Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Noted piece of metal dangling from rear of truck. Took vehicle to my mechanic and was shown that driver side gas tank strap had rusted away from mounting bracket. Toured underneath vehicle while it was on lift and was astonished to see the rust thru on all components of underbody. Frame, fuel and brake lines, mounting brackets etc. Mechanic unable to find a secure part of frame that would hold temporary repair. {auto body mechanic made temp repair}. The deterioration of this vehicle goes way beyond normal wear and tear. I have maintained this vehicle through its 80,000 miles and the body and paint look perfect. It is a life safety catastrophe waiting to happen. I babied this truck and planned on keeping it many more years. I can't even sell it now due to complete deterioration from premature rusting.
Chassis is severely rusted. You can break chunks of metal off with bare hands.both rear shock mounts have rusted off. Straps that hold gas tank have rusted through. Cross member holding tranny is severely rusted. Gas tank fill tube is severely rusted gas vapor return tube rusted off. Whole chassis. The whole frame is so rusted I am afraid to drive the truck. Truck only has 155,000 on it and has always been maintained (have all service records)
When trying to fill the gas tank, the overflow system(?) doesn't work properly. You cannot have hardly any pressure or, as you fill, the gas spews out of the tank before the safety feature on gas pumps can turn off. Gas spews down the side of the vehicle, out onto the ground, onto my hand, onto my feet. This creates a combustion possibility at the gas tank as well as the gas pump. This occurs about 99% of the time when I try to put gas into the tank. It doesn't matter how full the tank is. This is an ongoing problem. I've been told that the only way that it can be fixed is by dropping the gas tank. I've also been told it is occurring in other, newer Ford pickups. Due to the possibility of fire, this should be investigated. Thank you.
While starting vehicle my wife was notified by her co-worker that gas was leaking onto the pavement under the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to our dealer where we purchased the vehicle. We were told by the service manager the high pressure fuel line was damaged possibly by road debris, which we had replaced by the dealer. However being the vehicle is a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck with 42,523 miles I feel this should be a safety concern due in part that if my wife's co-worker did not see the problem and my wife continued driving the vehicle certainly a fire and possibly serious injury or death could have occurred.
I purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger on February 3rd 2014 from columbus auto body resale. We took the vehicle in to repair the tire to find out the gas tank was hanging off the truck and could not install the gas tank straps to secure the gas tank because the frame is to rusted. The truck is unsafe to drive.
Corroded supply and/or return gasoline line leaking gasoline in large volumes, resulting in danger of fire and/or explosion. Vehicle towed to repair center, awaiting a new line to be transferred from one dealer to another because the Ford warehouse has zero lines in stock.
Takata recall. My vehicle was stationary when I got to work I nothing my rear bumper fell off with no given warning and I didn't hear it hit the ground I got home and looked under the frame and noticed the whole frame was rotten away and is not safe to drive
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road. This occurred several times before the vehicle was towed to the dealer replaced the fuel pump. Updated 11/30/06.
The right rear leaf spring shackel broke off from the frame due to rust. The spare tire carrier failed due to rust and caused the spare tire to drop. The steel shield under the gas tank dropped down due to rust.
While driving vehicle fuel pump failed at speed of 35-50 MPH and emptied 3/4 of a tank of gas unto roadways. Weater was damp and wet,hot weather or different circumstances could of caused injury.
Fuel System complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Ford Ranger, 6% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Ranger fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2001 Ford Ranger, though it has 4 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 2001 Ford Ranger fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to fuel & propulsion system 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.