2000 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls

Trucks Of The Month

Ranger Buyers Guide

Complaints:

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

Engine:

Vehicle suddenly accelerates without warning. [Numerous reports]

Fuel:

Fuel tank straps hanging loose due to rusted mount on the frame. [Several reports]

Fuel line comes off of the fuel filter at 'white clip'. [Several reports]

Transmission:

The check engine light, ABS light and O/D light come on, the speedometer stops working, and then the truck starts shifting hard. [Numerous reports]

Same as above, but with delayed shifting.

Shift mechanism comes loose and the truck does not stay in Park.

Automatic transmission shifts hard and jerks forward. [Several reports]

Numerous reports of complete transmission failure.

Miscellaneous Electrical:

Truck accelerates while braking. [Numerous reports] (cruise control related)

Dome light does not go out. Switch is in the door latch and sticks. If you can't loosen it with WD-40, you'll have to replace the switch. [Numerous reports]

Smoke came out of the steering column after activating the turn signal (defective multi-switch). [Several reports]

Defective cruise control switch caused a vehicle fire.

Radio drains the battery over night.

Windshield wipers turn on by themselves. [Several reports]

Faulty alternator. [Few reports]

Truck caught on fire due to faulty cruise control.

Suspension:

Excessively worn ball joints.

Interior:

Back of seat broke and fell backwards. [Few reports]

Brakes:

Brakes fail due to rusted brake lines. [Several reports]

Seat Belts / Air Bag:

Air bags failed to deploy during collision. [Numerous reports]

Seat belts become unbuckled on their own. [Few reports]

Structure:

Excessive rust on the frame, cross members, brake lines, and fuel lines. [Numerous reports]

Rust holes in the frame. Cracked frame due to rust. [Numerous reports]

Rusted leaf spring hangers and shackles. [Numerous reports]

Fuel tank straps hanging loose due to rusted mount on the frame. [Several reports]

Rear bumper fell off due to rust.

Tires:

Numerous reports of Firestone Wilderness tires failing.

Windows / Windshield:

Windshield wiper motor working intermittently, or complete failed.

Recalls:

2000 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 »

2000 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 »

2000 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 »

2000 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 »

2000 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E026000

Date Announced: MARCH 23, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 61,944

Summary: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain 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: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E026000 »

2000 Ford Ranger TIRES: TREAD BELT NHTSA Campaign #00T005000

Date Announced: AUGUST 21, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 14,400,000

Summary: Tire description: Firestone Wilderness AT, size P235/75R15, produced at the Decatur, Illinois tire plant and all Firestone radial ATX and radial ATX II tires, size P235/75R15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.

Consequence: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Actions: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact Firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00T005000 »

2000 Ford Ranger SEAT BELTS NHTSA Campaign #00V228001

Date Announced: AUGUST 18, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 144,435

Summary: Vehicle description: Passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with TRW seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

Actions: Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began October 26, 2000. 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 1-800-392-3673. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00V228001 »

2000 Ford Ranger ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM NHTSA Campaign # 00V094000

Date Announced: MARCH 28, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 49

Summary: Vehicle description: Pickup trucks equipped with 2.5L ohc engines. Engine coolant circulation through the heater circuit is prevented because of a plugged heater return tube (water pump inlet tube) at the water pump. These vehicles do not comply with the intent of FMVSS no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems."

Consequence: As a result of no heat in the heater circuit, defrost performance is compromised.

Actions: Dealers will replace the plugged heater water return tubes. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00V094000 »