1998 & Newer specific Ranger problems.....

[green_duck42]

1998 Ranger 3.0 4x4 98,000
I have broken and replaced
-2 collapsed shackles
-3 PVM hubs
-1 pair AVM hubs
-3 CV shafts
-radiator
-rear ring gear
-axle seal
-both front hub ass.
-frony left brake caliper (that was my own fault, put off replacing pads for way to long)
-console lid/armrest on my 60/40 split bench broke and i made a mahagony replacement
-locks were frozen(used a little WD-40 they work great now)
I still need to fix
-door ajar light
-mount on the muffler ripped off so now my exhaust really bounces around
-clutch cylinder is going(im probably destroying my transmission right now)
-brakes still are a bit sketch (they go from firm to soft without any recognizable pattern)
-engine just cut out. left me out in the woods. I have yet to diagnose problem im guessing the fuel pump is the culprit.

 

[kerry]

I have also experienced the "door ajar" malady. In addition, I've had the dreaded seatbelt/air bag light on several occasions.

 

[02RangerMan]

Nobody mentioned the sticking/grabby rear brakes when its really humid or raining. This was the case with my GEN3 with a 31 spline 8.8 as well as my 2002 with the 27spline 8.8. The 31spline was swaped in so i guess that can't be blamed on ford but the 27spline is stock.

 

[gw33gp]

I have the seatbelt/airbag light come on occasionally. That is fixed by moving the connector in and out a few times. It only happens on the passenger side on my Ranger. This is probably my most annoying problem

I had to replace the PCV elbow that is located under the top radiator hose. They seem to disintegrate and apparently is a common failure.

I just replaced the fuel pump at 98K due to a bad pressure check valve.

I had a bad master cylinder that was replaced under warranty.

That transfer case was replaced under warranty due to a kind of clunking/slipping problem when accelerating in 4WD.

I keep up with all the normal maintenance stuff but do run an extended oil change interval.

I have bought a new serpentine belt but have not installed it yet.

Overall, I am very Happy with this Ranger and plan to keep it a long time.

 

[polkat]

now that i had it a while

I had to extend my front diff vent tube venting oil out didnt like that. abs front sensor/tone ring all messed up to spendy right now to fix unpluged sensor now I have a ABS light shining at me. everyone else mentioned a few more but thats all folks

 

[mookinator1313]

1999 3.0 FFV supercab XLT 4x4

door ajar light- my dome light doesnt work at all, so it doesnt bother me

the motor is really tappy from the valves

clutch... is made out of metal (my own fault)

there seems to be some sort of a knock under load, dont know what it is exactly, but the truck hasnt gone boom, and it started back in september 08

sincro's on 3rd and 4th are definately weraring out

my only real complaint is the lack of CV joints in the front

my poor truck has had a savage beating, but still takes it, and i love it

IT RAN AN 18 SECOND QUARTER MILE!!! (yea, that was the day the knocking started)

 

[WillXLT98]

'98 3.0 Ext cab XLT 4x4 auto

Where to begin?! lol

-PCV valve
-DPFE sensor
-Broken leaf spring
-Both bearings/hubs
-PVH CRAP! Swapped for AVM
-Passenger side o2 sensor
-Alternator
-Dash lights aren't all working
-Friggin door ajar light
-Trans shifted BAD. Installed TransGo shiftkit with new EPC solonoid
-Clanking noise in rear at takeoff/slowing down. Im guessing driveshaft from what your all saying?
-Inability to make tires bald with 3.0 =MAJOR problem lol
-Trans cooler inside radiator leaked, replaced radiator
-Fuel pump was bad, replaced

Bought with 78k mi and now has 92k mi. Most of these were issues when i first got it, but others have jumped out and gotten worse in the mean time.
Thats about it for now, it seems every week theres something new...

I love this truck to death though. No matter how much hell it gives me.

 

[hmiwb]

5000 miles and no complaints at all. Very good truck so far. I've owned two Rangers, a Courier, an S10 and a Sonoma in small pickups. This is the best of the bunch so far.

 

[idriveafordranger94]

Even though this is for '98 and newer Rangers, I see a lot of the same problems with my '94.

-The OHV 4.0L "ticks"
-My power steering is really loud.
-When I let off the gas at 30mph + the driveshaft "clunks"
-When I am come to a complete stop the truck lurches back and kinda slides and clunks. Same thing happens when I accelerate from a complete stop.
-Idle speed seems to fluctuate (Is this the IAC problem everyone has been talking about?)

 

[WNY964x4]

Even though this is for '98 and newer Rangers, I see a lot of the same problems with my '94.

-The OHV 4.0L "ticks"
-My power steering is really loud.
-When I let off the gas at 30mph + the driveshaft "clunks"
-When I am come to a complete stop the truck lurches back and kinda slides and clunks. Same thing happens when I accelerate from a complete stop.
-Idle speed seems to fluctuate (Is this the IAC problem everyone has been talking about?)

that describes evey ford ever built , for some reason , Fords tend to have noisy power steering pumps

 

[JohnnyO]

Nobody mentioned the sticking/grabby rear brakes when its really humid or raining. This was the case with my GEN3 with a 31 spline 8.8 as well as my 2002 with the 27spline 8.8. The 31spline was swaped in so i guess that can't be blamed on ford but the 27spline is stock.

I had that problem on my old '99. It was still on warranty at the time, so I took it to the dealer. They put on new rear brakes and it was fine after that.

 

[Jon581]

my truck has one problem when you turn the wheel all the way to the right while moving it makes a clunking noise the left side does not do it, has any body else had this problem?also it only has 13,000 miles on it

 

[stews4]

I have had the same problem with the dome light and the "door ajar" light. I ended up d/cing my dome light temporarily so that it didnt drain my battery while I was at work.

 

[GeorgiaBoy 87]

2004 Ranger Suber cab 5spd 2wd:
I've replaced the TPS at 74,000 miles.

clutch pedal clip broke (plastic).so the cylinder would pop off of the pedal. hence no clutch.

 

[Rifleman]

On my 2006 XLT 4x4 the only thing I've had any issue with was the AC compressor clutch. It has made noises since day one off the assembly line.

Local FLM Dealer told me before they started they have VERY little luck in curing the noise issues. Stated it was due to the size of the compressor and the way the clutch is made to engage without dropping engine RPMs causing odd noises during normal operation. They made several adjustments on several seperate visits. Finally they got it to where the only noticable noise (and WOW is it noticable, people step back when it makes it's noise) is a "grinding" when the compressor kicks on for the first time. They advised against attempting to change the compressor, although they would do so under warranty should I request it. They showed me the same thing on 4 out of 5 of their new Rangers on the lot (first one just happened to work without noises), said changing the compressor created risk of leakage later on and I should live with it, I have without any regret...

On a good note though, I'm now over 60k miles and the AC works flawless beyond that initial noise from the compressor clutch. It has always put out VERY cold air and will easily freeze you out of the truck on a 100F day. Leave it run full blast on a hot humid day in the shade with it sealed up and return 5 minutes later to every inch of every window covered in condensation. Can feel it blowing out the door handles which will get wet from condensation as well. (I do not do this as I fear what the water will do to the insides of my doors, but it's happened)