2001 Ford Ranger Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 6%of 515 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Ford Ranger, 6% of the 515 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Heard loud rattle under acceleration. Have a hearing loss so I could not hear the sound. My son brought it to my attention. Took it to the dealer and he diagnosed it as primary timing chain rattle. Attempted to get Ford to fix it. No luck.”
NHTSA complaint #10233480, filed 2008-07, 71,800 miles“I have a 2001 Ford Ranger edge. It has a 3.0l v6 engine, a 5-speed manual transmission. It has approximately 108,000 mile on it. I recently had a component fail in the internal engine. It was a cam syncroziner. It cost $467.08 to repair. I was told that this was an extremely common problem by my local Ford dealership. I was also told that if this component is not fixed immediately, that it could cause the oil pump to the engine to fail, resulting in the engine losing power. This could cause the loss of brakes, and steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10248212, filed 2008-11, 108,000 miles“We purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger in october of 2000. In 2004 the pinion seal began leaking and there was an intermittent clicking/squeak in the drivers front side. The pinion seal was replaced and fluid was topped off. As well the excluder seals were replaced and lubed to repair the clicking squeak. This was all done under the warranty. On 05/24/05 the trucks check engine light came on. It was taken back to crater lake Ford and this emissions issue was fixed and we were told we would have to pay 203.39. …”
NHTSA complaint #10150694, filed 2006-02, 57,587 miles“I was driving in the snow in 2006, when a loud squeak could be heard from the engine compartment. I had the truck service from an independent mechanic. They changed the belt tensioner. This wasn't the problem. The truck continued to squeak at all speeds and all temperature conditions. Since then, I have taken the vehicle into 3 different Ford motor mechanics and 2 independent mechanics. No of them know exactly where the noise is coming from. It was thought he be the belt. The alternator was replaced, belt tensioner, new pulleys, and 3 different belts. And quess what, the truck still squeaks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10236446, filed 2008-07, 120,000 miles“After starting the vehicle consume heard a loud rattling noise coming from the engine. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. However, mechanic determined that the problem was due to timing chain failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10080051, filed 2004-06, 42,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10021051Feb 27, 2007Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt.
- 10020173Jan 1, 2006Possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service tip.
- 10018746Nov 14, 2005Buck/jerk and miss during drive cycle above 3000 rpm - no dtc - 3.0l 2v gas and ffv engine.
- 10013315Jan 1, 2005High idle at cold start.
- 10011150Aug 9, 2004Rattle noise from primary chain drive area 2000-3000 rpm - 4.0l sohc engine.
- 10013075Oct 1, 2002Engine timing service tools / service tip.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 39 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 6% |
| 2000 | 37 | 6% |
| 1999 | 45 | 6% |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 31 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 4% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 5% |
| 1992 | 16 | 8% |
| 1991 | 16 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 11 | 15% |
| 1988 | 13 | 15% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 1985 | 3 | 11% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Ranger
112 complaintsSuspension
87 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsSeat belts
45 complaintsTires
39 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsSteering
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology