engine, 9000 miles on second engine. same knocking noise is present. ford service bulletin recommends same treatment as previously done. the bulletin also suggested revving engine to 3000 rpm on daily basis. i am concerned about long term affect carbon build up will have on the engine. ford does not have a solution for this problem. *ak
112/01/1997
 Flapping noise in the engine.
105/19/1998
 Engine floods/fails to start, after waiting approximately 30 minutes, engine will sometimes start. (qcaw)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2
 Consumer states the fan belt was replaced due to excessive noise.*jb
11/01/1997
 At 30000, the first serpentine belt was replaced. the dealer said there was nothing they could do because the belt was not covered under the warranty. the belt has been replaced twice more since then, and the vehicle only has 52000 miles. around 40000 miles, the front suspension started clunking every time you hit a bump. the mechanic who inspected the front end stated that the front suspension bushings are what is causing the clunk.*ak
408/03/1998
 Several replacements of the serpentine belt which make noise when failure occurs, however belts need replacement continually due to excessive wear. mjs
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
06/14/1999
 When driving at any speed the vehicle is cutting off, and there is a loss of power when applying the gas pedal due to the mass air flow sensor going out. vehicle has been in the shop for repairs five times. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
05/19/19994
 Vehicle idles very roughly. then idle will go away for awhile. vehicle turned off without prior notice. dealership is aware of problem. *ak consumer states that after rough idle goes away, vehicle will hesitate or stall, mass air flow sensor was replaced, however problems still exists. gas pedal gets stuck. passenger side front windshield wiper arm was loose. pwer steering pump was replaced due to when turning wheel it would make anoise. *slc
09/11/2000205/01/1998
 Mass airflow sensor has failed without warning at 9,000 and 31,000 miles. when it fails, the engine stalls, and is very difficult to restart and keep running. without engine power, there is limited brake and power steering functioning. this is a safety hazard if it occurs in a moving traffic situation. ford is unable (unwilling?) to provide any information as to whether this is an acceptable failure rate.*ak
07/09/1998101/01/1998
 Mass airflow sensor.
11/23/1998108/01/1998
 Engine oxygen regulator completely failed. *yc
07/20/1998104/01/1998
 Map sensor failed. *yc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
06/12/2006187964105/09/1998
 Carbon monoxide leakage into cab of 1998 ford ranger caused severe sleepiness while driving to and from work and while at home. each day for about a month i was experiencing dizziness, sleepiness and nausea. i had a small accident when i feel asleep while stopping for a red traffic light and ran into the back of another vehicle. i reported my dizziness and sleepiness to my supervisor who notified our medical department and they sent me home. i had a medical stress test performed; it was ok', a sleep study performed and the cardiologist increased my dosage of a beta blocker. i was finally released to return to work two months later. i had taken my vehicle to my local ford dealer shortly after i was sent home and they reported there was no co leaking into my cab. i tried discussing my problem with the ford motor company's customer service department a couple of times, but they said the service technician could find nothing wrong and that's all they could do for the carbon monoxide was entering into my cab from the exhaust of other vehicles on the road. i finally found and bought a digital carbon monoxide detector which would read any level of co detected. the first day i drove to work it indicated 18 ppm co poison and another 16 ppm co poison on the drive home after work which totaled around 34 ppm per day for over a month. i immediately went to my doctor and requested a blood gas test which indicated a high level of co in my blood. it was confirmed by the pulmonary doctor that the sleepiness was caused by co poisoning entering the cab of my truck. my truck is now parked in my drive way and has not been driven for over three months. *tr

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