22 of the
687 complaints about the 2001 Ford Ranger are about the
electrical system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
99,999 miles.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 153,244; however, at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 297,515.
NHTSA complaint #11726742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle to the residence, it was discovered that the gauge on the odometer was not working. There was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 109,999 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was unknown. The contact called the previous owner, who confirmed that the odometer gauge was inoperable, and was not repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11672940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that the anti-theft system was inoperable and failed to function as designed. The anti-theft warning light was illuminated. The contact had to remove the key fob several times to start the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11642235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FORD SENT OUT RECALL NOTICES FOR FAULTY TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MY 2001 FORD RANGER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I TOOK MY 2001 FORD RANGER TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP. I PICKED UP MY 2001 FORD RANGER FROM THE DEALERSHIP, AND NOW THE TRUCK STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER. IF I USE A/C, IT STALLS OUT. ONE DAY IT STALLED ON A CITY STREET, AND I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE INTO A IRON FENCE. PLEASE HELP. [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11083134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,457 milesLancaster, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN AFTER JUST STARTING VEHICLE WHILE STILL IN PARK..
NHTSA complaint #10897445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheridan, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCHES AND SWITCHES. PREVENTS DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY AND ALSO PREVENTS THE INTERIOR LIGHT TO SHUT OFF. DOORS SHUT BUT DON'T LATCH FULLY WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DOOR TO POP OPEN. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL A WHILE AGO. WHEN TALKING TO MY MECHANIC AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE WITH A 99-01 RANGER EXTENDED CAB 4 DOOR THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN FORD PROBLEM. I FEAR THAT SOMEONE IN THE BACK JUMP SEAT WILL BE LEANING UP AGAINST THE DOOR AND IT WILL POP OPEN WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS ISSUE CORRECTED BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY FIX THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THIS IS A FORD RANGER PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING IT!!!
NHTSA complaint #10437514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poway, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS BURNING. PUT FIRE OUT AND TOWED THE PICK UP TO THE SHOP WHERE IT REMAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10433605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLouisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2001 FORD RANGER REAR SAFETY LIGHTS (TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS) WILL ONLY WORK WHEN MY TILT STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE FULL UP RIGHT POSITION. I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE. MY WIFE MUST PLACE THE TILT WHEEL IN A LOWER POSITION TO DRIVE. SINCE THERE ARE NO REAR SAFETY LIGHTS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN THIS POSITION SHE CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY.
NHTSA complaint #10413760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesBossier City, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED THE SAME READING, UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE NEEDLE WITHIN THE OIL GAUGE WOULD FLUTTER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE OIL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10408833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesFarmington Hills, MICrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I SENT IN A HARD COPY LETTER AND AN E-MAIL TO FORD SERVICE IN JUNE OF 2009. UPON STOPPING AT A PARTY STORE WITH MY FOOT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FORD 2001 RANGER V6 XLT 4X4 MOTOR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED NEARLY GOING INTO THE STORE. I TRIED TO STOP IT BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ONLY THING, WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM CRASHING INTO A WALL AND POSSIBLY SEVERELY INJURING MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, WAS A PROTECTIVE POST WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE THE RANGER WENT OVER THE TOP OF THE CEMENT POST AND WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE BUMPER AND FRAME. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE ENGINE.. NEEDLESS TO SAY, SEVERE BUMPER AND FRONT-END DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE RANGE HAS 35,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT GILL AND FREEDOM IN THE SPRING OF 2003 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RANGER ACCELERATED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I JAMMED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED WAS ABLE TO PUT GEAR SHIFT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO DAMAGE TO RANGER. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT OF WALLED LAKE WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL. USED SAME TECHNIQUE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER IT JUMPED A CURB AND ENDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ADJACENT STREET. AGAIN, NO DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED IN 2005. I HAVE ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS THAT WERE REPORTED BY OTHERS HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/RANGER/2002/BRAKES/ACCELERATES_WHEN_APPLYING_BRAKES.SHTML IN 2010 A SIMILAR INCIDENT MARCH 12TH 2010 WAS REPORTED BY A NISSAN PICKUP HOWEVER, THE SAFETY POST WERE NOT PRESENT JUST THE CURB ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING OF THE SAME GAS STATION/PARTY STORE LOCATED AT GRAND RIVE AND DRAKE IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MI. THE NISSAN PICKUP WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDOW SHATTERING GLASS WINDOW INTO THE PARTY STORE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILE WITH THE FARMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THESE INCIDENTS MIGHT NOT BE RELATED TO CURRENT TOYOTA
NHTSA complaint #10382228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFort Collins, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2006, WHEN A LOUD SQUEAK COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAD THE TRUCK SERVICE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY CHANGED THE BELT TENSIONER. THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO SQUEAK AT ALL SPEEDS AND ALL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO 3 DIFFERENT FORD MOTOR MECHANICS AND 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. NO OF THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM. IT WAS THOUGHT HE BE THE BELT. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BELT TENSIONER, NEW PULLEYS, AND 3 DIFFERENT BELTS. AND QUESS WHAT, THE TRUCK STILL SQUEAKS. I HAVE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF WD-40 ON THE BELT. BUT WHY CAN'T ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS MAKING THE SQUEAK AND FIX IT. I'VE SUCK ABOUT $3000 INTO THE TRUCK. I REFUSE TO SPEND ANYMORE ON OTHER MECHANICS IDEAS.
NHTSA complaint #10236446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesBeavercreek, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE OF THE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE WHERE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT OUT OF 4WD CAUSING A NEAR HIT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON DOING RESEARCH FOUND THAT MANY OTHER RANGER AND EXPLORER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING.
NHTSA complaint #10211901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,144 milesAshland, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 FORD RANGER THROTTLES UP TO AS MUCH AS 3000 RPM AT STOP WHILE BRAKE IS ENGAGED. SOME TIMES CAUSING VEHICLE TO PROCEED INTO INTERSECTION DISPUTE BRAKING(BECAUSE TRUCK WAS COASTED TO STOP AND BRAKE WAS AT THE END OF ITS TRAVEL).
NHTSA complaint #10208787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90 milesCosby, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: THE BED IWAS TWISTED,FOUND OUT IT WAS DROPPED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AT THE FACTORY. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PINCHED, FOUND OUT THAT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DOORS POPPED OPEN. TOOK TO BODY SHOP, THEY DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, THEY MEASURED AGAINST FORD SPEC'S. THIS IS IN COURT.
NHTSA complaint #10125587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I AM WRITING THIS MESSAGE TO INFORM JOE THE AUTO DRIVER ABOUT A SITUATION I ENCOUNTERED. I OWN A 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE WITH 28000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY KICKED IN WITH ZERO DEDUCTIBLE . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LABORING OR BUCKING WHEN IT WOULD COME TO A STOP. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO RED MCCOMBS FORD OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THEY PROMISED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE THE NEXT DAY. I RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE AND I COULD PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I GAVE MY NAME TO GIRL AT SERVICE DESK FOR THE PAPERWORK. SHE SEEMED TO HAVE A PROBLEM FINDING MY PAPERWORK. AFTER SPELLING MY NAME IN ENGLISH, SPELLING IN PHONETICS (ECHO, DELTA, ETC), AND FINALLY WRITING IN A PIECE OF PAPER SHE STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PAPERWORK. THEN, SHE CALLED SERVICE ADVISOR WHO BROUGHT HIS PAPERWORK AND STILL COULD NOT FIND MY PAPERWORK. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT AFTER FORTY MINUTES THE PAPERWORK WAS FOUND ON ANOTHER PILE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SERVICE GIRLS DESK. SHE THEN PRESENTED ME WITH A BILL OF $65.00 FOR THE REPAIR. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH NO DEDUCTIBLE. SHE CALLED THE TOP SERVICE MANGER AND HE TOLD ME, THAT REPAIR DIDNT INVOLVE A PART CHANGE; I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSIS FEE. MY PATIENCE HAD JUST BEEN SURPASSED AND I DEMANDED TO SEE THE TOP GUN AT THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TAKEN INTO THE OFFICE OF CHARLES HYLTON, SERVICE DIRECTOR WHO PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN THE SAME STORY. AT THIS POINT I WAS AT MY WITS END AND DECIDED I WOULD SPLIT THE BILL; HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE LAST TIME THEY WERE GOING TO SEE ME. HE THEN TRUMPED ME AND OFFERED TO PAY THE WHOLE BILL. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED AT FIRST. I FEEL THEY ATTEMPTED TO WEAR ME DOWN, SO I COULD JUST PAY THE $65.00 AND MOVE ON BY MY BUSINESS. I HAVE NO CO-PAY AND THEY KNEW IT! I WONDER HOW MANY JOE DRIVERS HAVE FACED AN ISSUE LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10090558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2001 FORD RANGER 3.0 LITER AUTOMATIC HAS A LOT OF PRE-IGNITION UNDER LOAD, REGARDLESS OF OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. I HAVE HAD 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SAY THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE THE TIMING TO RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS. AN INDEPENDANT SHOP TOLD ME THAT THAT THERE WAS A FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COMES FROM A CONTROL MODULE THAT CHANGES THE ENGINE TIMING AS NEEDED FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE. IS THERE SUCH A CURE FOR ME?
NHTSA complaint #10078864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dunnison, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK, WHICH RESULTS IN NOT LETTING CONSUMER KNOW IF ANY OF THE DOORS ARE OPENED.
NHTSA complaint #8012163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laquinta, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE TIRES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM TO NO EVAIL. THE BATTERY WENT OUT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIED, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED TWICE THE SEAT BELTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSANGER SEATS REPLACED THE TRAMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE THE COMPUTER/BRAIN TO RUN THE TRUCK HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES. I DONT THINK I CAN TAKE THIS TRUCK BREAKING DOWN ALL THE TIME FOR TO MUCH LONGER. IAM IN A RENTAL CAR MORE THEN IN MY TRUCK. HELP. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU IFO TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)
NHTSA complaint #759731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kernersville, NC1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PROBLEM 1- VEHICLE REGULARLY STALLS OR IDLES SO LOW POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES ARE LOST. PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN SLOWING FOR AND ENTERING CORNERS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. LOCAL DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL AND TO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. PROBLEM 2- CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN PEDAL IS RELEASED. AFTER A MOMENT IT RELEASES ON ITS OWN ACCORD AND TRUCK JERKS FORWARD VIOLENTLY. CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #753576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER SHIP FOR SERVICE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #890456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norton, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN RPMS JUMPED FROM 2800 TO 5000 FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS, IT OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN 30 MINUTES. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS NOT LIMITED TO ANY GIVEN SPEED. DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT VEHICLE, AND PROCESSER (D99) HAS FAILED. DEALER INFORMED COMSUMER THAT THIS PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MADE, AND NEWER PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE YET.
NHTSA complaint #885481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY MEMORY SHORTING IN THE ENGINE COMPUTER AND IS PARTIALLY CORRECTED BY DISCONNECTING POS BATTERY TERMINAL SWITCHING IGNITION ON/OF SEVERAL TIMES THAN RECONNECTING POS BATTERY TERMINAL AND STARTING ENGINE WITHOUT TOUCHING THROTTLE . THAN LET MOTOR WARM UP COMPLETLY , THAN DRIVE GENTLY UNTIL COMPUTER MEMORY IS REPROGRAMED. THIS PARTIAL FIX CAME FROM JACOBS ELECTRONICS NOT FORD WHICH CHARGED ME $75 TO TELL ME IT WAS A MEMORY SHORT IN THE COMPUTER. THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE SPARK BOOSTER CAUSED THE PROBLEM WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE IT OCCURED WHEN THE TRUCK WAS NEW TO ME AT 22 MILES. THIS MEMORY PROBLEM IF NOT CORRECTED REQUIRES EXCESSIVE THROTTLE INPUT TO START THE TRUCK IN FIRST GEAR TO AVOID STALLING WHICH IS A SAFTY HAZARD. ADDITIONALLY THE COMPUTER HAS CALIBRATION DIFFICULTIES WHICH RESULT IN SLIGHT MISSING OR ROUGHNESS WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY EVEN WITH THE SPARK BOOSTER WHICH GREATLY HELPS ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND REDUCES EMMISIONS. THE TAIL PIPE HAS NO CARBON DEPOSITS IN IT. WHEN EVER AND IF AN AFTER MARKET COMPUTER BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE I WILL INSTALL IT.
NHTSA complaint #743113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.