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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005
Electrical System

IN OUR 2000 FORD RANGER, THE DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY REMAINS ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THE LIGHT AND THE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN ON WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS NIGHT-DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS DRAINED THE CAR'S BATTERY, STRANDING THE OWNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 …

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IN OUR 2000 FORD RANGER, THE DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY REMAINS ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THE LIGHT AND THE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN ON WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS NIGHT-DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS DRAINED THE CAR'S BATTERY, STRANDING THE OWNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. THIS FAILURE WAS UNPROVOKED, NO INDICATOR OF ANY OTHER PROBLEM WAS GIVEN AND THE DRIVER IS AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WITHOUT TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145927

36,179 miles · Sep 22, 2005
Electrical System

2000 FORD RANGER HAD SMOKE SEEPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER THE CONSUMER WOULD USE HIS TURN SIGNAL.*MR THE CONSUMER SAW NEW COVERAGE ON RECALL OF SOME FORD TRUCK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH HER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SW…

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2000 FORD RANGER HAD SMOKE SEEPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER THE CONSUMER WOULD USE HIS TURN SIGNAL.*MR THE CONSUMER SAW NEW COVERAGE ON RECALL OF SOME FORD TRUCK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH HER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10137770

35,000 miles · Sep 2, 2005
Air BagsElectrical System

SRS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON NOW, MAY BE DUE TO USING SWITCH TO TURN OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG A COUPLE OF TIMES OR DRIVING WITH IT OFF. NOW THE ALERT LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER DOESN'T LIGHT EITHER. OTHER PROBLEM IS ENGINE KNOCKING EVEN THOUGH THIS 2000 RANGER HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN BABIED ON SUPER PREMIUM GAS. I FEEL THAT FORDS …

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SRS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON NOW, MAY BE DUE TO USING SWITCH TO TURN OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG A COUPLE OF TIMES OR DRIVING WITH IT OFF. NOW THE ALERT LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER DOESN'T LIGHT EITHER. OTHER PROBLEM IS ENGINE KNOCKING EVEN THOUGH THIS 2000 RANGER HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN BABIED ON SUPER PREMIUM GAS. I FEEL THAT FORDS TEND TO FAIL JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENED LITERALLY AT THE MARK OF 36,000 MILES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THEM!

NHTSA ODI #10135143

58,089 miles · May 17, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATED: THE SERPENTINE BELT WENT OUT TWICE AND THE PULLEY SYSTEM HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT, THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON, THEN A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THERE WERE NO BRAKES LEFT, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. FORD SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE TO GO OUT WHEN ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10121221

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

94,256 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Electrical System

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AS WELL AS THE BUZZER. AT ONE TIME, THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AND THE BATTERY WENT DEAD! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10062383

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2004
Electrical System

VEHICLE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063042

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2004
Electrical System

WATER INTRUSION ISSUE ON CONNECTORS 309 AND 304 UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE CONNECTORS PROVIDE VEHICLE SPEED INFORMATION TO THE 4WABS MODULE 4 WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE THE DSS PROVIDES VEHICLE SPEED TO THE 4WABS. THIS INFORMATION IS USED FOR OTHER MODULES SUCH AS PCM FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WATER IN THIS CONNECTOR …

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WATER INTRUSION ISSUE ON CONNECTORS 309 AND 304 UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE CONNECTORS PROVIDE VEHICLE SPEED INFORMATION TO THE 4WABS MODULE 4 WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE THE DSS PROVIDES VEHICLE SPEED TO THE 4WABS. THIS INFORMATION IS USED FOR OTHER MODULES SUCH AS PCM FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WATER IN THIS CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE ERRONEOUS CODES AND DRIVABILITY ISSUES. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052975

40,156 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Electrical SystemTires

I WENT THROUGH 3 SUPPOSEDLY NEW ALTERNATORS WITHIN ONE MONTH. DEALERSHIPS IN BOTH TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATORS AND REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE. I PAID FOR THREE ALTERNATORS IN ONE MONTH!!!! DON'T TELL ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. ALSO, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR …

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I WENT THROUGH 3 SUPPOSEDLY NEW ALTERNATORS WITHIN ONE MONTH. DEALERSHIPS IN BOTH TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATORS AND REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE. I PAID FOR THREE ALTERNATORS IN ONE MONTH!!!! DON'T TELL ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. ALSO, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW (I WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR IT) BUT AFTER IT FAILED AND WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A REBUILT ALTERNATOR. WHY DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE ME FOR A NEW ONE, AND WHY WASN'T I REFUNDED ANY MONEY?!?! ALSO, I HAVE WILDERNESS HT P225/10/R15 TIRES. THEY ALWAYS SQUEAL WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS OR OVER SPEED BUMPS, NO MATTER HOW SLOW I AM GOING. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM? I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM. THANKS FOR THE HELP. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046848

32,995 miles · Jul 1, 2003
Electrical System

WHEN I TURNED ON MY TURN SIGNAL SMOKE WOULD COME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH THE HAZARD SWTICH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10025221

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.