FaultScore

2001 Ford Ranger body problems

114 of the 687 complaints about the 2001 Ford Ranger are about the body and structure — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

C

114

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 54 47.4%
Underbody Shields 23 20.2%
Frame AND Members 19 16.7%
Structure 9 7.9%
Door 4 3.5%
Roof AND Pillars 2 1.8%
Hinge AND Attachments 2 1.8%
Tailgate 1 0.9%

Body & Structure across every Ford Ranger year

1991 13 1.9%
1992 15 2.2%
1994 21 3.0%
1995 21 3.0%
1996 12 1.7%
1997 25 3.6%
1998 45 6.5%
1999 90 13.0%
2000 110 15.9%
2001 114 16.5%
2002 49 7.1%
2003 43 6.2%
2004 48 7.0%
2005 34 4.9%
2006 26 3.8%
2007 13 1.9%
2008 11 1.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Holbrook, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

The rear frame rusted so bad the bumper fell off and the frame actually cracked. This is a common issue with the late 1990s & early 2000s Ford Ranger, I do not understand why this isn't a recall yet as is it very dangerous. This happened on the highway. The front end frame, engine and all the components work flawlessly while the rear frame is just crumbling in rust.

NHTSA complaint #11463502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eastpointe, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame has rusted so bad it has completely separated from the body. The Ranger frame rusting is a known problem but it has not been recalled like the Toyota Takoma has been.

NHTSA complaint #11455156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peabody, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame is rotted and broken on both side in the rear

NHTSA complaint #11436918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

State Center, IA

STRUCTURE:BODY

I noticed that there was significantly more rust than there should be. There are places where the frame has rusted through. It is a major safety concern. I researched the issue and found several others with the same concern. I also found that Toyota has previously recalled several vehicles for the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11426128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,902 miles Cortland, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH. REAR DRIVER SIDE SPRING MOUNT HAS RUSTED AND BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. REAR BUMPER MOUNTS AND SPARE TIRE MOUNTS ARE RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED .

NHTSA complaint #11375642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,619 miles NEW Franklin, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

THESE ARE PICTURES OF THE FRAME ON MY RANGER. THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND IT ONLY HAS 76,619 MILES ON IT. MY MECHANIC FOUND THIS WHEN I WAS HAVING THE BRAKE LINE REPAIRED AND HE LIFTED THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #11253033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waycross, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I GOT TO WORK I NOTHING MY REAR BUMPER FELL OFF WITH NO GIVEN WARNING AND I DIDN'T HEAR IT HIT THE GROUND I GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRAME AND NOTICED THE WHOLE FRAME WAS ROTTEN AWAY AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11244925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morgantown, WV

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED A USED 2001 FORD RANGER, WENT TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND THERE WAS SEVERE RUST UNDERNEATH OF THE FRAME TO THE POINT THE INSPECTOR SAID IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AROUND. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS FOR THE TRUCKS FRAME UNDERNEATH? WILL PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #11234843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,559 miles NEW Franklin, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT I'VE HAD THE FRAME RUST OUT. I JUST HAD SOME WORK DONE TO THE TRUCK AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT A CHUNK OF THE FRAME FELL OFF WHEN HE LIFTED THE TRUCK TO DO WORK TO THE BRAKE LINES. I'VE ALREADY HAD WELDING WORK DONE TO THE TRUCK RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE IT WASN'T DISCLOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING OUT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE. THE ATTACHED IMAGE IS FROM WHEN I HAD THE WELDING WORK DONE THE FIRST TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11229889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,092 miles York Spring, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE SPARE TIRE LOOSENED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED NOTHING BUT RUST WHERE THE FRAME FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,092. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11217064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Whiteville, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE SALT ON THE ROADS RUSTED THE FRAME HORRIBLY CAUSING HOLES AND WEAK POINTS THROUGH THE BODY.

NHTSA complaint #11204457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Campbellsport, WI

STRUCTURE:BODY

ALL 4 REAR SHACKLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING AWAY. ALSO DRIVERSIDE REAR SHOCK WHERE IT ATTACHES FRAME RUSTED OFF. THE BED HAS RUSTED OFF OF THE FRONT 2 BED MOUNTS

NHTSA complaint #11190104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delta, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

2001 FORD RANGER FRAME IS RUSTED OUT BAD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR MAKING A VEHICLE THAT THE FRAME ONLY LASTS 15 TO 17 YEARS!

NHTSA complaint #11141713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,751 miles Deerfield, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

BODY FRAME RUSTED TO THE POINT I NOTICED THE BUMPER WAS HANGING DOWN ON DRIVERS SIDE, AS I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY I HAD SEEN THE SHACKLE WAS BROKEN AND THE PLATE OVER THE SPARE TIRE WAS CRACKED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE THE TIRE TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK OR BUMPER WHICH WAS NOT CONNECTED ON DRIVERS SIDE BECAUSE OF RUST ALSO FRAME HAD TO BE REPAIRED THESE ARE THE REPAIRS I HAD DONE, REPLACED REAR FRAME SECTION FROM REAR AXLE SNUBBERS TO BUMPER, REPLACED REAR SHACKLES-REPLACED RIGHT SIDE REAR FRAME SHACKLE MOUNT REPAIRED CROSSMEMBER FOR GAS TANK RIGHT SIDE-REPAIR RIGHT FRONT FRAME RAIL ROUND CONTRO; ARM TO TRANS CROSSMEMBER COST WITH LABOR $973.69

NHTSA complaint #11120823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Medford, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS. GAS TANK HOLDING STRAPS. BOTH CHASIS RAILS ARE RUSTING AWAY WITH BIG CHUNKS OF STEEL FALLING OFF. TRANS CROSS MEMBER RUSTING AWAY

NHTSA complaint #11090811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Medford, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

CHASSIS IS SEVERELY RUSTED. YOU CAN BREAK CHUNKS OF METAL OFF WITH BARE HANDS.BOTH REAR SHOCK MOUNTS HAVE RUSTED OFF. STRAPS THAT HOLD GAS TANK HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. CROSS MEMBER HOLDING TRANNY IS SEVERELY RUSTED. GAS TANK FILL TUBE IS SEVERELY RUSTED GAS VAPOR RETURN TUBE RUSTED OFF. WHOLE CHASSIS. THE WHOLE FRAME IS SO RUSTED I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. TRUCK ONLY HAS 155,000 ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED (HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS)

NHTSA complaint #11090814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Manhasset, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST/CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #11072042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Salina, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE FRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11063727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Millers Creek, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME IS RUSTED BADLY AT POINTS WHERE CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO FRAME AND CROSS MEMBERS WHERE HOLDS GAS TANK. BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION AND ONLY ISSUE IS IN THE FRAME . IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANY LONGER. IF CONTROL ARM BREAKS OFF THE FRAME COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO PASSENGERS AND OTHERS ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11062800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Barnegat, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPARE TIRES AND HALF OF THE REAR BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS ROTTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11055662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles North Huntingdon, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

BACK HALF OF FRAME RUST OUT CROSSMEMBERS AND GAS TANK BRACKET. BECOMES UNSAFE

NHTSA complaint #11045059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Peoria, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED SO BAD THEY BROKE APART AND STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE CARGO BED. NOW THE ENTIRE REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED I AM AFRAID TO USE THE TRAILER HITCH. FRONT SECTION IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 55000 MILES ON IT AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE OWNED FORDS ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEFORE. I CAN UNDERSTAND SOME BOY PANEL RUST, BUT TO HAVE THE FRAME COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATE IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. FORD NEEDS TO BE REQUIRED TO FIX THESE TRUCKS OR BUY THEM BACK AT A FAIR MARKET VALUE.

NHTSA complaint #11018964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Mattawamkeag, ME

STRUCTURE

I TOOK MY FORD RANGER TO BE INSPECTED AND WAS TOLD THE REAR BUMPER MOUNT HAD TO BE FIXED DUE TO RUST. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THAT FIXED AND WHEN THE GARAGE THAT I TOOK THE TRUCK TO WENT TO FIX THE THAT PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE THE REAR FRAME WAS ROTTED. I HAD BEEN RUNNING THE TRUCK BEFORE THIS PROBLEM ARRIVED SO NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 169000 MILES ON IT AND IT WONT PASS INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I HAVE A G M C PICK-UP WITH 230500 MILES ON IT AND THE FRAME IS STILL GOOD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. UPDATED 10/23/2017

NHTSA complaint #10993365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Avoca, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

BOUGHT A USED 2001 FORD RANGER AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A MONTH OR SO SHOCKS WERE REALLY BAD LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND TWO CLEAN CRACKS THROUGH FROM NEAR BACK SHOCKS NOT SURE IF BAD SHOCKS ARE TO BLAME OR WEAK FRAME

NHTSA complaint #10992745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Telluride, CO

STRUCTURE:BODY

SERIOUS STRUCTURAL FRAME RUST AFFECTING AREAS RELATED TO SUSPENSION (SHOCKS, BRACKETS/SHACKLES OF LEAF SPRING) WHILE THE REST OF THE TRUCK, INCLUDING THE BODY IS GENERALLY UNAFFECTED BY ANY SERIOUS RUST.

NHTSA complaint #10986082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Delta, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES HAD RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SO SEVERELY RUSTED IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10948813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lindenhurst, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

RUSTY FRAME,

NHTSA complaint #10910913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Kansas City, KS

STRUCTURE

I BOUGHT MY RANGER 12 MONTHS AGO. 6 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE BED OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. ALSO THE SPARE TIRE CAME UP MISSING. I THOUGHT IT WAS STLOLEN BUT UPON INSPECTION IT HAD SIMPLY RUSTED THE HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK AND FALLEN OFF. 3 MONTHS AGO THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE UPON BRAKING. THE RIGHT FRONT A ARM HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. A MECHANIC HAD TO WELD A PIECE OF METAL TO THE FRAME BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING TO WELD TO. THEN I FINALLY DECIDED TO LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK AND WAS SHOCKED AT WHAT I FOUND. THE BED FLOOR WAS NEARLY NON EXCISTANT. RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. THE SPRING SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT WHICH IS ATTACHED TO FRAME WITH A BRACKET WERE STICKING UP AGAINST THE BED LINER, THE BRACKET COMPLETELY GONE. THE TUBE THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF, THE SHOCK ABSORBER JUST HANGING THERE. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THERES NO WAY TO REPAIR BECAUSE THERES NO VIABLE METAL LEFT TO WELD TO. ITS SIMPLY RUSTED AWAY. SO NOW IM LEFT WITH OVER 3 MORE YEARS OF CAR PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT'S USELESS. I WILL UPLOAD PICTURES AS SOON AS I CAN. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10897471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,000 miles Rapid River, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #10882096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Huntington, IN

STRUCTURE:BODY

WAS CHANGING A BROKEN ADJUSTER ON REAR BRAKES AND NOTICED THE FRAME AT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS LARGE CRACKS IN IT ON BOTH SIDES. THE CONCERN IS THE STRESS PLACED ON THE CRACKED FRAME AS THAT IS WHERE MOST OF THE STRAIN IS PLACED. THAT PORTION OF THE FRAME HAS A BUNCH OF RUST CAUSING THE METAL TO PIT AND LIKELY WEAKEN. I'M SPECULATING THAT THE METAL USED WAS INFERIOR OR THAT THE SHOCK PLATE WAS MOUNTED IN WRONG LOCATION. THE FRAME WILL REQUIRE WELDING WHICH WILL NOT BE AS STRONG.

NHTSA complaint #10872260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2001 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 2001 Ford Ranger report