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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

What owners actually said

670 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2004
Power Train

I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND IT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL TO GO AND TRUCK SLAMMED FORWARD TOOK TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY SHIPPED IT 60 MILES AWAY TO THIER FORD DEALER FOR 2 DAYS AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG TRUCK CONTINUES TO DO SAME THING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075046

55,000 miles · Jun 8, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKES ARE MAKING A GROWLING NOISE. TOOK THE FRONT WHEEL OFF THE TRUCK, CHECKED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE BACK SIDE OF THE ROTOR IS DETERIORATING AND IN RETURN IS EATING UP THE BRAKE PAD. TOOK TRUCK TO ROBERTS FORD IN WOOD RIVER, IL. IN MAY 2004 AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE DEFECT. T…

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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE FRONT BRAKES ARE MAKING A GROWLING NOISE. TOOK THE FRONT WHEEL OFF THE TRUCK, CHECKED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE BACK SIDE OF THE ROTOR IS DETERIORATING AND IN RETURN IS EATING UP THE BRAKE PAD. TOOK TRUCK TO ROBERTS FORD IN WOOD RIVER, IL. IN MAY 2004 AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE DEFECT. THE SHOP MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, TOLD ME THIS WAS GENERAL MAINTAINANCE. I REALIZE THAT BRAKE PADS ARE GENERAL MAINTAINANCE BUT WHEN THE BRAKE ROTOR IS EATING UP THE PADS THIS IS NOT GENERAL MAINTAINANCE THIS IS A DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074966

38,000 miles · May 19, 2004
Air Bags

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON. DEALER STATED THAT AIRBAG DISCONNECTING SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING THE DUAL AIRBAGS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073911

81,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A STOP SIGN. THERE WERE FIVE INJURIES BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES. THE POLICE CITED THE CONSUMER IN THE OTHER CAR FOR RUNNING THE STOP SIGN. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073666

72,350 miles · May 12, 2004
SuspensionCrash

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD BOTH REAR WHEELS AND AXLES COME OFF MY 2000 FORD RANGER CAUSING ME TO GO BROAD SIDE DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 50FT. THE STATE PATROL MAN INFORMED THE TOWING COMPANY TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE AND TEAR IT APART TO FIND THE CAUSE, HE FELT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THIS TRUCK, WE COME TO FIND OUT THAT TH…

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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD BOTH REAR WHEELS AND AXLES COME OFF MY 2000 FORD RANGER CAUSING ME TO GO BROAD SIDE DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 50FT. THE STATE PATROL MAN INFORMED THE TOWING COMPANY TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE AND TEAR IT APART TO FIND THE CAUSE, HE FELT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THIS TRUCK, WE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE KING PIN IN THE REAR END BROKE CAUSING THE REAR END WHEELS AND AXLES ATTACHED TO COME OFF

NHTSA ODI #10072517

37,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Structure

TAILGATE SUPPORT FOR FORD RANGER 2000 4X4. SUPPORT ON RIGHT SIDE BROKE WHEN PERSON SIT ON IT. ON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THE CABLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND BEING HELD BYI THE HARD PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE CABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10072489

14,000 miles · May 6, 2004
Equipment

I BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVE BELT IN MOST FORD RANGERS ARE PUSHED TO FAR INN. WHEN WATER GETS ON THE BELT IT WILL SQUEL FOR THE LONGEST TIME. I TOOK MY RANGER TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PULLED ONE OF THE DRIVE PULLYS FORWARD3/4 OF AN INCH AND I HAVENT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. I HAVE NEIGHBORS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE HEARD Q…

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I BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVE BELT IN MOST FORD RANGERS ARE PUSHED TO FAR INN. WHEN WATER GETS ON THE BELT IT WILL SQUEL FOR THE LONGEST TIME. I TOOK MY RANGER TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PULLED ONE OF THE DRIVE PULLYS FORWARD3/4 OF AN INCH AND I HAVENT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE. I HAVE NEIGHBORS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE HEARD QUITE A FEW RANGERS DRIVE BY THAT SOUND LIKE THIS./

NHTSA ODI #10068433

25,000 miles · Apr 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN NOVEMBER 2003 (OR THEREABOUTS) MY FORD 2000 RANGER STARTED MAKING SQUEALING SOUNDS. THE FORD DEALER FROM WHOM WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK (EAST BAY FORD IN OAKLAND) INDICATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND DID SO. THE BELT FAILED AGAIN IN DECEMBER AND WE HAD IT REPLACED. JUST TWO DAYS AFTER REPLACING IT THE …

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IN NOVEMBER 2003 (OR THEREABOUTS) MY FORD 2000 RANGER STARTED MAKING SQUEALING SOUNDS. THE FORD DEALER FROM WHOM WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK (EAST BAY FORD IN OAKLAND) INDICATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND DID SO. THE BELT FAILED AGAIN IN DECEMBER AND WE HAD IT REPLACED. JUST TWO DAYS AFTER REPLACING IT THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED. AT THAT TIME THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DRIVEN TO WASHINGTON STATE. THE BELT STILL SQUEALS. I AM TOLD BY EAST BAY FORD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. THEY PROMISED TO SEND ME INFORMATION ON THE PART, BUT HAVE FAILED TO DO SO. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM? EAST BAY FORD TELLS ME THERE ARE NO RISKS TO HAVING A DEFECTIVE SERPENTINE BELT, BUT I AM VERY NERVOUS DRIVING AROUND WITH A DEFECTIVE PART IN MY VEHICLE -- PLUS IS SOUNDS AWFUL!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067842

150,000 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, TURNING 180 DEGREES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068646

29,500 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Electrical System

I HAD A BATTERY THAT WENT OUT IN 7/2003 COULD HAVE BEEN A 50/50 CHANCE OF WEATHER RELATED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003 COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPX 26,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,500 ON I…

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I HAD A BATTERY THAT WENT OUT IN 7/2003 COULD HAVE BEEN A 50/50 CHANCE OF WEATHER RELATED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003 COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPX 26,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,500 ON IT. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VERY, VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TOO OCCUR. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS COULD HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED. NOTICED THERE WERE A FEW OTHER ISSUES ABOUT ALTERNATERS. DEALERSHIP VERY HELPFUL. FORD JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE AND BRUSHES IT OFF THAT IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. THINK THAT MOST OF THE TIME FORD SEEMS TO RELATE THIS ISSUE TO WEAR & TEAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. MOST PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE THEY CAN FILE A CLAIM W/YOU. PLEASE PROVIDE ME ANY ASSISTANCE. IT WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. ONE LAST NOTE, WHEN I SPOKE W/FORD REP THEY TOLD ME IF I PURCHASED A FEW MORE HIGH END VEHICLES, PERHAPS THEY WOULD WARRANTY THIS. FORD SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT THIS PERSON DOESN'T WORK IN THEIR MARKETING DEPT. ;)...THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063973

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.