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2000 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

282 reports with mileage · 388 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

86 crash reports12 fire reports64 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

37 reports
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77,995 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HAVE MUFFLER REPLACED AND BEHIND BOTH FRONT WHEELS THE FRAME IS ROTTEN TO THE POINT IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. 3 YEARS AGO I HAD THE TIE ROD END FALL OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE TRUCK RUNS GREAT, BODY IS STILL SHINY AND IN GOOD SHAPE BUT THE FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTEN. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD THE O…

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I TOOK THE TRUCK TO HAVE MUFFLER REPLACED AND BEHIND BOTH FRONT WHEELS THE FRAME IS ROTTEN TO THE POINT IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. 3 YEARS AGO I HAD THE TIE ROD END FALL OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE TRUCK RUNS GREAT, BODY IS STILL SHINY AND IN GOOD SHAPE BUT THE FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTEN. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD THE OIL PAN ROTTED OUT AND TO REPLACE IT THE MOTOR HAS TO BE PULLED. I MAINTAINED THE TRUCK WELL ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS JUNK AT 78,000 MILES AND ONLY WORTH JUNK PRICE. SEEM I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT FORD TRUCKS BUT NOT ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507090

86,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB 4X4 I FIRST STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ALTERNATOR IT JUST STOPPED WORKING, TOOK TO SHOP AND THE BRUSHES ON IT WAS WORE OUT HAD THE REPLACED AND IT LASTED 2 DAYS AND SAME PROBLEM SO HAD TO BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR AT 300.00 IT LASTED 4 DAYS TOOK IT BACK TO PARTS STORE GOT A REPLACEMENT…

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I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB 4X4 I FIRST STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ALTERNATOR IT JUST STOPPED WORKING, TOOK TO SHOP AND THE BRUSHES ON IT WAS WORE OUT HAD THE REPLACED AND IT LASTED 2 DAYS AND SAME PROBLEM SO HAD TO BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR AT 300.00 IT LASTED 4 DAYS TOOK IT BACK TO PARTS STORE GOT A REPLACEMENT AND IM STILL USING IT BUT IT STILL ISN'T WORKING AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD GOT STRANDED AT 1230 AM BESIDE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER WITH ME THE FIRST TIME, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED THAT WHEN MY OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THE RIGHT GEARS HAD TO MANUALLY SHIFT IT TO GET IT TO MOVE TOOK TO SHOP NOONE COULD FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN PUTTING IT ON THE COMPUTER NO CODES WAS FOUND ENDED UP GETTING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN TRAIN COMPLETELY QUIT PULLING HAD TOWED TO SHOP AND HAD TO BUY ANOTHER TRAIN AT 600.00 AND THAT IS 3 WEEKS PAY FOR US BUT ITS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE HAVE SO HAD TO GET IT FIXED LOOKED TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS BUT NONE HAVE BUT HAVE SEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS I THINK FORD NEED TO LOOKING TO THIS PROBLEM SOON, IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT. THANKS HAVE READY EVERYONE'S ISSUES AND HAVE ALOT OF THE SAME WITH MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283843

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING IN MY TRUCK, WHICH IS A 2000 FORD RANGER, AND THE ENGINE TOTALLY FAILED ON ME WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED MY CAM SYNCHRO WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY STRIPPED OF IT'S TEETH. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL IN AN EXIT LANE, SO PULLING OVER TO SAFETY WAS NOT AN ISSUE (THANK GOD, MY POWER STEERIN…

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I WAS DRIVING IN MY TRUCK, WHICH IS A 2000 FORD RANGER, AND THE ENGINE TOTALLY FAILED ON ME WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED MY CAM SYNCHRO WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY STRIPPED OF IT'S TEETH. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL IN AN EXIT LANE, SO PULLING OVER TO SAFETY WAS NOT AN ISSUE (THANK GOD, MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE GONE AT THIS POINT). I HAVE HEARD OF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENING IN MANY OTHER RANGERS AS WELL. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT HAS SET ME BACK ON MY DAILY DRIVING VEHICLE, NOW I MUST MAKE NEW TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS TO MY 30-MILE COMMUTE TO WORK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY PART, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE A MOTOR UNDER SEIZURE. IT IS LOCKED UP. NOW I MUST BUY A NEW MOTOR OR VEHICLE.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10272920

22,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

AT 56,000 MILES, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED ENGINE SPONTANEOUS RACING EVEN WHILE IN GEAR. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WITH POTENTIAL INJURY/FATALITY. OCCURRED AT 22 K MI, 45 K MI, AND NOW AT 56 K MI. WHEN IT OCCURS VEHICLE WANTS TO RACE AHEAD AND CRASH UNLESS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE ENGINES RACES AND SO…

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AT 56,000 MILES, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME MY TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED ENGINE SPONTANEOUS RACING EVEN WHILE IN GEAR. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WITH POTENTIAL INJURY/FATALITY. OCCURRED AT 22 K MI, 45 K MI, AND NOW AT 56 K MI. WHEN IT OCCURS VEHICLE WANTS TO RACE AHEAD AND CRASH UNLESS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR WHEN THE ENGINES RACES AND SOMETIMES WON'T STOP UNLESS I INTENTIONALLY STALL OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. IT IS NOT AN INCIDENT, IT IS ONGOING. I HAVE USED THE DEALER REPAIR SHOP EXCLUSIVELY. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION CONNECTOR AT 22K MI. THEY REFERRED TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 00-3-5. I, OF COURSE, WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED PERMANENTLY AS IT GRADUALLY RECURS MORE AND MORE OFTEN TO THE POINT OF SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249043

81,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A 2000 FORD RANGER. I HAVE KEPT THE ALL THE UPKEEPS FOR THIS CAR AND MORE ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALERS INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE FORD RANGER TRUCK. IT HAS ABOUT 81000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD TO PAY $2300.00 TO THE KEARNY MESA FORD TO FIX MY CAR. I DO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IT. ONE DAY, I SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. MY…

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I BOUGHT A 2000 FORD RANGER. I HAVE KEPT THE ALL THE UPKEEPS FOR THIS CAR AND MORE ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALERS INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE FORD RANGER TRUCK. IT HAS ABOUT 81000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HAD TO PAY $2300.00 TO THE KEARNY MESA FORD TO FIX MY CAR. I DO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON IT. ONE DAY, I SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. MY HEAT GADGET DID NOT GO OFF. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE TRUCK WAS OVERHEATING, BUT I CHOSE TO BRING IT IN. I THOUGHT IT WAS PROBABLY A LEAK IN A HOSE. IT TURNED OUT THE A HEATING ELEMENT WAS "PROBABLY THE CULPRIT", BUT THEY FOUND THROUGH THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BASICALLY BE REBUILT BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. MY CONCERN WAS THAT NOT ONCE DID MY HEATING GAUGE TELL ME THAT THE TRUCK WAS OVERHEATING. THAT IS DANGEROUS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM, BUT FOR A HEATING GAUGE TO NOT GO OFF WHEN THERE IS SEVER HEAT GOING ON IN THE ENGINE IS DANGEROUS. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS PLACE OR THE ENGINE MAY HAVE EXPLODED ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE ENORMOUS DAMAGE THAT TOOK PLACE. I THOUGHT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPORTED. FORD COULDN'T TELL ME WHY THE HEATING GAUGE DID NOT WORK. THEY TOLD ME THAT NOW AND THEN EVEN TRUCKS THAT ARE KEPT UP GO WRONG. THAT IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER WHEN THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239636

80,000 miles · May 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD 4.0L ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKAGE, CAUSE OVERHEATING OF RINGS, CRACKED HEAD, ONE NEW HEAD, ONE REBUILT, WITHOUT ANY OVER-TEMP INDICATION. I COULD SMELL A SLIGHT ODOR OF BURNED WATER FOR OVER 1 YEAR, WHILE NEVER FINDING A LEAK. THIS EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $2K DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, NOW I HAVE RELAXED RINGS, POOR, BUT NOT BA…

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FORD 4.0L ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKAGE, CAUSE OVERHEATING OF RINGS, CRACKED HEAD, ONE NEW HEAD, ONE REBUILT, WITHOUT ANY OVER-TEMP INDICATION. I COULD SMELL A SLIGHT ODOR OF BURNED WATER FOR OVER 1 YEAR, WHILE NEVER FINDING A LEAK. THIS EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $2K DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, NOW I HAVE RELAXED RINGS, POOR, BUT NOT BAD COMPRESSION, AND USE LOTS OF OIL, WHEN I'VE BABIED THIS ENGINE, DONE ALL MY OWN WORK, AND OIL CHANGES, AND HAD LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. THIS LACK OF POWER, THEN SUDDEN DECREASE IN COMPRESSION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BUCK SEVERELY, POINTING ME IN ALL KINDS OF FUEL AND ELECTRICAL AREAS OF MAINTENANCE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME OR ANYONE'S CODE READER TO READ THE PROBLEM... THIS LACK OF COMPRESSION AND ENGINE DEMISE CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY, SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT NOTICE OVER A ONE TO TWO WEEK PERIOD. A LOCAL AUTOSHOP OWNER OF 35 YEARS TOLD ME THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE HEAD GASKET, BUT AS YET I HAVE NOT FOUND IT. AT PRESENT, AFTER TWO HEADS WERE REPLACED, I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT CANNOT DEPEND ON LOW OIL CONSUMPTION... I NEVER HAD ANY OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM BEFORE THIS EVENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227087

108,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE FLEXIBLE FUEL SENSOR DETERIORATED WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE ROAD SALTS USED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN I…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE FLEXIBLE FUEL SENSOR DETERIORATED WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE ROAD SALTS USED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE FUEL SENSOR. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED BY THE CALIFORNIA EMISSION STANDARDS.*AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146533

58,089 miles · May 17, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATED: THE SERPENTINE BELT WENT OUT TWICE AND THE PULLEY SYSTEM HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON, THEN A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THERE WERE NO BRAKES LEFT, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. FORD SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE TO GO OUT WHEN ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10121221

28,882 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT #2 CYLINDER MISFIRED. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE FROM REPAIRS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER THE SECOND TIME IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RESULT OF THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115821

38,500 miles · Nov 9, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

XLT 4X4 4.0L WITH ONLY 38,500 SAT FOR 2 DAYS. WHEN HEADING TO WORK (1.7 MILES AWAY) NOTICED NO HEAT OUT OF BLOWER..NOTICED TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEAR TOP. FINSIHED DRIVING TO WORK AND TEMPERATURE HIT MAXIMUM, JUST BEFORE SHUTTING OFF.FOUND STEAM COMING OUT OF OIL FILLER CAP.DIPSTICK WAS FOAMY. AFTER TOW TO DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT THE …

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XLT 4X4 4.0L WITH ONLY 38,500 SAT FOR 2 DAYS. WHEN HEADING TO WORK (1.7 MILES AWAY) NOTICED NO HEAT OUT OF BLOWER..NOTICED TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEAR TOP. FINSIHED DRIVING TO WORK AND TEMPERATURE HIT MAXIMUM, JUST BEFORE SHUTTING OFF.FOUND STEAM COMING OUT OF OIL FILLER CAP.DIPSTICK WAS FOAMY. AFTER TOW TO DEALERSHIP, FOUND OUT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD BLOWN! THE NEXT DAY, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO COOLANT IN OIL CONTAMINATION. FORD/DEALERSHIP IS PAYING FOR 75% AND I HAVE TO PAY 25% ($1000) OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (4 YEAR/60,000) RAN OUT IN JULY. ONLY 38,500 ON ODOMETER AND THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED! I CANNOT AFFORD THIS! THE LOAN WAS FOR 5 YEARS ( JULY 2005). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10098563

Official recalls

3

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

00V228001 · Seat Belts

Aug 18, 2000

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

00V094000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

Mar 28, 2000

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT OF NO HEAT IN THE HEATER CIRCUIT, DEFROST PERFORMANCE IS COMPROMISED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PLUGGED HEATER WATER RETURN TUBES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.