KnownCarProblems2000 Ford Ranger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 670 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Ranger, most often about the wheels and tires (22% of complaints, typically around 41,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Ranger model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2000 Ford Ranger problems
Wheels and tires
145 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, temporary/emergency spare tire, bead.
I went through 3 supposedly new alternators within one month. Dealerships in both tennessee and georgia denied any problem with the alternators and refused to repair/replace them at no charge. I paid for three alternators in one month!!!! Don't tell me there's nothing wrong with them. Also, the first replacement…
While driving 35 MPH front passenger's side tire tread separated, causing a tire blowout. Consumer managed to pull over to change the tire.
Body and structure
105 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 107,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Frame rotted. I feel as though it is a problem with many many rangers with the year around 2000. I had a cracked frame about 2 feet forward of where from suspension for rear tires meet frame. Cracked frame completely and when bed was removed cause truck to collapse and be immoveable until frame was simply patched to…
My 2000 Ford Ranger supercab has a badly rusted frame. I recently was under the vehicle to do exhaust work when I noticed that the frame is rusted through at the rear leaf spring support shackle. Also, the frame support for the rear bumper is rusted and the frame is split. I brought photos of the frame to a local Ford…
Brakes
77 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional, antilock.
Dt: the contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. Brake shoes on the rear, has a safety defect. The spring on the bottom of the brake shoes have a self adjuster the spring at the bottom rubbed the self adjuster. It did not rub brake shoes . It started making a noise in the wheel. The contact took it off and found the broken…
Consumer stated: the serpentine belt went out twice and the pulley system had been replaced before the alternator went out, the ABS light was on, then a warning light came on there were no brakes left, however, the car was still running. Ford said it was normal for the brake to go out when alternator went out.
Suspension
72 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear, multiple axle.
Rear frame rusted and cracked on both sides and the spare tire holder is rusted and ready to fall off. The truck is unsafe to drive. This should not happen to an 11 year old truck. Just as toyota did, Ford should stand behind their frames.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While operating the vehicle, a rattling type noise was present under the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the leaf spring shackle connected to the subframe failed due to rust and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Transmission
69 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, clutch assembly.
This is a follow up to odi #10217638. Traveling approx 60 MPH, truck seemed to lose upper transmission gear, engine light came on and coasted until a hard upshift . Took truck to dealer ( out of warranty). Waiting to hear back from dealer.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. The transmission shifted into neutral and the ABS indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. If the contact immediately activates the hazard lights, the failure will correct itself. The failure has occurred more…
Air bags
67 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While driving, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact called planet Ford (20403 I-45, spring, tx 77388, ([phone]) and schedule a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…
While driving 80 MPH consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle, and front air bags did not deploy. Driver and passenger were wearing seat belts. Drivers nose was broken.
Speed control
55 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, cables.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact received NHTSA recall notice number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The notice stated that the parts for the repair would be unavailable until november of 2007. In february of 2007, he smelled something burning under the hood of the vehicle. The purchase date was…
My 2000 Ford Ranger was recalled due to a defect in the cruise control. My dealership disconnected the cruise control in november, 2007 and as of today, still has no idea as to when a replacement part will be available.
Engine
43 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Consumer stated: the serpentine belt went out twice and the pulley system had been replaced before the alternator went out, the ABS light was on, then a warning light came on there were no brakes left, however, the car was still running. Ford said it was normal for the brake to go out when alternator went out.
The engine was 'not right' one day so the hood was opened in the bank parking lot and it appeared to be overheated. The temperature gage did not indicate this but the radiator was indeed without water. The radiator was filled and later checked out at the shop. It was determined that the temperature gage was not…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Ford Ranger recalls
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine: cooling system
Risk: As a result of no heat in the heater circuit, defrost performance is compromised.
Fix: Dealers will replace the plugged heater water return tubes.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 Ford Ranger
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Ranger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (145 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles); body and structure (105 complaints, typically around 107,500 miles); brakes (77 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Ranger have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 3, 2007 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Ford Ranger?
- It is the most complained-about Ranger model year since 2000, with 670 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.