← New search

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
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AT ANY SPEED, DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015094

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

I NOTICED A FAIRLY LARGE PATCH OF OIL BENEATH MY TRUCK WHEN VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLE FOR A DAY OR SO. I CRAWLED BENEATH VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT A LEAK OF SOME MAGNITUDE WAS OCCURRING SOMEWHERE ON THE ENGINE. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT NOT PURCHASED FROM. ALL SERVICE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED AT LISTED DEALERSHI…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED A FAIRLY LARGE PATCH OF OIL BENEATH MY TRUCK WHEN VEHICLE HAD BEEN IDLE FOR A DAY OR SO. I CRAWLED BENEATH VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT A LEAK OF SOME MAGNITUDE WAS OCCURRING SOMEWHERE ON THE ENGINE. NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP WHERE VEHICLE SERVICED, BUT NOT PURCHASED FROM. ALL SERVICE HAS BEEN CONDUCTED AT LISTED DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THAT I HAD BLOWN THE REAR MAIN SEAL OF THE ENGINE, AND WOULD REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR. DURING THE COURSE OF THAT REPAIR, IT WAS FURTHER DETEMINED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THIS MORE THAN DOUBLED THE REPAIR COST TO THIS VEHICLE. I AM NOT PARTICLULARY MECHANICALLY INCLINED TOWARD CARS OR TRUCKS, BUT DO CONSISTANTLY MAINTAIN THOSE THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO VERIFY THAT.. I DRIVE MY TRUCK HARD, BUT I DON'T ABUSE IT. I FEEL THAT THE AMOUNT OF REPAIR REQUIRED FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD IS WAY OUT OF LINE. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762536

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN NOVEMBER 2001. HER HUSBAND FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE GARAGE. AFTER CHECKING CAREFULLY DISCOVERED THAT OIL PAN GASKET WAS LEAKING. CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT OIL GASKET KEPT POPPING OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010703

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL IS LEAKING FROM GASKET WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8010701

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE ON -1/16/2000 EVERY THING RAN GOOD FOR 6 MO. THE ENGINE STARTED A TO EXHIBIT A ENGINE SPARK KNOCK (PING NOISE). I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN NUMUS NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME THAT I HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THERE WAS A FAILURE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TELLING DI…

Read full complaint

RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE ON -1/16/2000 EVERY THING RAN GOOD FOR 6 MO. THE ENGINE STARTED A TO EXHIBIT A ENGINE SPARK KNOCK (PING NOISE). I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN NUMUS NUMEROUS TIMES. EACH TIME THAT I HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THERE WAS A FAILURE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES TELLING DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY CONCLUDED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO RUN THE VEHICLE WITH A MORE EXPENSIVE FUEL. WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION. THIS IS IN CONTRADICTION IN OF SERVICE MANUAL WHICH STATES THESE VEHICLES CAN BE OPERATED ON A NORMAL OCTANE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED NEW. THE PING IS MORE APPARENT IN WARM AND DRY CLIMATES. THE DEALERSHIP MAINTAINS THAT EVERYTHING IS IN SPECS. PING FROM AN ENGINE IS NOT A NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION. I HAVE WROTE LETTERS TO THE MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE BUREAU FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. ALSO TO THE LEAD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DEALERSHIP. STILL AFTER 2 1/2 YEARS THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IN FACT EVEN WITH THE HIGHER OCTANE FUELS THE 2.5 ENGINE IS STILL PING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NOW THEY ARE STATING TO ME, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE WARRANTY?*AK

NHTSA ODI #761703

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL, REOCCURRENCES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, LAST REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR AGO, VEHICLE IS ACTING SLUGGISH, THE OIL PAN AND REAR MAIL OIL SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OIL LEAK.*AK. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE DEALER DISCOVER…

Read full complaint

ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL, REOCCURRENCES HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER 7 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, LAST REPAIR WAS 1 YEAR AGO, VEHICLE IS ACTING SLUGGISH, THE OIL PAN AND REAR MAIL OIL SEAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OIL LEAK.*AK. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR, THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE COMPRESSOR WAS LEAKING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8005023

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS STALLING, THE DEALER REPLACED A FUEL REGULATOR, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL.*YD

NHTSA ODI #564198

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THERE IS A LOUD PINGING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AT ALL TIMES, AT ANY SPEED. DEALER REPLACED COMPUTER MODULE, AND PINGING NOISE WAS STILL THERE, JUST NOT AS LOUD AS BEFORE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM WOULD RUIN PISTONS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #892427

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COMMENCE TO KNOCK AND STALL. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892366

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TOOK TRUCK IN AT 5000 MILES FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS-THE SAID IT WAS A CARBON BUILD UP.TOOK BACK IN FOR ENGINE A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER FOR SAME PROBLEM -THEY REPLACED ENGINE.THAT ENGINE WAS BAD TOOK BACK IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AGAIN.THEN 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER TOOK IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS-(NOT SHIFTING INTO SECOND GE…

Read full complaint

TOOK TRUCK IN AT 5000 MILES FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS-THE SAID IT WAS A CARBON BUILD UP.TOOK BACK IN FOR ENGINE A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER FOR SAME PROBLEM -THEY REPLACED ENGINE.THAT ENGINE WAS BAD TOOK BACK IN AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AGAIN.THEN 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER TOOK IN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS-(NOT SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR) THEY FIXED THE TANSMISSION.HAVE HADTRUCK I 3 TIMES FOR DOOR AJAR SENSORS GOING OFF.INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FALLING OFF.TAILGATE DOESN'T OPERATE PROPELY.ENGINE WAS MAKING LOUD HOWLING NOISE.MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE,TOTALLY UNDEPENDABLE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS YOU BOUGHT IT YOU'RE STUCK WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #744216

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.