Faults:

The first thing to go was some sort of seal in the transmission.

Next, the same tail light went out 3 times in the space of a month.

Next, the fan belt was squealing - I had to take the vehicle to the dealer 3 times (that's when they caught the tail light) to get repaired. Apparently, there was in issue with a tension bar.

Next, the fuel pump failed.

Next, the check engine light came on. Apparently, it was caused by a leaky gasket connecting to the fuel tank.

Next, the dome light started making horrible creaking noises. The dealer replaced a liner/gasket there, and it went away for a couple weeks. It is back now, along with the dead tail light.

Next, horrible squealing sound. I am guessing wheel bearings?

General Comments:

As others have stated, gas mileage is horrendous.

Service was okay. Everyone was very nice, and they tried to accomodate you as best they could, though I have doubts as to their competence.

To date, I have made 7 visits to the dealership in the 8000 miles I have owned the vehicle, and have to take it in again. One visit to the dealer for every 1000 miles put on the vehicle is not acceptable - I will trade in this vehicle before the warranty expires.

Faults:

Right rear turn indicator bulb burned out 2 days after purchase. Dealer replaced free of charge.

Loose fan belt.

General Comments:

This is a very good little truck. I bought mine used, but in perfect condition. Has just about everything. Power windows, mirrors and door locks. AM/FM/Cassette/CD. It also has the rear opening back doors. Those are a wonderful idea. They make getting things, and people, in and out very easily. I chose between a Ranger and a Toyota Tacoma and these doors are one of the major reasons I went with Ford. Only option the truck doesn't have is four wheel drive. I would highly recommend this truck to anyone looking for a quality compact. My only complaint is that the gas mileage is not as good as ford claims it to be. I get around 13MPG in the city and about 15 on the highway. Other than that, this is my dream truck and I would definitely buy another one. I definitely see why the Ranger has been the best selling compact pickup for almost two decades.

Faults:

The first problem that I was faced with were the tires on the new vehicle. After "sealing the deal", they stopped me before I walked out the door. It came to my attention that they needed to replace the tires that were on the truck because they were recalled due their reputation of exploding at high temperatures. So, I had to stop and wait for another hour in order for them to replace the tires.

At about 15,000 miles my check engine light came on as I was preparing to drive two hundred miles home. I spoke to a man at a Ford dealership and he told me that I wouldn't have any problem getting back. Instead of following his advice I drove an hour South, to the closest Ford dealer, and waited over three hours before someone saw my truck. It took fifteen minutes for the to replace the ERG valve, which I believe has something to do with the emission controls.

At 20,000 miles my interior light and door ajar light began to dive me trouble. At first it was just a process of walking around the vehicle and re-shutting all four of the doors. After a few months this process stopped working for me and I brought it into the dealer. They didn't explain to me what they did, but now it has been repaired.

I noticed at approximately 30,000 miles my driver side fog lamp was beginning to build up moisture. Once again, the dealer said that this would not be a problem and I shouldn't worry about it. A long story short, the halogen bulb inside the lamp didn't play nicely with the moisture within and it exploded. The process of replacing it was easy to do, but now I have to find a way to cheaply replace the entire lamp. This is because I cannot remove all of the moisture.

At approximately 35,000 miles my horn, I believe it was the low end, went flat. With this I mean, after pushing the horn the high end would go it's normal blast, but the low end seem to fade out. Replacing this horn was a horrific task. You would probably need to be five inches tall to do any work in the space available.

One of the strangest things that happened was at around 38,000 miles when I had my truck in for an oil change at the dealer. When they returned they told me my ball joints were almost completely gone. I asked them if this was unusual and I was told that it happens every now and then. In my experience, unless you "off-road" every day, this shouldn't happen. Thankfully I had the extended warranty so it was covered, but I lucked out by 2,000 miles. Any longer and I would have been up the creek.

The driver side window has, for quite a while, been jumping as it is going down. I'm not sure what the cause is, but hopefully the next trip to the dealer they can take care of it. I figure if I let it go any longer the motor will burn itself out.

The heat shield under the exhaust pipe has been rattling since last winter. I figure the last cold snap in New Hampshire and the heat from the exhaust popped the cheap tack-welds.

General Comments:

Being as this is the second Ford I've owned, I've actually had fewer problems. The first was a Ford Explorer. That vehicle was an absolute waste of time, patience and money.

Besides all of the "small" things that have occurred I love the truck. It was almost as if someone had poured the cab around me. Everything is very easy to reach and see. Not to mention that the 6-disk changer is a gift from heaven.

I put a tonneau cover on the bed which adds to it's already sleek look and the hood definitely gives it a "move over or I'll fly over" feel. Not to mention the engine provides the methods to actually fly.

I wish I had waited at least one more building year before I bought it though. This way, hopefully all of the tweaks would have been worked out.