The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The brakes and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 226,000.
The worst 2001 Ford Ranger problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body112
- Suspension87
- Airbags62
- Acceleration57
- Brakes55
- Transmission51
- Seat belts45
- Tires39
- Engine35
- Fuel system31
- Electrical22
- Lights7
- Steering7
- Wheels6
- Locks5
- Seats5
- Visibility5
- Driver assistance3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Ford Ranger
No deployment 27Seat belt 20Stalling 13Airbag light 12Brake failure 12Adaptive cruise 10Ball joint 10Tire blowout 10Grinding brakes 8Pulling 8ABS 7Check engine light 7Fire or smoke 7Jerking 7Transmission failure 7Loss of power 5
Recalls 4
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- This could result in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 mercury grand marquis built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford f-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. Ford super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. Ford excursions built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. Ford expeditions built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 01V227001 · Recall details
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.
- Risk
- A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hood striker.
Recall number 00V394000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 2001 Ford Ranger
Defect investigations
Front seat belt buckle assembly
During the initial recall campaign in 2001, the subject vehicles were inspected by ford dealerships using a test tool that would detect a defective front seat outboard seat belt buckle assembly.approximately one million vehicles passed the inspection test for one or both front buckles.subsequent to the recall service action, odi received 15 consumer reports alleging that a passed inspection buckle subsequently failed to latch or inadvertently unlatched during use.in addition, ford has identified 543 owner and field reports alleging buckle failure subsequent to passing the inspection test.ford tested and examined over 100 warranty-returned buckles and found that 44% of the buckles had no problem or a condition not related to the recall inspection (non-latch related buckle damage or foreign contamination).warranty claims were highest during the 18-month period after the start of the recall (july 2001) and have been declining during the past 24 months.over the past 12 months, ford has received approximately 12 warranty claims per month out of a vehicle population of about one million.complaints counts are also decreasing.during the past seven months, odi has received only two complaints. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA05004
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Under recall campaign (01v227), ford recalled approximately 1.3 million vehicles to inspect and if necessary replace the front driver and/or passenger seat belt buckle.approximately 1.1 million owners responded by taking their vehicles to a dealer for inspection of the buckle using a specialized buckle test tool.ford reported that 829,927 vehicles had both buckles pass the tool test and another 167,336 vehicles had one buckle pass.odi and ford received complaints alleging seat belt buckle failure shortly after passing the original recall inspection service.complainants alleged that the buckle failed by either not latching or false-latching (partial engagement of the latch to the latch plate).a false-latched buckle may release with minor movement or impact against the buckle housing including inadvertent release while the vehicle is in motion.odi is upgrading this recall query to an engineering analysis (ea05-004) to further analyze the field performance of those vehicles that ford dealers passed (one or both buckles) using ford's inspection test (997,263 vehicles).
RQ04011
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Ford Ranger 204
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Certain 2018
- This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected
- Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit...
- Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001...
- Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. kb
- Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service...
- Buck/jerk and miss during drive cycle above 3000 RPM - no DTC - 3.0L 2V gas and ffv engine. tt
- Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) P0171, P0172, P0174 and/or P0175...
- Safety belt retraction speed. tt
- Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4X4 or AWD. tt
2001 Ford Ranger fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4‑cyl | RWD | 18-21 | 23-26 | 20-23 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | RWD | 18-19 | 22-24 | 19-21 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 20 | 17-18 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 20-21 | 17 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 18-19 | 15-16 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 17-18 | 15-16 |
| Electric motor Electric 50 mi range | 2WD | 62 | 54 | 58 MPGe |
What 2001 Ford Ranger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 153,244; however, at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 297,515.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle to the residence, it was discovered that the gauge on the odometer was not working. There was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 109,999 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was unknown. The contact called the previous owner, who confirmed that the odometer gauge was inoperable, and was not repaired.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that the anti-theft system was inoperable and failed to function as designed. The anti-theft warning light was illuminated. The contact had to remove the key fob several times to start the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's family member's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
so I recently purchased this truck thinking it was all safe, the pictures were too good to be true thats for sure, When I brought the truck back the old owner even drove with me knowing what he just sold me. The next day I was so happy so I get it registered and insured and I was so eager to hope in and drive around in my new "safe" truck I also went out with my loved one and it sickens me that the old owner was ok with selling me a not so safe truck and I could have died if the frame bracket broke or the frame cracked while i was driving but when I started to look under I saw the problem and I was scared I saw that the upper control arm bracket mount was rusted and the strut tower as well it had a Hole forming and a crack on the strut tower. I also found out that there was a crack in the frame and i've looked up online and it seems that the frame and other components rust I don't know what to do. Im also a college student who is trying to get into the mechanic world and this scares me with how many trucks like this are out on the road.
The rear frame rusted so bad the bumper fell off and the frame actually cracked. This is a common issue with the late 1990s & early 2000s Ford Ranger, I do not understand why this isn't a recall yet as is it very dangerous. This happened on the highway. The front end frame, engine and all the components work flawlessly while the rear frame is just crumbling in rust.
The rear leaf spring shackle rust causing the leaf spring to go through the bed. When going highway speeds the vehicle shakes and not safe to drive over 60.
The frame has rusted so bad it has completely separated from the body. The Ranger frame rusting is a known problem but it has not been recalled like the Toyota Takoma has been.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt would not latch properly. The contact also stated that the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator while driving at various speeds. The contact noticed that the temperature gauge would indicate the vehicle was hot once the hesitation started. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where both failures were linked to recalls. The mechanic linked the seat belt failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 01V227001 (Seat Belts) and the overheating failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The dealer was notified of both failures and informed her that the VIN was not included in either recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Compare the 2001 Ford Ranger
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2001 Ford Ranger
Is the 2001 Ford Ranger reliable?
Owners have filed 515 complaints about the 2001 Ford Ranger, 2.2 times a typical Ranger model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Ford Ranger year score?
The 2001 Ford Ranger scores 43 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Ranger: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Ford Ranger?
Body and structure, with 112 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is suspension (87).
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Ranger have?
4 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, seat belts and structure.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford Ranger body?
Yes, 1 recall: 00V394000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Ranger have the most body problems?
The Ford Ranger model years with the most body complaints are 2001 (112 complaints), 2000 (105 complaints) and 1999 (89 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Ranger get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Ford Ranger range from 15 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18-21 city and 23-26 highway.
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