NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
670 reports130,000 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
100,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAP WAS LOOSE AND THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LOCK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V228001 (SEAT BELTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT STRAP WAS LOOSE AND THE BUCKLE WOULD NOT LOCK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V228001 (SEAT BELTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/22/14 MA UPDATED 04/24/14
NHTSA ODI #10567045
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
80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ON BOTH SIDES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10559789
110,000 miles · Jan 8, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10559020
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
Official recalls
3Aug 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.
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.
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 ↗