Constant quality complaints in forum

[landiscarrier]

This and other Ranger forums probably represent less than 3-4% of all Ranger owners worldwide.....take it all with a grain of salt. Plus some people just love to complain. It's a 40-50k mass produced truck.......

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[RangerBill]

Or nearly launching me into oncoming traffic with me frantically pushing the brake to the floor praying that it would disengage power.

This is caused by pressing the accelerator pedal at the same time as the brake pedal while stopping. I have done this as well as others here have reported doing this. It is not the transmission doing this.

 

[RangerBill]

I guess some people make mistakes

and is extra cooling a good thing?
there is an ideal temp for the trans to run at, will the pan change that? Will a different temp cause different problems? Only a transmission designer would know for certain.

The only benefit I see of a bigger pan is more oil available when you have a leak. Might be enough in there to get you off the highway, or even home before it dries up to an un-useable mess of garbage.

I believe the PCM regulates the transmission fluid temperature using a heat exchanger and the engine coolant. It won't regulate to an exact temperature, but heats the fluid when cold, and helps cool the fluid when too hot.

 

[TJC]

just a question: How will a new trans pan, even if it's a 'performance' pan solve issues with the trans? Extra cooling, sure. But how is that going to alleviate shifting problems?

This is a guess, but a good one. My truck shifts great here in the NC winters where temps at night drop into the 40's and day time temps are in the 50F-60F range. It behaves absolutely perfect. But come spring / summer weather when temps rise above 65F I start to see erratic shift patterns. The warmer it gets the worse the transmission behaves.

Those who have installed the PPE pan report a 20F degree drop in fluid temps. I am hoping that with a change in fluid, filter, and the addition of the extra 1.75 quart capacity, and a finned aluminum pan, the transmission will behave itself. Who knows, maybe I have one of those trucks that have a low fluid fill from the factory.

I have not checked the fluid level yet as it is a royal pain in the @ss to get to that dumb 2" dipstick Ford went with. I know, another complaint, but the lack of an easy way to check the fluid level has hindered me. I simply don't want to crawl under the truck and do this twice. It is going to be a once and done effort. Replace pan, filter, dipstick, and fluid. And I want to do it right the first time, giving me the best chance of success. And every 30K mile interval after I will change the fluid simply by removing the plug, and refilling.

Believe it or not, I am thinking long term. I want this truck to last me 20 years. And each addition and modification that I have made has been with that goal in mind.

Ford has simply made it much harder this time around.

- T

 

[TJC]

This is caused by pressing the accelerator pedal at the same time as the brake pedal while stopping. I have done this as well as others here have reported doing this. It is not the transmission doing this.

I did not press both pedals at the same time! I don't control my vehicles with both feet. That is the first most obvious lesson in driving an automatic (from driving 101). Nothing personal but how STUPID is that!

I know exactly what I did to cause this behavior, and none of my other vehicles including my 2005 Ranger have ever acted this way.

Traffic was heavy and I saw an opening when turning right onto the highway. I pressed the accelerator (not floored either, but enough to quickly merge) and then thought better, released the accelerator and pressed the brake (The truck did not move more then 2'). The engine continued to accelerate to much higher RPMs for at least another 5 seconds (it seemed much longer), before deciding to slow. The transmission locking torque converter did not disengage either. I was on the brake hard the entire time. I actually complained to my wife about what the truck was doing. It can best be described as engine management system lag.

Drive by wire has it's limitations I suppose. But my Maxima is drive by wire as well and doesn't behave this way.

I no longer trust the truck for timed merges into traffic. I wait well into all clear before moving. Every other car I own does not exhibit this behavior. Once you learn the trucks limitations, you respect them and don't go there any longer.

Maybe I will go out into a empty parking lot and try to recreate it. I am confident that I can.

- T

 

[RangerBill]

I did not press both pedals at the same time! I don't control my vehicles with both feet. That is the first most obvious lesson in driving an automatic (from driving 101). Nothing personal but how STUPID is that!

I know exactly what I did to cause this behavior, and none of my other vehicles including my 2005 Ranger have ever acted this way.

Traffic was heavy and I saw an opening when turning right onto the highway. I pressed the accelerator (not floored either, but enough to quickly merge) and then thought better, released the accelerator and pressed the brake (The truck did not move more then 2'). The engine continued to accelerate to much higher RPMs for at least another 5 seconds (it seemed much longer), before deciding to slow. The transmission locking torque converter did not disengage either. I was on the brake hard the entire time. I actually complained to my wife about what the truck was doing. It can best be described as engine management system lag.

Drive by wire has it's limitations I suppose. But my Maxima is drive by wire as well and doesn't behave this way.

I no longer trust the truck for timed merges into traffic. I wait well into all clear before moving. Every other car I own does not exhibit this behavior. Once you learn the trucks limitations, you respect them and don't go there any longer.

Maybe I will go out into a empty parking lot and try to recreate it. I am confident that I can.

- T

The problem that I am referring to is caused when you apply the brake pedal, but with the same foot being over to the right a little too much, also hit the gas pedal. It is easy to do with the Ranger. It's been done before by me and others on here. I didn't even know that I was doing it at the time and was wondering why the engine was roaring with my foot on the brake. Just my 2 cents.

 

[navsnipe]

I did not press both pedals at the same time! I don't control my vehicles with both feet. That is the first most obvious lesson in driving an automatic (from driving 101). Nothing personal but how STUPID is that!

I know exactly what I did to cause this behavior, and none of my other vehicles including my 2005 Ranger have ever acted this way.

Traffic was heavy and I saw an opening when turning right onto the highway. I pressed the accelerator (not floored either, but enough to quickly merge) and then thought better, released the accelerator and pressed the brake (The truck did not move more then 2'). The engine continued to accelerate to much higher RPMs for at least another 5 seconds (it seemed much longer), before deciding to slow. The transmission locking torque converter did not disengage either. I was on the brake hard the entire time. I actually complained to my wife about what the truck was doing. It can best be described as engine management system lag.

Drive by wire has it's limitations I suppose. But my Maxima is drive by wire as well and doesn't behave this way.

I no longer trust the truck for timed merges into traffic. I wait well into all clear before moving. Every other car I own does not exhibit this behavior. Once you learn the trucks limitations, you respect them and don't go there any longer.

Maybe I will go out into a empty parking lot and try to recreate it. I am confident that I can.

- T

I have had a similar experience with the upshift lurch and torque converter not unlocking when releasing the gas pedal in traffic. Using sport mode is even worse in my experience. It makes panic braking a much different experience.

 

[Fordup]

This is a guess, but a good one. My truck shifts great here in the NC winters where temps at night drop into the 40's and day time temps are in the 50F-60F range. It behaves absolutely perfect. But come spring / summer weather when temps rise above 65F I start to see erratic shift patterns. The warmer it gets the worse the transmission behaves.

Those who have installed the PPE pan report a 20F degree drop in fluid temps. I am hoping that with a change in fluid, filter, and the addition of the extra 1.75 quart capacity, and a finned aluminum pan, the transmission will behave itself. Who knows, maybe I have one of those trucks that have a low fluid fill from the factory.

I have not checked the fluid level yet as it is a royal pain in the @ss to get to that dumb 2" dipstick Ford went with. I know, another complaint, but the lack of an easy way to check the fluid level has hindered me. I simply don't want to crawl under the truck and do this twice. It is going to be a once and done effort. Replace pan, filter, dipstick, and fluid. And I want to do it right the first time, giving me the best chance of success. And every 30K mile interval after I will change the fluid simply by removing the plug, and refilling.

Believe it or not, I am thinking long term. I want this truck to last me 20 years. And each addition and modification that I have made has been with that goal in mind.

Ford has simply made it much harder this time around.

- T

I saw that happen to mine when I turned the AC on for the first time this year yesterday with about a 500 pound load in my bed. Turned the AC off and back to normal shifting. Turned the AC on again and back to crummy shifts. finally hit the trailer button and no more violent shifts.

 

[TJC]

I have had a similar experience with the upshift lurch and torque converter not unlocking when releasing the gas pedal in traffic. Using sport mode is even worse in my experience. It makes panic braking a much different experience.

I have also had it do it several times when simply coming to stop. It seems to stay engaged - engine not dropping speed, hanging on too long.

This may be something that the NHTSA needs to be informed about.

 

[Sped68]

Personally I’d rather read about complaints than a full on Ford love fest. Most people that are on here really like or love their trucks else they wouldn’t bother being on the forum in the first place.
The best and most recent example is all the complaints and talk about our transmissions and the fact that so many seem underfilled which have caused drivability issues. After reading so much about this I finally crawled under my truck, found the ridiculously located dipstick and checked it. Wouldn’t you know it, it was low, not even registering on the dipstick when cold and running. I ran out and bought myself a couple litres of oil and got my level corrected. Truck now shifts smoother and drives better, not perfect but it never should have been low or this difficult to check either.
I think before this was the “complaining about leaf spring u-bolts not being torqued, sure enough I crawl under the truck and mine are too loose as well. Torqued those to spec and the rear end now feels tighter.
A forum shouldn’t be a fan club nor your favourite political party which can do no wrong. If there’s a deficiency or a problem your seeing I want to read about it so I can check my truck or just be aware of it and watch for it.

 

[TJC]

Since my truck is so basic, my expectations were basic too (plus I was paid a whopping $50 to have ASS deletion due to the chip shortage.

I actually requested that they remove or disable ASS before purchase. They refused. Told me it was illegal to do.

I didn't even know that there was such as thing as ASS as the salesman disabled it (pushed the button) prior to us driving it on 2 different test drives. He'd bring it around running.

I didn't figure it out until I read about it on this forum doing my research. My last new purchase was the 2005 Ranger. I really try to keep my autos for 20 years. A great deal changes in 20 years time!

When I found out about ASS and their refusal to disable it, I cancelled the deal and walked out - until I found a work around.

Called them back 3 days later and purchased the truck. Went out to drive it home and raised the hood in front of them and pulled the plug on the BMS sensor. It has not been plugged in since.

 

[TJC]

I saw that happen to mine when I turned the AC on for the first time this year yesterday with about a 500 pound load in my bed. Turned the AC off and back to normal shifting. Turned the AC on again and back to crummy shifts. finally hit the trailer button and no more violent shifts.

So strange... seems everything is simply too interconnected. No more individual systems running independently of each other.

Things get very complicated when large systems are all interconnected. Too many variables to test all possible interaction scenarios I think. Sometimes less is more.

 

[subquark]

I actually requested that they remove or disable ASS before purchase. They refused. Told me it was illegal to do.

I didn't even know that there was such as thing as ASS as the salesman disabled it (pushed the button) prior to us driving it on 2 different test drives. He'd bring it around running.

I didn't figure it out until I read about it on this forum doing my research. My last new purchase was the 2005 Ranger. I really try to keep my autos for 20 years. A great deal changes in 20 years time!

When I found out about ASS and their refusal to disable it, I cancelled the deal and walked out - until I found a work around.

Called them back 3 days later and purchased the truck. Went out to drive it home and raised the hood in front of them and pulled the plug on the BMS sensor. It has not been plugged in since.

Like you, I keep my cars. The FJ40 that I gave my daughter this year that was my daily driver from 1976 to 2004, a 2005 Scion that I donated right after getting this Ranger last year, my wife's 2006 Corolla with 360,000 miles on it when she traded it in for a 2016 Corolla.

I'm hoping that this Ranger lasts for me and only time will tell and the luck of the draw for the one I have.

She's now double dipping with working fulltime and collecting the max social security, so she splurged and traded in for her schmancy Mazda. After putting up with me for 33 years, she oughta have a Bentley!

I also had no idea what ASS was and felt fancy that my Scion had power windows! =D

 

[TJC]

I absolutely loved my 1971 FJ40, a marvelous 4 wheel drive vehicle. I sold a brand new 1977 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 that I had special ordered after driving it off road in the mountains west of Colorado Springs for a year. The body flex was terrible on those mountain back roads, creaking and rivets popping all over it... and it was simply too big. 350V8 automatic, and even in low range I had to use brakes to slow it down on steep slopes. Nice to be seen in, but not a great 4x4.

Not the case with the FJ40! That thing would climb a tree! A straight 6 with a 3 speed manual trannie on the column and a low range that I could walk faster than it would crawl. Absolutely amazing vehicle. Mine was a soft top. Doors simply lifted off. Windshield folded on the hood. Excellent vision from the drivers seat, and it never got muddy with those big fenders.

The best 4x4 I have ever owned. Nothing has come close to it.

I am waiting until 70 to start collecting. Why give it back to them in taxes! 2 years to go... my how times flies.

- T

 

[ppfd]

just a question: How wil a new trans pan, even if it's a 'performance' pan solve issues with the trans? Extra cooling, sure. But how is that going to alleviate shifting problems?



Very true. But go to any vehicle forum, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc. and you will hear the same sort of complaints and rants.

Very true, people bitch about any and everything. Every gun forum I'm on their complaining about caliber choice, scope brand "knock down power" is my favorite.
Point being, give it time any mechanical component will break or fail at some point you own it.

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