2000 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
669 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 282 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 77 of 669 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 110 | 16.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 50 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 46 | 6.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 24 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 77 |
| Structure:Body | 49 |
| Suspension | 47 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 44 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 44 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 41 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 37 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 29 |
Tires: 77; Structure:Body: 49; Suspension: 47; Air Bags:Frontal: 44; Tires:Tread/Belt: 44; Vehicle Speed Control: 41; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 37; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 47 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 62 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 51 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 71 |
| 150,000 and above | 33 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 47; 50,000 to 74,999: 62; 75,000 to 99,999: 51; 100,000 to 149,999: 71; 150,000 and above: 33
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 387 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 147 |
| 2001 | 104 |
| 2002 | 72 |
| 2003 | 54 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 19 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 23 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
2000: 147; 2001: 104; 2002: 72; 2003: 54; 2004: 39; 2005: 28; 2006: 10; 2007: 15; 2008: 19; 2009: 11; 2010: 18; 2011: 27; 2012: 16; 2013: 20; 2014: 23; 2015: 19; 2016: 13; 2017: 11; 2018: 4; 2019: 7; 2020: 4; 2021: 5; 2022: 3
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 110 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 50 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001925 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS AND / OR NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FROM THE POSITION OF ONE HALF THRU FULL THROTTLE AT A GROUND SPEED OF 28 TO 70 MPH. VEHICLE IS ALSO EXHIBITING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF DRIVE LINE CLUNKING UPON COAST DOWN OF 30 TO 5 MPH AS WELL AS VIBRATION FELT THRU THE DRIVERS SEAT AND DASHBOARD AT 2000 RPM. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004796 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
THE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILS TO COME ON WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING STARTED. MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER WHICH ALSO AFFECTS THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 28,528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004796 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004916 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT CALLAPSE ON IMPACT. SPEED ON IMPACT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 50 MILES PER HOUR.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005559 · 2003-02-09 (February 9, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE AS A RESULT WITH IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006278 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MIGHT HAVE A SHORT IN IT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006540 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)
WE RAN INTO CAR THAT CUT US OFF. OUR SPEED WAS ABOUT 35 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND MY WIFE SUSTAINED A BRUISED OR CRACKED STERNUM. THE WRECKER PERSON AND THE STATE TROOPER BOTH SEEMED TO THINK AIR BAGS ON RANGERS DID NOT DEPLOY EASILY. I CONTACTED FORD WITH THE IDEA OF PROVIDING USEFUL DATA ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE. I AM NOT SUING FORD OR THE LIKES JUST TRYING TO REPORT WHAT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM. FORD HAS RESPONDED BY INFORMING ME THAT MY INSURANCE CARRIER CAN SUBROGATE FORD IF THEY FEEL FORD HAS RESPONSIBILITY. MY CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008162 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
SOMETHING IN MY STEERING BROKE CAUSING MY TRUCK TO CRASH INTO A BRIDGE. IT LOCKED MY STEERING CAPABILITY ON THE LEFT SIDE. 2000 FORD RANGER. IT WAS TOTALED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,134 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009066 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
THE ROTORS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE WEAR, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009066 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V094000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 2000-03-28 (March 28, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L OHC ENGINES. ENGINE COOLANT CIRCULATION THROUGH THE HEATER CIRCUIT IS PREVENTED BECAUSE OF A PLUGGED HEATER RETURN TUBE (WATER PUMP INLET TUBE) AT THE WATER PUMP. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE INTENT OF FMVSS NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS."
Consequence: AS A RESULT OF NO HEAT IN THE HEATER CIRCUIT, DEFROST PERFORMANCE IS COMPROMISED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PLUGGED HEATER WATER RETURN TUBES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V228001 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2000-08-18 (August 18, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
NHTSA campaign record ↗