Two problems related to axle shaft seal have been reported for the 2001 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Ford Ranger based on all problems reported for the 2001 Ranger.
Loud squealing coming from the front axle: excluder (dust) seals. My local Ford dealer has replaced these seals twice already. Now they have went out again. The noise is extremely loud and embarrassing. I have no doubt I'll get a ticket for faulty equipment if an officer hears it. I don't even want to drive it due to the noise. Now that my truck is out of warranty, I fear Ford won't fix their defective parts. I have contacted the dealer who replaced them the last time; however they have not returned my call. On a side note: I take meticulous care of my Ranger and never abuse it. There is no way a seal like this should go out this many times, and from what I've read there are several people with this problem. Ford needs to fix their defective parts once and for all.
Consumer states that the front cv joints are making a "cracking" noise when turning corners or applying the brakes. Dealer diagnosed that the seals were defective and replaced them. 1 week later cv joints began cracking again.