2001 Ford Ranger problems

“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.”

“so I recently purchased this truck thinking it was all safe, the pictures were too good to be true thats for sure, When I brought the truck back the old owner even drove with me knowing what he just sold me. The next day I was so happy so I get it registered and insured and I was so eager to hope in and drive around in my new "safe" truck I also went out with my loved one and it sickens me that the old owner was ok with selling me a not so safe truck and I could have died if the frame bracket broke or the frame cracked while i was driving but when I started to look under I saw the problem and I was scared I saw that the upper control arm bracket mount was rusted and the strut tower as well it had a Hole forming and a crack on the strut tower. I also found out that there was a crack in the frame and i've looked up online and it seems that the frame and other components rust I don't know what to do. Im also a college student who is trying to get into the mechanic world and this scares me with how many trucks like this are out on the road.”

“THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T LATCH AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES SPORADICALLY. OCCASIONALLY FOR THE ENTIRE TRIP AND SOMETIMES IT GOES ON AND OFF THROUGHOUT THE TRIP, YET OTHER TIMES IT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY!”

“THE "PLASTIC" WHICH COVERS THE TWO "SPEED CONTROL SWITCHES," LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL, BADLY MELTED OVER TIME - APPARENTLY FROM HEAT OF THE LAMPS UNDER THE COVERS. IT HAS MADE ME AFRAID TO ATTEMPT TO USE THE SPEED CONTROLS FOR FEAR OF FURTHER HEAT PROBLEMS AND/OR IMPROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DAMAGED CONTROLS. PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED PARTS ARE ATTACHED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS AND PHOTOS AND ALL I GOT WAS A "THANKS" FOR MAKING THIS KNOWN TO THEM - NOTHING MORE.”

“ON THE DATE LISTED, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE FORD RANGER IS NOTORIUS FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE: 1. FAILING TO GO INTO REVERSE, 2. FAILING TO GO INTO FORWARD AFTER STOPPING, 3. JUMPING GEARS, OR SLOW GEAR CHANGES. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY OTHER SHOPS AS WELL AS A GOOGLE SEARCH. IN FACT, THE PROBLEM MAY BE SEVERLY UNDER REPORTED AS FORD DEALERSHIPS MAY LIST AS OTHER PROBLEMS AND SMALLER SHOPS MAY NOT LINK THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR, SO I'M SURE FORD DOES NOT WANT TO BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL OF THE RANGERS, AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES AFFECT SEVERAL YEARS OF RANGERS ON THE MARKET. PLEASE GOOGLE FORD RANGER TRANSMISSIONS, AND LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. LOOK AT THE BLOGS AND GROUPS THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WHICH IF IT INVOLVES THE VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD, COULD IMPACT THE PASSENGERS IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP OR SUBDIVISION STREETS. THIS IS A WIDEPSREAD PROBLEM THAT IS UNDER REPORTED AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED, AND IT NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED IN MORE DETAIL. *TR”

“The contact owns a 2001 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The brakes and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 226,000.”