2003 Ford Ranger body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

Truck has no spare tire, totally missing the assembly and bracket originally used to hold the tire (have a junk one in the bed). The crossmember under the truck is about 50% intact is getting ready to fall off. Brake lines and rocker panals rotted out as well. Holes in the frame starting and a patch was already needed on the frame (drivers side rear). As well as a loose bed. The truck is very clean on top but underneath is rotting away like it has 200000 miles on it(truck is at 77,000). I want to remove the rust and coat it but im scared of punching through cause spots are brittle.

NHTSA complaint #11527592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame of my truck has rotted through. The strap that holds the gas tank has nothing to connect to, i think the tank could fall to the ground under the right circumstances. The frame has a large whole in it and i fear it will break very soon. I had to remove the spare tire because i feared it would fall off the truck. I had to replace both connectors that held the leaf springs to the frame,and was told there wasn't much left to connect them to.

NHTSA complaint #11517056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, an abnormal, rattling noise began to emit from the rear of the vehicle without warning. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the rear cross members had rotted out due to severe corrosion. The contact also stated that the fuel tank was no longer being supported due to the failure. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11479411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SUB-FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000

NHTSA complaint #11417607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

BODY, FRAME AND SUSPENSION HAVE ALL BEEN RUSTED OUT. BUMPER RECENTLY JUST FELL OFF DUE TO RUST (WHILE PARKED). DOORS WON'T SHUT COMPLETELY DUE TO RUST, WHICH HAS LED TO THE INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINING ON OR PERIODICALLY TURNING ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY/NIGHT AND KILLING THE BATTERY. ENTIRE TRUCK IS ONE BIG PILE OF RUST ON WHEELS.

NHTSA complaint #11360843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TWO YEARS AGO, A CRUNCHING NOISE WHILE TURNING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THAT BOTH REAR SPRING BRACKETS HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN, LEAVING THE REAR OF THE LEAF SPRINGS UNATTACHED TO THE FRAME. BOTH WERE REPLACED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THIS WEEK, WHILE DOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I NOTICED THE FRONT FUEL TANK HANGER WAS OUT OF PLACE. UPON EXAMINATION, ONE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK HANGER WAS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE HANGER FOR THE FUEL TANK BRACKET IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE FRAME HAS NO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IN THAT AREA AND NOTHING IS SUPPORTING THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT FORD IS ALLOWED TO PRODUCE FRAMES THAT RUST AWAY RIGHT UNDER THE VEHICLE SO QUICKLY. THIS TRUCK BODY LOOKS FINE, HOWEVER, THE BED IS RUSTED AWAY IN TWO PLACES AND THIS FRAME CROSS MEMBER IS COMPLETELY GONE.

NHTSA complaint #11340920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FUEL TANK STRAP BRACKET ON THE FRAME ROTTED OUT AND THE STRAP IS NOW HANGING LOOSE. THE STRAP LOOKS TO BE RUSTY BUT WASN'T THE ISSUE IT IS WHERE THE T-SHAPE END ON THE STRAP HOOKS TO THE FRAME/BRACKET THAT IS THE PROBLEM IF THE OTHER STRAPS ARE TAKING UP ALL THE WEIGHT AND WERE TO BREAK THIS COULD CAUSE THE GAS TANK TO FALL OUT. THIS MAY HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. SALT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WINTER AND WET CONDITIONS WOULD BE THE BEST CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN RESULTING IN RUST AND CORROSION. ALSO COMMON FOR THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLES AND MOUNTS TO ROT OUT AND COME APART THIS IS ALSO ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE IN ITSELF. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO THE MAZDA B2300 THROUGH THE B4000 SERIES PICK UPS SINCE THEY USE THE SAME RANGER FRAMES.

NHTSA complaint #11323360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

A FEW WEEKS AGO MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF MY TRUCK WHILE DRIVING ON LAKESHORE DRIVE IN HEWITT, NJ 07421. THANKFULLY IT ROLLED OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO NO ONE ELSE HIT IT. YESTERDAY I NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK LOOKED TWISTED ONLY TO FIND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME IS COMPLETELY SNAPPED. ONLY TO FURTHER DISCOVER THE ENTIRE FRAME, SUSPENSION, AND VARIOUS OTHER COMPONENTS ARE ROTTING HORRIBLY. MY VEHICLE HAS UNDER 70,000 MILES. I HAD AN OLDER TOYOTA TACOMA A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WAS RECALLED DUE TO FRAME RUST AND IT WAS FULLY HANDLED. HOWEVER, THE RUST AND ROT ON THIS FORD RANGER MAKE THE 1997 TACOMA FRAME LOOK NEARLY NEW. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE. IRONICALLY, IT SEEM THAT THIS IS OR HAS HAPPENED TO NEARLY EVERY FORD RANGER FROM THE EARLY 2000S. PERSONALLY I FEEL WITH THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF WEB EVIDENCE (LITERALLY THOUSANDS) FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE SEE THE PHOTOS I'VE ATTACHED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11257085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE FRAME ROT (RUST) AT APROX. 85000 MILES, ALREADY REPLACED LEFT REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNT (APROX. 2 YEARS AGO) FRAME CROSS BRACES ARE RUSTING THROUGH INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT.10/10/16. MY BELIEF IS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO CORROSION RESISTANT APPLIAD TO THESE FRAMES UPON VEHICLE ASSAMBLY. GOOD USABLE PARTS ARE HARD IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND AS MOST ARE AS BAD OR WORSE THAN MY EXISTING PARTS. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE EXISTS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #11153046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME IN REAR OF VEHICLE HAS HOLES ON BOTH THE LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE. ALSO WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS HELD IS ALSO ROTTED OUT , CAN NOT HOLD A SPARE TIRE. ALSO THE CROSS MEMBER THAT HOLDES THE THE GAS TANK STRAP IS ALSO ROTTING.DUE TO THE ROTTED FRAME THE TRUCK IS UNABLE TO TOW ANYTHING WITH. OTHER THAN THE FRAME THE TRUCK IS IN GOOD CONDITION

NHTSA complaint #11090913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE NEW TIRES AT SCHIERL TIRE AND SERVICE CENTER (1002 S 8TH STREET, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-2963), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEAR THE SHACKLES AND BUMPER WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE RUST WAS SO BAD THAT NOTHING COULD BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED MEDFORD MOTORS (105 WISCONSIN AVENUE, MEDFORD, WI 54451; 715-748-3700) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #11053351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED RUSTED APART AND NOW HAS A THREE TO FIVE INCH GAP BETWEEN FRONT BED WALL AND BED FLOOR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE FRONT BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE BED ARE NO LONGER DOING ANYTHING TO HOLD THE BED DOWN. THIS RESULTS IN THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE BED FLOPPING AROUND AND BOUNCING WHEN DRIVING. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME WHEN THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLES MOUNT ARE RUSTED THROUGH WITH SEVERAL HOLES VISIBLE, AND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE RUSTED APART AND BUSTED OFF THE FRAME THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT TOOK ME 11 HOURS TO GRIND OFF THE OLD RIVETS AND REPLACE THE SHACKLE BUT AM UNSURE IF THE FRAME WILL HOLD UP DUE TO THE SEVERE PERFORATION'S FROM RUSTING. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT COMPROMISED YET BUT IT IS IN REALLY BAD SHAPE AND WILL BE FALLING APART IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. HOPEFULLY IT WONT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT DOES GO.

NHTSA complaint #11034255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

RANGER REAR FRAME IS RUSTING HEAVILY. SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY MAY BE UNRELIABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11034465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY WIFE GOT A 2003 FORD RANGER FX4 LAST YEAR. AS WE LOOKED IT OVER WE NOTICE SOME BUBBLING RUST UNDER THE PAINT. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD PAINT IT IF WE GOT THE TRUCK. OK SO HE DID AND IT LOOKED GOOD. A FEW MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO NOTICE MORE BUBBLING. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING IT AND I HEARD SOMETHING LIKE A THUMP, I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AND SAW THE SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE SPARE IN THE BED. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND NOTICED THE SPAIN TIER AREA WAS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. YESTERDAY I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE. I LOOKED AROUND AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER OF THE BED WAS HANGING. I LOOKED AT THE AREA AND WHAT HELD THE BED UP WAS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK!!! WHAT CAN WE DO?

NHTSA complaint #10937075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

ENTIRE FRAME RUSTED OUT. WON'T PASS INSPECTION. OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM. DRIVER SIDE BEHIND CAB TO BUMPER VERY BAD. IT IS ACTUALLY ALLTHE WAY INTO.WE GOT IT ON A LINE OF CREDIT. WE ARE OUT OF 5000.00 . REST OF TRUCK IS REALLY NICE

NHTSA complaint #10896110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR HALF OF FRAME EXCESSIVE CORROSION. FRAME, SPRING MOUNTS, SPARE TIRE RACK AND MAIN FRAME MEMBERS RUSTED AWAY AFFECTING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. CORROSION IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED FOR THIS AGE VEHICLE. REAR SPRING MOUNTS DANGEROUSLY CORRODED.

NHTSA complaint #10894028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

SPRING SHACKLE SUPPORT ON REAR OF TRUCK ON DRIVERS SIDE OF TRUCK RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF THE FRAME AND WAS REPLACED IN THE SUMMER OF 2015 , THE OTHER SIDE WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. SPRING PUSHED THRU THE TRUCK BED. FRAME ON REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE HAS RUSTED THRU. SPARE TIRE HOLDER RUSTED OFF CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF SOMEWHERE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. BED RAIL SUPPORTS ARE RUSTED THRU INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUCK BED. REAR SHOCK BODY'S ARE RUSTED OFF, SHOCK SUPPORTS RUSTED BADLY OTHER PLACES ON THE TRUCK FRAME ARE RUSTED VERY BAD ALSO PICTURES ARE ATTACHED !!!!

NHTSA complaint #10838794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUSTED-TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED. WAS TOLD IT IS NOT REPARABLE. TOO RUSTY AND FAR GONE TO FIX. TAKE IT OFF THE ROAD. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.THE REST OF IT IS STILL IN GOOD SHAPE.

NHTSA complaint #10822252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE REPLACING FUEL SYSTEM CANISTER I HAD TO REMOVE SPARE TIRE AND NOTICED CROSS SECTION OF FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. I ALSO NOTICED STRAP FOR HAS TANK RUSTED TROUGH. I WILL NEED TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE BOTH.

NHTSA complaint #10760942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY 2003 FORD RANGER EDGE 4X4 THAT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT . MY TRUCK LOOKS GREAT BUT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY FRAME IS GONE AN I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN ITS SO FAR GONE ( RUSTED AWAY ) . I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AN HAVE FOUND THAT I'M NOT THE ( ONLY ONE ) WITH A RANGER THAT STILL LOOKS GREAT THAT IS RUSTED AWAY LIKE MINE , TOYOTA STEPPED UP AN TOOK CARE OF IT'S CUSTOMER'S I'M SURE THEY GOT A PUSH TO DO IT . BY O D I . FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AN FIX THIS FOR US RANGER OWNER .I WILL HAVE TO PARK MY TRUCK AN WAIT TO HEAR IF YOUR DEPARTMENT CAN HELP US BUYER'S OF AMERICAN PRODUCTS.

NHTSA complaint #10714201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE CORROSION FOR THE YEAR AND MILES. VERY HEAVILY CORRODED AND PITTED WHILE THE EXTERIOR IS RUST FREE. THE TRUCK IS A 2003 WITH 90000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10680441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

THE UNDER-BED SPARE TIRE HOLDER ROTTED OFF THE FRAME AND DROPPED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY TO THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10629123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

LOST ALL BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. FOUND ALL BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. WHILE REPLACING LINES, NOTICED EXCESSIVE FRAME AND CROSS MEMBER DETERIORATION FROM RUST. BED CROSS MEMBERS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND REAR SPRING HANGERS RUSTED SO BAD THEY ARE READY TO BREAK OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10598345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD RANGER PICK UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME BED WAS EXCESSIVELY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE CENTER FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE 53,000. UPDATED 9/29/14

NHTSA complaint #10593683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

TRUCK MADE A CLUNKING NOISE GOING AROUND A TURN. CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE AND HANGER HAD RUSTED OFF. WHEN REPLACING FOUND THE SPARE TIRE WELL AND HANGER ALL RUSTED WHICH COULD HAVE DROPPED THE SPARE TIRE ONTO THE ROAD. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND NEEDS REPAIRED. ALSO WITH IT RUSTED AT THE REAR WHERE THE HITCH ATTACHES I COULD LOSE ANYTHING I MAYBE TRAILERING. MY FRAME IS HORRIBLE FOR THE YEAR AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10579396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

BODY, CHASSIS, AND ALL SUSPENSION IS RUSTED TO A NON-REPAIRABLE CONDITION. BOLTS HAVE TO BE CUT TO FREE, BODY UNDERPINNINGS HAVE DENIGRATED TO NOTHING, AND PAINT IS BUBBLING.

NHTSA complaint #10558960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

STRUCTURE ROTTING OUT HAD TO REPLACE SHOCK MOUNT AND A STRUT TO PASS INSPECTION. NOW HAVE 34000 MILES ON IT AND THE SPARE TIRE CASING SEPARATED FROM THE BODY, THE STRUT HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION IS RUST SO I CAN'T TRUST IT TO DRIVE. THE BODY IS IN PERFECT SHAPE.

NHTSA complaint #10534075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE REAR FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE.

NHTSA complaint #10514422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRUCK BED HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AS WELL. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO RUST SHOWING ANYWHERE. ALL OF THE RUST IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK BED. IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED AT THE HEAT SHIELDS. THE TRUCK HAD A SPRAYED IN RHINO LINING THAT FORD SOLD WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW WHICH HID THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE BED GAVE WAY COMPLETELY AND NOW HAS ONE 5"X 8" HOLE AND ANOTHER SMALLER HOLE.

NHTSA complaint #10500783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.