I have a 2000 ford ranger xlt. The frame, brake lines, shackles, shocks, and other components from the mid frame to the rear of the vehicle are showing severe signs of rust and rot. The rear brake lines were rotted through and required replacement. The rear bumper has rotted completely off the frame on the drivers side. The rear shackles, spring mounts, differential cover and axle are showing severe signs of rust, and in some areas, complete rot through. The vehicle has approximately 71,000 miles and is otherwise in very good condition. As I research this problem, I have found others with the same problems. These issues revolve around the safety components of the vehicle and in short time, this vehicle will likely be unsafe to drive. The vehicle is only 11 years old and in my opinion, the safety of the vehicle should not be compromised this drastically after only 11 years. I would urge ford motor company to consider launching an investigation before a serious issue happens.
2000 Ford Ranger suspension complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 72, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Noticed excessive rust through on frame rear at spring hanger.
Dt: the contact stated the front tires had abnormal wear, and the front end would shake when driving over bumpy roads. He contacted the dealership, and they stated there were no recalls. The contact took the vehicle to repair shop, and the mechanic determined that the front upper ball joints needed to be replaced. This repair was made at the contact's expense.
I took my 2000 ford ranger into get an oil change and have the front end alignment checked as it had a pull to the left. I was told that I needed to have the ball joints and anti-sway bars replaced before they could do an alignment. My vehicle only had 42,043 miles on it at this time. I contacted ford headquarters and asked to have them replaced at their cost and they refused. I have talked to different mechanics who own older fords rangers and they said that the ball joints should not be failing at such a low mileage. At this point I am in the process of getting ready to replace the parts myself, so no replacement has been done.
While traveling down the road both rear wheels and axles come off my 2000 ford ranger causing me to go broad side down the road about 50ft. The state patrol man informed the towing company to take the truck to the garage and tear it apart to find the cause, he felt there was a defect in this truck, we come to find out that the king pin in the rear end broke causing the rear end wheels and axles attached to come off
Passenger rear helper leaf spring snapped in two at axle. This truck has never been used for heavy hauling of any kind and is not driven hard at any time. For the helper leaf spring to break like that in such a new truck has to be explained as a defect.
Consumer states before now, the vehicle shuttered on the passenger side while driving from 35 MPH up to 50 MPH. Now the vehicle shuttered severely all over when driving at any given speed. This condition has caused excessive front wear on the tire. Dealer and manufacturer were notified and both informed the consumer that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this issue and fill out the questionnaire.
All ball joints in front end needed to be replaced after only 26,700 miles. Costing $800.
At 50,000 miles, my ford ranger began experiencing a slipping transmission and failed to start. The problems were diagnosed as a failed gasket in the transmission, and a failed valve body part in the motor (which was fixed with an "update kit"). The dealer also indicated that the ball joints were beginning to fail, and a front pinion seal had begun to leak.
While driving and without warning the ball joints made a loud noise. *nlm dealer found the upper and lower ball joints needed to be lubricated. *tt
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the suspension on the back been altered by dealer ship. Delaer was contacted that the suspension had been altered and that if consumer chooses to take it off the vehicle leans on a side. Mr
When driving on an incline, the driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, but vehicle did not slow down. The brakes kicked in, and moments later, the driver was able to stop the vehicle. *ak the consumer states that the he kept asking the dealer to remedy the steering-3 times. The consumer had to keep taking the vehicle to get a front end alignment every few days. The tail gate latch does not operate, the wind is still leaking around the door, the power steering pump make noise overhead/periodically locks up and throws off the drive belt and becomes hard to steer, there is a vibration in the left front wheel/roaring noise-rotated tires.
While driving over a ditch or a drop off a loud popping noise is heard.
We took our ranger in on 11/28/01 because there was a squealing noise, service derpart. Could not hear it. Took it back on 01/07/02 because noise got worse. They found that there was no grease in the inner bearing on both side of the front wheels "see other complaint odi id: 734299 from someone else" it has feathering and cupping on the tires also they cant seem to fix. . They also found on 01/07/02 that the seal on the assembly transmission extension was leaking. It had a flange seal put on the differential at 2945 mile, the other side of the drive line. See my other complaint odi id: 754342. Transmission went out at 2945 miles. We feel this ranger is unsafe to drive.
Truck rode very bouncy, bouncing and shaking most noticeable at 25 to 55mph. The bouncing is so severe the vehicle is starting to drift of the road and hard to control.
While driving 25-55 MPH vehicle would momentarily bounce and lose steering control within a few seconds. Dealer notified. Consumer changed both front shocks, and noticed the difference .*ak
A piece of the broken leaf spring about 15 inches long broke loose and flew out from under the truck while in motion. This occured in the overnite hours with no nearby traffic. I am concerned about the possibily of injury and damage to vechicles if this happens to other drivers during peak traffic hours.
Vehicle lost stability on highway at posted speed on uneven pavement causing the truck to fishtail--very concerned about safety of vehicle.
Vehicle would vibrate between 40-45 MPH. Vehicle been into dealer shop on three occasions, and still unable to locate problem.
While driving vehicle would wander from side to side in traffic. Would happen at same speed. Problem was intermittent.
Single truck rollover. Driver ejected and killed instantly. *ak (dot number: vd70 tiresize: p255/70r15)
Would be driving and had vibration in left rear. It became more pronounced when driving at highway speeds. Would feel like a flat tire. Took to dealership, and mechanic could not locate cause of vibration.*ak consumer feels there is a problem with the design or manufacturing of the left rear suspension, also stating if this were a tire problem, the left rear tire would not be the only one being affected, could be a tire problem though, consumer has firestone, p235/75r15, dot 8xhlip4.
While traveling 55mph or more steering wheel shakes and vibrates to point that driver's hands and arms go numb. Dealer has replaced the motor mounts and transmission mounts, and problem still occurs.
Was driving 55mph & vehicle would drift left when brakes applied. Took to dealer & nothing found. Drove some more & problem was getting worse. Took it back & service manager indicated problem was with the brakes. It was drifting left. Also, would drift when steering was released & shaking. Tires were found out of balance. Firestone, wilderness atx, 0235/75r15. Right front tire went flat & was informed ran over a nail, but it could not be produced.
When the right front bearing assembly locked up due to lack of grease it almost put me in the ditch on the right side of the road. It had to be towed to the nearest ford dealer, brandon ford and they replaced the whole tight assembly costing about $600 and was covered under warranty. They did not, however check or replace the left side assembly which failed at a higher speed. The left side assembly locked up 200 miles later while I was taking it to have it replaced and this time at 65 MPH and almost threw me into a retaining wall being used on I-4 mlk tampa. I am filing this report with you so that if there are any more vehicles out there -explorer and rangers that ford failed to lubricate and are subject to failure, it will be on record. As close as it was to causing a wreck, I feel that they should follow up to make sure that some unsuspecting and less alert driver doesn't get killed or kill someone else. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****734299
Both front shocks have leaked oil out, uneven tire wear, cracks inside bumper, headliner and other body joints shifting position, left radiator mount compressed badly. This is the second ranger I have seen this on today.
While driving vehicle veered to the right. Owner tried to turn and steering wheel locked up, and driver hit a telephone pole and rolled over. Vehicle has not been seen.
Vehicle had firestone wilderness tires on it, four tires were warped. When driving at highway speed vehicle shook and pulled, vehicle became hard to control when at high speeds. Dealer was contacted.
Tire overheats under normal driving condition, uneven tread wear, dealer states that is normal. *ak( dot number: tire size: p225/70rs )
Flat tire while driving-no obvious cause of failure-I checked for nails, etc. Found none. *ak( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 )
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