IllustrationTANAKA RECALL - AIR BAG INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME INTERMITTENTLY
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
What owners actually said
670 reportsFRAME IS RUSTING OUT UNDER THE CAB ON BOTH SIDES , HAD A RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE AND NOTICED THE FRAME ROT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE SUBFRAME TWISTED SIDEWAYS. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF SEVERAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE REAR, DRIVER, AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE SUBFRAME, INCLUDING SEVERE CORROSION TO THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE SUBFRAME TWISTED SIDEWAYS. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF SEVERAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE REAR, DRIVER, AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE SUBFRAME, INCLUDING SEVERE CORROSION TO THE SPARE TIRE SUPPORT AND THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ *AS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE CONNECTED TO THE SUBFRAME FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE CONNECTED TO THE SUBFRAME FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
GOING OVER A BUMP ON CITY STREET LEAF SPRING BROKE. FRAME AROUND RADIATOR IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. UNDER BODY FRAME RUSTED AS WELL.
LOWER CONTROL ARM BODY FRAME MOUNTS RUST ON BOTH SIDES ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................…
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LOWER CONTROL ARM BODY FRAME MOUNTS RUST ON BOTH SIDES .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V036000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. TH…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V036000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
REAR FRAME RUSTED BADLY. WAS REPAIRED WAS COSTLY AS WELL AS REAR BUMPER.
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.