This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Downingtown, PA, USA
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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
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.
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.
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?
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. Rest of truck is really nice
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.
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 !!!!
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.
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.
2003 Ford Ranger suddenly accelerated upon attempting to park. I was pulling into my parking spot while apply the brakes when my vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped a snow bank and hit a light pole. Independent witness reported the vehicle just took off, rear wheels rapidly started turning. I contacted Ford Motor Co. Who did not seem too concerned about the incident and had no interest to inspect the vehicle.
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.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stow, OH, USA