The spare tire mounted under the bed rusted off and fell off unto the highway.
2001 Ford Ranger body complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 112, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Frame supporting spare tire carrier fell off causing spare to drag. Also have in the past had both rear leaf spring mounts and shackles break off the frame to excessive rot.
Entire frame rusted out-gas tank-rear shackles-bumper fell off.
While driving along the interstate I-65 my rear frame fell off along with the spare tire it was due to rust on the frame it also took the rear leaf spring shackles on both sides causing the springs to penetrate through the floor of the pick up bed I hear tell this american made truck has a frame that was made in japan. Knowingly if the frame was made in the USA it would of had copper in the blend of steel which slows the problem of decay by rust. It would be unheard of if ford declines to recall these defected frames for who does clean the pockets of the frames on their personal vehicles?
Front wheel driver's side just fell off the frame due to extensive rust. Wheel is hanging by the spring only. Inspection of the entire frame shows very extensive rust and it looks like swiss cheese.
My frame has corroded to the point that it is unsafe to drive. Mostly all of my undercarriage bolts and supports have rotted through the frame that there is not enough frame metal to make appropriate repairs> including gas tank filler pipe, gas tank support straps, shock supports,muffler mounts,side step ups, and side panel: brackets. This truck has not been abused and I feel a frame should last more than 13 years.
I went to a auto body shop to get a estimate on some minor body work, during the inspection process the auto body rep found the frame to the rear of the rear tires was completely rusted through on the drivers side to the point the rear spring shackle was the only item holding the axle in place. Upon checking the complete frame he determined the complete frame was rusted away to the point he recommended the vehicle not be driven. Ford also discontinued this frame so I can not purchase another frame and rebuild the truck on a new frame. Note this truck was rarely used in the winter and was washed often. Previously a fuel line had to be replaced due to rusting in 2004, which I reported to the federal safety agency and never heard anything back regarding that complaint.
Frame in rear of truck rusted badly, rear shackle mount o pass side extremely bad with holes completely through the frame in multiple places. Rear tire carrier completely unusable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. The contact stated that he noticed that the driver's side sub frame behind the front bracket of the leaf spring was cracked and corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Djr
Passenger side rear spring shackle bracket rusted and broke off of frame. Frame, especially near rear of truck, is badly rusted.
Rear frame rails have rusted through in multiple areas. Right rear shock mount to frame has broken off and left a large hole in the frame rail. Right side rear frame rail has a large crack completely through it.
The frame on my 2001 ford ranger has completely rusted through just in front of the rear springs on the drivers side. The truck only has 80,000 miles on it and is otherwise in excellent shape. There is no rust on the body. It is now unsafe to drive.
The rear leaf spring mounts, shackles and frame where it mounts have rotted through resulting in the leaf spring breaking loose from the frame. Also, the front cross member of the frame is disintegrating and shows signs of imminent failure.
I took my truck in for tire repair and service technician found severe rotting where leaf springs are supposed to be connected to the frame. There was a total disconnect at this location which explains the loud banging that I've been hearing. This is on the drivers side. He advised me that on the passenger side, it was the same situation but it wasn't disconnected yet. He advised me ford rangers have a problem with this. I went online and discovered a huge volume of complaints regarding this same issue. Some complaints said that they were driving when their truck bed gave way and collapsed while in the truck was in motion. This truck was handed down with low mileage and little reason for all that rust/rotting in the frame of the truck. I was advised that had I been carrying a medium or heavy load the bed could have given way, and that could have been in motion.
This vehicle has less than 100k miles on it and I've already had to repair the frame multiple times. The first incident was the cross members in the rear rusting off. The next incident was the frame breaking behind the drivers side bed between the shackles. I could literally flex the frame 4 inches up and down at the pivot point. I found this break while parked but had to miss class because of the severity of the frame. My trip to school has many sharp off ramps where high speed traffic and braking occurs. I'm certain if I had driven to school that day I could have been killed. While repairing this break I found where previous owners had fixed the rear bumper mounts and rear cross member. After taking my truck in to replace the tires, I was informed of yet another major frame issue. Underneath the drivers seat on the frame is a huge rusted hole with a crack starting to form down the center of the rail. This will need repairing immediately. This being my first ford vehicle, I am extremely reluctant to buy a ford ever again. I could understand if the truck had 150k+ miles but it still has less than 100k miles. I owned a 1992 chevy s10 five years ago and it had almost no rust on the frame even though it was an out door truck. Ford needs to do something about this before someone is killed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Undercarriage and frame has excessive rust problems causing parts on frame to fail and fall off.
Right rear is two inches lower than left side, frame is rusted through.
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.
The frame rusted out and bent out of shape in the rear end.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. After examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the entire frame and sub frame had cracked and rusted through. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic on several occasions, where the leaf springs were replaced each time. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2001 ford ranger was taken into auto shop for routine maintenance. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and found the rear spring shackles and the frame rotted and about ready to fail completely. The springs were found to be pressing up on the bottom of the frame. Also noted bumper was about ready to fall off. All of this due to severe corrosion of the frame. No maintenance was performed on the vehicle and a recommendation from the mechanic to remove the vehicle from the road was advised.
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