I have a 2000 Ranger and was told by a repair shop that is not safe to drive due to the rear shackles and leaf spring hangers being completely rotted off the frame. The whole rear frame is rotted also and barely holding the rear bumper on. I researched this problem and found that almost every Ranger like mine has this problem, both older and newer years. This issue is so bad that auto parts stores are keeping these parts in stock. These trucks are not safe and should be recalled especially in states which do not have annual inspections like mine, Michigan.

- Brooklyn, MI, USA

Rear right frame rail rotted off of truck bumper sagging. Rust incursion into leaf spring shackle affecting leaf spring mount.

- Mantua , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the upper and lower ball joints were deteriorated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the upper and lower ball joint on both sides needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Heathsville, VA, USA

Bought truck for my son for 3,500 a month later frame rusted thru. Stopped him from driving it death trap ett auto sales gave me 1000 dollars back burned me for 2500. Springs were coming off.frame other side cracked. Sparetire rusting off.this vehicle should be crushed.

- Hawthorne, NJ, USA

Two-thousand Ford Ranger with the frame rotted out on rails and cross member. This truck has only 51,000 miles and will no longer pass inspection. The engine, body and interior is perfect. These trucks should be under a mandatory recall just like Toyota trucks.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

While using on ramp at appx 40mph heard loud bang and truck shifted appx 5ft into next lane thk god lane was vacent. Recovered and came to stop on shoulder, noted rear spring shackle broke from frame, this truck came from pa. Now in AZ. Need to find donor to do frame swapp luckily should be able to find one in AZ. Or scrapp truck with only 58K box a actual miles on it.

- Peoria , AZ, USA

The frame on the truck is cracked badly behind the cab on the passenger side. There is not excessive rust to justify the cracked frame. The truck was in a minor accident over a year ago and was repaired completely. There was a complete inspection of the whole truck at that time and there was no frame damage. The truck is making a rattling sound behind the cab and we need to make a repair to fix this before continuing to drive it. Wondering if there is a recall on the 2000 Ford Ranger like the Toyota.

- Acton, ME, USA

Was driving vehicle on highway and hit a hole in road and left side of vehicle sank down frame had hole in side.

- Somerset, PA, USA

Left rear spring shackle snapped from frame. Excessive frame rot in many areas. Vehicle most likely will not pass next state inspection.

- Philmont, NY, USA

This is the second time this truck has failed N H state inspection for frame problems, first time was for a rusted through cross member which I had to have welded,11/17/2009. Now I go back for another inspection on 11/30/2012 and was told I had to replace rear shackles which I say ok, the repair shop calls me and tells me the frame is rotted through and they can not put in the, frame has to be replaced from back to about 4 feet to the front and at another cost of 350$ the last cost was the same 350$.I take very good care of this truck and the body looks like new.the welding shop guy told me he had to do several of these repairs to even 2002 Ford trucks, I can not see the reason for this, this is the first of any cars or trucks I have ever owned that had frame problems, can you help recoup some or all of my money on this, I am disabled and on a fixed income and can not afford to throw money out the window, thanks for your help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Contoocook, NH, USA

While driving I heard a clunking noise in the rear of the vehicle I looked to see the frame had rusted through in at least two places, the shock absorber upper mount had rusted off. The gas tank straps mounts were about to fail. I had replaced the gas tank feeder tube that had corroded off the year before. The truck body is still in very good condition but the frame appears to be gone. The truck has seen very light duty and has never been used off road. Since that time I have found many of the same occurrences on the internet.

- Stonington , CT, USA

Went for vehicle inspection and much frame rot noted from rear of cab to the rear bumper. Rear spring shackle mounts rotted off. Frame is now splitting at the front hanger points of the rear springs due to rot. I am the original owner who bought this truck new. Now it is junk at 60,000 miles.

- Marlborough, NH, USA

While pulling into my driveway the rear bumper fell off. After getting under the vehicle I found the frame to be rusted from the furthest point back to the axle area.looking into it more I found the cross member to be rusted to the point that it is ready to fall off. The gas tank holding straps are rusted from the frame, not sure what's holding the gas tank in place. The spare tire holder is rusted and ready to come off. I removed the spare a placed it in the bed for now. The bed and its mounts are shot, the bed can be picked up a good two inches off the frame. Basically the truck is nothing but rust from the cab back. I was lucky when the bumper fell off 1/2 hour earlier I was traveling on a state highway at speeds of 60-65 mph. I have looked at other Ranger the same year and found some worse and some with no rust what so ever. Whats up" and is Ford aware of the problem and are they going to do anything about it. Who would have gotten sued if my bumper had fallen and killed someone"

- Ware, MA, USA

Rear frame rotted out. The truck was garage kept for at least 7 years until I moved. I always took excellent care of my vehicles always washing and waxing them. I never took them off roading or in any muddy conditions. The body is still in excellent condition as is the interior and everything else on the truck.

- Zion Grove, PA, USA

There is a lot of frame rust on my truck. Especially where the frame connects to the bed. I had to replace both the rear spring shackle brackets, both broke off because of rust. Twice there was a hole in the brake line, luckily I saw this when the car was parked and now while I was driving which could have been very dangerous. The rear bumpers paint has peeled off and the now is very rusty and it could fall off at anytime.

- Roslindale, MA, USA

Both rear spring shackles rusted off of the frame. Both rear shock brackets rusted off of the frame. The frame is rusted to the point of holes have developed, the rear tire carrier is rusted away. The brake lines are rusted to the point that they break on a regular interval. The whole frame is really rusted bad. This is a 2000 Ford Ranger that I purchased new, has been well taken care of. This truck needs be recalled!

- Zanesville, OH, USA

Frame rotting, holes in frame, rear spring shackles rusted off, spare tire falling off, rear bumper falling off - all due to rust. Will not pass inspection. Rest of truck in great condition.

- Lewisberry, PA, USA

The frame rotted out on the driver's side where the rear spring shackles mount to....there is a fist size hole right through the frame..after removing the box, the whole frame is full of heavy flaked pieces of rust....all the mounts/bolts are rusted along w/the spare tire crossmember...

- Pottsville, PA, USA

Rear frame rusted and cracked on both sides and the spare tire holder is rusted and ready to fall off. The truck is unsafe to drive. This should not happen to an 11 year old truck. Just as Toyota did, Ford should stand behind their frames.

- Hickory Hills, IL, USA

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT. The frame, brake lines, shackles, shocks, and other components from the mid frame to the rear of the vehicle are showing severe signs of rust and rot. The rear brake lines were rotted through and required replacement. The rear bumper has rotted completely off the frame on the drivers side. The rear shackles, spring mounts, differential cover and axle are showing severe signs of rust, and in some areas, complete rot through. The vehicle has approximately 71,000 miles and is otherwise in very good condition. As I research this problem, I have found others with the same problems. These issues revolve around the safety components of the vehicle and in short time, this vehicle will likely be unsafe to drive. The vehicle is only 11 years old and in my opinion, the safety of the vehicle should not be compromised this drastically after only 11 years. I would urge Ford Motor Company to consider launching an investigation before a serious issue happens.

- Centerville, MA, USA