vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2001 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

515 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

82,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 281 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 73 of 515 complaints (14.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior8015.5%
Transmission and shifting336.4%
Fuel system concerns285.4%
Steering behavior214.1%
Engine operation152.9%
Electrical and battery issues122.3%

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.

Suspension
73
Structure:Body
54
Vehicle Speed Control
47
Air Bags:Frontal
33
Air Bags
25
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
23
Unknown Or Other
22
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
21
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension73
Structure:Body54
Vehicle Speed Control47
Air Bags:Frontal33
Air Bags25
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields23
Unknown Or Other22
Power Train:Automatic Transmission21

Suspension: 73; Structure:Body: 54; Vehicle Speed Control: 47; Air Bags:Frontal: 33; Air Bags: 25; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 23; Unknown Or Other: 22; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 21

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
33
25,000 to 49,999
50
50,000 to 74,999
44
75,000 to 99,999
52
100,000 to 149,999
73
150,000 and above
29
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00033
25,000 to 49,99950
50,000 to 74,99944
75,000 to 99,99952
100,000 to 149,99973
150,000 and above29

Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 50; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 52; 100,000 to 149,999: 73; 150,000 and above: 29

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (73). 234 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.

2000
2
2001
59
2002
57
2003
47
2004
47
2005
21
2006
17
2007
31
2008
29
2009
9
2010
20
2011
25
2012
22
2013
16
2014
19
2015
21
2016
16
2017
12
2018
13
2019
12
2020
5
2021
6
2022
4
2023
1
2025
2
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20002
200159
200257
200347
200447
200521
200617
200731
200829
20099
201020
201125
201222
201316
201419
201521
201616
201712
201813
201912
20205
20216
20224
20231
20252
20262

2000: 2; 2001: 59; 2002: 57; 2003: 47; 2004: 47; 2005: 21; 2006: 17; 2007: 31; 2008: 29; 2009: 9; 2010: 20; 2011: 25; 2012: 22; 2013: 16; 2014: 19; 2015: 21; 2016: 16; 2017: 12; 2018: 13; 2019: 12; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 80 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 33 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 28 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 10000892 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FUEL PUMP FAILED AT SPEED OF 35-50 MPH AND EMPTIED 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS UNTO ROADWAYS. WEATER WAS DAMP AND WET,HOT WEATHER OR DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES COULD OF CAUSED INJURY. *CB

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000892 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001745 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A POLE AT 45 TO 50 MPH. *TT *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001745 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002083 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)

B PILLAR ROOF SUPPORT STRUCTURE MISSING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002083 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003819 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED CONSTANT VIBRATION IN THE TIRES WHILE TRAVELING, APPROXIMATELY A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS TREAD USAGE IN THE FRONT END AND SOMETHING MAY BE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003964 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY AND CAN'T SEE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003964 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004122 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHICH RESULTED IN A HEAD INJURY TO THE DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004122 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005393 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)

I'M DRIVING A LEMON THAT I PURCHASED FROM CRAIN FORD IN BENTON AR. AFTER 20 MONTHS OF HASSLES FROM CRAIN AND FORD MOTOR, I AM STILL DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE THAT THE MAKER CAN'T DIAGNOSE, YET I'M TOLD THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FORD CLOSED MY CASE AND NEITHER PARTY HAS BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005393 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005672 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)

FUEL PUMP AND MECHANISMS TO SUPPORT CORRECT OPERATION FAILED UPON IGNITION IN DRIVEWAY. IT IS SECOND REPORT GIVEN TO THE NHTSA AND IT IS POSSIBLE IF VEHICLE IS HOT EXPLOSION COULD OCCUR. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005672 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V394000 · Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments

Reported: 2000-11-28 (November 28, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH STEEL HOODS AND CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEET MOLDING COMPOUND HOODS. A WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence: A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
01V227001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 2001-07-16 (July 16, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. 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 1-866-436-7332.

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 ↗
09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

NHTSA campaign record ↗