REAR FRAME ROTTED OUT. THE TRUCK WAS GARAGE KEPT FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS UNTIL I MOVED. I ALWAYS TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLES ALWAYS WASHING AND WAXING THEM. I NEVER TOOK THEM OFF ROADING OR IN ANY MUDDY CONDITIONS. THE BODY IS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AS IS THE INTERIOR AND EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE TRUCK. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
670 reportsCRACKED 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND EMITTED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BOOTS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND EMITTED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BOOTS THAT WERE ATTACHED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.
THERE IS A LOT OF FRAME RUST ON MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE BED. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS, BOTH BROKE OFF BECAUSE OF RUST. TWICE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, LUCKILY I SAW THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. …
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THERE IS A LOT OF FRAME RUST ON MY TRUCK. ESPECIALLY WHERE THE FRAME CONNECTS TO THE BED. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS, BOTH BROKE OFF BECAUSE OF RUST. TWICE THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, LUCKILY I SAW THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. THE REAR BUMPERS PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND THE NOW IS VERY RUSTY AND IT COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER RETENTION BOLT HEADS SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TO FALL BACK AGAINST BACK WALL OF TRUCK CAB. ACCIDENT NARROWLY AVOIDED AS HANDS MOMENTARILY CAME OFF OF STEERING WHEEL; FORTUNATELY, TRUCK WAS NOT AN EXTENDED CAB VERSION SO CONTROL WAS REGAINED QUICKLY. 1ST BOLT PROBABLY HAD…
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DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINER RETENTION BOLT HEADS SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TO FALL BACK AGAINST BACK WALL OF TRUCK CAB. ACCIDENT NARROWLY AVOIDED AS HANDS MOMENTARILY CAME OFF OF STEERING WHEEL; FORTUNATELY, TRUCK WAS NOT AN EXTENDED CAB VERSION SO CONTROL WAS REGAINED QUICKLY. 1ST BOLT PROBABLY HAD BROKEN OFF SOME TIME IN THE PAST, (DATE UNKNOWN); 2ND BOLT HEAD BROKE ON DATE INDICATED. FORD ISSUED RECALL 03S04S1 IN 2006 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE 1998 - 2001 EXPLORER; HOWEVER, FORD STATES RECALL 03S04S1 DOES NOT COVER RANGER EVEN THOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE THE SAME SEAT DESIGN AND BOLTS ARE USED IN BOTH MODELS. OTHER RECALLS HAVE ALSO BEEN ISSUED FOR RECLINER PROBLEMS IN FORD SUV'S (SEE RECALL 03V281000) IN THIS SAME MODEL YEAR 2000 TIMEFRAME. *TR
WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION JUMPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE MAKING A PEDESTRIAN JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. AND HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER. *TR
MY FORD RANGER IS A 2000 ITS A GOOD TRUCK BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED COMPLETLY OUT. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE ONLY OTHER RUST ON THE TRUCK IS THE BUMPERS. I PAID $3000 FOR THE TRUCK 8 MONTHS AGO IF I LOOSE THAT MONEY CAUSE FORD DOES NOT FIX IT I WILL BE A VERY MAD PERSON. I MAY NOT BE HAS MAD BUT THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUS…
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MY FORD RANGER IS A 2000 ITS A GOOD TRUCK BUT THE FRAME IS ROTTED COMPLETLY OUT. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE ONLY OTHER RUST ON THE TRUCK IS THE BUMPERS. I PAID $3000 FOR THE TRUCK 8 MONTHS AGO IF I LOOSE THAT MONEY CAUSE FORD DOES NOT FIX IT I WILL BE A VERY MAD PERSON. I MAY NOT BE HAS MAD BUT THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE FRAME. *TR
BOTH REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED OFF OF THE FRAME. BOTH REAR SHOCK BRACKETS RUSTED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HOLES HAVE DEVELOPED, THE REAR TIRE CARRIER IS RUSTED AWAY. THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THEY BREAK ON A REGULAR INTERVAL. THE WHOLE FRAME IS REALLY RUSTED BAD. THIS IS A 2000 F…
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BOTH REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED OFF OF THE FRAME. BOTH REAR SHOCK BRACKETS RUSTED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HOLES HAVE DEVELOPED, THE REAR TIRE CARRIER IS RUSTED AWAY. THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THEY BREAK ON A REGULAR INTERVAL. THE WHOLE FRAME IS REALLY RUSTED BAD. THIS IS A 2000 FORD RANGER THAT I PURCHASED NEW,HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THIS TRUCK NEEDS BE RECALLED! *TR
FRAME ROTTED. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY MANY RANGERS WITH THE YEAR AROUND 2000. I HAD A CRACKED FRAME ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD OF WHERE FROM SUSPENSION FOR REAR TIRES MEET FRAME. CRACKED FRAME COMPLETELY AND WHEN BED WAS REMOVED CAUSE TRUCK TO COLLAPSE AND BE IMMOVEABLE UNTIL FRAME WAS SIMPLY PATCHED TO BE MOVED. …
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FRAME ROTTED. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY MANY RANGERS WITH THE YEAR AROUND 2000. I HAD A CRACKED FRAME ABOUT 2 FEET FORWARD OF WHERE FROM SUSPENSION FOR REAR TIRES MEET FRAME. CRACKED FRAME COMPLETELY AND WHEN BED WAS REMOVED CAUSE TRUCK TO COLLAPSE AND BE IMMOVEABLE UNTIL FRAME WAS SIMPLY PATCHED TO BE MOVED. HAD TO JUNK TRUCK DUE TO CONDITION AND REPAIR COSTS WERE MORE THAN TRUCK WAS WORTH. VERY UPSET WITH 2000 FORD RANGER I PURCHASED. SPENT ALOT OF MONEY AND DIDNT EVEN GET A YEAR OUT OF TRUCK. NEVER USED TO TOW OR AS WORK TRUCK. NEVER MORE THAN 200 POUNDS IN BED AND STILL HAD FRAME PROBLEMS. SOME THING IS VERY WRONG WITH FORD RANGER FRAMES. WHEN WILL SOMETHING BE DONE . I MAY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE DUE TO THIS UNFORTUNATE BUT ALL TOO COMMON FRAME FAILURE. *TR
FRAME ROTTING, HOLES IN FRAME, REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED OFF, SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF, REAR BUMPER FALLING OFF - ALL DUE TO RUST. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. REST OF TRUCK IN GREAT CONDITION. *TR
Official recalls
307V336000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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