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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

Suspension complaints

72 reports
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118,400 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Suspension

CAME TO A SLOW STOP ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME RAIL BROKE FROM APPARENT RUST THROUGH. INSPECTION OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION SHOWS MUCH RUST DETERIORATION EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND KEPT UNDER A CARPORT ON A PAVED DRIVEWAY. ALL MECHANICAL S, EXTERIOR BODY AND INTERIOR LITERALLY LOOK…

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CAME TO A SLOW STOP ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME RAIL BROKE FROM APPARENT RUST THROUGH. INSPECTION OF FRAME AND SUSPENSION SHOWS MUCH RUST DETERIORATION EVEN THOUGH THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND KEPT UNDER A CARPORT ON A PAVED DRIVEWAY. ALL MECHANICAL S, EXTERIOR BODY AND INTERIOR LITERALLY LOOK LIKE A NEW VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING, AS TOYOTA DID, AND REPLACE THIS TRUCK'S FRAME OR BUY OUT THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704617

128,000 miles · Apr 2, 2015
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOUND A 6 TO 8 INCH HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME JUST BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT LOCATION. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE, BUT FRAME LOOKS TO BE WEAKENED AT THIS POINT.. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. OTHER ISSUES DUE TO RUST: SPRING 2013: REPLACED ENGINE OIL PAN - LEAKING OIL DUE TO…

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DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOUND A 6 TO 8 INCH HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME JUST BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND FRONT SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT LOCATION. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE, BUT FRAME LOOKS TO BE WEAKENED AT THIS POINT.. PHOTOS AVAILABLE. OTHER ISSUES DUE TO RUST: SPRING 2013: REPLACED ENGINE OIL PAN - LEAKING OIL DUE TO RUST HOLES. WINTER 2013: BODY REPAIR - MAJOR RUST AND RIGHT SIDE ACCIDENT DAMAGE - MUCH MORE RUST COMING ON TRUCK. AUTUMN 2013: REPLACED 5 FEET RUSTED BRAKE LINE TO REAR BRAKES - LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, NO BRAKES. SUMMER 2012: STEEL WHEELS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTED BEAD AREA CAUSING WEAKNESS AND AIR LEAKAGE. SPARE TIRE MOUNT FOUND INOPERABLE DUE TO RUSTED SUPPORT.

NHTSA ODI #10703675

128,858 miles · Feb 5, 2015
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MAINFRAME BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE MAINFRAME BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,858.

NHTSA ODI #10681550

175,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
StructureSuspension

EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGH FRAME. INTEGRITY FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640601

150,000 miles · Aug 23, 2014
StructureSuspension

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10627788

138,000 miles · Jun 26, 2014
Suspension

THE REAR LEAF SPRING ARE ROTTING AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606236

178,600 miles · May 11, 2014
StructureSuspension

WAS LOADING A WASHING MACHINE IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRAME HAD HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE BODY IS GOOD SHAPE. I WASH THE TRUCK REGULARLY, INCLUDING THE UNDER SIDE, SO I DON'T …

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WAS LOADING A WASHING MACHINE IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRAME HAD HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE BODY IS GOOD SHAPE. I WASH THE TRUCK REGULARLY, INCLUDING THE UNDER SIDE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAS ROTTED IN SPOTS. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS, AS I HAVE OLDER TRUCKS THAT HAVE NOT RUSTED, THAT SEE HARSH USE ON OUR FARM. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER THAT IS FOR PERSONAL USE, AND I LOVED THIS TRUCK TILL I SAW THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587669

130,000 miles · Apr 27, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME ON MY 2000 FORD RANGER HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE I WILL EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE POOR OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME BUT THE WORST PART IS AT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES, HOLES CO…

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THE FRAME ON MY 2000 FORD RANGER HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE I WILL EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE POOR OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME BUT THE WORST PART IS AT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES, HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH. HAVEN'T CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME THOROUGHLY BUT WILL THIS WEEK BEFORE I DECIDE IF IT'S EVEN WORTH THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO FIND ON A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN FAIRLY WELL MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS. I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A FULL SIZE TRUCK. I GUESS I BETTER DO A LITTLE RESEARCH BEFORE I BUY SOMETHING ELSE. I FOUND OUT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE/WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME ISSUES WITH THESE TRUCKS MANY YEARS AGO. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING THIS RANGER, AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE OIL SPRAYED OR SOMETHING TO PREVENT PREMATURE FAILURE. WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE NEXT TIME I BUY A TRUCK. I WAS HOPING TO FIND FRAME RECALL INFO ON THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF UPSET RANGER OWNERS OUT THERE BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE. MY PREVIOUS F150 WAS AROUND FOR A LOT LONGER THAN THIS ONE WILL BE. SIGNED. DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2000 RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB 3.0. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585145

124,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 07/01/14 MA THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THREE BRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 07/01/14 MA THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THREE BRAKE LINES FAILED, THE TAILGATE FAILED AND THE REAR BUMPER RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10584245

120,000 miles · Mar 2, 2014
StructureSuspension

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. IN 2011, THE REAR BUMPER WAS FALLING OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD FALL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN 2008 I TOWED A CAR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW WEAK TH…

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I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. IN 2011, THE REAR BUMPER WAS FALLING OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD FALL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN 2008 I TOWED A CAR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW WEAK THAT BUMPER WAS AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE CAR I TOWED WAS A BIT HEAVIER. AROUND THE SAME TIME I HAD TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM ITS HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK BED - THE SPARE TIRE AND BRACKETRY WAS SLOWLY SAGGING TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, IT WAS REMOVED BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. MOST RECENTLY BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS AND THEIR BRACKETS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE WHOLE REAR END OF THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRUCK HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE - IT ONLY HAS 135,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - NO RUST ON THE BODY. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE. JUST THE REAR 1/4 OR SO OF THE FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566707

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.