Lights out for Ford Ranger, Mazda B-Series?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has broken out
their dreaded spectacles again, this time leveling its gaze at Ford's evergreen Ranger and Mazda
B-Series twin. The gist of their preliminary investigation, a wiring issue that reportedly conspires to
disable the compact pickup's taillights on the sly, moonshine-runner style. Some 510,000 2003-2005 models are
reportedly affected.
The crux of the problem is a short circuit in a wiring harness that can blow the fuse governing said taillamps. Both Ford and Mazda have issued TSBs (Technical Service Bullitins) to their dealership body, alerting them of the concern.
In other recall news, Daimler-Chrysler is set to recall some 19,000 2006 Dodge Durangos, most of which probably have yet to find their way into customer's hands. A kink in the software has reportedly been found in the anti-lock braking system, causing rear brake lockup.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 12:26AM (12/19/2005)
Oh well, the Ranger and B-series will be gone soon anyway.. I mean they are running on a 1988 or older platform.
I love my 1994 Mazda B4000 though, that thing is a great truck, even though when it was my daily driver I got like 13mpg with it.. so I'm much happier getting 34mpg with my Mazda Protege5 :D
I heard when the new Ranger comes out there won't be a Mazda clone.. either Mazda is going to bring one of their own designs or just have no pickup truck. I don't understand why they kept with the Ranger clone anyway, because in every market outside N. America they sell a Mazda B-Series that they designed (albeit an old-looking design).
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Jason E. Rist 12:26AM (12/19/2005)
Don't tease us with that headline.
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Charlie 12:26AM (12/19/2005)
FORD DEATH WATCH
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Tom in Boston 12:26AM (12/19/2005)
I'd rather have a tail light out than to have my car turn off on acceleration like every Prius. Toyota was very slow to respond to this. Not to pick on any one manufacturer, I'd rather support responsible car companies who deal with problesm immediately in comprehensive product recalls. The Volvo recall of 2005 S80 and XC90 for electrical shorts and smoke under the hood, or their 115,000 S80's recalled for ball joint problems were responsible efforts. A "Good job!" to Ford in facing your problems and fixing them.
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