Four problems related to brake hoses, lines/piping, and fittings have been reported for the 2001 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Ford Ranger based on all problems reported for the 2001 Ranger.
Picked up kids from bus stop (5 and 6 years age) with 2001 Ranger parked in gear on gravel driveway grade with emergency brake engaged. Loaded kids and myself, started vehicle and released emergency brake. Brake pedal went to floor, vehicle took off down hill. Pushed and pumped pedal hard to engage rear brake valve; no rear brakes. Engaged emergency brake (now at considerable speed on grade). Left rear wheel locked skidding vehicle to right side on gravel drive, corrected with steering avoiding roll over. Subsequent inspection revealed extensive premature corrosion to vehicle frame, suspension and brake components. Both front and rear brake lines compromised with catastrophic failure during emergency. My kids and I could have been killed or injured because Ford saved a few bucks using below standard imported steel. Ntsb; are you in some way being paid-off by Ford to ignore the thousands of safety complaints and incidents associated with extensive corrosion on these vehicles? do not even attempt to assign blame on salty eastern roads; many other vehicle driven under identical conditions do not fall apart so consistently and completely. Many undercarriage parts on my Ranger are not even recognizable due to near complete disintegration. My truck has an 'a' title and was rust proofed prior to delivery. I take good care of my vehicles and regularly wash undercarriage. How many people will be injured or killed before action is taken?.
I was driving 20 mph when I press the brake and the pedal went to the floor, a fire started under the hood, I noticed one of the brake lines was burning. Put fire out and towed the pick up to the shop where it remains.
I hit the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I was lucky that I was going relatively slow and there was no traffic. Brake line from abs unit to rear brake hose had failed. I am surprised that this hasn't been a recall as I have two friends with Ford Rangers who have had the exact same failure. One resulted in as crash. I also informally ask other Ranger owners and many have had the same failure. I have owned many other cars, for longer time periods and far more milage without this kind of failure.
Right rear brake line is rubbing against shock absorber and can result in loss of brakes while driving. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.