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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

Structure complaints

105 reports
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178,600 miles · May 11, 2014
StructureSuspension

WAS LOADING A WASHING MACHINE IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRAME HAD HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE BODY IS GOOD SHAPE. I WASH THE TRUCK REGULARLY, INCLUDING THE UNDER SIDE, SO I DON'T …

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WAS LOADING A WASHING MACHINE IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, AND HEARD A CRACK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO SEE THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRAME HAD HOLES RUSTED THROUGH IN NUMEROUS SPOTS. THE BODY IS GOOD SHAPE. I WASH THE TRUCK REGULARLY, INCLUDING THE UNDER SIDE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HAS ROTTED IN SPOTS. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS, AS I HAVE OLDER TRUCKS THAT HAVE NOT RUSTED, THAT SEE HARSH USE ON OUR FARM. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER THAT IS FOR PERSONAL USE, AND I LOVED THIS TRUCK TILL I SAW THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587669

130,000 miles · Apr 27, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME ON MY 2000 FORD RANGER HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE I WILL EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE POOR OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME BUT THE WORST PART IS AT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES, HOLES CO…

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THE FRAME ON MY 2000 FORD RANGER HAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE PUTTING ANYTHING IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE I WILL EVEN FEEL SAFE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE POOR OVERALL CONDITION OF THE FRAME BUT THE WORST PART IS AT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES, HOLES COMPLETELY THROUGH. HAVEN'T CHECKED THE REST OF THE FRAME THOROUGHLY BUT WILL THIS WEEK BEFORE I DECIDE IF IT'S EVEN WORTH THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO FIND ON A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN FAIRLY WELL MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS. I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A FULL SIZE TRUCK. I GUESS I BETTER DO A LITTLE RESEARCH BEFORE I BUY SOMETHING ELSE. I FOUND OUT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE/WERE AWARE OF THE FRAME ISSUES WITH THESE TRUCKS MANY YEARS AGO. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING THIS RANGER, AT LEAST I WOULD HAVE OIL SPRAYED OR SOMETHING TO PREVENT PREMATURE FAILURE. WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE NEXT TIME I BUY A TRUCK. I WAS HOPING TO FIND FRAME RECALL INFO ON THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF UPSET RANGER OWNERS OUT THERE BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE. MY PREVIOUS F150 WAS AROUND FOR A LOT LONGER THAN THIS ONE WILL BE. SIGNED. DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2000 RANGER XLT EXTENDED CAB 3.0. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585145

124,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 07/01/14 MA THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THREE BRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 07/01/14 MA THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THREE BRAKE LINES FAILED, THE TAILGATE FAILED AND THE REAR BUMPER RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10584245

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2014
Structure

THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE REAR AREA OF THE TRUCK AND HAS BECOME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573658

120,000 miles · Mar 2, 2014
StructureSuspension

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. IN 2011, THE REAR BUMPER WAS FALLING OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD FALL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN 2008 I TOWED A CAR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW WEAK TH…

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I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. IN 2011, THE REAR BUMPER WAS FALLING OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD FALL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN 2008 I TOWED A CAR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW WEAK THAT BUMPER WAS AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE CAR I TOWED WAS A BIT HEAVIER. AROUND THE SAME TIME I HAD TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM ITS HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK BED - THE SPARE TIRE AND BRACKETRY WAS SLOWLY SAGGING TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, IT WAS REMOVED BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. MOST RECENTLY BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS AND THEIR BRACKETS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE WHOLE REAR END OF THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRUCK HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE - IT ONLY HAS 135,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - NO RUST ON THE BODY. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE. JUST THE REAR 1/4 OR SO OF THE FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566707

120,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
StructureSuspension

I HAVE A 2000 RANGER AND WAS TOLD BY A REPAIR SHOP THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE REAR SHACKLES AND LEAF SPRING HANGERS BEING COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF THE FRAME. THE WHOLE REAR FRAME IS ROTTED ALSO AND BARELY HOLDING THE REAR BUMPER ON. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT ALMOST EVERY RANGER LIKE MINE HAS THIS PROBLEM, B…

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I HAVE A 2000 RANGER AND WAS TOLD BY A REPAIR SHOP THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE REAR SHACKLES AND LEAF SPRING HANGERS BEING COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF THE FRAME. THE WHOLE REAR FRAME IS ROTTED ALSO AND BARELY HOLDING THE REAR BUMPER ON. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT ALMOST EVERY RANGER LIKE MINE HAS THIS PROBLEM, BOTH OLDER AND NEWER YEARS. THIS ISSUE IS SO BAD THAT AUTO PARTS STORES ARE KEEPING THESE PARTS IN STOCK. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED ESPECIALLY IN STATES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ANNUAL INSPECTIONS LIKE MINE, MICHIGAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565702

86,000 miles · Feb 15, 2014
StructureSuspension

REAR RIGHT FRAME RAIL ROTTED OFF OF TRUCK BUMPER SAGGING. RUST INCURSION INTO LEAF SPRING SHACKLE AFFECTING LEAF SPRING MOUNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564462

66,000 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED FROM RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10553080

168,000 miles · Oct 13, 2013
StructureTires

NOT REALLY AN INCIDENT, MORE OF A COMPLAINT. WE BOUGHT A 2000 RANGER APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING AND WE FOUND OUT WHY. THE SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY WAS A BLOCK OF RUST AND THE SHEET METAL THAT MADE UP THE HOLDER THAT THE CARRIER WAS ATTACHED TO IS SO SEVERELY ROTTED THAT IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY EVEN HOLD …

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NOT REALLY AN INCIDENT, MORE OF A COMPLAINT. WE BOUGHT A 2000 RANGER APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING AND WE FOUND OUT WHY. THE SPARE TIRE WINCH ASSEMBLY WAS A BLOCK OF RUST AND THE SHEET METAL THAT MADE UP THE HOLDER THAT THE CARRIER WAS ATTACHED TO IS SO SEVERELY ROTTED THAT IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY EVEN HOLD A TIRE. THE SHEET METAL MENTIONED IS A STRUCTURAL PART OF THE REAR FRAME AND IT HAS MAJOR ROT AND SHOULD PROBABLY BE REPLACED. MY SON NEEDED A SPARE TIRE SO SINCE THERE WAS NO HOLDER HE PUT IT IN THE BED. WHEN HE PUT IT IN THE BED IN BOUNCED TO THE RIGHT AND PUT A LARGE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE BED JUST BEHIND THE CAB. WE STARTED TO CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE BED ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS SO RUSTED THAT IT WAS LITERALLY STATING TO CRUMBLE IN SPOTS. WHILE CHECKING IT OUT WE PUT SEVERAL MORE HOLES IN THE FLOOR OF THE BED AND THE SIDES JUST BY POKING AROUND WITH A SCREWDRIVER. THE BED IS A STEPSIDE AND THERE IS NO METAL LEFT UNDER THE STEPS AT ALL, IF YOU WERE TO STEP ON EITHER SIDE YOU WOULD CRACK THE FIBERGLASS SIDES. WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE BED. ALL OF THE BOLTS HAD TO BE CUT OUT DUE TO THE RUST. ONCE WE GOT THE BED OFF WE WERE SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED TOP TO BOTTOM WITH RUST. I HAVE RESTORED OLDER TRUCKS IN THE PAST SOME FROM THE 40'S AND I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED RUST LIKE I HAVE SEEN ON THIS ONE, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS NO PAINT ON IT FROM THE FACTORY AT ALL. WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF WIRE BRUSHING THE FRAME SO WE CAN SPRAY A RUST CONVERTER AND TRY TO REPAINT THE FRAME. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RUST ON THESE TRUCKS AND FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE JUST LIKE TOYOTA WAS WHEN THEY HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION INVOLVING RUSTED FRAMES ON THEIR TRUCKS. TRUST ME I AM A DIE HARD FORD FAN BUT I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY SON AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547784

99,603 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Structure

WELL THE FRAME LOOKS VERY CHEAP NOW AND IS REALLY FLAKING BADLY ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A HUGE HOLE IN THE FRAME THAT WENT UNNOTICED UNTIL NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543553

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.