Frame has extensive rot resulting in an unstable handling feel to the truck while driving. Also the leaf spring mounts are rusted through and about to fall apart, I feel the truck is no longer safe to drive.
2002 Ford Ranger body complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 49, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Excessive rust underneath. Leaf spring hangers failed at 11 years/120k miles. Spare tire winch separated from truck at 14 years/155k miles. . An exhaust mount has rusted away leaving the exhaust system marginally supported - uncertain of when this happened. Logging this complaint due to the gas tank strap failure. One gas tank strap separated from underneath the truck bed approximately one month ago - age 14.5 years, ~160k miles. With the spare tire, I noticed it hanging low (3 of 4 fasteners had pulled away from their mounts), and with little effort, was able to have it fall off. Had the remaining fastener failed on the highway, obviously bad things could have happened. With the gas tank strap, luckily it separated from underneath the bed rather than from the frame, and I could hear it rubbing against the drive shaft. The other strap was able to carry the entire weight until I was able to secure the gas tank.
Door ajar light stays on after car is started and interior lights stay on for about ten minutes after vehicle is stopped before going out. Does not happen if very cold 20 degrees f, or less. Also drivers door will partially open occasionally when driving to the safety catch position. Door opening is normally at lower speeds, less than 30 MPH and mostly when going around turns. Started almost a year ago.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that while stationary during an oil change, the vehicle's frame bedding was discovered to be severely corroded. Underneath the vehicle, there was a noise coming from underneath the vehicle and the frame encountered the bedding causing the failure to progress. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,546.
The truck frame has multiple spots of severe rust that caused it to snap in 2 making the truck unsafe to drive. One of the areas is next to the gas tank (where it snapped) and the rust does not affect any other spot around the frame in this area. I was making a wide right hand turn on a highway on ramp and it snapped.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle had not passed inspection due to rusting on the axle and the subframe on the front driver side. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front frame was unable to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was not available.
I bought this truck from a dealership in jan 2010. Truck was in good shape, had frame check out before I bought it and looked very good. Truck had only 48000 miles on it. In jan of 2015 the truck bed sat a little crooked check frame and seen a crack on frame 3' long by front shackle. At that time truck only has 94000 miles on it. Took bed off and found more areas that would need adressing soon. I tried to keep truck under side clean during the winter, I guess the stuff the state uses on the road was to much for the truck.
Rear leaf shackles replaced, rotted from frame, last aug 2014 to pass inspection. This winter 2014-2015, the spare tire carrier frame rotted and fell from the vehicle, including the spare tire. Now, upon inspection of the bed appearing crooked, the drivers side frame in front of the drivers side front leaf spring mount is totally rotted. This has caused the gas tank mounts to the frame to break. It has also caused the bed to twist and the entire rear end of this vehicle is now only supported by the passenger side frame.
Frame is rusted and rotting away, bought it from dealer 1/21/2015. Found out truck was in bad shape 1/23/2015 after getting oil change from local shop.
Bracket for spare tire rotted, tire dropped off, no car in back of me, didn't know what happen at the time, that happened 6 month after I bought it, the other day the frame cracked in half. Car dealer ship sold truck to me roughly 15 month ago truck is totaled. Insurance adjuster said whole frame and under carriage is rotted? Help. Exterior of truck looks brand new? Help
I recently check the underside of the vehicle and found out a missing sparetire and also a very loose rear bumper and the cause of it is rust, very bad rusting on the frame, mostly on the rear end.
This truck is rusting from front to back.the main frame and all connecting parts. I have had to replace numerous metal parts. There has to be some kind of defect either in the metal or this truck was never undercoated. It has 84000 miles and I have been replacing parts since 75000 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 30 MPH over a road bump, the rear frame became detached along with the cross member, causing the spare tire to fracture. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the two cross members, the frame bedding and the rear frame was rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
I took my 2002 ford ranger truck in for inspection and I was told my truck was uninspectable because my frame,crossmember, front aarms are rusted thin. It only has 80 some k on it I only have it for 2years I don't drive very far I bought it with 74k.
I purchased this truck 1 yr ago . I took it in for inspection and found that it had severe rust problems . The shackles for the leaf spring had completely rotted away causing the spring to rest upon the box. The restraint for the gas tank was rotted to the point that tank was about to fall off. There was severe rusting of the frame , especially in the rear .obviously, the truck failed inspection.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that while approaching a stop light, he erroneously depressed both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal and proceeded through the light. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was not available.
Yesterday I had something go wrong with my ford ranger and I needed to have it towed home. This problem will be the end of my wonderful trucks life because the inspection is also due and I have been told that due to extensive rust and a cracked rear frame, my truck will never be able to pass inspection. The body, interior and engine are all in great shape. The spare tire support is almost completely eaten away and the gas tank supports rotted away years ago. My mechanic had to rig a wire hanger for the gas tank. While my truck was on the flat bed, the mechanic mentioned that rangers are know for the frames being eaten away. I have been doing research and understand now how common this problem is. Why has ford not recalled this poorly made frame just like toyota did? Is it because not enough people have died from it???
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that the sub frame was corroded and caused the fuel tank strap to fracture. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 92,000, updated 02/11/14*lj the consumer stated the frame rotted where the fuel tank strap failed, causing the tank to hang lower than it should. It was holding by one strap. There was a crack in the frame. Updated 02/12/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the spare tire holder fractured, causing the tire to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the spare tire bed was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
When pulling into a driveway, I heard a loud crack from the rear of the truck. After inspection, the rear frame had rusted to the point where the leaf spring mount detached from the frame. If this would have happened while hauling a load, or pulling a trailer at highway speeds, it could have LED to a crash.
My frame is completely rusted despite the body, engine and interior being in good shape. My spare tire mount rotted and the spare fell off. One of the crossmembers that held the evap canister completely broke off as I was driving staying attached only by the electrical connector. The frame on the passenger side completely severed just forward of the axle. The leaf spring is the only thing holding it together and those shackles look like they're ready to go. Ford sucks!
I noticed my vehicle had a slight sag to it so I took it in to an independent shop, the mechanic gave me horrifying news, stating my vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the frame being excessive rotted out, he showed my where the spare tire was being held on the rust had eaten away the support and said I was luck not to lose the spare on the highway. Also the gas tank supports were completely gone. The truck has 67k miles. The outside looks beautiful and clean you would never tell by looking at the truck that the undercarriage was rotted. I find it absurd that a truck well taken care has turned to this... The mechanic said the only way to fix this is to replace the frame, which is very expensive, so I'm left with a unsafe pile of rusted metal.
Spare tire mount fell off truck going 50 MPH. Could have killed some one. Mounts were totally rusted off. Since then have had to weld frame several times to pass inspection. Frame is not going to pass again this year on a truck with great engine, tires, brakes, etc. Land fill here we come. Something was very wrong with the steel used in this frame. There is nothing left.
Brought truck into service center for noise in front. Raised truck to inspect---- complete undercariage rusted beyond belief,front to rear bolts, nuts, brackets,frame, shocks, etc. Main concern is frame, brake lines --- had to have rear leaf spring support and bracket replaced because it was ready to break. Had shocks replaced because they looked like they could bust at any time. This is a truck with less than 32,000 miles --- body still looks great but underneath is questionable is there a recall or something I can fall back on ????
A loud thunk, rear driver's side dropped, immediate stop at mechanic's shop, extensive frame rust and riveted construction of shackle bracket hangers and shackle bracket had caused the shackle bracket hanger to break from the frame. The spring was shoved up against the truck's bed. At highway speed this could have been deadly. Mechanic said both shackle bracket hangers and shackle brackets would need replacement with probably new metal welded to the frame to ensure the new shackle bracket hangers would be stable. Also, mechanic stated the frame was rusted to a greater degree than usual even for new england. With 107000 miles, this should be unacceptable for us. There are accidents and deaths waiting to happen. There has to be something done. More to come once I go to the welding shop today (8/1/2013). Read online ranger forums to see how prevalent this frame rot issue is.
Rear crossmember rotted off charcole canister and spare tire fell off while driving why shouldn't ford be responsible when goverment makes toyota responsible for there frames.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact noticed that the right rear passenger frame had rusted. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified who informed the contact that there were no related recalls and did not provide any other assistance. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 92,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced, he noticed that the frame was corroded and rusted. The contact called the dealer who stated that they would not repair it. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. While performing maintenance on the vehicle, the contact noticed the frame was rusting. Over the course of a few years, the rusting had progressed and worsened. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 81,000. Updtated 2/17/11 *cn updated 04/29/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford ranger. While driving approximately 25 MPH on normal road conditions, there was a loud noise coming from the exterior of the vehicle. Suddenly, the spare tire well detached from its frame and onto the road. A replacement spare tire well was installed at a local repair shop. The vehicle was later taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the frame exhibited severe rust and corrosion. Thus causing defects in the fuel tank strap and transmission cross beam. The brake line and shackles were also damaged. The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was unknown.
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