15 complaints reported

2004 Ford Ranger SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
15
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2011

REAR BRAKES RUSTED, HOLDING SPRINGS RUSTED, SUPPORT PINS FELL OUT AND CAUSED BRAKES TO DRAG AND BECOME WORN AND OVERHEATED WAY BEFORE THEIR TIME CAUSING REPLACEMENT ABOUT 30,000 MILES BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. COULD HAVE CAUSED BRAKES TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING. *TT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2011
Jun 2009

ON SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH MY WIFE DROVE DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY AND LOST HER BRAKES. THE DRIVEWAY IS PITCHED ABOUT 15 DEGREES SO THE TRUCK, A 2004 RANGER WITH 60,000 MILES, PICKED UP SPEED. PUMPING DIDN'T HELP. SHE STEERED THE CURVE THEREBY NOT FLYING INTO THE SHED; SHE AIMED AT A 10 FOOT DEEP FLOWERING BUSH TO AVOID THE STONE WALL AND THE TRUCK WENT THROUGH, MISSED THE ASH TREE, AND CAME TO A HALT 200 FEET DOWN IN THE MEADOW. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE ABOUT TO FAIL, NO SOFTNESS THAT EITHER OF US NOTICED, NO WARNING LIGHT. THE DIAGNOSIS AT THE DEALERSHIP IS THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER 'FAILED'; NO LINES BROKEN, NO FLUIDS HAVING LEAKED. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING FORD WOULD DO, EXCEPT REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO RECORD FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. A MASTER CYLINDER SHOULD OUTLIVE THE REST OF A VEHICLE. THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. IT IS NOT JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS, LIKE A FLAT TIRE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2009
Mar 2007

2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN HE BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AN COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES BOTH TIMES THE TECHNICIANS FOUND NOTHING. CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WERE NEVER REMOVED TO EXPOSE THE LEAKING WHEEL CYLINDERS. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE FOLLOWING YEAR, BRAKE FLUID LEAKED AT A SLOW PACE AND DISSOLVED THE BRAKE LINING AND CAUSED ALL THE OTHER SPRINGS AND COMPONETS TO RUST AND BREAK. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 1901
Mar 2007 Crash

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT POOR DESIGN OF BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS , WHEN WEARING WORK BOOTS IF NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL PUSH ON GAS PEDAL AS YOU APPLY BRAKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT SLOW DOWN AND AT TIMES ACTUALLY EXCELERATING, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE , ONCE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT DURING HIGHWAY PANIC STOP

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2006
Mar 2007

BRAKES WERE IMPROPERLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH LED TO UNDO REPAIR BILLS. THE REAR BRAKES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS OF MY 2004 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKED FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LINING AND ALL OTHER SPRINGS & COMPONENTS TO RUST, BREAK AND PARTS TO DETERIORATE. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2007
Dec 2006

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO FRONT BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2006
Nov 2006

I RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TRUCK HAS 46K MILES. I AM LOOKING TO TRADE IT IN ON A TOYOTA, WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST JAPANESE VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER CONSIDERED. RUST IS ALSO STARTING TO FORM BETWEEN THE BED AND THE GATE. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2006
Oct 2006

I JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF BRIAN AT THE PHONE NUMBER 1800-392-FORD (THAT THE DEALER GAVE ME) ABOUT MY PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET AND WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE SAFER CARGOV WEBSITE. AMONG OTHERS. THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2004 FOR RANGER EDGE 4X4. I JUST RECENTLY HAD TO REPAIR (AT MY COST) TO HAVE MY REAR BRAKES REDONE DUE TO THEM LOCKING UP. UPON REMOVAL OF THE DRUMS IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE DELAMINATED (SEPARATED) CAUSING MY REAR END OF MY TRUCK TO LOCK UP AND NOT MOVE. KNOWING THAT FORD DOES NOT COVER WEAR ITEMS" I FIGURED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THIS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A WEAR ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. BRAKE SHOES SHOULD NOT SEPARATE (WEAR YES, SEPARATE NO). A TRUCK WITH 37 K MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE REAR BRAKE PADS COME APART PERIOD. IF THIS IS WHAT FORD CALLS QUALITY THEN IM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PURCHASE. AND AS OF NOW I AM DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE LACK OF CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM THIS COULD CAUSE. ITS A GOOD THING THAT I WAS NOT GOING 50 MPH OR HIGHER WHEN IT LOCKED UP. OR ON TOP OF THAT HAVE ANOTHER PERSON IN THE VEHICLE ..SAFETY? OR WEAR? YOUR CALL QUALITY ? *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2006
Jun 2006 Crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED AT A STOP SIGN, DUE TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE TWO WERE PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD RESULTING IN A REAR IMPACT COLLISION. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND SEAT BELTS WERE USED. MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2006
Mar 2006

I HAVE A 2004 FORD RANGER WITH 12000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE VERY MUCH. AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE SHOT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS METAL WAS PEELING OFF. I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. I DID SAVE THE OLD ROTORS.*NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2006
Jul 2005 Crash

TRAVELING DOWN LAKESHORE PARKWAY AT APPROX. 30 MPH AND NOTICED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HIT MY BRAKES WITH NORMAL BRAKING PRESSURE, THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP. I TRIED TO STEER TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED-UP THE TRUCK KEPT GOING STAIGHT CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2004
Apr 2005 Crash Injury

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2005
Mar 2005

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKING UP INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE BRALKES LOCKED UP THE TRUCK WENT SKIDDING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKE SHOES AND RESEALED WITH SILICON ON THE BACKING PLATE. THE DEALER ALSO CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE REAR BRAKES. . *BF *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2004
Jan 2005

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2005
Nov 2004

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL BEING TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME ON MANY OCCASIONS. *AK *SC *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2004 FORD RANGER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2004 Ford Ranger has 15 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.