Underbody Shield problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that he noticed that the driver's side sub frame behind the front bracket of the leaf spring was cracked and corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Djr.

I took my truck in for tire repair and service technician found severe rotting where leaf springs are supposed to be connected to the frame. There was a total disconnect at this location which explains the loud banging that I've been hearing. This is on the drivers side. He advised me that on the passenger side, it was the same situation but it wasn't disconnected yet. He advised me Ford Rangers have a problem with this. I went online and discovered a huge volume of complaints regarding this same issue. Some complaints said that they were driving when their truck bed gave way and collapsed while in the truck was in motion. This truck was handed down with low mileage and little reason for all that rust/rotting in the frame of the truck. I was advised that had I been carrying a medium or heavy load the bed could have given way, and that could have been in motion.

This vehicle has less than 100k miles on it and I've already had to repair the frame multiple times. The first incident was the cross members in the rear rusting off. The next incident was the frame breaking behind the drivers side bed between the shackles. I could literally flex the frame 4 inches up and down at the pivot point. I found this break while parked but had to miss class because of the severity of the frame. My trip to school has many sharp off ramps where high speed traffic and braking occurs. I'm certain if I had driven to school that day I could have been killed. While repairing this break I found where previous owners had fixed the rear bumper mounts and rear cross member. After taking my truck in to replace the tires, I was informed of yet another major frame issue. Underneath the drivers seat on the frame is a huge rusted hole with a crack starting to form down the center of the rail. This will need repairing immediately. This being my first Ford vehicle, I am extremely reluctant to buy a Ford ever again. I could understand if the truck had 150k+ miles but it still has less than 100k miles. I owned a 1992 chevy s10 five years ago and it had almost no rust on the frame even though it was an out door truck. Ford needs to do something about this before someone is killed.

I attached a yard trailer to the receiver hitch and as I pulled out of the yard the hitch pulled right off the back of the truck. I looked under the truck and saw about a foot of the rear frame rails were completely rusted away on both sides. Both rear leaf spring mounts were broken away and the springs were pushed up onto the bed of the truck. This truck has less than 60,000 miles on it and no apparent rust. If this had happened on the highway the trailer would have gone sailing down the highway possibly causing an accident. Both rear springs detached from the frame and if I had been on the highway, there is a good chance I would have lost control of the truck.

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

2001 Ford Ranger was taken into auto shop for routine maintenance. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and found the rear spring shackles and the frame rotted and about ready to fail completely. The springs were found to be pressing up on the bottom of the frame. Also noted bumper was about ready to fall off. All of this due to severe corrosion of the frame. No maintenance was performed on the vehicle and a recommendation from the mechanic to remove the vehicle from the road was advised.

Went to rear of truck and found bumper had broken free on the drivers side. Looked under the tuck and found that the entire frame in the rear is rotted and the leaf springs are in danger of coming completely off. The bumper is entirely free from the truck. The passenger side of the frame directly over the tire is cracked completely through. This is the worst frame I have ever seen and have lived through the 70's american car manufacturers mess.

Rear wheel assembly (wheels, axle, leaf-springs) became detached from frame due to severe and premature frame and leaf-spring bracket corrosion (failure caused abrupt pull to center of highway at speed, fortunately no accident, since I am a pretty good driver). Subsequent inspection revealed extensive corrosion associated with vehicle frame and critical suspension components. Leaf spring brackets and various other suspension components noted to be manufactured from ultra-low carbon steel (known to turn to dust when exposed to weather). Vehicle is a 2001 with only 113,000 miles; truck is basically junk at this point with no chance of replacing the numerous components effected. I replaced the leaf-spring brackets; however I am fearful to drive the vehicle since it may kill me. Good job Ford instilling customer safety, satisfaction and quality engineering. Hope the few bucks you saved by using sub-standard materials on critical suspension components was worth it. I guarantee my family will never purchase another Ford product. -husband, father of two. . .

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).