Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Structure112
- Suspension87
- Air bags62
- Vehicle speed control57
- Power train51
- Service brakes, hydraulic49
- Seat belts45
- Tires39
- Engine and engine cooling29
- Unknown or other22
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 49 injuries and 4 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 116 2001 Ranger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 82 people died inside them, and 39 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 2.51% of the time — 25% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 146,810 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 661 of these cars first registered in 2001 took their annual MOT test. 58% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2001 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.7% | 19.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16.6% | 9.7% |
| Suspension | 14.4% | 15.4% |
| Brakes | 13.6% | 13.4% |
| Visibility | 8.8% | 7.6% |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 5.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 8 variants: combined 13.5–15.7 L/100 km (about 15–17 mpg US), CO₂ 311–361 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.2 | 11.3 | 13.5 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 12.0 | 13.8 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.9 | 12.0 | 14.1 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.0 | 12.0 | 14.2 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.7 | 12.6 | 14.3 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.9 | 13.1 | 15.2 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.3 | 13.5 | 15.6 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.4 | 13.5 | 15.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Ford Ranger.
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2001194 16 Jul 2001 | Seats And Restraints Certain 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 fron… |
| 2001002 12 Jan 2001 | Structure Certain Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Rander Edge and Ranger XLT vehicles may have a wire formed hood striker that may be susceptible to fatigue fracture… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2001 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637924 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L, 3.0L OR 4.0L ENGINE AND 5R44E OR 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A FLUID LEAK AT THE TRANSMISSION SERVO COVERS IN COLD CLIMATES. *TT |
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637920 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 SOHC (SINGLE OVER-HEAD CAM) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 637744 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A DISENGAGED FAN CLUTCH BEARING SQUEAL NOISE IN COLD WEATHER. *TT |
| 637726 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT SOFT CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING GEARS (A NOTCHY FEEL). *TT |
| 637710 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 637542 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 637478 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5R55E/5R44E TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE NOISE IN 1ST GEAR THAT GOES AWAY AFTER THE 1-2 OR 1-3 SHIFT IS COMPLETED. *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636233 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A GEAR WHINE TYPE NOISE IN 1ST AND / OR 2ND GEARS ONLY. *TT |
| 636228 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT P0460 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON. *TT |
| 636212 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURES) IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 636210 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PASIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT A NO CRANK / NO START CONDITION AND NO COMMUNICATION WITH NGS OR WDS FROM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 636130 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK CONDITION. *TT |
| 636118 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L GASOLINE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE QUIT UPON INITIAL STARTING OF THE ENGINE WITH A NORMAL RESTART AND RUN ON THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT. *TT |
| 636116 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.3L ENGINE AND NO AIR CONDITIONING, MAY SET DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1460 (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AIR CONDITIONER OUTPUT PRIMARY CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) AND P1474 (LOW FAN CONTROL (LFC) PRIMARY CIRCUIT FAILURE. *TT |
| 636087 | SOME 4X2 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A PULL TO RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE BRAKING. *TT |
| 636085 | A THUMP OR BUMP SENSATION FELT IMMEDIATELY ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR UPON BRAKING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636056 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 636052 | INOPERATIVE OR INACURRATE SPEEDOMETER, 4X4 LAMP ILLUMINATD, AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1635 OR P1639. *TT |
| 636047 | HOOTING, EEKING OR MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TT |
| 636013 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING ENGINE RATTLE NOISE FROM PRIMARY CHAIN DRIVE AREA BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM ON COLD ENGINE OPERATION ONLY. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation