Problems with 2001 Ford Ranger SUSPENSION

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. *tr

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... *tr

Tl* 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. *tr

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. the contact stated that the front upper and lower ball joints were worn. the dealer was notified who informed the contact that they would need to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the current and failure mileage was 47,944. the lower ball joints had to be replaced. updated 05/06/11

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). *tr

I brought my 2001 ford ranger in for it's annual new york inspection. the inspector pointed out that the frame was dangerously weak due to rust by the rear shackle brackets which the leaf spring is attached to. i had these brackets replaced a few years early because one rusted out and broke. i would hat to think what would have happened if my frame failed while on a interstate at 65 mph. i am 63 years old and never did i have a frame rust out. i took the car to a shop which welded new steel on the frame both sides.

While driving along the interstate i-65 my rear frame fell off along with the spare tire it was due to rust on the frame it also took the rear leaf spring shackles on both sides causing the springs to penetrate through the floor of the pick up bed i hear tell this american made truck has a frame that was made in japan. knowingly if the frame was made in the usa it would of had copper in the blend of steel which slows the problem of decay by rust. it would be unheard of if ford declines to recall these defected frames for who does clean the pockets of the frames on their personal vehicles? *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger. while the vehicle was undergoing a front end alignment, the contact was informed that the front lower ball joints were defective, loose, and worn. he stated that the steering was fine and he could not tell that there was an issue prior to the repair visit. the manufacturer offered no assistance. the current and failure mileages were approximately 43,000.

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. *tr

I have a 2001 ford ranger 4x that is mainly used for driving to work. it is only taken off the pavement to unload materials or remove wood, etc from the back of my property. i had new tires put on at 75,000 miles and was told that i needed wheel alignment. since i questioned this, i took it to the dealer for the alignment. they told me that my ball joints needed replacement for $500, which i also doubted. i told them to do the alignment but not the ball joint replacement. i have had no reason to suspect that the ball joints are bad but if they are then i would like to have them replaced. i am 65 and have gone through a lot of cars. i have had some for nearly 200,000 miles but this is the first time that i have been told that the ball joints need replacement. i have contacted ford and they provided not help. they said to take it to a dealer and that they will probably charge me to look at it. *tr

I got an 2001 ford ranger used. noticed something strange with the handling. i also noticed a banging on the floor on rough roads. it took me a two months to find the problem. both bolts or the anti sway bar were broken on the front end. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford ranger xlt. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear wheels were sitting lower to the ground than usual. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear suspension was repaired. a few years later, the vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility to be inspected where the contact was informed the entire undercarriage was severely corroded. in addition, the hinges which held the fuel tank to the frame were severely corroded. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 67,000 and the current mileage was 104,000. updated 01/25/11*lj the vehicle also had an evap leak.

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. *jb

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front. vehicle was taken to the dealership, and mechanic notified consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. however a independent mechanic determined that lower ball joint wore out.*ak

Dt*: the contact stated upon inspection of the vehicle the ball joint boots were noticed deteriorating. the vehicle was taken to the dealership and they replaced the lower ball joints. the manufacturer was alerted. the upper ball joints failed as well. the timing cover gasket was replaced. updated 03/22/06. *jb

Dt: the caller said both front ball joints were defective. the vehicle was making noises in the front end. this was the only indication that something was wrong. the dealer told the consumer that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. an independent mechanic told the consumer that the ball joints were bad. the mechanic told him that the ball joints should not go bad at that mileage. the manufacturer offered no help. the consumer did not know if the problem was with the lower joints. *ak (11/15/05) the noise was coming from the drivers side front tire. the consumer was informed that the noise was coming from both ball joints and the cv joint. *sc

I have a ford ranger edge 2001. i purchased it jun 11 2003. i just started feeling weird vibrations and sounds from the front end .i took it to a mechanic and he told me both upper suspension arms need replacing.this is going to cost over a $1000.00 dollars. i was told if i don't do it soon i could loose one or both of my front tires at high speed or off road. he also told me he has a lot of ford rangers are having the same problem. please help. *ph

Consumer stated that front end is wearing. dealer notified. *ak

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. *tt

The rear end of the vehicle swayed, when the vehicle hit a bump in the road. *jb

Vehicle is pulling to the right side. right/front tire feels as if it is going to buckle up under vehicle. please provide any further information.*ak

A piece of tire flew off and made a loud thud sound in the wheel-well. tire then began to fly apart while driving at 65mph. truck began to swerve off the road when i began to apply the brakes. tire came off the rim before we could stop. bell ford and firestone dealer told me the tire was not under warranty as it happened while i was driving the vehicle. they called it a "road hazard." "hazardous tires" would be more accurate. another couple brought in a tire just like ours with the same problem. we were both turned away. we have replaced all five tires on the vehicle because of the nature of the situation and the danger we felt. i have had flat tires on the freeway before, but i have never had a tire disintegrate into hundreds of pieces or come off the rim like that. please advice nhtsa of poor quality of this firestone product which ford motor company uses on their new vehicles. thank you for your help to the comsumers. *ak (dot number: 027476 tiresize: 70r15)

I have had this truck for only one year and have had many problems. first the transmission went beacause it would not go past 2nd gear and the overdrive light was flashing. it was found to be internal parts and external wiring of the transmission. that same day the alternator went and left me with a dead battery. i have taken it into the dealer about 3 times for rough idle and have been turned away saying the cannot feel anything and that not to worry because its still under warranty. twice i have taken it in for the front suspension due to a vibration to the steering wheel and truck. all rotors were turned and the front was reallined. also the truck seems to go through gas a bit too quickly, just about a bit over a quarter tank for every 10-15 miles.*ak

Whenever vehicle runs over a bump or a pothole it causes rear end to kick to the right or to the left. dealer replaced front and rear shock, some improvements were made, but the problem still occurs. *ak consumer states that the vehicle oversteers when pressure is applied like during a turn, the problem seems to only occur when the left side of the vehicle hits a bump. engine light illuminated. *jb

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.*ak