When accelerating, occasionally there is a hesitation. This becomes dangerous when accelerating from a side street onto a 55mph road when there’s an occasional break in traffic that I need to jump into. There’s been times where I got concerned when it hesitated and there was oncoming traffic. The other day I was going under 10mph around a curve and it hesitated so much, I looked at my gas gauge, thinking I was running out of gas (but I had a half tank). I’ve seen complaints online about this problem. I’ve had it to two different dealers and they found nothing wrong. I’ve had this problem since I purchased it new and I now have 12K miles. Thank you! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Ford Ranger fuel gauge problems
19 of the 8,202 owner complaints about the Ford Ranger describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical mileage
- 85,000
By model year
- 20241
- 20221
- 20052
- 20031
- 20011
- 20003
- 19992
- 19982
- 19971
- 19961
- 19941
- 19931
- 19911
- 19901
Often reported together
Loss of power 2Overheating 1Hesitation 1Headlights 1Fuel smell 1Fuel pump 1Fuel leak 1Door locks 1
What owners say
The ACM (Audio Control Module) failed, causing a network failure in the CAN system. This caused a condition of no speedometer reading, no automatic braking, no adaptive cruise control, no fuel gauge reading, no blind spot monitoring, no forward collision, no rear cross traffic warning. Additionally, while the turn signals worked, there was no inside audio or visual confirmation that it was functioning. Also no high beam headlight indicator and no automatic high-low beams. Cost of repair was $739.00 and the dealer had to order the part.
Gas gauge is inaccurate - gauge indicated almost 1/2 tank of gas when truck ran out of gas.
The frame has horrible corrosion. All the spring hangers are were failing bad. I don't even think it can be welded because it is rusted from one end to another. Ford really messed this one up. And why do all the fuel gauges quit working?
The fuel inertia switch would malfunction for no reason. The car would just die, losing all power (many times happening at 65 MPH on freeway). It happened at least 15 different times. The "reset" button would have to be used to get vehicle started again. Eventually, the component "melted," and had to be replaced. I was told at the dealership not to let the fuel level get lower than 1/4 tank, to prevent this from happening again. Very dangerous issue, which ford is aware of< but does nothing!
Noticed gasoline runs from under truck when tank is filled up with gas. On 11/30/2010, filler neck on fuel tank cracked profusely as well as fuel inductor line; fuel was pouring out under truck as I watched the gas gauge go from 1/4 of a tank full to empty in 2 seconds. Dealer indicates that original fuel inductor lines (that fits on top of tank) and tank are no longer available from ford dealer. Entire fuel system must be replaced.
Fuel line failure 1996 ford ranger driven weekly. Traveling on a two lane paved road at posted speed. "check gauges" warning light came on. Fuel gauge below empty (had started trip 40 minutes earlier with 2/3 tank). Pulled over at first safe opportunity and stepped out of truck. Strong smell of fuel and gas pouring on the ground. Stopped engine and the fuel stopped pouring. Had local tire store drop the tank. They found a crack at a 90 degree bend in the plastic hose leading to the fuel sending unit. The house appears to have been rubbing against some surface between the top of the tank and the body. New assembly ordered from ford ($128) with an installed price of $416. I retained the old fuel line assembly. Fuel was being pumped onto the top of the tank and on the underside of the truck. I feel very lucky to have avoided a fire.
Serpintine belt broke off replaced at my expense, firestone tires had to be replaced at my expense, paint faded had to be repainted at my expense then the paint faded again, brakes stoped working had to replace all brake parts at my expense, water pump failed paid by ford under waranty but ford tried to say nothing was wrong with the pump, I had to show the mechanic the check hole was leaking. Windows have not worked for years, got them fixed at my expense but windows still fail to operate, driver side door handle has been broken for years canot open the door from the inside, door locks will not open must leave doors unlocked, truck has had a slight oil leak for years, fuel pump started leaking gas, fuel pump is located in the gas tank, gas tank had to be removed to fix at my expense, fuel gauge didnt work for years up untill fuel pump was fixed.
Purchase vehicle july 2005, vehicle never had a good pull to it and I thought it was the way the truck just pulled until may 2006 when I was hit from behind by a ford explorer, my truck got worse. In june 2007 engine light came on wouldn't go off. Gas cap light came on wouldn't go off. Tried to tighten cap, lights still haven't went off. Took truck to mechanic found out that my truck had a cracked head that was indicated that it could have been a defect from the manufacture and or possibly due to collision also ford manufacture had a defect call back on all 2005 ford ranger. In december 2005 five month after I purchase the truck and they ( ford) did not even notify me of the defect. I do have a copy in my possession from my mechanic. Also I was told that my truck could ignite and catch a fire at any time. *tr. Updated 01/11/08.*lj there was a cracked head on the fuel sending unit. Updated
I bought my 1994 ranger used. I noticed the gas gauge did not work. Repairs require the removal of the gas tank, and/or truck bed. In researching this problem I discovered that is a pervasive issue with these vehicles and that the problem is created by pin holes developing in the float, causing it to fill with fuel and sink, thereby giving a false empty signal. This requires one to calculate a rough estimate of remaining fuel based on fuel efficiency, which is not a constant factor. The danger is that one might run out of fuel without adequate warning, causing an unexpected loss of power to the brake and steering systems.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The bolts securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, which can result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S90.
Recall number 25V597000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger vehicles. The fuel vapor line bracket may have insufficient clearance to the fuel vapor line, which can result in fuel vapor line damage that can lead to a fuel vapor leak.
- Risk
- A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for a fuel vapor line bracket and install a tie strap to secure the fuel vapor line to the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S71.
Recall number 24V848000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
- Risk
- An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S60.
Recall number 22V685000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 ford ranger trucks manufactured from october 15, 2009, through may19, 2010. The engine fuel line in the area of the throttle body shield may not have a protective convolute (cover) properly installed. If the protective convolute on the fuel line is not assembled in the proper position, the edge of the shield may contact the fuel line. Over time this contact may chafe the fuel line, resulting in a fuel odor and a potential fuel leak.
- Risk
- A sufficient fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will trim the throttle body shield away from the fuel line and inspect the fuel line for wear, and replace the line if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 4, 2011. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 11V126000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks with 3.0l engine. An 'o'-ring seal in the fuel injection pulse damper to fuel rail joint could be damaged allowing fuel leakage.
- Risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a fire can result from fuel leakage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the pulse damper.
Recall number 98V201000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4.0l engines. The flexible section of the chassis mounted fuel line that connects to the engine was routed too close to the exhaust manifold. The line could contact the manifold.
- Risk
- This could potentially result in damage to the fuel line, or in some cases, cause a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional clip to hold the fuel line in the intended design position.
Recall number 97V186001 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The front fuel lines have a section of flexible hose that is susceptible to cracking which can allow fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Leaking fuel can result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front fuel line assembly.
Recall number 94V111001 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Ranger fuel gauge
Which Ford Ranger years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (3 complaints), 1998 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Ford Ranger?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history