10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #18

Mar 252021

Ranger

  • 151,000 miles
The rear of the frame rusted causing the bumper to hang off. It will fall off if not addressed

- New London, WI, USA

problem #17

Sep 162020

Ranger

  • 115,000 miles
Frame is rotted out

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

problem #16

Feb 102018

Ranger

  • 179,143 miles
My frame rotted straight thru under the cab on both left and rite frame rails Y'all made Toyota fix this so Ford should do the same so many Ranger with bad frames

- West Rutland, VT, USA

problem #15

Oct 282017

Ranger

  • 114,000 miles
"frame recall ? " while driving frame broke in half, both sides. Since owning I have replaced leaf spring and shock bracket, and also removed spare tire bracket before it fell off in roadway. This needs to be addressed before someone gets killed!!!

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #14

May 122017

Ranger

  • 176,000 miles
Frame rot from rust crewmembers are rusted through fuel tank straps are rusted through bumper mounts are bad rear frame is roted out

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #13

Apr 172017

Ranger

  • 170,000 miles
The truck is burning fuel and idaling I changed all the components that the manual said and the engine is fine it have to be a recall some were its with all Ford Ranger everyone is having this problem.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #12

Nov 022015

Ranger

  • miles
1998 XLT 4X4. Body in great shape. Frame has rust so bad rear bumber and spare tire carrier have fallen off. Broke by the leaf shackles also. Frame was coated. Unable to repair. I am beyond upset that Ford does not have to replace the frame, something I am unable to afford.

- Wheeling, WV, USA

problem #11

Jun 172015

Ranger

  • 266,144 miles
1998 Ford Ranger five speed four she'll drive, was parked on level surface parking break engaged transition in gear ignition off and locked key removed, vehicle began gaining speed rolling away backward in first gear I tried to jump in to stop vehicle using breaks, at which time vehicle gained speed and flung me under tire. I received five stitches road burn as well as a soft cast and splint.

- Wasola, MO, USA

problem #10

Jul 142010

Ranger

  • 96,000 miles
Driving on hi way, evap canister rotted off, and also lost my spare tire, I have patched frame 13 times now waiting for a recall to come out and yet still havnt heard of one. Truck needs to be fixed as soon as possible.. hoping anyway possible that they will throw a recall out there for us Ranger owners. Thankyou.

- Gardner, MA, USA

problem #9

Mar 142014

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 250 miles
I was driving on the freeway and the truck started smoking and caught on fire, I pulled off the freeway and the whole front of the truck burst into flames.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #8

Dec 262012

Ranger

  • 180 miles
Rear frame has rotted out by the right rear spring hanger causing spring to go tru bed and the rear axle to be detached the truck at this time in in operable due to this will be trying to weld and replace it as best as can be but this seems to be a common complaint im reading about online sure wish Ford would step up like Toyota did

- Denmark , ME, USA

problem #7

Oct 012012

Ranger

  • 85,107 miles
Severely rusted out rear frame rails that would not pass pa. Inspection codes. In the past 3 years I have replaced all the rear spring hangers and mounts. I understand that this is a major problem with the Ford Ranger line and is why im sending this letter and form.

- Latrobe , PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 012006

Ranger

  • 160,000 miles
98' Ford Ranger: Has a cracked frame on the rear right side. Truck makes loud noises when driving and I am afraid it may become worse over time or completely break down in unsafe speeds. I can not sell it, as I was trying to use the money for a new vehicle due to a new baby in our family. No one will buy such a defective vehicle. Also seat belts will not stay latched? also the inside dome light melts right through the covering, where temperatures make the plastic cover bubble and melt.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #5

Oct 282010

Ranger

  • 198,000 miles
Dispite proper maintence, I observed body rust and decay on the underside of my truck frame. Also the brake lines have been replaced due to corrusion and rust into the frame. Spare tire brackets have rusted into and the tire fell off. Also evap canaster bracket rusted into and the evap canaster fell off.

- Craigsville, WV, USA

problem #4

Apr 042006

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 78,900 miles
Two weeks ago when leaving a parking lot the spare tire affixed under the truck bed of my 1998 Ford Ranger pickup with 79,000 miles fell off. When I retrieved the tire and metal piece that holds the tire I observed that the cable had apparently snapped. Had I been on an interstate or other major highway someone might have been killed. When I contacted Ford they said they had no other reports of this type failure and I was to pay a dealer to replace the device and receive a 1 year warranty. Although the vehicle is out of warranty, I do not feel this is my responsibility as it is a safety issue and the mileage and age of the truck indicate to me that this is a significant safety issue and not just wear and tear. I understand that things happen, but a life or lives could have been lost. I am debating as how best to secure my spare and currently just carry it in my truck bed and bring it into my home at night to prevent theft. The cable is still in the truck mechanism and I have the metal piece that holds the tire in place. The dealership where I bought the truck responded with an "oh well", Ford Motor Company took an interest, but as no one was injured and they say no other complaints of this type are in their records too bad for me. They referred me to another dealership in town who wants $100 to fix it. I will not pay them out of spite and will try to determine another safe method of carrying my tire. I do not trust them.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #3

Dec 011999

Ranger

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Santee, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 191999

Ranger

  • miles
On starting engine hesitated, almost stalled then raced with high RPM, while huge amounts of white thick smoke and heavy gasoline smell present.truck stalled.restarted same problem with the addition of a large black cloud of smoke from tail pipe on pushing accelerator.throttle sticks causing surging.dealer replaced throttle valve.probelm persists. Brakes make grinding noise when applied, dealer could not replicate after 4 visits they finally ackowledge problem and had to do a complete brake job.brakes are hard now and it appears that the anti locks do not engage.rear slider leaks water into extra cab when it rains. Vibration heard from ex haust area, had to have the heat shield tightened. Noise has returned./

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #1

Jul 011998

(reported on)

Ranger 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Wrong wrench supplied with the vehicle, using improper torque wrench to tighten lug nuts could lead to warping of the rotor/pads in the front wheel thus resulting in brake failure.

- Silverdale, WA, USA