Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2001 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 2.3× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
515Complaints
9Recalls
62Crashes
9Fires
49Injured
4Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension (14.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Suspension complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 74 · 14.4% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 54 · 10.5% | Recalled | Recall 00V394000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 47 · 9.1% | Recalled | Recall 09V399000 · Recall 07V336000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 33 · 6.4% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 25 · 4.9% | not available | — |
| Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields | 23 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 00V394000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 515 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 9 campaigns
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
NHTSA campaign 01V227001 · 2001 · reported 07/16/2001
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
NHTSA campaign 00V394000 · 2000 · reported 11/28/2000
A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · 2007 · reported 08/03/2007
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E065000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING 57-67 MPH THERE IS A CONSTANT VIBRATION. ENGINEER FROM FORD STATED IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TRUCK. FORD RECOMMENDED AND INSTALLED NEW…”NHTSA complaint 8004593 — filed 02/26/2002 · SUSPENSION
“DATE OF PURCHASE SMELLED RUBBER ON THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL. TRUCK BOUNCES ALL OVER CONTINUES TO DO SO, THIS CAUSES POOR STEERING CONTROL AS WELL…”NHTSA complaint 9005862 — filed 02/11/2002 · SUSPENSION
“THE PROBLEM IS A NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE INSTALLED SPRINGS AND SHOCKS ASSEMBLY. THE WHOLE TRUCK BOUNCES OVER A BUMP INSTEAD OF THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSING AND…”NHTSA complaint 756511 — filed 01/07/2002 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Ranger?
Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 74 of 515 NHTSA complaints (14.4%), followed by structure:body (54), vehicle speed control (47), air bags:frontal (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Ford Ranger have?
515 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 62 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 49 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Ford Ranger's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
