2001 Ford Ranger Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 112about this part
- Share
- 22%of 515 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 112 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Ford Ranger, 22% of the 515 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought this truck used. This is the first vehicle that I've had the frame rust out. I just had some work done to the truck and my mechanic said that a chunk of the frame fell off when he lifted the truck to do work to the brake lines. I've already had welding work done to the truck right after I bought it because it wasn't disclosed that the frame was rusting out. This has been an on going issue. The attached image is from when I had the welding work done the first time.”
NHTSA complaint #11229889, filed 2019-07, 76,559 miles“These are pictures of the frame on my Ranger. The frame is rusting out and it only has 76,619 miles on it. My mechanic found this when I was having the brake line repaired and he lifted the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11253033, filed 2019-09, 76,619 miles“I have a 2001 Ford Ranger, which now has 96000 miles on it. I purchased it new. At approximately 90000 miles, the rear spring shackles rotted off of the frame. I was driving when this happened, and the truck bed dropped down on to the shackle ear with a tu=hud and shook the truck. The spare tire storage housing has also rusted away.”
NHTSA complaint #10354106, filed 2010-09, 90,000 miles“I have a 2001 Ford Ranger and have a really bad rusting issue on the rear frame. The front half seems fine but the rear half is rusting really bad and I fear that since I have had large chunks of rusted metal fall off that more critical parts may be weakened by the bad rust. I belong to a Ranger forum and know that many have the same issue as me.”
NHTSA complaint #10292397, filed 2009-11, 110,734 miles“Rust on the frame of my truck has resulted in the truck need a new frame or I will have to junk the truck. Started in 2009 the bumper fell off and I had to put steel on the end of the frame to support the bumper . In 2010 the spring hanger broke and I was told that the frame was gone , from the back wheels to the bumper.”
NHTSA complaint #10348321, filed 2010-08, 88,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V394000Nov 28, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker…Covers: Ford Ranger 2001, Explorer Sport 2000–2001, Explorer Sport Trac 2000–2001
Related service bulletins
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without…
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 26 | 10% |
| 2005 | 34 | 12% |
| 2004 | 46 | 11% |
| 2003 | 43 | 18% |
| 2002 | 49 | 14% |
| 2001 | 112 | 22% |
| 2000 | 105 | 16% |
| 1999 | 89 | 12% |
| 1998 | 45 | 8% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 2% |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 5% |
| 1993 | 8 | 3% |
| 1992 | 14 | 7% |
| 1991 | 13 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Ranger
87 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
51 complaintsSeat belts
45 complaintsTires
39 complaintsFuel system
31 complaintsEngine cooling
29 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