2001 Ford Ranger Complaint Log

REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY (WHEELS, AXLE, LEAF-SPRINGS) BECAME DETACHED FROM FRAME DUE TO SEVERE AND PREMATURE FRAME AND LEAF-SPRING BRACKET CORROSION (FAILURE CAUSED ABRUPT PULL TO CENTER OF HIGHWAY AT SPEED, FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT, SINCE I AM A PRETTY GOOD DRIVER). SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE FRAME AND CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND VARIOUS OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS NOTED TO BE MANUFACTURED FROM ULTRA-LOW CARBON STEEL (KNOWN TO TURN TO DUST WHEN EXPOSED TO WEATHER). VEHICLE IS A 2001 WITH ONLY 113,000 MILES; TRUCK IS BASICALLY JUNK AT THIS POINT WITH NO CHANCE OF REPLACING THE NUMEROUS COMPONENTS EFFECTED. I REPLACED THE LEAF-SPRING BRACKETS; HOWEVER I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT MAY KILL ME. GOOD JOB FORD INSTILLING CUSTOMER SAFETY, SATISFACTION AND QUALITY ENGINEERING. HOPE THE FEW BUCKS YOU SAVED BY USING SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS ON CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WAS WORTH IT. I GUARANTEE MY FAMILY WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. -HUSBAND, FATHER OF TWO... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME AND SUB FRAME HAD CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHERE THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKEL BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME DUE TO RUST. THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP. THE STEEL SHIELD UNDER THE GAS TANK DROPPED DOWN DUE TO RUST. *TR

FRAME WAS NOTED TO HAVE SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR PORTION OF FRAME, HOWEVER,THE FRONT PORTION OFTHE FRAME DOES NOT SHOW SUCH DAMAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS TO BE SO COMMON THAT THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET FRAME REPAIR KIT FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAS NO OTHER ISSUES. I BELIEVE THAT IT SOULD NOT BE MUCH TO ASK TO HAVE DEFECT REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO AVOID SAFETY ISSUES.

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH I SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO THE WOODS. I THOUGHT THAT THE TRUCK MIGHT ROLL. UPON INSPECTION, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS NEARLY FLAT. WHEN I BROUGHT THE WHEEL/TIRE TO GET IT REPAIRED I WAS TOLD THAT THE WHEEL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE TIRE WAS OKAY. THE FOLKS AT THE WHEEL & TIRE PLACE SHOWED ME HOW THE WHEEL WAS DESIGNED TO TRAP WATER AND WERE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED FORD, WHO IGNORED THE DESIGN-FLAW ASPECT, AND TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF LUCK SINCE THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL. I HOPE THAT CHANGES. *TR

REAR PORTION OF FRAME AND LEAF SPRING BRACKETS ROTTED FRAME HAS ROTTED THROUGH. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING TAGS ON THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERLEY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 280,000. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 01/20/11

I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS GOING RELATIVELY SLOW AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. BRAKE LINE FROM ABS UNIT TO REAR BRAKE HOSE HAD FAILED. I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN A RECALL AS I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH FORD RANGERS WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. ONE RESULTED IN AS CRASH. I ALSO INFORMALLY ASK OTHER RANGER OWNERS AND MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS, FOR LONGER TIME PERIODS AND FAR MORE MILEAGE WITHOUT THIS KIND OF FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 RANGER EDGE AND THE BUMPER MOUNTS . REAR SHACKLES AND SUPPORT PLATES THAT HOLD SHACKLE HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NOW THE SPRINGS ARE SITTING UP AGAINST THE BED OF THE TRUCK ALSO WHERE THE SUPPORT PLATE MOUNTS TO THE CHASSIS THERE ARE HUGE RUST HOLES SO IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED . THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD!!!! WHAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FORD RANGER HAS ROTTED AWAY. IT HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY MY STATE INSPECTION CENTER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS TRUCK WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AND IT HAS BEEN UNSAFE FOR QUITE A WHILE WITHOUT ME KNOWING IT.. IT ONLY HAS 95,000 MILES AND IS NOW UNUSABLE. IT IS THE TRUCK I USE FOR MY CARPENTRY WORK AND I AM NOW OUT OF WORK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND NOTICED THAT THE BUTTONS WERE DEFECTIVE. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 03/31/11

I PURCHASED A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE, 4 DOOR, 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCK FROM THE NYKAR STORE OFF OF EBAY MOTORS IN JANUARY. THE AD FALSELY CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE WITH NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE DISCLOSED, BUT SOON I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE THAT WAS COVERED UP WITH FILLER AND UNDERCOATING. THE FRAME, WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS CONNECT ARE SO VISIBLE RUSTED AROUND THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT THE HOLES ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT MY FINGERS THROUGH, AT LEAST ONCE ALL OF THE FLAKING RUST, FILLER AND UNDERCOATING WERE REMOVED. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED. IT WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE FRAME REPLACEMENT WHICH WILL COST MORE THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT IS TOTALED FROM A DISHONEST DEALER, BUT THE FRAME SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED THIS BAD. IF I HAD HIT A POT HOLE, ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES COULD HAVE SHEERED OFF AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR PERSONAL INJURY. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE IN THIS SITUATION.

I SENT IN A HARD COPY LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO FORD SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2009. UPON STOPPING AT A PARTY STORE WITH MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FORD 2001 RANGER V6 XLT 4X4 MOTOR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NEARLY GOING INTO THE STORE. I TRIED TO STOP IT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ONLY THING, WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM CRASHING INTO A WALL AND POSSIBLY SEVERELY INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, WAS A PROTECTIVE POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE RANGER WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE CEMENT POST AND WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND FRAME. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE ENGINE.. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SEVERE BUMPER AND FRONT-END DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE RANGE HAS 35,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT GILL AND FREEDOM IN THE SPRING OF 2003 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RANGER ACCELERATED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I JAMMED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED WAS ABLE TO PUT GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO DAMAGE TO RANGER. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALLED LAKE WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. USED SAME TECHNIQUE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER IT JUMPED A CURB AND ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ADJACENT STREET. AGAIN, NO DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. I HAVE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THAT WERE REPORTED BY OTHERS HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/RANGER/2002/BRAKES/ACCELERATES_WHEN_APPLYING_BRAKES.SHTML IN 2010 A SIMILAR INCIDENT MARCH 12TH 2010 WAS REPORTED BY A NISSAN PICKUP HOWEVER, THE SAFETY POST WERE NOT PRESENT JUST THE CURB ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING OF THE SAME GAS STATION/PARTY STORE LOCATED AT GRAND RIVE AND DRAKE IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI. THE NISSAN PICKUP WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDOW SHATTERING GLASS WINDOW INTO THE PARTY STORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE WITH THE FARMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THESE INCIDENTS MIGHT NOT BE RELATED TO CURRENT TOYOTA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE WORN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,944. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/06/11

REAR OF FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY. REAR BUMPER IS READY TO FALL OFF. LEFT SPRING UP AGAINST BED FLOOR. THIS TRUCK HAS THE ORIGINAL EXHAUST ON IT NO OTHER PROBLEMS EVER I USE FORD 5W20 SYN. BLEND OIL, CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. GUESS I WASTED ALL THAT MONEY?? I GET 24 MILES TO THE GAL. HIGHWAY. NOW I CANT TAKE IT THERE. STILL LOOKS GOOD SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I AM 68 YRS.OLD, MY ONLY VEH. NO MONEY FOR ANOTHER VEC. NOW WHAT???? THANKS FOR LETTING ME RAMBLE.........[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2001 FORD RANGER IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL NEW YORK INSPECTION. THE INSPECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DANGEROUSLY WEAK DUE TO RUST BY THE REAR SHACKLE BRACKETS WHICH THE LEAF SPRING IS ATTACHED TO. I HAD THESE BRACKETS REPLACED A FEW YEARS EARLY BECAUSE ONE RUSTED OUT AND BROKE. I WOULD HAT TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY FRAME FAILED WHILE ON A INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH. I AM 63 YEARS OLD AND NEVER DID I HAVE A FRAME RUST OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP WHICH WELDED NEW STEEL ON THE FRAME BOTH SIDES.

THE FRAME JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES IS GETTING THIN WITH SMALL HOLES IN IT. ALSO THE CROSSMEMBER BEHIND THE TRANSFER CASE THAT HOLDS THE FRONT GAS TANK SUPPORT IS ROTTED OUT PRETTY BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ARE GETTING PRETTY THIN AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND COMPLETELY RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. ALSO, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 03/16/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO AN AUTOMOTIVE CENTER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONTACT WHERE THE METAL ON THE CALIPER WAS DETERIORATING AND FLAKING OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE BEING INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 EXTENDED CAB - FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IN THE REAR AND HAS HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN THE FRONT WHERE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE MOUNTED. FRAME RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AT REAR SPRING MOUNTS THEY BROKE LOOSE WENT UP AND HIT BED ONE SIDE POKED HOLE IN BED. I CALLED FORD AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS TOYOTA HAS RECENTLY RECALLED TRUCKS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE REAR BRACKETS BROKE LOOSE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS TOYOTA HAS. *TR

CORRODED SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN GASOLINE LINE LEAKING GASOLINE IN LARGE VOLUMES, RESULTING IN DANGER OF FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR CENTER, AWAITING A NEW LINE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE DEALER TO ANOTHER BECAUSE THE FORD WAREHOUSE HAS ZERO LINES IN STOCK. *TR

RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY TRUCK HAS RESULTED IN THE TRUCK NEED A NEW FRAME OR I WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE TRUCK. STARTED IN 2009 THE BUMPER FELL OFF AND I HAD TO PUT STEEL ON THE END OF THE FRAME TO SUPPORT THE BUMPER . IN 2010 THE SPRING HANGER BROKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS GONE , FROM THE BACK WHEELS TO THE BUMPER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATE WHEN THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT PULSATE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,800.

WAS IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT YESTERDAY IN WHICH A CAR RAN A LIGHT AND HIT ME ALMOST HEAD ON. I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. I WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT ARROW TO GO. WHEN THE ARROW CHANGED I PROCEEDED TO TURN. 1/2 INTO MY TURN I WAS HIT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50 MPH. PROBLEM WAS MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT DETECTED THAT THE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED LARGE HOLES, BROKE AND WAS COVERED WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS FAULTY AND POORLY DESIGNED. THE REAR SPRING MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RUST CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD RANGER DOWN THE ROAD, I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS AND SOMETHING POPPED. MY CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOW INCAPABLE OF ACTUATING THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS OR PUT IT IN GEAR AFTER I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO JERK THE GEARSHIFT OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP AS TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. WE HAD TO PUSH THE TRUCK OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. AFTER EXAMINING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I SAW THAT THE CLUTCH HYDRAULIC LINE THAT ATTACHES TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD POPPED OFF. THE ROLL PIN THAT SECURES THAT PARTICULAR CONNECTION HAD WORKED ITSELF LOOSE AND ALLOWED THE LINE TO POP OFF. THE NEXT DAY I REMOVED THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER, RESERVOIR, AND HYDRAULIC LINE. ALL THE PARTS WERE STILL GOOD, SO I BENCH BLED THE ASSEMBLY, INSTALLED, AND BLED THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I READ THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND ISSUED A FREE FIX IF A CUSTOMER HAS THIS PROBLEM AND THE TRUCK IS UNDER WARRANTY. WELL, MY TRUCK ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND FIXING IT MYSELF WAS A HASSLE. I DON'T NEED MY CLUTCH PARTS FAILING LIKE THIS WHEN I'M CROSSING AN INTERSECTION NOR DOES ANYONE ELSE. IT'S A MAJOR DISTRACTION THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. EVEN IF THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T QUALIFY AS A RECALL ISSUE, THEY COULD AT LEAST MAIL ME A COTTER PIN WITH A LETTER TELLING ME TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TSB NUMBER IS 01-24-1 DATED 10/01/2001. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001(SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD BE REPLACED FOR $600. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL, HAZARD, AND BRAKE LIGHTS, AS WELL AS THE TURN SIGNALS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT IT COULD BE RELATED TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. ALL OF THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE SALT ON THE ROADS RUSTED THE FRAME HORRIBLY CAUSING HOLES AND WEAK POINTS THROUGH THE BODY.

2001 FORD RANGER WET ROAD HYDROPLANNED STRIKING CONCRETE BARRIER DRIVER SIDE TWICE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY FORD RANGER, (2001 XLT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) IN AN ATTEMPT TO WARM UP THE TRUCK AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN ACTING UP AS IT WAS NOT SHIFTING AS WELL AS IT SHOULD INTO HIGHER GEARS. THE TRUCK WAS HAVING TROUBLE GOING PAST 10-15 MPH BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS AND WAS GOING MUCH SLOWER THAN NORMAL. AS I DROVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK TO WARM UP THE TRUCK, IT WAS NOT GOING AS FAST AS NORMAL AND IT WARMED UP IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS AT A NORMAL LEVEL. I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK AND CHECKED THE OIL WHICH WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I PROCEEDED TO GO TO QT AND GET SOME GAS AND ON MY WAY BACK TO WORK, I WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND TOOK OFF AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHILE MY FOOT WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD. I THEN COULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN AT THE NEXT LIGHT ENOUGH TO MAKE THE RIGHT TURN SAFELY. I HAD TO MAKE A U TURN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND AFTER PUTTING THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR BY ACCIDENT AND HAD A CO-WORKER WATCH AS I CRANKED UP THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TIRES WERE SPINNING LIKE CRAZY AND THE RPMS WERE WAY UP. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF QUICKLY AS WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, IT FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF AT ANY TIME. MY TRUCK IS PARKED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND I AM SCARED TO GET NEAR THE [XXX] THING. I HAVE A CALL INTO MY MECHANIC NOW. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE INTERSTATE I-65 MY REAR FRAME FELL OFF ALONG WITH THE SPARE TIRE IT WAS DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME IT ALSO TOOK THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES CAUSING THE SPRINGS TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE PICK UP BED I HEAR TELL THIS AMERICAN MADE TRUCK HAS A FRAME THAT WAS MADE IN JAPAN. KNOWINGLY IF THE FRAME WAS MADE IN THE USA IT WOULD OF HAD COPPER IN THE BLEND OF STEEL WHICH SLOWS THE PROBLEM OF DECAY BY RUST. IT WOULD BE UNHEARD OF IF FORD DECLINES TO RECALL THESE DEFECTED FRAMES FOR WHO DOES CLEAN THE POCKETS OF THE FRAMES ON THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES? *TR

WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE GAS TANK, THE OVERFLOW SYSTEM(?) DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. YOU CANNOT HAVE HARDLY ANY PRESSURE OR, AS YOU FILL, THE GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE TANK BEFORE THE SAFETY FEATURE ON GAS PUMPS CAN TURN OFF. GAS SPEWS DOWN THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, OUT ONTO THE GROUND, ONTO MY HAND, ONTO MY FEET. THIS CREATES A COMBUSTION POSSIBILITY AT THE GAS TANK AS WELL AS THE GAS PUMP. THIS OCCURS ABOUT 99% OF THE TIME WHEN I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO THE TANK. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FULL THE TANK IS. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ONLY WAY THAT IT CAN BE FIXED IS BY DROPPING THE GAS TANK. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD IT IS OCCURRING IN OTHER, NEWER FORD PICKUPS. DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE, THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU. *TR

2001 FORD RANGER 2WD 52K MILES. REAR FRAME ROTTED THROUGH AT LEAF SPRING BRACKETS. LEAF SPRING BRACKETS AND SHACKLES ROTTED APART FROM FRAME. CROSSMEMBER AT FUEL TANK ROTTED THROUGH. SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THIS MAY BE RELATED TO ROAD SALT USE BUT MY OTHER (OLDER) VEHICLES NEVER ROTTED OUT TO THIS EXTENT. NOT SURE WHAT MY FINAL FIX WILL BE YET, BUT IT WILL INVOLVE SOME PATCHING AND WELDING. WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE FRAME, OR AT LEAST BACK HALF OF FRAME TO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT VEHICLE WILL BE SAFE AND LAST LONG ENOUGH TO REACH 100K MILES. DISAPPOINTING FAILURE FROM AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURER. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER AND HAVE A REALLY BAD RUSTING ISSUE ON THE REAR FRAME. THE FRONT HALF SEEMS FINE BUT THE REAR HALF IS RUSTING REALLY BAD AND I FEAR THAT SINCE I HAVE HAD LARGE CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL FALL OFF THAT MORE CRITICAL PARTS MAY BE WEAKENED BY THE BAD RUST. I BELONG TO A RANGER FORUM AND KNOW THAT MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS ME. *TR

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A LEAK OVER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED (10 MPH), AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I THOUGHT THE BRAKING SYSTEMS IN MODERN TRUCKS HAVE REDUNDANT LINES SO THAT IF THERE IS A LEAK, ONLY HALF THE BRAKES FAIL? *TR

TRANS SHIFT PROBLEM 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT HARD SHIFT STARTED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO 2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 ,STARTED ONLY DOING IT ON COLD STARTS NOW DOES IT ALL THE TIME COLD OR HOT HAVE TO LET OFF ACCELERATOR TO GET TO SHIFT OR MANUALLY SHIFT FROM SHIFT LEVER.OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES AS SOON AS IT SLAMS INTO GEAR ,TRANS SLIP. FORD HAS HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH TRANS. BEEN A AUTO TECH FOR FORD FOR MANY YEARS ITS TIME TO HAVE FORD LOOK AT THE ON GOING PROBLEMS. *TR

2001 FORD RANGER WITH 86866K. IN AROUND SEPT 2010 I HEARD A THUMP AND BANGING FROM THE BACK. UPON HOME I LOOKED UNDER I SAW THAT THE SHACKLE MOUNT ROTTED AND BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT BREAK BUT NOT ANY BETTER THEN THE ONE THAT BROKE. I BOUGHT THE SHACKLE AND THE SHACKLE MOUNTS. AFTER I REMOVED THE SHACKLE MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I SAW ROT THROUGH THE FRAME AS WELL HEAVY FLAKING RUST THRO-OUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID IN A NUT SHELL TOO BAD. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL PORTIONS OF THE FRAME, FUEL SYSTEM, AND BRAKE DRUMS WERE RUSTED. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT ENDS OF THE FRAME WERE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE RUSTING AND THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WAS ALSO RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER WAS ALSO RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RUSTING BEGAN APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ UPDATED 01/03/12

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER XLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING, THEN IT STOPPED AND BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN. THE ACCELERATED CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CERTAIN IF ANY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED 30 SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREOWNED AND IT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2009. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC OR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED THE SAME READING, UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE NEEDLE WITHIN THE OIL GAUGE WOULD FLUTTER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE OIL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2001 FORD RANGER, WHICH NOW HAS 96000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED IT NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 90000 MILES, THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF OF THE FRAME. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THE TRUCK BED DROPPED DOWN ON TO THE SHACKLE EAR WITH A TU=HUD AND SHOOK THE TRUCK. THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE HOUSING HAS ALSO RUSTED AWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT PASSED OUT AND THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED CUTS AND BRUISES ON HIS BODY. HE WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE IN 2007 FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL, IN WHICH THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. THE FORD MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

IN 2001 PURCHASED A NEW FORD 2001 XLT RANGER FROM A DEALERSHIP. IN MARCH/APRIL 2009, AT 76,000 MILES IT BECAME NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKELINE SYSTEM DUE TO ROT. IN DEC /JAN 2009 THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE REAR BUMPER BECAME LOOSE. IN THE EARLY SPRING OF 2010 THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF IN MY HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SET FOR SERVICE AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE FRAME AND BED ATTACHMENT, LEAF SPRINGS AND FRAME ATTACHMENTS, MAIN FRAME, WERE CORRODED AND ROTTED WITH VISIBLE HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN BECAUSE A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT FRAME IS UNAVAILABLE AND REPAIRS AT THIS TIME ARE UNAFFORDABLE. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED COLLISION IN MY 2001 FORD RANGER 4X4 PICKUP ON THE MORNING OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009. I WAS DRIVING ALONG A COUNTY ROAD AT 55 M.P.H. WHEN A 2003 FORD RANGER SUDDENLY MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AS THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE DECIDING TO TURN. I COULD NOT AVOID THE OTHER VEHICLE AND STRUCK ITS DRIVER SIDE DOOR TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 - 55 M.P.H. WITH THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH, SEATBELT BRUISING, BRUISED SHINS FROM HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD,, AS WELL AS TORN MUSCLES IN MY NECK ON EITHER SIDE OF MY LARYNX. ON AUGUST 1, 2008, I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN TO HAVE A RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG IN MY TRUCK. WERE THE CRASH EVEN MORE SERIOUS, THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MORE SEVERE OR EVEN FATAL INJURIES. AS OF NOW, I HAVE MANY MONTHS AND POSSIBLY YEARS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AHEAD OF ME. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HIGH SPEED FRONT END CRASH AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO. I BELIEVE MY INJURIES WOULD BE MUCH LESS SEVERE HAD THEY DEPLOYED. *TR

2001 FORD RANGER SPEED CONTROL DID NOT WORK. BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE SERVO WAS REPLACED FOR $316.90. SPEED CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH NEVER WORKED, BLINKING THEFT LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY, AND A WIRING ODOR IS NOTICEABLE. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF SERVO, THE SPEED CONTROL STILL DOES NOT WORK. THE TRUCK HAS APPROX. 34000+ MILES ON IT WHEN IT WENT INTO THE GARAGE FOR THIS WORK. MY QUESTION IS WHY, WITH SO MANY APPARENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THIS TRUCK WAS NOT PUT ON THE RECALL LIST? *TR

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE FRAME OF MY 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE. AT ONE POINT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A LITTLE NOISE SO I STOPPED AND THE SPARE TIRE CAME ROLLING BY ME DOWN THE STREET. ONE OF MY LEAF SPRINGS CRACKED SO I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HE SAID THE FRAME WAS ALL ROTTED OUT AND THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS YEAR RANGER. HE SAID THE SHACKLES THAT HOLD ON THE LEAF SPRIG WERE BROKEN BECAUSE OF ROT. SO HE BRACED UP SOME AREAS WITH METAL AND INSTALLED NEW LEAF SPRINGS AND SHACKLES. THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS TILTED BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. I CANT GIVE YOU AN EXACT DATE THAT THIS FIRST HAPPENED BUT I BELIEVE IT IS AROUND THE DATE I PUT DOWN. I GET NERVOUS TOWING MY BOAT OR MY POP UP TRAILER BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *TT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE VIOLENTLY AND ACT AS IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE REASON BEHIND THE FAILURE. SEVERAL REPAIRS, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, TO DATE, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 02/23/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. UPDATED 08/12/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON A PATCH OF SNOW. THE REAR WHEELS LOST TRACTION AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED BRUISED RIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE AND A STIFF NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR BRUISES EVERYWHERE INCLUDING HER BACK, LEGS, AND WRISTS. SHE ALSO SUSTAINED A SEVERE BUMP ON HER BACK AND MINOR CUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE CONTACT IS ASSUMING THAT THE VEHICLE IS DESTROYED. HE WILL WAIT UNTIL THE SPRING TO CHECK THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES THAT THE PASSENGER SHOULD NOT HAVE SUSTAINED THAT MUCH BRUISING AND INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. DURING THE CRASH, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP, WHICH ALLOWED THE PASSENGER'S BODY TO JERK AROUND AND BECOME BRUISED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF UPDATED 02/09/09. *JB