Suspension Noise Problems of Ford Ranger

I was driving was about 20 mph and hit a small pot hole. I heard a loud pop bang noise and the left side of truck dropped about 2 or 3 inches. I thought the front end fell off. The frame is rusted so bad you can punch holes is the frame with a screw driver, the driver side torsion bar has collapsed due to rust on the frame that holds it in place, the crossmember to transmission is barley holding transmission up, the spare tire area is rusted in half, all main crossmembers are rusted in half and the frame is rusted in half behind fuel tank. Truck has 127k miles and the body body has little to no rust, upper and lower control arms are unsafe from rust. I do not understand how the body can be so good but frame and suspension is completely rusted to no return.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Ranger 🔎.

The frame at the right front suspension pocket rusted out. Upper control arm rear bracket is completely detached. Drove the truck to my destination with no issues, on the return trip it felt "floaty" as if it was out of alignment while I was driving down a town road. There was no bump or audible noise prior to or accompanying the issue. Body has very minimal rust, the rest of the frame appears solid. Truck has 104,660 miles.

Tl-the contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds an abnormal noise was heard coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed that the rear spring suspension failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 237,000. Ec.

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.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Ranger 🔎.