IllustrationTHE FRAME AND ONLY THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
4725–50K
6250–75K
5175–100K
71100–150K
33150K+
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
Structure complaints
105 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR BUMPER THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000.
EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGH FRAME. INTEGRITY FAILED. *TR
FRAME IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR AND BODY IS FINE. *TR
WHILE MY TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK I CAME OUT FOR A BRAKE AND I NOTICED THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS SITTING AGAINST THE CAB. THIS TRUCK IS WASHED AND KEPT OUT OF THE WEATHER AND IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTEN BEFORE THE BODY IS. I KNOW THAT THE ROCKER PANELS AND FENDER WHEELS NORMALLY ROT OUT BUT …
Read full complaint
WHILE MY TRUCK WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK I CAME OUT FOR A BRAKE AND I NOTICED THAT THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS SITTING AGAINST THE CAB. THIS TRUCK IS WASHED AND KEPT OUT OF THE WEATHER AND IT SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTEN BEFORE THE BODY IS. I KNOW THAT THE ROCKER PANELS AND FENDER WHEELS NORMALLY ROT OUT BUT THEY ARE STILL MINT. *TR
VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED SEVERE FRAME AND UNDERBODY RUST FOR SEVERAL YEARS; DURING LAST INSPECTION MECHANIC CAUTIONED THAT VEHICLE WAS BADLY RUSTED BUT STILL ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THIS EVENING AND FOUND SEVERE DELAMINATION TO FRAME MEMBERS AND SEVERE RUSTING OF BED UNDERFRAME. CROSSMEMBER SUPPO…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED SEVERE FRAME AND UNDERBODY RUST FOR SEVERAL YEARS; DURING LAST INSPECTION MECHANIC CAUTIONED THAT VEHICLE WAS BADLY RUSTED BUT STILL ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. I VISUALLY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THIS EVENING AND FOUND SEVERE DELAMINATION TO FRAME MEMBERS AND SEVERE RUSTING OF BED UNDERFRAME. CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTING BED IS RUSTED THROUGH OR NON-EXISTENT IN APPROXIMATELY 40% OF SURFACE AREA. SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS, LEAF SPRING MOUNTS, FUEL TANK SUPPORTS, AND FUEL LINES SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED AT LOW SPEED AND VEHICLE NEARLY COLLIDED WITH PARKED CARS AND ADJANCENT STONE WALL. MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED BRAKE FAILURE TO RUST THROUGH OF REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS STILL OWNED BY ORIGINAL OWNER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE NEW AND PROPERLY CARED FOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE REAR FRAME ON THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AND THE SPARE TIRE FRAME WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME, SPARE TIRE, SPARE FRAMING, THE FRAME RAILING AND SHACKLE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME AND THE SPARE TIRE FRAME WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME, SPARE TIRE, SPARE FRAMING, THE FRAME RAILING AND SHACKLE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
THE WHOLE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND ERODED CAUSING THE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY TO DROP FROM THE CARRIAGE AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK.THE FRAME IS SHOT. NO ONE (BODY REPAIR SHOPS ) WILL TOUCH IT FOR LIABILITY REASONS. I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL ON THIS LIKE THE ONES FOR THE TOYOTA TACOMAS . BUT I'M SURE I CAN NO…
Read full complaint
THE WHOLE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND ERODED CAUSING THE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY TO DROP FROM THE CARRIAGE AND COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK.THE FRAME IS SHOT. NO ONE (BODY REPAIR SHOPS ) WILL TOUCH IT FOR LIABILITY REASONS. I HAVE NOT SEEN A RECALL ON THIS LIKE THE ONES FOR THE TOYOTA TACOMAS . BUT I'M SURE I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. I CAN NOT RESELL IT IN ITS PRESENT STATE AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I COULD NOT DO THAT. I AM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP. I DO NOT THINK A TRUCK SHOULD COMPLETELY ROT AWAY IN 14 YEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Official recalls
307V336000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.