Problems with 1999 Ford Ranger ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This is my mothers pickup but she asked me to report it and try to find an answer. she has had the pickup for years (she bought it in 2003)...she bought it from a neighbor. after a few years she started having a problem that no one (not even the dealership) has been able to fix. this has happened many, many times. sometimes when she goes to stop, the truck will suddenly rev up and try to take off. several times this has almost caused accidents (it has jumped out into traffic, almost rear ended other cars, etc). i've contacted the ford company and they have told me to go to the dealership. we done that with nothing resolved. several parts have been replaced and they have updated the computer, but it still does it. this is my mom's only vehicle and she is scared to drive it, but can't sell it with this kind of problem. we have had the sensor replaced, throttle cable replaced, cruise control cable checked, checked for a vacuum leak. thank you *tr

I was driving on the highway and noticed that the steering was pulling to the left. after a short while i could not manage the steering. when i pulled over in the brakedown lane i noticed that the right front tire was toed in. when the tow truck came we noticed that the frame was cracked and rotted at both wheel mounts and the the right front mount was the worse. we also noticed that the motor mounts were all rotted and the overall front section of the frame was rotted which prevented any repair. *tr

I was driving in the freeway i-275 nb nof howard avenue tampa florida i heard a noise to the front of small truck, after that i saw black smoke from front of truck i put to car a safety place of the freeway of truck is turn off itself. i have not time take off of keys from of truck of only time is took my bags ,open the door and get out the truck and all contents were burned in the fire. additional i have the truck for 4 months ago only and i need to help, because i have insurance but only liability coverage and no full cover, in which i have to continue to pay to the dealer $6,000 dollars from my pocket. thank you for your attention for my case. but thank you so much to my god a still with live and my boyfriend. thank you again. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

1. no events leading up to failure. maintenance strictly adhered to. all tsb and factory service manuals followed. 2. camshaft sycronizer on 1999 ford ranger 3.0l. engine seized up. 167810 miles. 3. engine replacement was performed. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford ranger. for the past seven years, the contact could not determine why the check engine indicator would flash on and off. the mechanic could not figure out the issue as well. the contact eventually discovered that the aluminum dpfe valve was causing the check engine indicator to flash. the contact called the manufacturer because she heard that the dpfe valves were recalled; however, her vin was not included. the contact feels this is a safety and environmental issue and that the manufacturer should repair the vehicle. the current mileage was 179,000 and failure mileage was 50,000.

1999 ford ranger with 3 liter engine camshaft position synchronizer failed causing catastrophic failure of engine. gear broke causing failure of oil pump seizing engine while traveling 65 mph. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford ranger. while driving 55 mph, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle completely shut down. the vehicle was inspected and the contact was informed that there was an engine input circuit and fuel compensation sensor circuit malfunction. the purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. the current mileage was 62,000.

The metal tubes for the engine choke heater, rusted out right above the aluminum head. was told that there is no way to fix the problem, except to replace the head with a new one. the head will cost at least $250. my truck is a 1999 ford ranger xlt with a 3.0l. was told the only way this tube would break was from a crash, or from rusting from the inside. i know my truck has never been in a crash, kind of odd that only the tube has rusted and not more engine parts. anyone else have this problem. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford ranger. a few years after the vehcile was purchased, the intake manifold failed. the dealer replaced the intake manifold sensor at the cost of $800.00. the repair did not remedy the failure. the drivers seat was not leveled with the steering column because the seat does not have sufficient padding. as a consequence he could not properly view the road-way, which caused a vehicle crash. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 160,000. the police report and the vehicle identification number was not available. there were no injuries. the current mileage was 220,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford ranger. the contact received a recall notice and called the dealer to schedule an appointment, however, the dealer keeps avoiding her. the engine light has been illuminated for the last four years and the vehicle makes a banging sound. the sensors have been replaced, but the check engine light is still lit. the purchase date, nhtsa campaign number, and speed were unknown. the current mileage was 104,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford ranger. while driving 65 mph, the engine locked and the vehicle shut off. the dealer was notified and replaced the engine. the second engine also failed. the dealer was notified, but no repairs were made. the vin was invalid. the current mileage was 75,000 and failure mileage was 48,000.

My 1999 ford ranger 4x4 with 3.0 liter flex fuel engine began sputtering, running rough and overheating two days ago. i took it to haldeman ford to be checked. they told me today there was water/coolant in at least one of the cylinders and the head(s) may be cracked, and i need a new or rebuilt engine. the truck has just over 95,000 miles on it. i had oil changes, coolant flushes, etc. at regular intervals. from what i have read on your website, and heard from others, this is a problem with the six cylinder engines ford used in rangers and explorers. they said it would be $6400 for a rebuilt engine installed. it seems this is most likely a manufacturing defect, but the folks at the dealer said no. *jb

I had a 1999 ford ranger with a 4.0 liter engine a v-6, it started running rough at 95,000 miles. i took it in to the dealer to be repaired. the next day i was told there was water in # 4 cylinder. they took both heads off and i was told that both heads had cracks in them i went to look for myself i verified that both heads were cracked in the same location a crack on # 4 cylinder and a crack on # 1 cylinder. i was then shown a cracked head off a ford explorer with a 4.0 liter engine same crack same location. this is a manufacturing defect since all the cracks are in the same location and ford already has redesigned the cylinder heads. this cost me almost $4,000. *jb

Dt: the throttle gets stuck intermittently. it doesn't matter if the air conditioner is on or off or the weather conditions. dealership has not checked the vehicle. however, other mechanics have looked at it but could not seem to pin point the problem, but suggested to replace the pc valve and the filter. consumer replaced them. *ak

While applying the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate. the vehicle vibrated and stalled without warning. the driver was able to restart the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the transmission needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *nm. consume rbought a 1999, ford ranger with 76931 mile son it. seller was to fix transmission before consumer took vehicle home. on 10/14/2003 took vehicle to scott ford for inspection, they claime dit wa sokay. on 07/09/2004 consume took vehicle to rainbow tire to have tire rotation an dbalance. they claimed ball joint was defective. on 07/12/2004, consumer had ball joint replacement and an alignment. on september 19, 2004 vehicle would not go uphill. consume rpulled off the road and walked home. some friens picked consumer and passengers up. brother-in law johnny drove vehicle home . johnny told consumer he had to drive it home in longer all the way home. *ak

We have purchased 3 ford ranger pickups since 1992 and have always been happy with them but this last one has only 80,000 miles. on it and when we took it in for check when check engine light came on dealer said "new head gasket needed". so we took it home and to our own personal mechanic and he says "new engine needed". we have always had wonderful performance with these pickups and never less than 250,000 mi. on the engines. i just wanted this on record because i know it has to have been faulty engine and also to let you know that even with the good luck in the past, it is doubtful we'll take another chance with a ford pickup. *ak

Cracked engine head, truck had only 65,000 miles and was not driven hard. heater still doesn't warm up as it should, even after manufactures repair. *jb

The radiator top supports broke off which caused two large holes in the radiator.

While driving the vehicle at 45mph suddenly engine died, forcing the consumer to pull out of the road. dealer notified. *ak

While traveling on cruise control at 70 miles per hour, the vehicle decelerated. the dash board lights lit up and truck would not restart. temperature gauge indicated not overheating, water was in radiator, oil was at the full mark on the oil dip stick. no fluids leaked from the engine. my vehicle is at the ford dealership in owatanna, mn. i have been told by a ford dealership technician that he believes it to be pieces of the gasket around the oil pump that blocked the flow of oil to the engine seizing the valves in the engine. apparently it happens frequently to his knowledge. also , i know of another ford ranger that experienced unexplained engine failure this past week. i have maintained oil changes within the manufacturer's recommendation during the time i have owned the ranger. the vehicle has only 69136 miles on the odometer. at this juncture the extended warranty service and the dealership have not resolved method of replacing the engine. *nlm

Nar 02/28/2003. the consumer head a muttering sound coming from the engine. it was determined to be exhaust related due to a broken head pipe. *jb

99 v 062 001/cruise speed control cable: vehicle has cut off on five separate occasions while driving at 45 mph , vehicle restarted on each time. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

Marble engine noise getting worse. *ak

The engine block heater blew out losing all antifreeze. engine shot. invoice from manufacturer does not even show this as being on the truck. manufacturer has been zero help. how many 3.0l v6 engines have had this same problem?

I feel that my ford ranger is an unsafe vehicle. i have had many problems with it since i bought it brand new. everything stemming from holes in the floor to a faulty transmission and engine among faulty power windows and electrical on more than one occasion.. i just wonder what is next. i am worried about the future of this vehicle especially with its past track record. please send me any information that may be of help to get ford to buy my vehicle back. my email is [email protected] or [email protected].

Second 4.0 motor was taken out because of a clattering noise. consumer is now experiencing the clattering noise again. took to dealer , and they sad that all rangers sound that way. *ak

Engine misses, runs rough, cladders in the morning, and it has very little pep compared to other cars. after taking vehicle back and forth between dealers, nothing could be done to correct the problem. *ak *ml

While driving through a water puddle at a speed of 10 mph vehicle cut off.upon starting vehicle back up, the vehicle did not start at all, and had to be towed to the dealer. *ak

Engine check light(po455 code) came on 5 times since new, problem in fuel system and no vacumn being able to be detected by the onboard computer system in fuel system (leaking vapors?), problem not corrected to date, attempting to track down problem (fuel tank changed, canister purge valve changed, problem persists). *ak

Firestone wilderness ht tires (p225 70r 55l) experienced leaks and tread wear, dealer is stating nothing is wrong with tires. *slc

Serious engine marbling/clatter with 4.0 liter engine.owner does not expect motor to last much longer;ultimate failure of motor presents serious safety concern. *ak

4.0l engine began 'marbeling' at <5k miles (sounds like a diesel at times)

The cooling system has not been restored to original performance. the dealers service department states that normal operating range is the area of the gauge that is below the red. the vehicle is operating within specifications as long as the red area has not been reached by the temperature indicator.

Motor when hot will start a banging noise, and when turned off the noise will continue. problem occurred for three months. dealer contacted, and cannot remedy problem. problem still exists. provide further information. *ak

First the braking system started to vibrate when brake applied, rotors were machined, then brakes continued to lock up and calipers were replaced and now vibration has returned. second the engine has had a running problem since almost day one and now has loud knocking and rattling comming from engine. third, two of the steel wheels became weak and began to warp and truck could no longer be driven. as of now, vehicle has been in the shop for 22 consecutive days and i have only owned it five & a half weeks. so far, no repairs have been made to make the vehicle drivable.