general problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger - part 2

Right rear is two inches lower than left side,,frame is rusted through.

I went to a auto body shop to get a estimate on some minor body work, during the inspection process the auto body rep found the frame to the rear of the rear tires was completely rusted through on the drivers side to the point the rear spring shackle was the only item holding the axle in place. Upon checking the complete frame he determined the complete frame was rusted away to the point he recommended the vehicle not be driven. Ford also discontinued this frame so I can not purchase another frame and rebuild the truck on a new frame. Note this truck was rarely used in the winter and was washed often. Previously a fuel line had to be replaced due to rusting in 2004, which I reported to the NHTSA and never heard anything back regarding that complaint.

Frame rusted to the point of breaking.

I own a Ford Ranger and the frame where the leaf springs attach has completely rotted out! is there anything I can do?.

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

Entire frame rusted out-gas tank-rear shackles-bumper fell off.

During my annual inspection it was noted that the rear leaf spring bracket was rusted off and part of the frame had rusted away. Would not pass safety inspection. . . .

Truck has 86,000 and looks like brand new condition, however, the frame is badly rusted, our auto mechanic has told me that the tucks life is coming to an end. Contacted Ford and they said there is an ongoing investigation and they can not comment at this time. I asked if they would help pay for a frame replacement which they declined.

Rear frame on Ranger is rusting. The slot where the gas tank strap hooks on to the frame has rusted away this caused the gas tank to drop the whole back frame looks bad.

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.

The right rear leaf spring shackel broke off from the frame due to rust. The spare tire carrier failed due to rust and caused the spare tire to drop. The steel shield under the gas tank dropped down due to rust.

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.

Rear of frame has rusted away. Rear bumper is ready to fall off. Left spring up against bed floor. This truck has the original exhaust on it no other problems ever I use Ford 5w20 syn. Blend oil, changed every 3,000 miles. Guess I wasted all that money?? I get 24 miles to the gal. Highway. Now I cant take it there. Still looks good setting in my driveway. I am 68 yrs. Old, my only veh. No money for another vec. Now what???? thanks for letting me ramble. . . . . . . . . [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Noticed my truck was sitting crooked. Took it to repair shop to have repaired. About 2 hours after I dropped it off the repair shop called my phone and asked me to come to their shop. The mechanic showed me the rusted spring shackles and rusted spring hangers and the rusted frame. This shop would not put my trailer hitch back on because he said my rusty frame would not hold it up. I took my truck back to a Ford dealer for them to look at. They told me that the truck was paid for, warranty was out and as far as they were concerned the problem was mine. I tried to tell the dealer that this didn,t happen overnight. He didn,t care. I have had parts of the frame plated so it wouldn,t break into. Gas tank brackets have rusted off. Main front crossmember has rust holes in it. This truck was only 7 years old and its junk. Tried to trade it off at a dealer first thing they look at is the frame. The dealers know there is a problem with the frames rusting. And mine is not the only one in the area with rusted frame problems. My son has a 2004 Ford thats almost as bad as mine. I have a 1955 Ford truck that has a better frame under it than my 2001. Sad but true. I took excellent care of my truck for those first 7 years but who crawls under their car or truck to check for rust. You expect some but not to this extent.

After 15,000 miles on good year tires I had strange wear of all 4 tires. I went to the Ford dealership burt Ford 303-643-9020 and approved through Ford all tires had been replaced. (this was bought new off of Ford lot with goodyear tires) they stated the tires had coupled? bad tires and replace. 20,000 miles later the same thing happened all 4 tires and I was told by Ford customer care, 1-800-241- Ford, and burt Ford that again it was the tires and again the new tires have started coupling. I feel this is the Ford Ranger 2001, 4 wheel drive, build defect that is making this happen. I at this time fear the vehicle has a major defect and this will make the truck unsafe and possibly cause loss of life. Ford stated they checked front end only. They are not taking this as a real issue and have now placed me and my family in danger.

At 6k mi while making right turns at speeds 30 mph and lower, there was a distinct vibration in the front end. Ford replaced the steering rack. Now at 23k mi same exact problem is back.

The problem is a non-compliance of the installed springs and shocks assembly. The whole truck bounces over a bump instead of the suspension compressing and absorbing the shock. The results are that the back end of the truck bounces to the right or left and makes me almost lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle ended up on two wheels on one occasion and almost rolled over. The vehicle finally settled back down on all four wheels and I was able to continue on my way.

While driving 57-67 mph there is a constant vibration. Engineer from Ford stated it was a characteristic of the truck. Ford recommended and installed new goodyear wrangler tires on vehicle.

Vehicle wanders and it is difficult to control, the rear end has excessive roll at highway use, lack of control exist when the road conditions change.

While driving vehicle would start to vibrate/ shimmy, higher the speed shimmying would be worse, consumer would grip steering wheel, and would be hard to maintain control, had taken vehicle to two different dealerships, each mechanic just rotated the tires, this failed to correct the problem. Goodyear replaced all four tires. Rts wrangler p235/75r15).