FRAME WAS NOTED TO HAVE SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR PORTION OF FRAME, HOWEVER,THE FRONT PORTION OFTHE FRAME DOES NOT SHOW SUCH DAMAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE SO COMMON THAT THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FRAME REPAIR KIT FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAS NO OTHER ISSUES. I BELIEVE THAT IT SOULD NOT BE MUCH TO ASK TO HAVE DEFECT REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO AVOID SAFETY ISSUES.
2001 Ford Ranger complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
TRUCK HAS 86,000 AND LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW CONDITION, HOWEVER, THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED, OUR AUTO MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCKS LIFE IS COMING TO AN END. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND THEY CAN NOT COMMENT AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD HELP PAY FOR A FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH THEY DECLINED. *TR
SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED AT LOW SPEEDS UPON HITTING BUMPS. *TR
REAR FRAME ON RANGER IS RUSTING. THE SLOT WHERE THE GAS TANK STRAP HOOKS ON TO THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO DROP THE WHOLE BACK FRAME LOOKS BAD. *TR
TRUCK VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND A BRAKE FAILURE PROMPT THE DRIVER TO SWITCH INTO DRIVE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SPUN OFF OUT OF CONTROL(BURNING TIRE) AND IT TOOK OFF VERY FAST WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. DRIVER TRIED TO STOP IT BUT NOTHING WORKED. *KB
DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCHES AND SWITCHES. PREVENTS DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY AND ALSO PREVENTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO SHUT OFF. DOORS SHUT BUT DON'T LATCH FULLY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DOOR TO POP OPEN. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL A WHILE AGO. WHEN TALKING TO MY MECHANIC AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH A 99-01 RANGER EXTENDED CAB 4 DOOR THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT SOMEONE IN THE BACK JUMP SEAT WILL BE LEANING UP AGAINST THE DOOR AND IT WILL POP OPEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY FIX THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THIS IS A FORD RANGER PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING IT!!! *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL PORTIONS OF THE FRAME, FUEL SYSTEM, AND BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT ENDS OF THE FRAME WERE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE RUSTING AND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RUSTING BEGAN APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ UPDATED 01/03/12
NOTICED MY TRUCK WAS SITTING CROOKED. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE REPAIRED. ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED MY PHONE AND ASKED ME TO COME TO THEIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE RUSTED SPRING SHACKLES AND RUSTED SPRING HANGERS AND THE RUSTED FRAME. THIS SHOP WOULD NOT PUT MY TRAILER HITCH BACK ON BECAUSE HE SAID MY RUSTY FRAME WOULD NOT HOLD IT UP. I TOOK MY TRUCK BACK TO A FORD DEALER FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS PAID FOR, WARRANTY WAS OUT AND AS FAR AS THEY WERE CONCERNED THE PROBLEM WAS MINE. I TRIED TO TELL THE DEALER THAT THIS DIDN,T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. HE DIDN,T CARE. I HAVE HAD PARTS OF THE FRAME PLATED SO IT WOULDN,T BREAK INTO. GAS TANK BRACKETS HAVE RUSTED OFF. MAIN FRONT CROSSMEMBER HAS RUST HOLES IN IT. THIS TRUCK WAS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND ITS JUNK. TRIED TO TRADE IT OFF AT A DEALER FIRST THING THEY LOOK AT IS THE FRAME. THE DEALERS KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAMES RUSTING. AND MINE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THE AREA WITH RUSTED FRAME PROBLEMS. MY SON HAS A 2004 FORD THATS ALMOST AS BAD AS MINE. I HAVE A 1955 FORD TRUCK THAT HAS A BETTER FRAME UNDER IT THAN MY 2001. SAD BUT TRUE. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY TRUCK FOR THOSE FIRST 7 YEARS BUT WHO CRAWLS UNDER THEIR CAR OR TRUCK TO CHECK FOR RUST. YOU EXPECT SOME BUT NOT TO THIS EXTENT. *TR
REAR LEAF SPRING HANGERS FAILED & SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE LEAF SPRING TO DAMAGE THE BED OF THE TRUCK AS THE LEAF SPRING DROVE THROUGH THE SKIN OF THE TRUCK BED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS BURNING. PUT FIRE OUT AND TOWED THE PICK UP TO THE SHOP WHERE IT REMAINS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH I SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO THE WOODS. I THOUGHT THAT THE TRUCK MIGHT ROLL. UPON INSPECTION, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS NEARLY FLAT. WHEN I BROUGHT THE WHEEL/TIRE TO GET IT REPAIRED I WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE TIRE WAS OKAY. THE FOLKS AT THE WHEEL & TIRE PLACE SHOWED ME HOW THE WHEEL WAS DESIGNED TO TRAP WATER AND WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED FORD, WHO IGNORED THE DESIGN-FLAW ASPECT, AND TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF LUCK SINCE THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. I HOPE THAT CHANGES. *TR
2001 FORD RANGER WITH 86866K. IN AROUND SEPT 2010 I HEARD A THUMP AND BANGING FROM THE BACK. UPON HOME I LOOKED UNDER I SAW THAT THE SHACKLE MOUNT ROTTED AND BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT BREAK BUT NOT ANY BETTER THEN THE ONE THAT BROKE. I BOUGHT THE SHACKLE AND THE SHACKLE MOUNTS. AFTER I REMOVED THE SHACKLE MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I SAW ROT THROUGH THE FRAME AS WELL HEAVY FLAKING RUST THRO-OUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID IN A NUT SHELL TOO BAD. *KB
REAR PORTION OF FRAME AND LEAF SPRING BRACKETS ROTTED FRAME HAS ROTTED THROUGH. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING TAGS ON THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERLEY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 280,000. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 01/20/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL, HAZARD, AND BRAKE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT IT COULD BE RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. ALL OF THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
MY 2001 FORD RANGER REAR SAFETY LIGHTS (TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS) WILL ONLY WORK WHEN MY TILT STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE FULL UP RIGHT POSITION. I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE. MY WIFE MUST PLACE THE TILT WHEEL IN A LOWER POSITION TO DRIVE. SINCE THERE ARE NO REAR SAFETY LIGHTS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN THIS POSITION SHE CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED THE SAME READING, UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE NEEDLE WITHIN THE OIL GAUGE WOULD FLUTTER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE OIL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I HAVE A 2001 RANGER EDGE AND THE BUMPER MOUNTS . REAR SHACKLES AND SUPPORT PLATES THAT HOLD SHACKLE HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NOW THE SPRINGS ARE SITTING UP AGAINST THE BED OF THE TRUCK ALSO WHERE THE SUPPORT PLATE MOUNTS TO THE CHASSIS THERE ARE HUGE RUST HOLES SO IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED . THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD!!!! WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
I BROUGHT MY 2001 FORD RANGER IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL NEW YORK INSPECTION. THE INSPECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DANGEROUSLY WEAK DUE TO RUST BY THE REAR SHACKLE BRACKETS WHICH THE LEAF SPRING IS ATTACHED TO. I HAD THESE BRACKETS REPLACED A FEW YEARS EARLY BECAUSE ONE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. I WOULD HAT TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY FRAME FAILED WHILE ON A INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I AM 63 YEARS OLD AND NEVER DID I HAVE A FRAME RUST OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP WHICH WELDED NEW STEEL ON THE FRAME BOTH SIDES.
I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE, 4 DOOR, 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCK FROM THE NYKAR STORE OFF OF EBAY MOTORS IN JANUARY. THE AD FALSELY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE DISCLOSED, BUT SOON I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE THAT WAS COVERED UP WITH FILLER AND UNDERCOATING. THE FRAME, WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS CONNECT ARE SO VISIBLE RUSTED AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT THE HOLES ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT MY FINGERS THROUGH, AT LEAST ONCE ALL OF THE FLAKING RUST, FILLER AND UNDERCOATING WERE REMOVED. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED. IT WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH WILL COST MORE THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT IS TOTALED FROM A DISHONEST DEALER, BUT THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED THIS BAD. IF I HAD HIT A POT HOLE, ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES COULD HAVE SHEERED OFF AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR PERSONAL INJURY. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE IN THIS SITUATION.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND NOTICED THAT THE BUTTONS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 03/31/11
THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER HAS ROTTED AWAY. IT HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY MY STATE INSPECTION CENTER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AND IT HAS BEEN UNSAFE FOR QUITE A WHILE WITHOUT ME KNOWING IT.. IT ONLY HAS 95,000 MILES AND IS NOW UNUSABLE. IT IS THE TRUCK I USE FOR MY CARPENTRY WORK AND I AM NOW OUT OF WORK. *TR
I SENT IN A HARD COPY LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO FORD SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2009. UPON STOPPING AT A PARTY STORE WITH MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FORD 2001 RANGER V6 XLT 4X4 MOTOR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NEARLY GOING INTO THE STORE. I TRIED TO STOP IT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ONLY THING, WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM CRASHING INTO A WALL AND POSSIBLY SEVERELY INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, WAS A PROTECTIVE POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE RANGER WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE CEMENT POST AND WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND FRAME. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE ENGINE.. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SEVERE BUMPER AND FRONT-END DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE RANGE HAS 35,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT GILL AND FREEDOM IN THE SPRING OF 2003 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RANGER ACCELERATED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I JAMMED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED WAS ABLE TO PUT GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO DAMAGE TO RANGER. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALLED LAKE WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. USED SAME TECHNIQUE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER IT JUMPED A CURB AND ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ADJACENT STREET. AGAIN, NO DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. I HAVE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THAT WERE REPORTED BY OTHERS HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/RANGER/2002/BRAKES/ACCELERATES_WHEN_APPLYING_BRAKES.SHTML IN 2010 A SIMILAR INCIDENT MARCH 12TH 2010 WAS REPORTED BY A NISSAN PICKUP HOWEVER, T
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN IT WAS FOGGY, COLD, RAINY OR DAMP. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEALS ON THE REAR AXLE LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN 2009 THAT THE CONTACT BELIEVED WAS DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,944. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/06/11
2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 EXTENDED CAB - FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IN THE REAR AND HAS HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN THE FRONT WHERE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE MOUNTED. FRAME RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AT REAR SPRING MOUNTS THEY BROKE LOOSE WENT UP AND HIT BED ONE SIDE POKED HOLE IN BED. I CALLED FORD AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE REAR BRACKETS BROKE LOOSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS TOYOTA HAS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 03/16/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING LOWER TO THE GROUND THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY TO BE INSPECTED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE HINGES WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK TO THE FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 01/25/11*LJ THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN EVAP LEAK.
THE FRAME JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES IS GETTING THIN WITH SMALL HOLES IN IT. ALSO THE CROSSMEMBER BEHIND THE TRANSFER CASE THAT HOLDS THE FRONT GAS TANK SUPPORT IS ROTTED OUT PRETTY BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ARE GETTING PRETTY THIN AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON.
IN 2001 PURCHASED A NEW FORD 2001 XLT RANGER FROM A DEALERSHIP. IN MARCH/APRIL 2009, AT 76,000 MILES IT BECAME NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKELINE SYSTEM DUE TO ROT. IN DEC /JAN 2009 THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE REAR BUMPER BECAME LOOSE. IN THE EARLY SPRING OF 2010 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SET FOR SERVICE AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME AND BED ATTACHMENT, LEAF SPRINGS AND FRAME ATTACHMENTS, MAIN FRAME, WERE CORRODED AND ROTTED WITH VISIBLE HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN BECAUSE A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT FRAME IS UNAVAILABLE AND REPAIRS AT THIS TIME ARE UNAFFORDABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO AN AUTOMOTIVE CENTER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONTACT WHERE THE METAL ON THE CALIPER WAS DETERIORATING AND FLAKING OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE BEING INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING, THEN IT STOPPED AND BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE ACCELERATED CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CERTAIN IF ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED 30 SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREOWNED AND IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2009. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE OVERFLOW SYSTEM(?) DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. YOU CANNOT HAVE HARDLY ANY PRESSURE OR, AS YOU FILL, THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK BEFORE THE SAFETY FEATURE ON GAS PUMPS CAN TURN OFF. GAS SPEWS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, OUT ONTO THE GROUND, ONTO MY HAND, ONTO MY FEET. THIS CREATES A COMBUSTION POSSIBILITY AT THE GAS TANK AS WELL AS THE GAS PUMP. THIS OCCURS ABOUT 99% OF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO THE TANK. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FULL THE TANK IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT IT CAN BE FIXED IS BY DROPPING THE GAS TANK. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD IT IS OCCURRING IN OTHER, NEWER FORD PICKUPS. DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER, WHICH NOW HAS 96000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 90000 MILES, THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF OF THE FRAME. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THE TRUCK BED DROPPED DOWN ON TO THE SHACKLE EAR WITH A TU=HUD AND SHOOK THE TRUCK. THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE HOUSING HAS ALSO RUSTED AWAY. *TR
CORRODED SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN GASOLINE LINE LEAKING GASOLINE IN LARGE VOLUMES, RESULTING IN DANGER OF FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR CENTER, AWAITING A NEW LINE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE DEALER TO ANOTHER BECAUSE THE FORD WAREHOUSE HAS ZERO LINES IN STOCK. *TR
RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK HAS RESULTED IN THE TRUCK NEED A NEW FRAME OR I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TRUCK. STARTED IN 2009 THE BUMPER FELL OFF AND I HAD TO PUT STEEL ON THE END OF THE FRAME TO SUPPORT THE BUMPER . IN 2010 THE SPRING HANGER BROKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS GONE , FROM THE BACK WHEELS TO THE BUMPER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED LARGE HOLES, BROKE AND WAS COVERED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FAULTY AND POORLY DESIGNED. THE REAR SPRING MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RUST CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT PULSATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,800.
WAS IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT YESTERDAY IN WHICH A CAR RAN A LIGHT AND HIT ME ALMOST HEAD ON. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. I WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT ARROW TO GO. WHEN THE ARROW CHANGED I PROCEEDED TO TURN. 1/2 INTO MY TURN I WAS HIT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH. PROBLEM WAS MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD RANGER DOWN THE ROAD, I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS AND SOMETHING POPPED. MY CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOW INCAPABLE OF ACTUATING THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS OR PUT IT IN GEAR AFTER I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO JERK THE GEARSHIFT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP AS TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. WE HAD TO PUSH THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. AFTER EXAMINING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I SAW THAT THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE THAT ATTACHES TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD POPPED OFF. THE ROLL PIN THAT SECURES THAT PARTICULAR CONNECTION HAD WORKED ITSELF LOOSE AND ALLOWED THE LINE TO POP OFF. THE NEXT DAY I REMOVED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, RESERVOIR, AND HYDRAULIC LINE. ALL THE PARTS WERE STILL GOOD, SO I BENCH BLED THE ASSEMBLY, INSTALLED, AND BLED THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I READ THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND ISSUED A FREE FIX IF A CUSTOMER HAS THIS PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK IS UNDER WARRANTY. WELL, MY TRUCK ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND FIXING IT MYSELF WAS A HASSLE. I DON'T NEED MY CLUTCH PARTS FAILING LIKE THIS WHEN I'M CROSSING AN INTERSECTION NOR DOES ANYONE ELSE. IT'S A MAJOR DISTRACTION THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. EVEN IF THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T QUALIFY AS A RECALL ISSUE, THEY COULD AT LEAST MAIL ME A COTTER PIN WITH A LETTER TELLING ME TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TSB NUMBER IS 01-24-1 DATED 10/01/2001. *TR
2001 FORD RANGER WET ROAD HYDROPLANNED STRIKING CONCRETE BARRIER DRIVER SIDE TWICE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE DOORS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE FORD DEALER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY FORD RANGER, (2001 XLT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IN AN ATTEMPT TO WARM UP THE TRUCK AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN ACTING UP AS IT WAS NOT SHIFTING AS WELL AS IT SHOULD INTO HIGHER GEARS. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING TROUBLE GOING PAST 10-15 MPH BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS AND WAS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. AS I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK TO WARM UP THE TRUCK, IT WAS NOT GOING AS FAST AS NORMAL AND IT WARMED UP IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND CHECKED THE OIL WHICH WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I PROCEEDED TO GO TO QT AND GET SOME GAS AND ON MY WAY BACK TO WORK, I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND TOOK OFF AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY FOOT WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. I THEN COULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN AT THE NEXT LIGHT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE RIGHT TURN SAFELY. I HAD TO MAKE A U TURN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER PUTTING THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT AND HAD A CO-WORKER WATCH AS I CRANKED UP THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TIRES WERE SPINNING LIKE CRAZY AND THE RPMS WERE WAY UP. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF QUICKLY AS WITH THE PARKING BRAKE O
TRANS SHIFT PROBLEM 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT HARD SHIFT STARTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO 2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 ,STARTED ONLY DOING IT ON COLD STARTS NOW DOES IT ALL THE TIME COLD OR HOT HAVE TO LET OFF ACCELERATOR TO GET TO SHIFT OR MANUALLY SHIFT FROM SHIFT LEVER.OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES AS SOON AS IT SLAMS INTO GEAR ,TRANS SLIP. FORD HAS HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH TRANS. BEEN A AUTO TECH FOR FORD FOR MANY YEARS ITS TIME TO HAVE FORD LOOK AT THE ON GOING PROBLEMS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE VIOLENTLY AND ACT AS IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE REASON BEHIND THE FAILURE. SEVERAL REPAIRS, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, TO DATE, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 02/23/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. UPDATED 08/12/10
2001 FORD RANGER 2WD 52K MILES. REAR FRAME ROTTED THROUGH AT LEAF SPRING BRACKETS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND SHACKLES ROTTED APART FROM FRAME. CROSSMEMBER AT FUEL TANK ROTTED THROUGH. SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THIS MAY BE RELATED TO ROAD SALT USE BUT MY OTHER (OLDER) VEHICLES NEVER ROTTED OUT TO THIS EXTENT. NOT SURE WHAT MY FINAL FIX WILL BE YET, BUT IT WILL INVOLVE SOME PATCHING AND WELDING. WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE FRAME, OR AT LEAST BACK HALF OF FRAME TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE AND LAST LONG ENOUGH TO REACH 100K MILES. DISAPPOINTING FAILURE FROM AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURER. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER AND HAVE A REALLY BAD RUSTING ISSUE ON THE REAR FRAME. THE FRONT HALF SEEMS FINE BUT THE REAR HALF IS RUSTING REALLY BAD AND I FEAR THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD LARGE CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL FALL OFF THAT MORE CRITICAL PARTS MAY BE WEAKENED BY THE BAD RUST. I BELONG TO A RANGER FORUM AND KNOW THAT MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS ME. *TR
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK OVER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED (10 MPH), AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I THOUGHT THE BRAKING SYSTEMS IN MODERN TRUCKS HAVE REDUNDANT LINES SO THAT IF THERE IS A LEAK, ONLY HALF THE BRAKES FAIL? *TR
2001 FORD RANGER SPEED CONTROL DID NOT WORK. BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE SERVO WAS REPLACED FOR $316.90. SPEED CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH NEVER WORKED, BLINKING THEFT LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY, AND A WIRING ODOR IS NOTICEABLE. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF SERVO, THE SPEED CONTROL STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE TRUCK HAS APPROX. 34000+ MILES ON IT WHEN IT WENT INTO THE GARAGE FOR THIS WORK. MY QUESTION IS WHY, WITH SO MANY APPARENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THIS TRUCK WAS NOT PUT ON THE RECALL LIST? *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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