Body problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger

The rear frame rusted so bad the bumper fell off and the frame actually cracked. This is a common issue with the late 1990s & early 2000s Ford Ranger, I do not understand why this isn't a recall yet as is it very dangerous. This happened on the highway. The front end frame, engine and all the components work flawlessly while the rear frame is just crumbling in rust.

The frame has rusted so bad it has completely separated from the body. The Ranger frame rusting is a known problem but it has not been recalled like the Toyota takoma has been.

The frame is rotted and broken on both side in the rear.

I noticed that there was significantly more rust than there should be. There are places where the frame has rusted through. It is a major safety concern. I researched the issue and found several others with the same concern. I also found that Toyota has previously recalled several vehicles for the same issue.

Takata recall. My vehicle was stationary when I got to work I nothing my rear bumper fell off with no given warning and I didn't hear it hit the ground I got home and looked under the frame and noticed the whole frame was rotten away and is not safe to drive.

I purchased a used 2001 Ford Ranger, went to have it inspected and there was severe rust underneath of the frame to the point the inspector said it was highly dangerous to be driving my vehicle around. Would like to know if there was any recalls for the trucks frame underneath? will provide pictures if needed.

Bought a used 2001 Ford Ranger after driving it for a month or so shocks were really bad looked underneath to find two clean cracks through from near back shocks not sure if bad shocks are to blame or weak frame.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. Upon inspection, the contact was informed that the vehicle frame experienced severe corrosion. As a result, the vehicle was no longer operable. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Was changing a broken adjuster on rear brakes and noticed the frame at the rear shock mount has large cracks in it on both sides. The concern is the stress placed on the cracked frame as that is where most of the strain is placed. That portion of the frame has a bunch of rust causing the metal to pit and likely weaken. I'm speculating that the metal used was inferior or that the shock plate was mounted in wrong location. The frame will require welding which will not be as strong.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. While servicing the vehicle, the contact noticed that the frame was corroded and fractured. In addition, the suspension was corroded. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

To begin when I got the truck the air bag light would never go off when ever I turned them on and off. Which made me wonder weather they were ever really off and considering you can't fit a car seat in the back seat I had to put it in the front seat. Then when my wife was driving the spare tire fell off the truck while she was going down the road. Here recently she was driving and some one stopped her to tell her that something fell off the truck about 2 foot long. She called me and said the truck was still running so I told her to just try and make it home and I would look at it because I didn't think it was that serious. Once I started looking at it, a canister had come loose from the truck because the frame broke in half where the canister was connected to the truck because the truck was so rotted. She got the truck inspected in October. I feel that the dude that inspected it should have noticed the frame almost broke in half. I am very disappointed with this truck I have done nothing but put money into it.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. While driving, one of the vehicle's spare tires and half of the rear bumper detached from the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front frame was rotted. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the front frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Went to have the truck inspected when they notice that where the spare tire went it was rusted through. This was all noticed when the truck was sitting still being inspected.

Noted piece of metal dangling from rear of truck. Took vehicle to my mechanic and was shown that driver side gas tank strap had rusted away from mounting bracket. Toured underneath vehicle while it was on lift and was astonished to see the rust thru on all components of underbody. Frame, fuel and brake lines, mounting brackets etc. Mechanic unable to find a secure part of frame that would hold temporary repair. {auto body mechanic made temp repair}. The deterioration of this vehicle goes way beyond normal wear and tear. I have maintained this vehicle through its 80,000 miles and the body and paint look perfect. It is a life safety catastrophe waiting to happen. I babied this truck and planned on keeping it many more years. I can't even sell it now due to complete deterioration from premature rusting.

Frame supporting spare tire carrier fell off causing spare to drag. Also have in the past had both rear leaf spring mounts and shackles break off the frame to excessive rot.

I bought this 2001 Ford Ranger edge, regular cab from a dealer in connecticut. The exterior body panels themselves looks immaculate not a spot of rust anywhere, however, after I had driven home the vehicle and had my family mechanic look it over he discovered there are two locations where the frame has completely rusted/ rotted through (over 2 inches in diameter) on the driver side of the vehicle just in front of the rear axle, adjacent to the gas tank. This vehicle only has 89,000 miles on it and was very well cared for. This mechanic then told me that this will eventually lead to this vehicle being unsafe to drive and that the vehicle is borderline unsafe to drive in its current condition.

Spare tire assembly rusted completely tire and full assembly fell off on on highway created a hazard and almost an accident. The truck was in motion doing about 50 mph.

Symptoms included engine stall during highway and uphill driving. Stopped at fuel station to fill tank; when tank approached full; sound of structural failure noted followed by large fuel spillage from tank area (saturated truck rt rear underbelly, ground, rear tire, my shoes and lower portion of pants). Subsequent inspection revealed gas tank strap detached from frame due to severe and widespread frame rot. Tank apparently hanging from remaining corrosion damaged strap and fuel filler neck (caused tank to tilt backwards; starving engine of fuel during uphill or dynamic driving). Fuel filler neck was also severely rotted and finally failed during fuel fill causing entire tank loaded with 16 gallons fuel to become detached at sharp angle. Following incident; vehicle professionally inspected revealing extensive frame and suspension component disintegration due to premature failure of Ford designed sub-standard materials. Large areas of material missing from both front frame members (rear of engine), large holes in frame areas forward of rear wheels (where fuel tank straps attack), severe and widespread frame and suspension component corrosion. Vehicle condemned by inspection personnel; now sits idle in driveway. Ranger purchased new (year end, 2001) with dealer rust-proof. Vehicle regularly maintained and kept free from road salt with regular underbelly wash. Vehicle only had 120,000 miles and looked very clean on exterior. I have owned many vehicles in my 35 year driving history; never have I experienced anything like this prior. Ford obviously used ultra-sub standard materials in Ranger critical suspension component designs; without regard for the safety of unsuspecting owners. This is criminal, it will only be a matter of time before people are injured or killed by these design defects.

Failed nys inspection due to structural cracks in frame. Additionally the bracket holding one of the fuel tank straps was completely rotted away leaving the tank suspended by only one strap.

Rear leaf spring bracket hasexsessive amout of rust and will break off.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the rear frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the material used to build the frame was defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.

Door ajar light stays on due to faulty door latches and switches. Prevents door from closing all the way and also prevents the interior light to shut off. Doors shut but don't latch fully which can cause the door to pop open. This should of been a recall a while ago. When talking to my mechanic and a few other people with a 99-01 Ranger extended cab 4 door they have had the same problem. My mechanic says this is a known Ford problem. I fear that someone in the back jump seat will be leaning up against the door and it will pop open when going down the road. I am in the process of getting this issue corrected but it is going to be a costly fix that I should not be responsible for since this is a Ford Ranger problem and I am not the only one having it!!!.

Rear leaf spring hangers failed & separated from the frame due to corrosion causing the leaf spring to damage the bed of the truck as the leaf spring drove through the skin of the truck bed.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. After examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the entire frame and sub frame had cracked and rusted through. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic on several occasions, where the leaf springs were replaced each time. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Frame was noted to have severe rust damage to rear portion of frame, however,the front portion ofthe frame does not show such damage. I have done research on this issue and it seems to be so common that there is an after market frame repair kit for this specific vehicle. The truck has no other issues. I believe that it sould not be much to ask to have defect repaired by the manufacturer to avoid safety issues.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that several portions of the frame, fuel system, and brake drums were rusted. Both the rear and front ends of the frame were suffering from severe rusting and the fuel filler pipe was also rusted. In addition, the cross member was also rusted. The contact also stated that the rusting began approximately three years ago. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 145,000.

Since I have owned the vehicle I have had many issues with the frame of my 2001 Ford Ranger edge. At one point I was driving down the road and I heard a little noise so I stopped and the spare tire came rolling by me down the street. One of my leaf springs cracked so I had my mechanic check it out and he said the frame was all rotted out and that this was very common for this year Ranger. He said the shackles that hold on the leaf sprig were broken because of rot. So he braced up some areas with metal and installed new leaf springs and shackles. The bed of the truck is tilted because of the frame. I cant give you an exact date that this first happened but I believe it is around the date I put down. I get nervous towing my boat or my pop up trailer because of the frame.

I purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT two years ago and when I went to get a sticker on it last year I had to put a lot of money into having part of the frame replaced due to rot. This year I took it to quirk Ford in augusta to see what it would need before my sticker and was told that even if I get the basic regular maintenance done to get a sticker ($3k) it would never get a sticker again due to the rot in the rocker panels and the frame. I've contacted Ford as it is only 8 years old and shouldn't be in that condition. They will do nothing about it. I am stuck with paying the remainder $5800 I owe on the vehicle and I can't get out of it due to the negative equity because of the condition the vehicle is in. I am the only source of income for our family of 3 right now and I can't afford to make two vehicle payments. I live too far from work to walk. It really upsets me that I'm stuck with no options for an issue that shouldn't even be. Isn't there something that can be done about this??.