Ford Ranger Complaints (2001)

527 consumer complaints on file.

#10546490October 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION
PICKED UP KIDS FROM BUS STOP (5 AND 6 YEARS AGE) WITH 2001 RANGER PARKED IN GEAR ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAY GRADE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. LOADED KIDS AND MYSELF, STARTED VEHICLE AND RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VEHICLE TOOK OFF DOWN HILL. PUSHED AND PUMPED PEDAL HARD TO ENGAGE REAR BRAKE VALVE; NO REAR BRAKES. ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE (NOW AT CONSIDERABLE SPEED ON GRADE). LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKED SKIDDING VEHICLE TO RIGHT SIDE ON GRAVEL DRIVE, CORRECTED WITH STEERING AVOIDING ROLL OVER. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED EXTENSIVE PREMATURE CORROSION TO VEHICLE FRAME, SUSPENSION AND BRAKE COMPONENTS. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES COMPROMISED WITH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DURING EMERGENCY. MY KIDS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED BECAUSE FORD SAVED A FEW BUCKS USING BELOW STANDARD IMPORTED STEEL. NTSB; ARE YOU IN SOME WAY BEING PAID-OFF BY FORD TO IGNORE THE THOUSANDS OF SAFETY COMPLAINTS AND INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THESE VEHICLES? DO NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO ASSIGN BLAME ON SALTY EASTERN ROADS; MANY OTHER VEHICLE DRIVEN UNDER IDENTICAL CONDITIONS DO NOT FALL APART SO CONSISTENTLY AND COMPLETELY. MANY UNDERCARRIAGE PARTS ON MY RANGER ARE NOT EVEN RECOGNIZABLE DUE TO NEAR COMPLETE DISINTEGRATION. MY TRUCK HAS AN 'A' TITLE AND WAS RUST PROOFED PRIOR TO DELIVERY. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND REGULARLY WASH UNDERCARRIAGE. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546207September 30, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
FAILED COMPONENT 2: FRAME AHEAD OF LEAF SPRING SHACKLES ON BOTH SIDES. LEFT WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND RIGHT WAS 1/2 FRACTURED. RIGHT SHOCK STRUT MOUNT BROKEN. DRIVING AROUND TOWN HIT SEVERAL BUMPS IN ROAD DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. WHEN I PARKED THE TRUCK I NOTICED THE TRUCK BED WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED FRAME. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY REMOVED THE BED AND NOTICED EXTREME RUST AND A 'PAPER THIN' FRAME.. SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FIND GOOD METAL TO WELD TO. I NOTICED THAT FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 2004 RANGER FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522801July 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS GOING RELATIVELY SLOW AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. BRAKE LINE FROM ABS UNIT TO REAR BRAKE HOSE HAD FAILED. I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN A RECALL AS I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH FORD RANGERS WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. ONE RESULTED IN AS CRASH. I ALSO INFORMALLY ASK OTHER RANGER OWNERS AND MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS, FOR LONGER TIME PERIODS AND FAR MORE MILEAGE WITHOUT THIS KIND OF FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514767June 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME RAILS, REAR BUMPER IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF VEHICLE!! I JUST ARRIVED BACK IN MASSACHUSSETTS FROM WINTER IN SOUTH CAROLINA, STARTED TO PREPARE MY FORD RANGER TO GO BACK ON THE ROAD, OBSERVED THAT THE REAR BUMPER APPEARED TO BE HANGING LOWER THAN NORMAL. I TUGGED ON THE REAR BUMPER AND FOUND THAT I COULD EASILY MOVE IT UP OR DOWN, CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE SO RUSTED THAT THE BUMPER IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE, SPARE WHEEL WELL AND LIFTING MECHANISM ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514522May 31, 2013
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RECEIVER UNLATCHES SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE RED BUTTON DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE UNIT WHICH MAY CAUSE THE UNLATCHING. BODILY INJURY COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON SOME 2001 FORD RANGERS FOR THE SAFETY BELT BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING RECALL OR PROGRAMS ON THIS UNIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10514258May 30, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, SEAT BELTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD, COMING UP TO A THIRD SPEED BUMP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND MY ENGINE REVVED AND STARTED GOING FASTER. I HIT THE BRAKES AND MY TRUCK SPUN OUT, OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE SEAT BELT HARNESS DID NOT LOCK UP; THE SHOULDER STRAP STAYED LOOSE, AND MY HEAD WAS BEING HIT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, SOMEHOW I FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. 05/17/13 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO GET THE RECALL FIXED, AND GET EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10511584May 12, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
I BOUGHT THIS 2001 FORD RANGER EDGE, REGULAR CAB FROM A DEALER IN CONNECTICUT. THE EXTERIOR BODY PANELS THEMSELVES LOOKS IMMACULATE NOT A SPOT OF RUST ANYWHERE, HOWEVER, AFTER I HAD DRIVEN HOME THE VEHICLE AND HAD MY FAMILY MECHANIC LOOK IT OVER HE DISCOVERED THERE ARE TWO LOCATIONS WHERE THE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED/ ROTTED THROUGH (OVER 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER) ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR AXLE, ADJACENT TO THE GAS TANK. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS VERY WELL CARED FOR. THIS MECHANIC THEN TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THIS VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS BORDERLINE UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507484April 8, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,238.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503165March 15, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SYMPTOMS INCLUDED ENGINE STALL DURING HIGHWAY AND UPHILL DRIVING. STOPPED AT FUEL STATION TO FILL TANK; WHEN TANK APPROACHED FULL; SOUND OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE NOTED FOLLOWED BY LARGE FUEL SPILLAGE FROM TANK AREA (SATURATED TRUCK RT REAR UNDERBELLY, GROUND, REAR TIRE, MY SHOES AND LOWER PORTION OF PANTS). SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED GAS TANK STRAP DETACHED FROM FRAME DUE TO SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD FRAME ROT. TANK APPARENTLY HANGING FROM REMAINING CORROSION DAMAGED STRAP AND FUEL FILLER NECK (CAUSED TANK TO TILT BACKWARDS; STARVING ENGINE OF FUEL DURING UPHILL OR DYNAMIC DRIVING). FUEL FILLER NECK WAS ALSO SEVERELY ROTTED AND FINALLY FAILED DURING FUEL FILL CAUSING ENTIRE TANK LOADED WITH 16 GALLONS FUEL TO BECOME DETACHED AT SHARP ANGLE. FOLLOWING INCIDENT; VEHICLE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED REVEALING EXTENSIVE FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT DISINTEGRATION DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF FORD DESIGNED SUB-STANDARD MATERIALS. LARGE AREAS OF MATERIAL MISSING FROM BOTH FRONT FRAME MEMBERS (REAR OF ENGINE), LARGE HOLES IN FRAME AREAS FORWARD OF REAR WHEELS (WHERE FUEL TANK STRAPS ATTACK), SEVERE AND WIDESPREAD FRAME AND SUSPENSION COMPONENT CORROSION. VEHICLE CONDEMNED BY INSPECTION PERSONNEL; NOW SITS IDLE IN DRIVEWAY. RANGER PURCHASED NEW (YEAR END, 2001) WITH DEALER RUST-PROOF. VEHICLE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND KEPT FREE FROM ROAD SALT WITH REGULAR UNDERBELLY WASH. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 120,000 MILES AND LOOKED VERY CLEAN ON EXTERIOR. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY 35 YEAR DRIVING HISTORY; NEVER HAVE I EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS PRIOR. FORD OBVIOUSLY USED ULTRA-SUB STANDARD MATERIALS IN RANGER CRITICAL SUSPENSION COMPONENT DESIGNS; WITHOUT REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF UNSUSPECTING OWNERS. THIS IS CRIMINAL, IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED BY THESE DESIGN DEFECTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497081February 6, 2013
STRUCTURE
2001 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE TIRE MOUNT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FULL SIZED SPARE TIRE ON THE TRUCK, WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE CARGO BED. IT WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY A STRANDED STEEL CABLE, ONE END OF WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO A SWAGED STEEL FITTING WHICH WENT THROUGH THE CENTRAL HOLE OF THE SPARE, THE OTHER END TO A WINCH WHICH LOWERED AND RAISED THE SPARE. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP AND SAW THE SPARE TIRE HAD FALLEN OUT OF ITS STORAGE PLACE AND WAS SITTING IN THE ROADWAY BEHIND HIM. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE MECHANISM, HE FOUND THE SWAGED JOINT BETWEEN THE STEEL FITTING AND THE CABLE HAD CORRODED AND FAILED. FORTUNATELY, WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493549January 20, 2013
AIR BAGS
AT FAULT DRIVER TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 40 MPR. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. TOTALED THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 RANGER. I SUFFERED BROKEN KNEECAP AND STERNUM. AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN. RANGER TOWED .. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10490728January 2, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING NOTICE THE BED WAS OFF CENTER. PUT TRUCK ON LIFE AND FOUND WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488996December 17, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, SUSPENSION
WENT TO REAR OF TRUCK AND FOUND BUMPER HAD BROKEN FREE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. LOOKED UNDER THE TUCK AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IN THE REAR IS ROTTED AND THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE IN DANGER OF COMING COMPLETELY OFF. THE BUMPER IS ENTIRELY FREE FROM THE TRUCK. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME DIRECTLY OVER THE TIRE IS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THIS IS THE WORST FRAME I HAVE EVER SEEN AND HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE 70'S AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS MESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486767December 2, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I ATTACHED A YARD TRAILER TO THE RECEIVER HITCH AND AS I PULLED OUT OF THE YARD THE HITCH PULLED RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW ABOUT A FOOT OF THE REAR FRAME RAILS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AWAY AND THE SPRINGS WERE PUSHED UP ONTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT AND NO APPARENT RUST. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRAILER WOULD HAVE GONE SAILING DOWN THE HIGHWAY POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. BOTH REAR SPRINGS DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483463November 6, 2012
SUSPENSION, SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY
UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE RUST PROBLEMS CAUSING PARTS ON FRAME TO FAIL AND FALL OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10477137September 26, 2012
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
RIGHT REAR IS TWO INCHES LOWER THAN LEFT SIDE, FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469630August 8, 2012
WHEELS, TIRES
TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 WEST OF INDIO, CA WHEN THE KUMHO SOLIS K21 REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. RANGER PICKUP SWAYED BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PICKUP WENT DOWN A 15' EMBANKMENT. ROLLED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WITH INJURIES TO BOTH PASSENGERS. THE PICKUP WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TIRE WAS PURCHASE 11/22/2010 AND WAS A P225/70R-15. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10461153June 10, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
FAILED NYS INSPECTION DUE TO STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN FRAME. ADDITIONALLY THE BRACKET HOLDING ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING THE TANK SUSPENDED BY ONLY ONE STRAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457245May 3, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V227001(SEAT BELTS: FRONT: BUCKLE ASSEMBLY), SINCE IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD BE REPLACED FOR $600. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456072April 23, 2012
AIR BAGS
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY SOMEONE WHO RAN A RED LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. HE WAS TRAVELING AROUND 40 (ISH) MPH. SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Ranger