Owners filed 670 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 8 times.
When it fails
08200082,000 milesMedian miles at failure
282 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Tires
72
7
0
7
Structure › Body
44
0
0
0
Tires › Tread/Belt
41
2
0
9
Air Bags › Frontal
40
33
0
32
Vehicle Speed Control
34
1
2
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
30
0
0
0
Suspension
25
1
0
0
Structure › Frame and Members
25
0
1
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
22
5
0
5
Tires › Sidewall
14
0
0
0
8 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.
Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport
Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Tires › Tread/Belt01X001000
Filed May 22, 200113,000,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Risk. SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Tires › Tread/Belt00T005000
Filed Aug 21, 200014,400,000 vehiclesBridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Defect. TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Risk. IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Seat Belts00V228001
Filed Aug 18, 2000144,435 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System00V094000
Filed Mar 28, 200049 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L OHC ENGINES. ENGINE COOLANT CIRCULATION THROUGH THE HEATER CIRCUIT IS PREVENTED BECAUSE OF A PLUGGED HEATER RETURN TUBE (WATER PUMP INLET TUBE) AT THE WATER PUMP. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE INTENT OF FMVSS NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS."
Risk. AS A RESULT OF NO HEAT IN THE HEATER CIRCUIT, DEFROST PERFORMANCE IS COMPROMISED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PLUGGED HEATER WATER RETURN TUBES.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 22, 202224,449 milesGA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger equipped with Kenda Tire, tire line Kenetica, tire size P235/75/R15, and Dot Number K3DK. The contact stated he notice that tread separation from the rear passenger side tire. On another occasion the contact had a blowout on the front driver side where the tread separation. The front driver side tire was replaced with a used tired and the rear tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contact. The failure mileage 5,000 and 24,449.
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Aug 10, 2022200,000 milesNJ
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated after a short drive at approximately 30 MPH, the contact parked the vehicle at his residence. The contact heard a loud bang and observed through his residence window that the vehicle was on fire that was confined to the engine compartment. The flames eventually spread to the passenger cabin. The fire department was called. The fire was extinguished with chemicals. The fire marshal wrote a report and advised the contact that the fire could be related to a NHTSA Safety Campaign. The contact's vehicle shows one open recall associated with NHTSA Safety Campaign Number: 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 2, 202250,000 milesOH
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the entire subframe of the vehicle was corroded and was cracking and disintegrating. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 10, 2021WV
The back end frame has completely rusted out, while the cab frame is in perfect condition. I have read about everyone that has a ranger from 1995-200 has had this issue. My truck only has 127k miles on it and has been kept in wonderful condition, and the bed frame has made it unsafe to drive.
Power Train
Filed Jun 2, 202191,264 milesAZ
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the gear shifter had to be shifted into neutral to start the vehicle. The gear shifter was not matching with the actual gear that was selected. While the vehicle was in park, the vehicle would roll backward before the park was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the shift range bracket and ignition lock cylinder were replaced however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V062000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 91,264.
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 23, 2021153,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.
Power Train
Filed Apr 9, 2021136,000 milesOH
THE FRAME RAILS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE SHOCKS BOLT UP HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED THROUGH THE METAL ON PASSENGER SIDE & THE DRIVER SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND FRAME CRACKED
Structure › Body
Filed Apr 3, 2021TX
FRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Structure › Body
Filed Nov 23, 202070,000 milesTX
BOTH THE BACK SEAT SMALL DOORS WERE LOCKED AND UNOPERABLE SINCE 2015 (THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR WITHOUT PAYING FOR SERVICE- THEY SAID WILL COST $1,000.00 FOR EACH DOOR AND JUST TO EXAM COST. THAT WAS NOT THE REPAIR COST YET) 2020 IN AUGUST, PERHAPS, THE BACK GATE DOOR FOR THE TRUNK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED, FELLED OUT FROM THE ROLLER. THAT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BACK GATE TO THE BED OF THE TRUCK I HAD TO PUT BACK TO THE ROLLER. AND, IT IS NOT SURE THAT THE GATE IS STABLE CONDITION. UNDER THE DASHBOARD, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER JUST TOUCHED AND COLLAPSED-BROKEN INSIDE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND COULD NOT PULL IT OUT. SO, IT IS STILL INSIDE UNDER THE DASHBOARD (NOTICE: THAT FEATURE-THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER NOBODY USED SINCE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE- NON SMOKER OWNER). THE UNDER BODY VEHICLE COST A LOT TO REPAIR THROUGH THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES CURRENTLY.
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2020158,000 milesVT
I LOOKED UP MY VIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND THERE ARE RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED.
Power Train
Filed Mar 9, 2020109,712 milesIL
TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL LEAKED OUT GOOD THING I WASN'T DRIVING HAD TO REPLACE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AT THAT TIME
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 7, 2020MA
FRAME IS ROTTED WITH ONLY 75,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. SEEMS AS TRUCK WILL BREAK IN HALF
Seats
Filed Nov 16, 2019191,800 milesCA
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVERS SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLTS FAILED CAUSING SEAT TO FALL BACK UNTIL STOPPED BY REAR WALL OF VEHICLE. SINCE THIS WAS A SUPER CAB XLT, THE FALL BACKWARDS WAS SIGNIFICANT CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT ONE OF THE TWO BOLTS HAD FAILED QUITE AWHILE AGO SINCE THE HEAD SHOWED SIGNS OF RUST.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 9, 201968,900 milesTX
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED PLANET FORD (20403 I-45, SPRING, TX 77388, (281) 719-3700) AND SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,900.
Structure › Body
Filed Aug 29, 2019260,000 milesWV
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, A THUMPING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BED OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND MISALIGNED. ALSO, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRAME BEHIND THE CAB WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. TODD JUDY FORD (7891 MACCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. *TT*JB Broken frame
Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2019129,000 milesNC
THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE. SOMETIMES HAVE TO MOVE AROUND BIT TO GET INTO PARK OR DRIVE. THE OTHER DAY I HAD IT IN PARK, WITH THE TRUCK RUNNING AND AFTER I WAS OUT OF IT, IT STARTED MOVING. I HAD TO RUN AROUND AND GET BACK IN TO STOP IT. LUCKILY HAD THE DOOR OPEN. NO MORE LEAVING IT RUNNING WHEN NOT IN THE TRUCK.
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 19, 2019170,000 milesNY
MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON FRAME, FRONT AND REAR BUMPER, LEAF SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS, BRACKET HOLDING BODY TO FRAME., AND RADIATOR SUPPORT.
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 19, 2019217,000 milesNY
RUST ON FRAME, RADIATOR SUPPORT AND UNDER CARRIAGE.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.