NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
105 reportsClear category filter149,537 miles · Dec 5, 2012
StructureSuspension
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TRUCK HAS FAILED N H STATE INSPECTION FOR FRAME PROBLEMS,FIRST TIME WAS FOR A RUSTED THROUGH CROSS MEMBER WHICH I HAD TO HAVE WELDED,11/17/2009. NOW I GO BACK FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION ON 11/30/2012 AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE REAR SHACKLES WHICH I SAY OK,THE REPAIR SHOP CALLS ME AND TELLS ME THE FRAM…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TRUCK HAS FAILED N H STATE INSPECTION FOR FRAME PROBLEMS,FIRST TIME WAS FOR A RUSTED THROUGH CROSS MEMBER WHICH I HAD TO HAVE WELDED,11/17/2009. NOW I GO BACK FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION ON 11/30/2012 AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE REAR SHACKLES WHICH I SAY OK,THE REPAIR SHOP CALLS ME AND TELLS ME THE FRAME IS ROTTED THROUGH AND THEY CAN NOT PUT IN THE, FRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED FROM BACK TO ABOUT 4 FEET TO THE FRONT AND AT ANOTHER COST OF 350$ THE LAST COST WAS THE SAME 350$.I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS TRUCK AND THE BODY LOOKS LIKE NEW.THE WELDING SHOP GUY TOLD ME HE HAD TO DO SEVERAL OF THESE REPAIRS TO EVEN 2002 FORD TRUCKS,I CAN NOT SEE THE REASON FOR THIS,THIS IS THE FIRST OF ANY CARS OR TRUCKS I HAVE EVER OWNED THAT HAD FRAME PROBLEMS,CAN YOU HELP RECOUP SOME OR ALL OF MY MONEY ON THIS,I AM DISABLED AND ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO THROW MONEY OUT THE WINDOW,THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487425
68,008 miles · Nov 15, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE I LOOKED TO SEE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN AT LEAST TWO PLACES, THE SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNT HAD RUSTED OFF. THE GAS TANK STRAPS MOUNTS WERE ABOUT TO FAIL. I HAD REPLACED THE GAS TANK FEEDER TUBE THAT HAD CORRODED OFF THE YEAR BEFORE. THE TRUCK BODY IS …
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WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE I LOOKED TO SEE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH IN AT LEAST TWO PLACES, THE SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNT HAD RUSTED OFF. THE GAS TANK STRAPS MOUNTS WERE ABOUT TO FAIL. I HAD REPLACED THE GAS TANK FEEDER TUBE THAT HAD CORRODED OFF THE YEAR BEFORE. THE TRUCK BODY IS STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE GONE. THE TRUCK HAS SEEN VERY LIGHT DUTY AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE FOUND MANY OF THE SAME OCCURRENCES ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA ODI #10485521
70,359 miles · Sep 3, 2012
Structure
I HAVE A 13 YEAR OLD FORD RANGER THAT HAS FRAME RUST. MY MECHANIC STATES I HAVE TO CONDEMN THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE OF A VEHICLE. ALSO I DO NOT RESIDE OR TAKE THE TRUCK NEAR WHERE HEAVY APPLICATIONS OF ROAD SALT IS USED. I H…
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I HAVE A 13 YEAR OLD FORD RANGER THAT HAS FRAME RUST. MY MECHANIC STATES I HAVE TO CONDEMN THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE OF A VEHICLE. ALSO I DO NOT RESIDE OR TAKE THE TRUCK NEAR WHERE HEAVY APPLICATIONS OF ROAD SALT IS USED. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH VIA GOOGLE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS INCIDENCES OF THIS TYPE OF WEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY REPORTED MALFUNCTIONS, BUT LET'S ADD THIS TO THE LIST. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURED WITH MY TRUCK YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473626
133,000 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Structure
THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED WITH HOLES.THE BACK BUMPER FELL OFF ON ONE SIDE AND WAS DRAGGING BEHIND ME WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BACK BRACKETS THAT HOLD TENSION BAR RUSTED OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463626
149,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension
WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF. AFTER GETTING UNDER THE VEHICLE I FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED FROM THE FURTHEST POINT BACK TO THE AXLE AREA.LOOKING INTO IT MORE I FOUND THE CROSS MEMBER TO BE RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS READY TO FALL OFF. THE GAS TANK HOLDING STRAPS ARE RUSTED FROM THE FRAME, NOT SUR…
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WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF. AFTER GETTING UNDER THE VEHICLE I FOUND THE FRAME TO BE RUSTED FROM THE FURTHEST POINT BACK TO THE AXLE AREA.LOOKING INTO IT MORE I FOUND THE CROSS MEMBER TO BE RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS READY TO FALL OFF. THE GAS TANK HOLDING STRAPS ARE RUSTED FROM THE FRAME, NOT SURE WHAT'S HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN PLACE. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS RUSTED AND READY TO COME OFF. I REMOVED THE SPARE A PLACED IT IN THE BED FOR NOW. THE BED AND ITS MOUNTS ARE SHOT, THE BED CAN BE PICKED UP A GOOD TWO INCHES OFF THE FRAME. BASICALLY THE TRUCK IS NOTHING BUT RUST FROM THE CAB BACK. I WAS LUCKY WHEN THE BUMPER FELL OFF 1/2 HOUR EARLIER I WAS TRAVELING ON A STATE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 60-65 MPH. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER RANGERS THE SAME YEAR AND FOUND SOME WORSE AND SOME WITH NO RUST WHAT SO EVER. WHATS UP? AND IS FORD AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE THEY GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHO WOULD HAVE GOTTEN SUED IF MY BUMPER HAD FALLEN AND KILLED SOMEONE? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10458604
89,000 miles · May 2, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME APPEARED TO BE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME APPEARED TO BE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457206
124,000 miles · Feb 5, 2012
StructureWheels
CRACKED FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE BY SHOCK MOUNT, BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OFF. ALSO REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF. AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING!. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TRUCK ONLY HAVE 124K ON IT AND IT IS IMACULENT SHAPE OTHER THA…
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CRACKED FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE BY SHOCK MOUNT, BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OFF. ALSO REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF. AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING!. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TRUCK ONLY HAVE 124K ON IT AND IT IS IMACULENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE FRAME..VERY DISAPPOINTED ALSO I CLEAN AND MAINTAIN MY TRUCKS VERY WELL.. I WASH IT AT LEAST ONE A WEEK AND I WASH THE UNDERNEATH THEN I DRIVE AROUND TILL ITS DRY AND STILL ITS IN POOR SHAPE.. NONE OF MY OTHER TRUCKS DO THIS SO ITS NOT HOW I MAINTAIN THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446736
60,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension
THERE IS A LOT OF FRAME RUST ON MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE BED. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS, BOTH BROKE OFF BECAUSE OF RUST. TWICE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, LUCKILY I SAW THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. …
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THERE IS A LOT OF FRAME RUST ON MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE BED. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS, BOTH BROKE OFF BECAUSE OF RUST. TWICE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, LUCKILY I SAW THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. THE REAR BUMPERS PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND THE NOW IS VERY RUSTY AND IT COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446117
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2011
Structure
MY FORD RANGER IS A 2000 ITS A GOOD TRUCK BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED COMPLETLY OUT. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE ONLY OTHER RUST ON THE TRUCK IS THE BUMPERS. I PAID $3000 FOR THE TRUCK 8 MONTHS AGO IF I LOOSE THAT MONEY CAUSE FORD DOES NOT FIX IT I WILL BE A VERY MAD PERSON. I MAY NOT BE HAS MAD BUT THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUS…
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MY FORD RANGER IS A 2000 ITS A GOOD TRUCK BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED COMPLETLY OUT. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE ONLY OTHER RUST ON THE TRUCK IS THE BUMPERS. I PAID $3000 FOR THE TRUCK 8 MONTHS AGO IF I LOOSE THAT MONEY CAUSE FORD DOES NOT FIX IT I WILL BE A VERY MAD PERSON. I MAY NOT BE HAS MAD BUT THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438478
107,569 miles · Oct 30, 2011
Power TrainStructure
FRAME ROTTED. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY MANY RANGERS WITH THE YEAR AROUND 2000. I HAD A CRACKED FRAME ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD OF WHERE FROM SUSPENSION FOR REAR TIRES MEET FRAME. CRACKED FRAME COMPLETELY AND WHEN BED WAS REMOVED CAUSE TRUCK TO COLLAPSE AND BE IMMOVEABLE UNTIL FRAME WAS SIMPLY PATCHED TO BE MOVED. …
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FRAME ROTTED. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY MANY RANGERS WITH THE YEAR AROUND 2000. I HAD A CRACKED FRAME ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD OF WHERE FROM SUSPENSION FOR REAR TIRES MEET FRAME. CRACKED FRAME COMPLETELY AND WHEN BED WAS REMOVED CAUSE TRUCK TO COLLAPSE AND BE IMMOVEABLE UNTIL FRAME WAS SIMPLY PATCHED TO BE MOVED. HAD TO JUNK TRUCK DUE TO CONDITION AND REPAIR COSTS WERE MORE THAN TRUCK WAS WORTH. VERY UPSET WITH 2000 FORD RANGER I PURCHASED. SPENT ALOT OF MONEY AND DIDNT EVEN GET A YEAR OUT OF TRUCK. NEVER USED TO TOW OR AS WORK TRUCK. NEVER MORE THAN 200 POUNDS IN BED AND STILL HAD FRAME PROBLEMS. SOME THING IS VERY WRONG WITH FORD RANGER FRAMES. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE . I MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE DUE TO THIS UNFORTUNATE BUT ALL TOO COMMON FRAME FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433614
Official recalls
3Aug 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.
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.
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 ↗