2001 Ford Ranger complaints

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

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

I WENT TO A AUTO BODY SHOP TO GET A ESTIMATE ON SOME MINOR BODY WORK, DURING THE INSPECTION PROCESS THE AUTO BODY REP FOUND THE FRAME TO THE REAR OF THE REAR TIRES WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE POINT THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE WAS THE ONLY ITEM HOLDING THE AXLE IN PLACE. UPON CHECKING THE COMPLETE FRAME HE DETERMINED THE COMPLETE FRAME WAS RUSTED AWAY TO THE POINT HE RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN. FORD ALSO DISCONTINUED THIS FRAME SO I CAN NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FRAME AND REBUILD THE TRUCK ON A NEW FRAME. NOTE THIS TRUCK WAS RARELY USED IN THE WINTER AND WAS WASHED OFTEN. PREVIOUSLY A FUEL LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING IN 2004, WHICH I REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK REGARDING THAT COMPLAINT. *TR

CONSTANT PASSENGER AIRBAG ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON AND DEALER WILL NOT CORRECT ISSUE. CONCERNED DUE TO RECENT ISSUES WITH AIRBAGS ON PREVIOUS FORD RANGERS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKET RUSTED AND BROKE OFF OF FRAME. FRAME, ESPECIALLY NEAR REAR OF TRUCK, IS BADLY RUSTED. *TR

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

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 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 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.

FAILED COMPONENT 2: FRAME AHEAD OF LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES. LEFT WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND RIGHT WAS 1/2 FRACTURED. RIGHT SHOCK STRUT MOUNT BROKEN. DRIVING AROUND TOWN HIT SEVERAL BUMPS IN ROAD DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. WHEN I PARKED THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE TRUCK BED WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED FRAME. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REMOVED THE BED AND NOTICED EXTREME RUST AND A 'PAPER THIN' FRAME.. SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND GOOD METAL TO WELD TO. I NOTICED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 2004 RANGER FRAME.

THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKEL BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME DUE TO RUST. THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP. THE STEEL SHIELD UNDER THE GAS TANK DROPPED DOWN DUE TO RUST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO A FRACTURE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM CAME APART AND MADE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE. I BOUGHT A NEW SEAT BELT AND REPLACED IT. REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT DID SAME THING 9 MONTHS LATER. DEALER REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE. 3 MONTHS LATER SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED IT AGAIN. 3 MONTHS LATER IT BROKE AGAIN. WARRANTY ON PARTS IS FOR 1 YEAR SO I AM LIABLE TO REPLACE IT. I AM CONCERNED IF THEY ARE MADE THIS POORLY, WILL I BE PROTECTED IN CASE OF A COLLISION. THE MECHANISM IS HELD TOGETHER WITH SMALL PLASTIC TABS THAT BREAKOFF AND CAUSE THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM TO COME APART AND NOT RETRACT. *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

THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT AND I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPAIR THE FRAME MULTIPLE TIMES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE CROSS MEMBERS IN THE REAR RUSTING OFF. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS THE FRAME BREAKING BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE BED BETWEEN THE SHACKLES. I COULD LITERALLY FLEX THE FRAME 4 INCHES UP AND DOWN AT THE PIVOT POINT. I FOUND THIS BREAK WHILE PARKED BUT HAD TO MISS CLASS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE FRAME. MY TRIP TO SCHOOL HAS MANY SHARP OFF RAMPS WHERE HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND BRAKING OCCURS. I'M CERTAIN IF I HAD DRIVEN TO SCHOOL THAT DAY I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHILE REPAIRING THIS BREAK I FOUND WHERE PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD FIXED THE REAR BUMPER MOUNTS AND REAR CROSS MEMBER. AFTER TAKING MY TRUCK IN TO REPLACE THE TIRES, I WAS INFORMED OF YET ANOTHER MAJOR FRAME ISSUE. UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT ON THE FRAME IS A HUGE RUSTED HOLE WITH A CRACK STARTING TO FORM DOWN THE CENTER OF THE RAIL. THIS WILL NEED REPAIRING IMMEDIATELY. THIS BEING MY FIRST FORD VEHICLE, I AM EXTREMELY RELUCTANT TO BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THE TRUCK HAD 150K+ MILES BUT IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES. I OWNED A 1992 CHEVY S10 FIVE YEARS AGO AND IT HAD ALMOST NO RUST ON THE FRAME EVEN THOUGH IT WAS AN OUT DOOR TRUCK. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

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? *TR

FAILED COMPONENT 2: FRAME AHEAD OF LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES. LEFT WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND RIGHT WAS 1/2 FRACTURED. RIGHT SHOCK STRUT MOUNT BROKEN. DRIVING AROUND TOWN HIT SEVERAL BUMPS IN ROAD DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. WHEN I PARKED THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE TRUCK BED WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED FRAME. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REMOVED THE BED AND NOTICED EXTREME RUST AND A 'PAPER THIN' FRAME.. SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND GOOD METAL TO WELD TO. I NOTICED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 2004 RANGER FRAME. *TR

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 MILEAGE WITHOUT THIS KIND OF FAILURE. *TR

SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME RAILS, REAR BUMPER IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF VEHICLE!! I JUST ARRIVED BACK IN MASSACHUSSETTS FROM WINTER IN SOUTH CAROLINA, STARTED TO PREPARE MY FORD RANGER TO GO BACK ON THE ROAD, OBSERVED THAT THE REAR BUMPER APPEARED TO BE HANGING LOWER THAN NORMAL. I TUGGED ON THE REAR BUMPER AND FOUND THAT I COULD EASILY MOVE IT UP OR DOWN, CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE SO RUSTED THAT THE BUMPER IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE, SPARE WHEEL WELL AND LIFTING MECHANISM ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AS WELL. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RECEIVER UNLATCHES SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE RED BUTTON DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE UNIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE UNLATCHING. BODILY INJURY COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON SOME 2001 FORD RANGERS FOR THE SAFETY BELT BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING RECALL OR PROGRAMS ON THIS UNIT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, COMING UP TO A THIRD SPEED BUMP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND MY ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED GOING FASTER. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY TRUCK SPUN OUT, OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT LOCK UP; THE SHOULDER STRAP STAYED LOOSE, AND MY HEAD WAS BEING HIT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, SOMEHOW I FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. 05/17/13 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO GET THE RECALL FIXED, AND GET EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE, REGULAR CAB FROM A DEALER IN CONNECTICUT. THE EXTERIOR BODY PANELS THEMSELVES LOOKS IMMACULATE NOT A SPOT OF RUST ANYWHERE, HOWEVER, AFTER I HAD DRIVEN HOME THE VEHICLE AND HAD MY FAMILY MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER HE DISCOVERED THERE ARE TWO LOCATIONS WHERE THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED/ ROTTED THROUGH (OVER 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER) ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE, ADJACENT TO THE GAS TANK. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS VERY WELL CARED FOR. THIS MECHANIC THEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THIS VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BORDERLINE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,238.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDED ENGINE STALL DURING HIGHWAY AND UPHILL DRIVING. STOPPED AT FUEL STATION TO FILL TANK; WHEN TANK APPROACHED FULL; SOUND OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE NOTED FOLLOWED BY LARGE FUEL SPILLAGE FROM TANK AREA (SATURATED TRUCK RT REAR UNDERBELLY, GROUND, REAR TIRE, MY SHOES AND LOWER PORTION OF PANTS). SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED GAS TANK STRAP DETACHED FROM FRAME DUE TO SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD FRAME ROT. TANK APPARENTLY HANGING FROM REMAINING CORROSION DAMAGED STRAP AND FUEL FILLER NECK (CAUSED TANK TO TILT BACKWARDS; STARVING ENGINE OF FUEL DURING UPHILL OR DYNAMIC DRIVING). FUEL FILLER NECK WAS ALSO SEVERELY ROTTED AND FINALLY FAILED DURING FUEL FILL CAUSING ENTIRE TANK LOADED WITH 16 GALLONS FUEL TO BECOME DETACHED AT SHARP ANGLE. FOLLOWING INCIDENT; VEHICLE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED REVEALING EXTENSIVE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT DISINTEGRATION DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF FORD DESIGNED SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS. LARGE AREAS OF MATERIAL MISSING FROM BOTH FRONT FRAME MEMBERS (REAR OF ENGINE), LARGE HOLES IN FRAME AREAS FORWARD OF REAR WHEELS (WHERE FUEL TANK STRAPS ATTACK), SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT CORROSION. VEHICLE CONDEMNED BY INSPECTION PERSONNEL; NOW SITS IDLE IN DRIVEWAY. RANGER PURCHASED NEW (YEAR END, 2001) WITH DEALER RUST-PROOF. VEHICLE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND KEPT FREE FROM ROAD SALT WITH REGULAR UNDERBELLY WASH. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 120,000 MILES AND LOOKED VERY CLEAN ON EXTERIOR. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY 35 YEAR DRIVING HISTO

2001 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRE MOUNT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FULL SIZED SPARE TIRE ON THE TRUCK, WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE CARGO BED. IT WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY A STRANDED STEEL CABLE, ONE END OF WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO A SWAGED STEEL FITTING WHICH WENT THROUGH THE CENTRAL HOLE OF THE SPARE, THE OTHER END TO A WINCH WHICH LOWERED AND RAISED THE SPARE. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP AND SAW THE SPARE TIRE HAD FALLEN OUT OF ITS STORAGE PLACE AND WAS SITTING IN THE ROADWAY BEHIND HIM. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE MECHANISM, HE FOUND THE SWAGED JOINT BETWEEN THE STEEL FITTING AND THE CABLE HAD CORRODED AND FAILED. FORTUNATELY, WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE.

AT FAULT DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPR. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. TOTALED THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 RANGER. I SUFFERED BROKEN KNEECAP AND STERNUM. AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN. RANGER TOWED .. *TR

BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING NOTICE THE BED WAS OFF CENTER. PUT TRUCK ON LIFE AND FOUND WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. *TR

WENT TO REAR OF TRUCK AND FOUND BUMPER HAD BROKEN FREE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. LOOKED UNDER THE TUCK AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IN THE REAR IS ROTTED AND THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE IN DANGER OF COMING COMPLETELY OFF. THE BUMPER IS ENTIRELY FREE FROM THE TRUCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME DIRECTLY OVER THE TIRE IS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THIS IS THE WORST FRAME I HAVE EVER SEEN AND HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE 70'S AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS MESS. *TR

I ATTACHED A YARD TRAILER TO THE RECEIVER HITCH AND AS I PULLED OUT OF THE YARD THE HITCH PULLED RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW ABOUT A FOOT OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AWAY AND THE SPRINGS WERE PUSHED UP ONTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NO APPARENT RUST. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRAILER WOULD HAVE GONE SAILING DOWN THE HIGHWAY POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. BOTH REAR SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. *TR

UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS CAUSING PARTS ON FRAME TO FAIL AND FALL OFF. *TR

RIGHT REAR IS TWO INCHES LOWER THAN LEFT SIDE, FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *TR

FAILED NYS INSPECTION DUE TO STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN FRAME. ADDITIONALLY THE BRACKET HOLDING ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING THE TANK SUSPENDED BY ONLY ONE STRAP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001(SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD BE REPLACED FOR $600. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY SOMEONE WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE WAS TRAVELING AROUND 40 (ISH) MPH. SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND BENT OUT OF SHAPE IN THE REAR END. *TR

FRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND SUB FRAME HAD CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2001 FORD RANGER WAS TAKEN INTO AUTO SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES AND THE FRAME ROTTED AND ABOUT READY TO FAIL COMPLETELY. THE SPRINGS WERE FOUND TO BE PRESSING UP ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. ALSO NOTED BUMPER WAS ABOUT READY TO FALL OFF. ALL OF THIS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME. NO MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE MECHANIC TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROAD WAS ADVISED. *TR

I OWN A FORD RANGER AND THE FRAME WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS ATTACH HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT! IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? *TR

REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET HASEXSESSIVE AMOUT OF RUST AND WILL BREAK OFF. *TR

DURING MY ANNUAL INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET WAS RUSTED OFF AND PART OF THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AWAY. WOULD NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION.... *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SHACKLE WELDS BROKE FOR THE LEAFSPRING SUPPORT. IT MADE A CLUNKING NOISE, SO I CHECKED IT & SEEN THAT IT WAS BROKE. WERE THEN I NOTICED THE TRUCK BOX BEING LIFTED ON THAT SIDE. *TR

REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY (WHEELS, AXLE, LEAF-SPRINGS) BECAME DETACHED FROM FRAME DUE TO SEVERE AND PREMATURE FRAME AND LEAF-SPRING BRACKET CORROSION (FAILURE CAUSED ABRUPT PULL TO CENTER OF HIGHWAY AT SPEED, FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT, SINCE I AM A PRETTY GOOD DRIVER). SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE FRAME AND CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND VARIOUS OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS NOTED TO BE MANUFACTURED FROM ULTRA-LOW CARBON STEEL (KNOWN TO TURN TO DUST WHEN EXPOSED TO WEATHER). VEHICLE IS A 2001 WITH ONLY 113,000 MILES; TRUCK IS BASICALLY JUNK AT THIS POINT WITH NO CHANCE OF REPLACING THE NUMEROUS COMPONENTS EFFECTED. I REPLACED THE LEAF-SPRING BRACKETS; HOWEVER I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT MAY KILL ME. GOOD JOB FORD INSTILLING CUSTOMER SAFETY, SATISFACTION AND QUALITY ENGINEERING. HOPE THE FEW BUCKS YOU SAVED BY USING SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS ON CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WAS WORTH IT. I GUARANTEE MY FAMILY WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. -HUSBAND, FATHER OF TWO... *TR

REAR OF FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY. REAR BUMPER IS READY TO FALL OFF. LEFT SPRING UP AGAINST BED FLOOR. THIS TRUCK HAS THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST ON IT NO OTHER PROBLEMS EVER I USE FORD 5W20 SYN. BLEND OIL, CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. GUESS I WASTED ALL THAT MONEY?? I GET 24 MILES TO THE GAL. HIGHWAY. NOW I CANT TAKE IT THERE. STILL LOOKS GOOD SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I AM 68 YRS.OLD, MY ONLY VEH. NO MONEY FOR ANOTHER VEC. NOW WHAT???? THANKS FOR LETTING ME RAMBLE.........[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE FRAME OF MY 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. AT ONE POINT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A LITTLE NOISE SO I STOPPED AND THE SPARE TIRE CAME ROLLING BY ME DOWN THE STREET. ONE OF MY LEAF SPRINGS CRACKED SO I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HE SAID THE FRAME WAS ALL ROTTED OUT AND THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS YEAR RANGER. HE SAID THE SHACKLES THAT HOLD ON THE LEAF SPRIG WERE BROKEN BECAUSE OF ROT. SO HE BRACED UP SOME AREAS WITH METAL AND INSTALLED NEW LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES. THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS TILTED BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. I CANT GIVE YOU AN EXACT DATE THAT THIS FIRST HAPPENED BUT I BELIEVE IT IS AROUND THE DATE I PUT DOWN. I GET NERVOUS TOWING MY BOAT OR MY POP UP TRAILER BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE MATERIAL USED TO BUILD THE FRAME WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

ON THE DATE LISTED, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE FORD RANGER IS NOTORIUS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE: 1. FAILING TO GO INTO REVERSE, 2. FAILING TO GO INTO FORWARD AFTER STOPPING, 3. JUMPING GEARS, OR SLOW GEAR CHANGES. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY OTHER SHOPS AS WELL AS A GOOGLE SEARCH. IN FACT, THE PROBLEM MAY BE SEVERLY UNDER REPORTED AS FORD DEALERSHIPS MAY LIST AS OTHER PROBLEMS AND SMALLER SHOPS MAY NOT LINK THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR, SO I'M SURE FORD DOES NOT WANT TO BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL OF THE RANGERS, AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES AFFECT SEVERAL YEARS OF RANGERS ON THE MARKET. PLEASE GOOGLE FORD RANGER TRANSMISSIONS, AND LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. LOOK AT THE BLOGS AND GROUPS THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WHICH IF IT INVOLVES THE VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD, COULD IMPACT THE PASSENGERS IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP OR SUBDIVISION STREETS. THIS IS A WIDEPSREAD PROBLEM THAT IS UNDER REPORTED AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED, AND IT NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED IN MORE DETAIL. *TR