Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the entire subframe of the vehicle was corroded and was cracking and disintegrating. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The back end frame has completely rusted out, while the cab frame is in perfect condition. I have read about everyone that has a ranger from 1995-200 has had this issue. My truck only has 127k miles on it and has been kept in wonderful condition, and the bed frame has made it unsafe to drive.
I was driving my truck down a main road and there was a small pothole.it was only about an inch deep by about a foot and all of a sudden my truck started making very loud noises going down the road and almost seeming like the truck didn't want to go straight. I pulled over because I wanted to check it and here was a massive crack in the frame behind the shackle mount in the front of the wheel well. This was caused by the gas tank mount that the strap connects do holding dirt and moisture behind it and rotted out a hole in the frame. Also the gas tank mount rotted compleatly out and is no longer there on the drivers side the same place that the frame rotted out. This is a big defect by Ford as there is no way to clean it out and the frame will just rot even though the body of the truck is spotless and rust free because I wash the undercarriage every week as well as the whole truck. …
Both the back seat small doors were locked and unoperable since 2015 (the dealer refused to repair without paying for service- they said will cost $1,000.00 for each door and just to exam cost. That was not the repair cost yet) 2020 in August, perhaps, the back gate door for the trunk suddenly collapsed, felled out from the roller. That was the passenger side of the back gate to the bed of the truck I had to put back to the roller. And, it is not sure that the gate is stable condition. Under the dashboard, the cigarette lighter just touched and collapsed-broken inside under the dashboard and could not pull it out. So, it is still inside under the dashboard (notice: that feature-the cigarette lighter nobody used since bought the vehicle- non smoker owner). The under body vehicle cost a lot to repair through the years. The vehicle has about 120,000 miles currently.
Frame and crossmembers have severe flaking rust and frame rot on rear section of frame behind the cab. Leaf spring brackets broke and ripped out of frame this section has been replaced apx 2 years ago. Back spare tire rear crossmember has rusted completely out and is in the process of being replaced. Bed support crossmembers all rusted almost completely out leaving bed weak. This is in the process of being replaced. Gas tank cross member has rusted out around bottom of mount and also up the inside of the frame rails. Gas tank holding straps are in process of rusting out and breaking. These are being replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole and the subframe twisted sideways. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware of several issues pertaining to the rear, driver, and passenger sides of the subframe, including severe corrosion to the spare tire support and the fuel tank strap was fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000. Updated 10/24/17
Tl* 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. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was informed that the replacement components needed to repair the vehicle were no longer available. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While driving 55 MPH, the contact heard a rattling noise underneath the vehicle. Suddenly, the rear driver's side shock detached from the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the entire frame was rotted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While driving, a thumping noise was present coming from the vehicle. After parking, it was discovered that the bed of the vehicle was damaged and misaligned. Also, the driver and passenger side frame behind the cab was fractured due to rust and corrosion. The cause of the failures was not determined. Todd judy Ford (7891 maccorkle ave, charleston, wv) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000. Broken frame
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for unrelated repairs, the technician discovered that the mainframe behind the front passenger side wheel was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no solution was provided. The failure mileage was 128,858.
Body complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Ford Ranger, 16% of the model year's 670 complaints. The component named most often is body (49 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Ranger body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2000 Ford Ranger, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Ranger body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.