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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
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

100,000 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR FRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION NEAR THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR FRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION NEAR THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE SUPPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10702007

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2015
Power TrainCrashInjury

2000 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY WENT INTO LOW 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LOW 4 WHEEL DRIVE IT RESULTED IN HIM CAREENING OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10692465

130,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690506

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

159,000 miles · Jan 13, 2015
EnginePower Train

WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 05 [AKA] GOLDEN STATE HIGHWAY WHEN TRUCK MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND ENGINE FROZE ? NO ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT,S CAME ON NO WARNING LIGHT OFF ANY KIND CAME ON WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY ID WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE SINCE THIS IS A STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION WHEN ID TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE THE START…

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WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 05 [AKA] GOLDEN STATE HIGHWAY WHEN TRUCK MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND ENGINE FROZE ? NO ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT,S CAME ON NO WARNING LIGHT OFF ANY KIND CAME ON WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY ID WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE SINCE THIS IS A STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION WHEN ID TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN .HAD THIS BEEN A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WE WOULD SURLY WITH NO DOUBT BEEN INVOLVED IN A DEATH ACCIDENT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT FAILED IN MY TRUCK BUTT ENGINE IS COMPLETELY FROZEN [CAN YOU HELP ME LOCATE THE SOURCE OFF THE FAILURE SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS A MUST KEEP VEHICLE I9T,S A FAMILY MEMORIAL MUST KEEP VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672301

149,674 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Structure

I OWN A 2000 FORD RANGER WITH A BADLY RUSTED FRAME PROBLEM,FORD DENIES THE PROBLEM,IT STARTED WHEN I WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2012,I NEVER NOTICED THAT IT HAD A BAD FRAME AS THE TRUCK WAS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION,I WENT TO SEARS FOR MY INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND A RUSTED FRAME PART WHICH I HAD TO H…

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I OWN A 2000 FORD RANGER WITH A BADLY RUSTED FRAME PROBLEM,FORD DENIES THE PROBLEM,IT STARTED WHEN I WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2012,I NEVER NOTICED THAT IT HAD A BAD FRAME AS THE TRUCK WAS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION,I WENT TO SEARS FOR MY INSPECTION AND THEY FOUND A RUSTED FRAME PART WHICH I HAD TO HAVE WELDED BUT NOW AFTER GOIN INTO THE 4TH ROTTED FRAME PROBLEM (GAS TANK STRAPS) AND A REAR TIRE HOLDER RUSTED THROUGH I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED,THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AS I HAVE OWNED VEHICLES ALL MY LIFE AND NEVER RAN INTO A PROBLEM LIKE THIS,THAT GAS TANK COULD OF FALLEN OUT AND CAUSED MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS.I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS FORD PROBLEM,THERE ARE MANY MANY FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.TOYOTA RECALLED THERE FRAME PROBLEMS BUT WHO IS PAYIN OFF FORD TO KEEP THERE PROBLEMS QUIET,I AM ON DISABILITY AND NOW THIS DECEMBER ITS GONNA COST ME ANOTHER 800$ TO GET THIS FIXED AND I HAVE ALREADY PAID A HEFTY SUM TO GET THE OTHER FRAME REPAIRS DONE,LAST YEAR I NEEDED SHACKLES AND THE GARAGE COULD NOT DO IT UNTIL I HAD NEW BRACES WELDED BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS PAPER THIN SO THEY COULD NOT INSTALL SHACKLES,CAN YOU HELP,THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE THE FRAME COULD SPLIT WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD,THANKS IN ADVANCE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664807

148,000 miles · Dec 12, 2014
Structure

THE FRAME AND ONLY THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663946

218,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Structure

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #10651056

175,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
StructureSuspension

EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGH FRAME. INTEGRITY FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640601

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.