FaultScore

Ford Ranger wheel problems

105 of the 10,502 complaints filed about the Ford Ranger are about the wheels — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

105

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

14

Crashes

2

Fires

Wheels complaints by model year

1986 Ranger 2 1.9%
1987 Ranger 2 1.9%
1989 Ranger 1 1.0%
1991 Ranger 2 1.9%
1992 Ranger 3 2.9%
1993 Ranger 3 2.9%
1994 Ranger 4 3.8%
1995 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 230,000 miles

1996 Ranger 3 2.9%
1997 Ranger 3 2.9%
1998 Ranger 11 10.5%

Median failure at 132,814 miles

1999 Ranger 15 14.3%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

2000 Ranger 9 8.6%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2001 Ranger 6 5.7%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

2002 Ranger 5 4.8%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

2003 Ranger 4 3.8%

Median failure at 119,000 miles

2004 Ranger 3 2.9%

Median failure at 76,500 miles

2005 Ranger 4 3.8%

Median failure at 45,424 miles

2006 Ranger 3 2.9%

Median failure at 91,000 miles

2007 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 1,545 miles

2008 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

2009 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 74,506 miles

2010 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 27,415 miles

2011 Ranger 3 2.9%

Median failure at 3,000 miles

2019 Ranger 4 3.8%

Median failure at 54,950 miles

2021 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 14 miles

2024 Ranger 2 1.9%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

2026 Ranger 1 1.0%

What owners said

2024 Ford Ranger Lodi, CA

WHEELS

The lug nuts are corroding and do not want to come off. The lug wrench doesn't fit and can't remove the wheels.

NHTSA complaint #11750925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Ford Ranger Long Beach, CA

WHEELS

Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not function. This loss of communication can occur with-or-without a trailer connected to the vehicle and can only initiate at vehicle start-up. If this occurs, a trailer brake module fault notification will pop-up on the vehicles instrument panel cluster. The vehicle brake and turn signal lamps will continue to operate normally and are not affected by this trm fault. If you do not tow with your vehicle, you may wait for ota deployment for your vehicle remedy. Safety Risk This may result in inoperable trailer brake lights, trailer turn signals and trailer braking functions that can reduce a drivers ability to control an attached trailer and make the trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram your vehicles trm free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.

NHTSA complaint #11744634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Ford Ranger Temperance, MI 1 injured

WHEELS

Steel rim came apart while adding air to tire causing severe injuries to hands leg and foot only 20 psi in tire pressure when rim blew apart !

NHTSA complaint #11677978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Ranger at 106,000 miles Eldersburg, MD

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a tire rotation, the contact was informed that the tires were unable to be rebalanced due to swollen lug nuts. The vehicle was then taken to Goodyear, who was also unable to rotate the tires. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA complaint #11673996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford Ranger Asheboro, NC

WHEELS

It wearing tires on the inside quicker the it should. The dealer aligned and said it was with in specs.

NHTSA complaint #11635975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford Ranger at 6,000 miles Salisbury, NC

WHEELS

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the front driver’s side wheel locked up, causing the vehicle to pull to the left. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a part missing from the wheel. The contact was informed that the wheel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 6,000.

NHTSA complaint #11615090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Ranger Cortlandt Manor, NY

WHEELS

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.

2021 Ford Ranger at 14 miles Waldport, OR

WHEELS

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while reversing or making a turn, the front driver's side tire would rub the inside of the wheel well. The contact works for the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 14.

NHTSA complaint #11443382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Ranger Portland, OR

WHEELS

The spare tire is held tight against the under body of the pickup bed with a chain crank. The gear mechanism that raises and lowers the tire slowly released the tire to the point that edge of the tire (presumably due to bumps in the road) contacted the pavement. The tire became almost vertical and at a right angle to the direction of the vehicle. An estimated 4 miles was drive before the driver became aware of the problem when an observant motorcyclist motioned the vehicle over. The tire was very hot where it contacted the pavement but had not yet ignited. The tire was roped to the frame to keep it off the pavement to safely drive to a service center. The photo of the tire under the truck shows its approximate position during the incident. The actual position was almost vertical. The photo of the tire chain clamp bracket shows it's position without the tire. The crank mechanism was damaged to the point that the chain could not raise or lower the bracket. A tire fire would have resulted if the vehicle was driven much further. The manufacturer will be contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11424695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Ford Ranger at 230,000 miles South Jordan, UT Fire

WHEELS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER TO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO CUT OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MOVE OR STEER THE TRUCK TO SAFETY I THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE GOOD AND HEADLIGHT. SO I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME AND SPRAYED THE TRUCK PUTTING THE FLAMES OUT. AND CUTTING THE WIRES TO THE BATTERY

NHTSA complaint #11366006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Ranger at 150,000 miles Loveland, OH

WHEELS

THE FRAME AND BED IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. SO MUCH SO THAT THE ONE OF THE LEAF SPRINGS BROKE LOOSE AND CAME THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE BED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD. THE TRUCK IS NOW COMPLETELY NOT DRIVABLE. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR TRUCK. EVEN FROM PEOPLE WHERE THEIR CITIES DON'T SALT THE ROADS IN THE WINTER.

NHTSA complaint #11352805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Ranger Donaldsonville, LA

WHEELS

2019 FORD RANGER PURCHASED NOV. 2019 HAS 18,00 MILES. TIRES WEARING OUT ON INSIDE FRONT TIRES. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT, BUT THEY WERE BUSY, TOOK IT TO NEARBY SHOP AND THEY ALIGNED IT, BUT SAID IT WAS NOT THAT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THEY CHECKED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT ALL 4 TIRES WERE SEPARATED.

NHTSA complaint #11348622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford Ranger at 117,000 miles Knoxville, TN Crash 1 injured

WHEELS

I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THE FRONT WHEEL ON DRIVERS SIDE FELL OFF CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLL GOING AIRBORNE AND LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN A CREEK DOWN A 20 FT EMBANKMENT. THE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. LAST THING I REMEMBER WAS GENTLY TAPPING MY BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #11330244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Ford Ranger at 3,900 miles Acworth, GA

WHEELS

HAD 2 REAR TIRES FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 5000 MILES. THE FIRST AT 3900 MILES DEVELOPED A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL AND WENT FLAT. THE SECOND AT ABOUT 300 MILES LATER DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED

NHTSA complaint #11267938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Ranger at 129,000 miles Wentworth, MO Crash 2 injured

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE SPINDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE ROD BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED FROM LANE TO LANE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BECAME AIR BORN AND CRASHED IN A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS WOULDN'T BUCKLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT FROM THEIR EAR TO THEIR THROAT FROM THE SEAT BELT, THE CONTACT ALSO HAD A BURN MARK FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER WAS IN THE VEHICLE WAS AS WELL. THEY SUSTAINED AN INJURY BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S BROTHER SUSTAINED A CRACKED RIB. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE EVOLVED IN THIS CRASH. NO OTHER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11252437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford Ranger NEW Bedford, MA

WHEELS

EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, SPINDLES, RACK AND PINION, DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL RIMS. VEHICLE HAS 48K ON ODOMETER. CAUSE:(UNKNOWN)

NHTSA complaint #11042054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford Ranger at 60,000 miles Macksbirg, OH

WHEELS

I HAVE NOTICED THE WHOLE SPINDLE (THE PART THAT THE BRAKES ARE BOLTED TO AND THE WHEEL IS CONNECTED TO) HAS EXCESSIVE RUST SO BAD IF IS COMING OFF IN LARGE PIECES. THE TRUCK WAS NEVER IN WATER OR EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE SALT ON THE ROADS, ALWAYS KEEP IN A GARAGE OR CARPORT. FROM WHERE THE TOP BALL JOINT BOLTS ON, TO WHERE THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT BOLTS ON, ITS NOTHING BUT RUST. SO MUCH RUST HAS COME OFF THAT IT IS ACTUALLY GETTING SMALLER, ESPECIALLY UP WHERE THE TOP BALL JOINT BOLTS ON BECAUSE IT IS SMALLER IN SIZE. I HAVE SPRAYED RUST KILLER ON IT BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IT BREAKING FROM GETTING WEAK BECAUSE OF SO MUCH OF THE METAL TURNING TO RUST AND FALLING OFF! IF IT SHOULD BREAK THE WHOLE WHEEL WOULD COME OFF! THIS IS THE ONLY METAL PART ON THE TRUCK THAT IS DOING THIS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I THINK FORD BOUGHT SOME BAD PARTS FROM SOMEWHERE THAT WAS MADE OF CHEAP METAL. I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AS PEOPLE NOTICE IT. I HOPE THEY NOTICE IT BEFORE IT STARTS BREAKING OR FAILING, BECAUSE OF SURE LOSS OF STEERING. ITS HARD TO SEE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE WHEEL OFF AND LOOK BEHIND. ALSO THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY AT LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. I AM STILL DRIVING THE TRUCK BUT KEEP CHECKING THE RUSTING SPIMDLE CONDITION, AND WHEEL BEARINGS.

NHTSA complaint #10924931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Ford Ranger at 44,000 miles Frankfort, KY

WHEELS

DUE TO A RECENT ROAD HAZARD A TIRE WENT FLAT, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE THE SPARE, IT COULD NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE THE CABLE HOLDING IT UP RUSTED SOLID. ADDITIONALLY, THE BED IS ALSO RUSTING TO THE EXTENT WHERE HOLES GO THROUGH TO THE ROAD(SEE PIC). THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO FORD WHO IN TURN SAID THEY WILL TAKE NO ACTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS SIX YEARS OLD. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, IT HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT AND IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF(SEE PIC). I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS RUSTING TO THE POINT WHERE SOME PARTS (SPARE TIRE RETRACTER) HAVE BECOME USLESS. I WILL THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD. FORD - FIX OR REPAIR DAILY

NHTSA complaint #10913903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford Ranger at 234,504 miles Crossville, TN

WHEELS

TAKATA RECALL FOR PRODUCE A 1999 MODEL 4WD PICK UP LAST NOVEMBER I WENT TO LOOK AT IT HERE WERE NO STICKERS ABOUT SOLD AS IS BUT REGARDLES I FEEL IT IS FORD CORPORATIN TO SELL A SFE VEHICLE BY LAW ,, I DISCOVERED THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I QUESTION THEM THEY SAID IT THE WAY TEY RECIVED IT AND REFUSED TO GO ANY FURTHER THE REQUIRED TIRES FOR THIS TRUCK STATE THERE SUPPOSED TO BE 245/75/16 FOR HAD TIRE ON THE TRUCK THAT ARE THE WRONG SIZE 215 65 15 WHICH MAKE HANDLING THE VEHICLE HARD IN CORNERS AND CREATED A ROLLOVER SITUATION TIRES ARE UNDER RECALL AND FORD WONT HELP ON THIS MATTER I AM ASKING FOR ALMOST A YR NOW THAT SOME ONE MAKE FORD PUT ON THE PROPER TIRES AT THERE COST BECAUSE OF THERE LIES AND DISHONESTY,, ALSO THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH BAD BALL JOINTS THAT BROKE A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SO I BORROWED THE MONEY AND GOT THEM REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE THE ENGIN HAS A TICKING NOISE IN IT NO ONE CAN FIND ,, FORD OF COOKVILLE TN IS JUST DISHONEST I WILLNEVER DEAL WITH THEM EVER AGAIN IM JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE 1999 FORD RANGER 4WD WITH A 4.0 ENGINE SAFE SO MY CHILDREN CAN BE SAFE THIS YR CAN U HELP WITH ANY OF THESE MATTERS? IF THEY JUST REPLACE TIES I CAN HANDLE THE REST OF THE ISSUES PLEASE

NHTSA complaint #10884704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford Ranger at 109,000 miles Cincinnati, OH Crash

WHEELS

SPIN OUT AND FISHTAILING ISSUE. I WAS TURNING A CORNER AND I STEPPED DOWN TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TIRES BEGIN TO SPINOUT; I LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK, CRASHED INTO THE CURB, AND BLEW OUT THREE NEW TIRES AND BENT 3 RIMS. I ALSO HAD SOME SMALL DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK'S BODY. THIS SPINOUT HAS HAPPEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. MOST VEHICLES WOULD BURN RUBBER, HOWEVER THIS TRUCK SPINOUTS AND HAS SOME FISHTAILING WHICH I CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER FORD RANGER TRUCK OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10853781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Ranger problems