FaultScore

2005 Ford Ranger body problems

34 of the 353 complaints about the 2005 Ford Ranger are about the body and structure — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 63,000 miles.

C

34

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 23 67.6%
Underbody Shields 7 20.6%
Frame AND Members 3 8.8%
Structure 1 2.9%

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.

at 105,000 miles Belleville, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY AND THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAUSING THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO FALL ONTO THE BUSTED SHACKLE. THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS RUSTED SO BAD THAT WE REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE TO AVOID LOOSING THE SPARE WHILE DRIVING. THE REAR BUMPER SEEMS UNSTABLE AS THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART FROM THE REAR SHACKLE MOUNT ON BACK. THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FRAME SEEMS TO BE HOLDING UP OK.

NHTSA complaint #11343487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Kansas City, KS

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DOING A ROUTINE CHECK UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #11340976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Dracut, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE LEAF SPRING BUSHINGS PUSHED THREW THE ROTTED FRAME AND POKED HOLES IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK .THE SPARE TIRE WAS HANGING ON THE GROUND WHEN I GOT HOME ONE DAY. NOW MY INSPECTION STATION WONT PUT A INSPECTION STICKER ON IT BECAUSE THEY SAY ITS TO DANGEROUS.TOYOTA HAD THIS PROBLEM AND ETHER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE OR REPLACED IT.

NHTSA complaint #11324694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,650 miles S. Hamilton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TRUCK IS IN GOOD SHAPE W/123,600 MILES. FRAME ROTTED THROUGH AT REAR AXLE. SPARE TIRE AND HOLDER DROPPED RIGHT OUT OF IT AND WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SHOP AND CUT SPARE TIRE AND HOLDER COMPLETELY OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11324538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Morristown, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED, ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE FELL OFF ABOUT 12 MONTHS AGO. WITHING THE LAST WEEK , THE REAR BUMPER BECAME DETACHED ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT FAR BEHIND EITHER. THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE PROBABLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, BUT DID NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. THE REAR BUMPER FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA complaint #11230530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Denver, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

WELL JUST BOUGHT MY 2005 RANGER ONLY HAS 111,230 MILES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BODY LOOKS GREAT NO RUST AT ALL WELL THE FRAME IS TOTAL JUNK ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR EVEN WORSE THEM MY SEQUOIA I HAD SUPER DANGEROUS SO I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUES I RUN A REPAIR SHOP AND I SEE 1/2 RANGERS A MONTH THAT ARE JUNK NOT JUST SPRING SHACKLES OR HANGERS COMPETE FRAMES I DON'T UNDER STAND HOW A TRUCK THAT THE BODY IS SUPER CLEAN NEVER PAINTED LOOKS FLAWLESS BUT FRAME BROKE FROM ROT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THESE JUNK FRAMES I HAVE VEHICLE IN MY BACK LOT I MAY TALK TO A LAWYER ONLY REASON I FOUND ISSUES IT WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION SUPER MAD DROVE IT WITH MY SON AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE JUNK METAL

NHTSA complaint #11207623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 233,000 miles Round Hill, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SHACKLE BRACKET RUSTED AWAY , ALONG WITH RIGHT SIDE FRAME WHERE SHACKLE BRACKET ATTACHES

NHTSA complaint #11206766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Freeville, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHACKLE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE LEAF SPRING ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE UNTIL THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHACKLE WAS REPLACED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HEARING A LOUD BANG AND EXPERIENCING A JOLT. ONCE PARKED THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY LOOKED OVER, WHICH LEAD TO MORE DISCOVERIES. A GIANT RUST HOLE HAS FORMED IN THE FRAME BEHIND THE SHACKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AREA OF THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND WAS PROFESSIONALLY UNDER COATED A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH NO HOLES IN THE FRAME OR VISIBLE RUST AT THAT TIME. THE FRAME HAS DETERIORATED RAPIDLY. LUCKILY I DID NOT TRY TO TOW ANYTHING WITH THIS TRUCK BECAUSE THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF, LOSING WHAT WAS BEING TOWED AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS ALSO A LARGE HOLE FORMING IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #11202751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Princeton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR TIRE MOUNT FRAME THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL ONTO THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO RETRIEVE THE ITEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11184604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Taunton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME ROTTED AWAY IN THE BACK SIDE, REAR LEAF SPRINGS FELL OFF, SPARE TIRE READY TO FALL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11115129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Saugus, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF RUST UNDERNEATH AND ON THE DORRS I HAVE SEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS NOT SURE IF THIS IS SAFE OR NOT

NHTSA complaint #11104754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,000 miles Falls OF Rough, KY

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME UNDER THE TRUCK ESPECIALLY THE REAR IS LITERALLY RUSTING AWAY. THE CROSS MEMBERS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND OVER HALFWAY GONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11014849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paterson, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE HAS 37850 MILES LOOKS LIKE NEW AND THE FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY SPRING HANGERS AND THE COMPLETE FRAME ITSELF YOU CAN PUT YOUR FINGERS THROUGH IT AND GAS TANK STRAPS ALSO GONE

NHTSA complaint #11005856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Seward, AK

STRUCTURE:BODY

SPARE TIRE MOUNT UNDER REAR END OF TRUCK RUSTED OUT AND PARTIALLY FELL OFF WHILE IN MOTION. CHARCOAL VENT CANISTER ATTACHED TO TIRE MOUNT BROKEN OFF IN THE PROCESS. ENTIRE REAR END OF TRUCK EXTREMELY RUSTY AT 130,000 MILES. COMPARABLE VEHICLES OF SAME AGE OR OLDER IN SAME LOCATION DO NOT SHOW THIS KIND OF EXTREME RUSTING.

NHTSA complaint #10934002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Otisville, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME COMPONENTS AND ATTACHMENTS SEVERELY RUSTED AND BARELY ATTACHED. ATTACHMENT TO CONTROL ARM IS EXTREMELY BAD

NHTSA complaint #10876586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverview, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME ON TRUCK HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF IN TWO PIECES I WENT TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND TOOK THE BED OFF TO SEE THE TRUCK FOLD

NHTSA complaint #10860596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Syracuse, NY

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND SPARE TIRE FRAME ROTTED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP. THE VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDEDNT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 6/8/15

NHTSA complaint #10693689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Charlton, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

SPARE TIRE AND CARRIER DETACHED FROM FRAME. REAR BUMPER DETACHED FROM FRAME. RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE COLLAPSED. GASOLINE SUPPORT STRAP DETACHED FROM FRAME CROSS MEMBER. MIDSECTION OF FRAME CRACKED AT 47,000 MILES. THIS WAS ALL DUE TO CORROSION OF METAL OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10676246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Albany, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRAILER HITCH, TIRE HOLDER, AND FRAME WERE CHIPPING AWAY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUNNING BOARD BROKE WHEN HE LEANED ON IT. THE METAL RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. UPDATED 07/30/15

NHTSA complaint #10670437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Windsor, CT

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

EXTERIOR OF TRUCK IS IN MINT CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE AND MECHANICALLY SOUND. FRAME AND SUSPENSION RUSTED TO THE POINT OF ROT. FORD DEALER CAUTIONED THAT THE CONTINUED USE OF MY VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ADDITIONALLY BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVER AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS ON THE ROAD. MY GUT FEELING TELLS ME THESE FRAMES WERE MADE BY THE SAME STEEL MANUFACTURER WHERE TOYOTA FRAMES WERE MADE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FRAMES. I HAVE OWNED FORD CARS SINCE THE 1970S AND NEVER HAVE HAD A PROBLEM AS SEVERE AS THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10651522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,433 miles Stafford Springs, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

I HAVE A 2005 FORD RANGER EXTENDED CAB. I WAS DRIVING IT AND I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES FELT REALLY FUNNY SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED OUT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE BODY MOUNTS ARE ROTTED OUT, THE SHACKLES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FRAME RAILS IN BETWEEN THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK IN HALF, AND IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY ELSE DRIVING A FORD RANGER THAT IS NOT AWARE IF ITS ISSUE. I AM ALSO NOW STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT NEEDS WORK DONE THAT WILL COST TWICE AS MUCH AS IT IS WORTH.

NHTSA complaint #10631330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 240,000 miles Evansville, WI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME CROSS MEMBERS ON THE TIRE MOUNT WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000. UPDATED 10/14/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. UPDATED 3/31/15

NHTSA complaint #10629365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Gouldsboro, ME

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

SEVERE FRAME RUST NOTED AFTER 8/2014 MAINE SAFETY INSPECTION. CHANCES OF VEHICLE PASSING A 2015 INSPECTION VERY REMOTE ACCORDING TO THE TECH DOING THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION. ONLY 5 MAINE WINTERS ENDURED BY THE VEHICLE 2005_2010. PARKED & GARAGED THE LAST 4 WINTERS.OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE IS PRISTINE. LOTS OF OTHER FOLKS WITH SIMILAR ISSUE ACCORDING TO RESEARCH OF LOCAL BODY SHOPS. WHY??

NHTSA complaint #10626515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Torrington, CT

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

UNDER- BED MOUNTED SPARE TIRE MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING TIRE TO BREAK FREE FROM VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS FRAME DAMAGE FROM RUST, PARTICULARLY THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS. THE FRAME IS FALLING APART AT AN ALARMING RATE.

NHTSA complaint #10621024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Iola, WI Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY HUSBAND T-BONED A SEMI AT 35 MPH. THE TRUCK SPUN AROUND AND THE REAR OF THE TRUCK ALSO HIT THE SEMI. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE INCURRED MULTIPLE INJURIES, SOME OF WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A DIRECT HIT -- I.E. FRONT OF TRUCK HIT SIDE OF SEMI AND DESTROYED ENGINE (AND MORE), YET AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. .

NHTSA complaint #10615177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,150 miles Yorktown HTS, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRONT PORTION OF RACK BROKE LEAVING THE TIRE HANGING BELOW THE TRUCK. FORD DEALER SAID THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND COULD NOT BE FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10556775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Camp Hill, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CORROSION WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10550124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Ellington, CT

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS COVERED WITH RUST BUT IT WAS COVERED UNDER A TEN YEAR RUST WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED NOR WAS THE DEFECT DIAGNOSED. THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000.

NHTSA complaint #10537222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Stafford Springs, CT

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TOP OF FRAME FROM THE SHOCK TOWERS FORWARD HAVE RUSTED THRU AND THE FRAME HAS SPLIT. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD, HAS ONLY 97,00 MILES ON IT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS GARAGED AT NIGHT AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN A SNOW STORM DURING THE LAST FOUR YEARS. OTHERWISE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10537155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 73,164 miles SAN Diego, CA Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

HIT A PARKED VAN.

NHTSA complaint #10493136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Ford Ranger problems

← Full 2005 Ford Ranger report