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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

Wheels complaints

7 reports
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70,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL SPINDLE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WHEEL SPINDLE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10501236

124,000 miles · Feb 5, 2012
StructureWheels

CRACKED FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE BY SHOCK MOUNT, BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OFF. ALSO REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF. AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING!. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TRUCK ONLY HAVE 124K ON IT AND IT IS IMACULENT SHAPE OTHER THA…

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CRACKED FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE BY SHOCK MOUNT, BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS RUSTED OFF. ALSO REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ROTTED OFF. AS WELL AS THE SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY ROTTED OFF CAUSING MY SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING!. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. TRUCK ONLY HAVE 124K ON IT AND IT IS IMACULENT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE FRAME..VERY DISAPPOINTED ALSO I CLEAN AND MAINTAIN MY TRUCKS VERY WELL.. I WASH IT AT LEAST ONE A WEEK AND I WASH THE UNDERNEATH THEN I DRIVE AROUND TILL ITS DRY AND STILL ITS IN POOR SHAPE.. NONE OF MY OTHER TRUCKS DO THIS SO ITS NOT HOW I MAINTAIN THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446736

32,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Wheels

AFTER DRIVING FROM A LONG ROAD TRIP CONSUMER HEARD A FUNNY NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER PUT VEHICLE UP ON A LIFT, AND TWO OF THE WHEELS LUGS, NUTS FELL TO THE FLOOR FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064632

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHEN DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES KICKED IN, AND MOMENTS LATER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HE KEPT ASKING THE DEALER TO REMEDY THE STEERING-3 TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP TAKING…

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WHEN DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES KICKED IN, AND MOMENTS LATER, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HE KEPT ASKING THE DEALER TO REMEDY THE STEERING-3 TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP TAKING THE VEHICLE TO GET A FRONT END ALIGNMENT EVERY FEW DAYS. THE TAIL GATE LATCH DOES NOT OPERATE, THE WIND IS STILL LEAKING AROUND THE DOOR, THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAKE NOISE OVERHEAD/PERIODICALLY LOCKS UP AND THROWS OFF THE DRIVE BELT AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER, THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL/ROARING NOISE-ROTATED TIRES. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8014213

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicTiresWheels

ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AFTER 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THEN, AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS DUE TO GRINDING NOISE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CURRENTLY, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THIS WAS DUE TO CALIPERS BEING FAULTY, ROTORS AND PADS NEED REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATED RIMS AND TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED, SPECIFI…

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ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AFTER 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. THEN, AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS DUE TO GRINDING NOISE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CURRENTLY, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUND THIS WAS DUE TO CALIPERS BEING FAULTY, ROTORS AND PADS NEED REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATED RIMS AND TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED, SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS NOT GIVEN. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #887733

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000
WheelsInjury

WHILE WASHING A WHEEL ON TRUCK THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A DEEP CUT TO HIS FINGER ON THE EDGE OF THE RAZOR SHARP WHEEL SPOKE, AFTER EXAMINATION OF THE OTHER WHEELS HE FOUND THAT ALL THE SPOKE EDGES WERE SHARP AS WELL. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558437

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2000
Wheels

WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP DUE TO LACK OF GREASE IT ALMOST PUT ME IN THE DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER,BRANDON FORD, AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE RIGHT ASSEMBLY COSTING ABOUT $600 AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY DID NOT,HOWEVER,CHECK OR REPALCE THE LEF…

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WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP DUE TO LACK OF GREASE IT ALMOST PUT ME IN THE DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER,BRANDON FORD, AND THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE RIGHT ASSEMBLY COSTING ABOUT $600 AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY DID NOT,HOWEVER,CHECK OR REPALCE THE LEFT SIDE ASSEMBLY WHICH FAILED AT HIGHER SPEED. THE LEFT SIDE ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP 200 MILES LATER WHILE I WAS TAKING IT IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND THIS TIME AT 65MPH AND ALMOST THREW ME INTO A RETAINING WALL BEING USED ON I-4 AT MLK IN TAMPA. I AM FILING THIS REPORT WITH YOU SO THAT IF THERE ARE ANY MORE VEHICLES OUT THERE-EXPLORERS AND RANGERS THAT FORD FAILED TO LUBRICATE AND ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE ,IT WILL BE ON RECORD. AS CLOSE AS IT WAS TO CAUSING A WRECK,I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD FOLLOW UP TO MAKE SURE THAT SOME UNSUSPECTING AND LESS ALERT DRIVER DOESN'T GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE. ALTHOUGH THEY REPLACED THE ABOVE ITEMS, THEY FAILED TO REPLACE BOTH WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO BE PRODDED TO CHECK OUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MISSED. PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY AN AUTOMATED "STATION" THAT WAS COMPUTER CONTROLLED AND THAT RAN OUT OF GREASE AND WASN'T CAUGHT UNTIL MUCH LATER. I ALSO FEEL THAT WHEN IT WAS FOUND THEY DECIDED TO LET IT PASS RATHER THAN DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME AND WAIT FOR THE CONSUMER TO REPORT A FAILURE TO HIS DEALER. THIS ISN'T JUST CYNICISM, I HAVE OWNED A 1987 COUGAR,FIRESTONE 500 TIRES AND A CHEVY PU WITH SIDE SADDLE GAS TANKS.

NHTSA ODI #734299

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.