Frame is rusting away. Both rear shock mounts. Gas tank holding straps. Both chasis rails are rusting away with big chunks of steel falling off. Trans cross member rusting away
2001 Ford Ranger suspension complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Frame rusted even thou we paid for undercoating no accident trying to prevent accident without scraping the vehicle can send pictures, but this form does not work
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle made a noise by the wheel bearing. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The certified mechanic also stated that the frame and the leaf springs were severely rusted, causing the leaf springs to detach. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.
Frame bad.spare tire fall off and back bumper fall off.spare tire fall off when I was parking in a parking space.frame is in very bad conditon.
Bought a used 2001 ford ranger after driving it for a month or so shocks were really bad looked underneath to find two clean cracks through from near back shocks not sure if bad shocks are to blame or weak frame
Serious structural frame rust affecting areas related to suspension (shocks, brackets/shackles of leaf spring) while the rest of the truck, including the body is generally unaffected by any serious rust.
I bought my ranger 12 months ago. 6 months ago I noticed the bed of the truck was starting to lean to the left. Also the spare tire came up missing. I thought it was stlolen but upon inspection it had simply rusted the holder under the truck and fallen off. 3 months ago the truck started making a grinding noise upon braking. The right front a arm had rusted and broken off the frame. A mechanic had to weld a piece of metal to the frame because there was nothing to weld to. Then I finally decided to look under the truck and was shocked at what I found. The bed floor was nearly non excistant. Rusted almost completely gone. The spring shackle on the right which is attached to frame with a bracket were sticking up against the bed liner, the bracket completely gone. The tube that holds the right shock absorber is completely rusted off, the shock absorber just hanging there. Mechanics have told me theres no way to repair because theres no viable metal left to weld to. Its simply rusted away. So now im left with over 3 more years of car payments on a vehicle that's useless. I will upload pictures as soon as I can. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. While servicing the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was corroded and fractured. In addition, the suspension was corroded. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Severe rust on frame. Rear spring hangers broke. Spare tire holder rotted and needed to be removed. Cracked frame behind front spring hanger of right rear spring. Driveline in good condition as was the rest of the body.
This is in addition to a previous complaint that I filed earlier today. I own a 2001 ford ranger 4x4 xlt. Body and interior all perfect. No rust on body. Frame is rusted through in back of area that rear shackles are attached to. Shackles themselves have been replaced two years ago. Truck will not pass inspection and I am told cost of repairs could be around $2000 or more. The mileage on this truck is just over 100k. I am very disappointed in ford motor company. I've owned many ford vehicles, some a lot older than this truck and never experienced anything like this.
I own a 2001 4x4 ford ranger xlt. Body, interior perfect condition. Always garaged, just over 100k miles won't pass inspection. Frame rotted out! Ford should replace this frame or buy back the truck. It is useless to me in this condition. I was told that repairs could cost up to $2000 or more. I feel ripped off by ford motor company. This is my last ford.
Spare tire assembly rusted completely tire and full assembly fell off on on highway created a hazard and almost an accident. The truck was in motion doing about 50 MPH.
Frist, rear spring shackles rusted through had to be replaced, now rear frame where the shock tower hooks up is completely rusted through ( frame is severely rusted to on safe condition )in motion heard a loud rattle pulled over to see what it was .we have pictures but could not download them on this form.
Noted piece of metal dangling from rear of truck. Took vehicle to my mechanic and was shown that driver side gas tank strap had rusted away from mounting bracket. Toured underneath vehicle while it was on lift and was astonished to see the rust thru on all components of underbody. Frame, fuel and brake lines, mounting brackets etc. Mechanic unable to find a secure part of frame that would hold temporary repair. {auto body mechanic made temp repair}. The deterioration of this vehicle goes way beyond normal wear and tear. I have maintained this vehicle through its 80,000 miles and the body and paint look perfect. It is a life safety catastrophe waiting to happen. I babied this truck and planned on keeping it many more years. I can't even sell it now due to complete deterioration from premature rusting.
While inspecting my vehicle before attempting to repair the bracket on the exhaust when I noticed large chips of rust and decay on the entire frame of the vehicle while the body and engine bay are completely un damaged, the rust on my vehicle is far worse then should be on my vehicle with less then 100,000 miles.
I had my truck serviced and the mechanic said the left front frame holding the suspension was rusted.
The spare tire rusted off and fell of when driving and shock mounts also broke due to rust.
Took truck in for service and was told the spring shackles were rusted and had to be replaced.
The gas tank support which was a part of the frame rusted off.
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.
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.
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.
When going to install trailer hitch I found that spring and shackle brackets are about to fall off due to severe rust perforation. Also bumper brackets are compromised by severe rust perforation as well as entire spare tire compartment. I have found several forums where the same complaint has been reported and I feel it is a safety hazard due to manufacture of the frame metal.I am concerned that my bumper is going to come off while driving or spare tire or leaf spring shackles causing an accident. Surface rust is expected but total perforation of metal from rust on vehicle this old is not acceptable and is a defect in the metal.
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.
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.
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