NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Ranger. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
WAS CHANGING A BROKEN ADJUSTER ON REAR BRAKES AND NOTICED THE FRAME AT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS LARGE CRACKS IN IT ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONCERN IS THE STRESS PLACED ON THE CRACKED FRAME AS THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE STRAIN IS PLACED. THAT PORTION OF THE FRAME HAS A BUNCH OF RUST CAUSING THE METAL TO PIT AND LIKELY WEAKEN. I'M SPECULATING THAT THE METAL USED WAS INFERIOR OR THAT THE SHOCK PLATE WAS MOUNTED IN WRONG LOCATION. THE FRAME WILL REQUIRE WELDING WHICH WILL NOT BE AS STRONG.
SEVERE RUST ON FRAME. REAR SPRING HANGERS BROKE. SPARE TIRE HOLDER ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. CRACKED FRAME BEHIND FRONT SPRING HANGER OF RIGHT REAR SPRING. DRIVELINE IN GOOD CONDITION AS WAS THE REST OF THE BODY.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THAT I FILED EARLIER TODAY. I OWN A 2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 XLT. BODY AND INTERIOR ALL PERFECT. NO RUST ON BODY. FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH IN BACK OF AREA THAT REAR SHACKLES ARE ATTACHED TO. SHACKLES THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO. TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND I AM TOLD COST OF REPAIRS COULD BE AROUND $2000 OR MORE. THE MILEAGE ON THIS TRUCK IS JUST OVER 100K. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I'VE OWNED MANY FORD VEHICLES, SOME A LOT OLDER THAN THIS TRUCK AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
I OWN A 2001 4X4 FORD RANGER XLT. BODY, INTERIOR PERFECT CONDITION. ALWAYS GARAGED, JUST OVER 100K MILES WON'T PASS INSPECTION. FRAME ROTTED OUT! FORD SHOULD REPLACE THIS FRAME OR BUY BACK THE TRUCK. IT IS USELESS TO ME IN THIS CONDITION. I WAS TOLD THAT REPAIRS COULD COST UP TO $2000 OR MORE. I FEEL RIPPED OFF BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THIS IS MY LAST FORD.
INTERMITTENT STARTING AS IF THERE IS NO FUEL GOING TO THE ENGINE. SHUT OFF VALVE CHECKED, BASIC TROUBLE SHOOTING DONE, AS I UNDERSTAND DOING RESEARCH, THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING ISSUES WITH FORD RANGERS DOING THIS. IS THERE A FIX FOR SUCH?
THIS WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2016 AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION DID NOT NOTICE FRAME DAMAGE. TOOK TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED. AT FURTHER INSPECTION FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER AND MID SECTION OF TRUCK. TRUCK HAS 131000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
I BOUGHT MY RANGER 12 MONTHS AGO. 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE CAME UP MISSING. I THOUGHT IT WAS STLOLEN BUT UPON INSPECTION IT HAD SIMPLY RUSTED THE HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK AND FALLEN OFF. 3 MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING. THE RIGHT FRONT A ARM HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. A MECHANIC HAD TO WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE FRAME BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING TO WELD TO. THEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK AND WAS SHOCKED AT WHAT I FOUND. THE BED FLOOR WAS NEARLY NON EXCISTANT. RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. THE SPRING SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT WHICH IS ATTACHED TO FRAME WITH A BRACKET WERE STICKING UP AGAINST THE BED LINER, THE BRACKET COMPLETELY GONE. THE TUBE THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF, THE SHOCK ABSORBER JUST HANGING THERE. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THERES NO WAY TO REPAIR BECAUSE THERES NO VIABLE METAL LEFT TO WELD TO. ITS SIMPLY RUSTED AWAY. SO NOW IM LEFT WITH OVER 3 MORE YEARS OF CAR PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT'S USELESS. I WILL UPLOAD PICTURES AS SOON AS I CAN. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TO BEGIN WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NEVER GO OFF WHEN EVER I TURNED THEM ON AND OFF. WHICH MADE ME WONDER WEATHER THEY WERE EVER REALLY OFF AND CONSIDERING YOU CAN'T FIT A CAR SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT I HAD TO PUT IT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THEN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE TRUCK WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. HERE RECENTLY SHE WAS DRIVING AND SOME ONE STOPPED HER TO TELL HER THAT SOMETHING FELL OFF THE TRUCK ABOUT 2 FOOT LONG. SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THE TRUCK WAS STILL RUNNING SO I TOLD HER TO JUST TRY AND MAKE IT HOME AND I WOULD LOOK AT IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT SERIOUS. ONCE I STARTED LOOKING AT IT, A CANISTER HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF WHERE THE CANISTER WAS CONNECTED TO THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS SO ROTTED. SHE GOT THE TRUCK INSPECTED IN OCTOBER. I FEEL THAT THE DUDE THAT INSPECTED IT SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THE FRAME ALMOST BROKE IN HALF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS TRUCK I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT PUT MONEY INTO IT.
FRIST, REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED THROUGH HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW REAR FRAME WHERE THE SHOCK TOWER HOOKS UP IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ( FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO ON SAFE CONDITION )IN MOTION HEARD A LOUD RATTLE PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS .WE HAVE PICTURES BUT COULD NOT DOWNLOAD THEM ON THIS FORM.
WHEN DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE CAR CAME LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF RUST ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND WITHOIT RUST. MY FRAME SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING LIKE THIS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT ONLY IN HAVING PARTS FALL OFF BUT ALSO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE MAY BE AFFECTED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPARE TIRES AND HALF OF THE REAR BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS ROTTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
WENT TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED WHEN THEY NOTICE THAT WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WENT IT WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THIS WAS ALL NOTICED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS SITTING STILL BEING INSPECTED
WHILE INSPECTING MY VEHICLE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE BRACKET ON THE EXHAUST WHEN I NOTICED LARGE CHIPS OF RUST AND DECAY ON THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE BODY AND ENGINE BAY ARE COMPLETELY UN DAMAGED, THE RUST ON MY VEHICLE IS FAR WORSE THEN SHOULD BE ON MY VEHICLE WITH LESS THEN 100,000 MILES.
NOTED PIECE OF METAL DANGLING FROM REAR OF TRUCK. TOOK VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS SHOWN THAT DRIVER SIDE GAS TANK STRAP HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM MOUNTING BRACKET. TOURED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS ON LIFT AND WAS ASTONISHED TO SEE THE RUST THRU ON ALL COMPONENTS OF UNDERBODY. FRAME, FUEL AND BRAKE LINES, MOUNTING BRACKETS ETC. MECHANIC UNABLE TO FIND A SECURE PART OF FRAME THAT WOULD HOLD TEMPORARY REPAIR. {AUTO BODY MECHANIC MADE TEMP REPAIR}. THE DETERIORATION OF THIS VEHICLE GOES WAY BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE THROUGH ITS 80,000 MILES AND THE BODY AND PAINT LOOK PERFECT. IT IS A LIFE SAFETY CATASTROPHE WAITING TO HAPPEN. I BABIED THIS TRUCK AND PLANNED ON KEEPING IT MANY MORE YEARS. I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT NOW DUE TO COMPLETE DETERIORATION FROM PREMATURE RUSTING.
I HAD MY TRUCK SERVICED AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE LEFT FRONT FRAME HOLDING THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED. *TR
MY 2001 FORD RANGER XLT DISPLAYS A RUSTING FRAME THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE MILEAGE OR CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRACKET HOLDING THE REAR LEAF SPRING HAS RUSTED AND BROKEN LOOSE, ALLOWING THE SPRING TO REST AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THIS IS THE 2ND BRACKET TO RUST COMPLETELY THRU, AND AGAIN, AS STATED, THE FRAME SHOWS SIGNS OF SEVERE DEGRADATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES HAD RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SO SEVERELY RUSTED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
FRAME SUPPORTING SPARE TIRE CARRIER FELL OFF CAUSING SPARE TO DRAG. ALSO HAVE IN THE PAST HAD BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS AND SHACKLES BREAK OFF THE FRAME TO EXCESSIVE ROT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPED UP AND THE RPM WENT FROM 1.5 TO 4.0 WITHOUT MY PUSHING HARDER ON THE GAS. I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND IT TOOK A FEW MOMENTS TO DISENGAGE. IN THE COURSE OF 40 MINUTES IT DID THIS 5 TIMES. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE FLOOR MAT HAD NOT GOTTEN PUSHED UNDER AND IT WAS NOT. THE VEHICLE JUST SPED UP ON ITS OWN. *JS
ALL 4 REAR SHACKLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING AWAY. ALSO DRIVERSIDE REAR SHOCK WHERE IT ATTACHES FRAME RUSTED OFF. THE BED HAS RUSTED OFF OF THE FRONT 2 BED MOUNTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,389. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN
THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTED UNDER THE BED RUSTED OFF AND FELL OFF UNTO THE HIGHWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DETACHED FROM THE BUCKLE WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RE-ATTACH THE SEAT BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, THE LATCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 017V227001 (SEAT BELTS) DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/16.*JB
THE SPARE TIRE RUSTED OFF AND FELL OF WHEN DRIVING AND SHOCK MOUNTS ALSO BROKE DUE TO RUST. *TR
THE FRONT CROSS FRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE AS HAS THE REAR
DRIVING ALONG IN FIRST GEAR I HAVE TO HOLD BRAKE, TRUCK WANTS TO GO FASTER, WHEN I CLUTCH IT RPM GOES TO 1400. WHEN IN LOW RANGE 3RD GEAR IT DOES SAME THING.WHEN STARTING COLD RPM GOES TO 2100-2200. WHEN UP SHIFTING @2500-3000 & I CLUTCH IT RPM STAYS @ THAT RPM. I CAN ALSO SHIFT TO "N" ,LET CLUTCH OUT & COAST, RPM STAYS @ WHATEVER IT WAS WHEN SHIFTING TO "N" UNTIL I SLOW DOWN OR COAST DOWN TO ABOUT 1-2 MPH. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER ON FEBRUARY 3RD 2014 FROM COLUMBUS AUTO BODY RESALE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO REPAIR THE TIRE TO FIND OUT THE GAS TANK WAS HANGING OFF THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT INSTALL THE GAS TANK STRAPS TO SECURE THE GAS TANK BECAUSE THE FRAME IS TO RUSTED. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS CAME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE INFORMED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY HAD REPLACED THE BELTS WITH DEFECTIVE ONES THAT SPORADICALLY COME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING. CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AT THIS TIME. WHY ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE WITH ONES THAT WORK. IF I BUY NEW ONES, WILL THEY BE DEFECTIVE. CUSTOMER SERVICE COULD NOT RESPOND WITH AN ANSWER AND IS AVOIDING ANSWERING. *TR
AIRBAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WHEN I STOPPED QUICKLY. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR
FRONT WHEEL DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF THE FRAME DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST. WHEEL IS HANGING BY THE SPRING ONLY. INSPECTION OF THE ENTIRE FRAME SHOWS VERY EXTENSIVE RUST AND IT LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEESE. *TR
MY FRAME HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MOSTLY ALL OF MY UNDERCARRIAGE BOLTS AND SUPPORTS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH THE FRAME THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FRAME METAL TO MAKE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS> INCLUDING GAS TANK FILLER PIPE, GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS, SHOCK SUPPORTS,MUFFLER MOUNTS,SIDE STEP UPS, AND SIDE PANEL: BRACKETS. THIS TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AND I FEEL A FRAME SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 13 YEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER EQUIPPED WITH COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T TIRES, SIZE P225/60R15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL IN CIRCLES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POLICE OFFICER NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06T016000 (TIRES). THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,405.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUB FRAME BEHIND THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE LEAF SPRING WAS CRACKED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. DJR
REAR FRAME RAILS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE AREAS. RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT TO FRAME HAS BROKEN OFF AND LEFT A LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME RAIL. RIGHT SIDE REAR FRAME RAIL HAS A LARGE CRACK COMPLETELY THROUGH IT. *TR
REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED SO BAD THEY BROKE APART AND STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE CARGO BED. NOW THE ENTIRE REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED I AM AFRAID TO USE THE TRAILER HITCH. FRONT SECTION IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE OWNED FORDS ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEFORE. I CAN UNDERSTAND SOME BOY PANEL RUST, BUT TO HAVE THE FRAME COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. FORD NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED TO FIX THESE TRUCKS OR BUY THEM BACK AT A FAIR MARKET VALUE.
FRAME IN REAR OF TRUCK RUSTED BADLY, REAR SHACKLE MOUNT O PASS SIDE EXTREMELY BAD WITH HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FRAME IN MULTIPLE PLACES. REAR TIRE CARRIER COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. *TR
CHASSIS IS SEVERELY RUSTED. YOU CAN BREAK CHUNKS OF METAL OFF WITH BARE HANDS.BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED OFF. STRAPS THAT HOLD GAS TANK HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. CROSS MEMBER HOLDING TRANNY IS SEVERELY RUSTED. GAS TANK FILL TUBE IS SEVERELY RUSTED GAS VAPOR RETURN TUBE RUSTED OFF. WHOLE CHASSIS. THE WHOLE FRAME IS SO RUSTED I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. TRUCK ONLY HAS 155,000 ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED (HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS)
THIS 2001 FORD RANGER TRUCK'S BODY AND INTERIOR ARE PERFECT. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED AND NO ONE WANTS TO PASS IT FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF THE FRAME. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE TRUCK HAS 103,000 HIGHWAY MILES AND IS MECHANICALLY PERFECT. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD EITHER REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE TRUCK OR BUY IT BACK FROM ME. THIS TRUCK WAS MY SECOND VEHICLE AND I NEED SOMETHING DONE WITH IT.
WHEN GOING TO INSTALL TRAILER HITCH I FOUND THAT SPRING AND SHACKLE BRACKETS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF DUE TO SEVERE RUST PERFORATION. ALSO BUMPER BRACKETS ARE COMPROMISED BY SEVERE RUST PERFORATION AS WELL AS ENTIRE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE THE SAME COMPLAINT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO MANUFACTURE OF THE FRAME METAL.I AM CONCERNED THAT MY BUMPER IS GOING TO COME OFF WHILE DRIVING OR SPARE TIRE OR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. SURFACE RUST IS EXPECTED BUT TOTAL PERFORATION OF METAL FROM RUST ON VEHICLE THIS OLD IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND IS A DEFECT IN THE METAL. *TR
THE REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS, SHACKLES AND FRAME WHERE IT MOUNTS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH RESULTING IN THE LEAF SPRING BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. ALSO, THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER OF THE FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING AND SHOWS SIGNS OF IMMINENT FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BUCKLE COULD NOT BE SAFELY SECURED WITHOUT MAKING AN ADJUSTMENT EACH TIME THE SEAT BELT WAS USED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT SECURED AND ONCE THE ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE MANUALLY BY THE CONTACT THE WARNING SENSOR WOULD GO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15000.
THE "PLASTIC" WHICH COVERS THE TWO "SPEED CONTROL SWITCHES," LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL, BADLY MELTED OVER TIME - APPARENTLY FROM HEAT OF THE LAMPS UNDER THE COVERS. IT HAS MADE ME AFRAID TO ATTEMPT TO USE THE SPEED CONTROLS FOR FEAR OF FURTHER HEAT PROBLEMS AND/OR IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DAMAGED CONTROLS. PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED PARTS ARE ATTACHED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS AND PHOTOS AND ALL I GOT WAS A "THANKS" FOR MAKING THIS KNOWN TO THEM - NOTHING MORE.
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND HAS ROT ALL OVER IT. THE TRUCK WAS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT, I CAME OUT TO GO CLEAN MY TRUCK AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS ON THE GROUND. I TAKE SUCH GOOD CARE OF MY TRUCK, BUT THE REAR END IS JUST KILLING ME. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. -THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SEATBELT UNLATCHES AT RANDOM. SEEMS TO BE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKET RUSTED AND BROKE OFF OF FRAME. FRAME, ESPECIALLY NEAR REAR OF TRUCK, IS BADLY RUSTED. *TR
I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR TIRE REPAIR AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND SEVERE ROTTING WHERE LEAF SPRINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. THERE WAS A TOTAL DISCONNECT AT THIS LOCATION WHICH EXPLAINS THE LOUD BANGING THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING. THIS IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. HE ADVISED ME THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, IT WAS THE SAME SITUATION BUT IT WASN'T DISCONNECTED YET. HE ADVISED ME FORD RANGERS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED A HUGE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. SOME COMPLAINTS SAID THAT THEY WERE DRIVING WHEN THEIR TRUCK BED GAVE WAY AND COLLAPSED WHILE IN THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION. THIS TRUCK WAS HANDED DOWN WITH LOW MILEAGE AND LITTLE REASON FOR ALL THAT RUST/ROTTING IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. I WAS ADVISED THAT HAD I BEEN CARRYING A MEDIUM OR HEAVY LOAD THE BED COULD HAVE GIVEN WAY, AND THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IN MOTION. *TR
THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRINGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY. IT IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TT
THE GAS TANK SUPPORT WHICH WAS A PART OF THE FRAME RUSTED OFF. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026