Complaints:

Looking to buy a used Ford Ranger? Here are some complaints / problems and recalls to be aware of.

Engine:

  • Bad ignition coil.

Fuel:

  • Fuel leak from top of fuel tank. (high pressure fuel outlet nipple leaking on fuel tank module)
  • Fuel tank seal leaks on the top of the tank.
  • Fuel pump quit.
  • Fuel pump cracked.

Transmission:

  • O/D light flashes. [Numerous reports]
  • P1746 shift solenoid failure.
  • Rough shifts (automatics).

Miscellaneous Electrical:

  • Truck accelerates when brakes are applied. [Numerous reports]
  • Faulty door latches causes the door ajar light and dome light to stay on.

Suspension:

  • Leaf spring shackles and hangers rusted. (Several reports]
  • Ball joints wear out.

Tires:

  • Tires separate, blow out. [Several reports]

Brakes:

  • Brake lines rust out and leak.

Seat Belts / Air Bag:

  • Air bags did not deploy after a collision. [Several reports]
  • Seat belts become unbuckled. [Several reports]

Structure:

  • Cracked frame.
  • Frame rusted through – severe frame rust. [Numerous reports] (The rear of the frame seems to have the most issues).
  • Fuel tank straps rust and break.

Miscellaneous:

  • Seat back fell out. [Few reports]
  • Dome light does not go out.

Recalls:

2001 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #09V399000

Date Announced: OCTOBER 13, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 4,500,000

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09V399000 »

2001 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS NHTSA Campaign #09E025000

Date Announced: MAY 11, 2009 / Vehicles Affected: 42,540

Summary: Dope, Inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, “lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.” These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Actions: Dope, Inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, Inc. At 1-626-272-1798. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E025000 »

2001 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #09E012000

Date Announced: APRIL 07, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16,270

Summary: Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, “lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.” These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Actions: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E012000 »

2001 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #07V336000

Date Announced: AUGUST 03, 2007 / Vehicles Affected: 3,600,000

Summary: 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.

Consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 07V336000 »

2001 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E065000

Date Announced: JULY 17, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 3,593

Summary: Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Consequence: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.

Actions: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E065000 »

2001 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E049000

Date Announced: MAY 24, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 27,176

Summary: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Actions: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E049000 »

2001 Ford Ranger SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY NHTSA Campaign #01V227001

Date Announced: JULY 16, 2001 / Vehicles Affected: 1,400,000

Summary: 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 Navigator built at Michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 – 5/31/01. Ford Windstar built at Oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 – 5/30/01. Ford Ranger 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 Excursion built at Kentucky plant from 4/17/00 – 10/2/00. Ford Expedition built at Michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 – 5/31/01.

Consequence: 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.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 01V227001 »

2001 Ford Ranger TIRES:TREAD/BELT NHTSA Campaign #01X001000

Date Announced: MAY 22, 2001 / Vehicles Affected: 13,000,000

Summary: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the Safety Act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the Agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all Firestone Wilderness AT 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on Ford trucks and SUVS. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. Vehicle description: The vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with Firestone Wilderness AT tires or may have had Wilderness AT tires installed during the Firestone recall launched in August 2000. Certain 1991 throught 2002 Ford Explorer certain 2001 throught 2002 Explorer Sport, and Sport Trac certain 1997 through 2002 Mercury Mountaineer certain 1991 through 2001 Ranger certain 1999 through 2001 Expedition certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year F-series certain 1991 through 1994 Bronco note: Both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.

Consequence: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.

Actions: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 01X001000 »

2001 Ford Ranger STRUCTURE: BODY: HOOD: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS NHTSA Campaign #00V394000

Date Announced: NOVEMBER 28, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 137,700

Summary: 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.

Consequence: A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.

Actions: Dealers will replace the hood striker. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00V394000 »

If you have information about known problems or recalls for the Ford Ranger, please use the ‘Submit Problem / Recall’ button below.