Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Bought this truck new and after its first winter, was already showing severe rusting on the frame, now 11 years later the rear frame is rusted so severely that the rear spring shackles mounting brackets have completely failed and the metal on the rear frame rails is severely rusted and perforated where the spring shackle brackets attach to the frame, also the spare tire hoist assembly that holds the spare under the truck , has also failed and is dangerous, can no longer use it as spare tire is a severe safety hazard of falling off the truck that could severely injure or kill another motorist should it fall off the truck and strike another vehicle or fly through someones windshield. …
The passenger side rear shackle rusted completely off and the leaf spring almost went through the bed of the truck. The truck was not drivable until the passenger side rear shackle was replaced. This was discovered after driving over a bump in the road, hearing a loud bang and experiencing a jolt. Once parked the truck was completely looked over, which lead to more discoveries. A giant rust hole has formed in the frame behind the shackle on the driver's side rear area of the truck. This truck has been well maintained throughout the years and was professionally under coated a couple years ago with no holes in the frame or visible rust at that time. The frame has deteriorated rapidly. Luckily I did not try to tow anything with this truck because the rear part of the frame likely would have been ripped off, losing what was being towed and potentially causing an accident. …
Fist size and multiple finger size rust holes in frame. Spare tire mounts completely rusted off.spare tire was held on by steel line. When I was driving down the highway leaf spring mount on driver side rusted completely off. Leaf spring now pushes up on bottom of the bed. Also happened while driving down highway heard a loud bang. Got home and seen that is what happened. Driving this truck puts anyone on the road in immediate danger. Driver and others. I would say everything that has happened would be "near misses"
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, an abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both leaf spring shackles were rotting through the frame and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the rear and spare tire frame rotted. The failure caused the spare tire to drop. The vehilce was taken to an independednt mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 6/8/15
My husband t-boned a semi at 35 MPH. The truck spun around and the rear of the truck also hit the semi. The airbags did not deploy. He incurred multiple injuries, some of which could have been minimized had airbags deployed. The truck was totaled. There was a direct hit -- I.e. Front of truck hit side of semi and destroyed engine (and more), yet air bag did not deploy. .
Due to extensive rust damage despite proper preventative maintenance, the integrity of the frame/chassis of the vehicle was compromised. Subsequently, the left side of the frame at the midway point of the length of the vehicle snapped completely separating into two pieces. The rust damage also caused the spare tire apparatus to break and also caused the bumper to fall off.
The leaf spring bushings pushed threw the rotted frame and poked holes in the bed of the truck .the spare tire was hanging on the ground when I got home one day. Now my inspection station wont put a inspection sticker on it because they say its to dangerous.Toyota had this problem and ether repaired the vehicle or replaced it.
Spare tire and carrier detached from frame. Rear bumper detached from frame. Right rear leaf spring shackle collapsed. Gasoline support strap detached from frame cross member. Midsection of frame cracked at 47,000 miles. This was all due to corrosion of metal over the last two years.
The repair shop informed me my leaf spring shackles could not be repaired due to severe rot of the frame in the rear.truck only has 59000 miles on it and was well taken care of.the rest of the truck is in very good shape. This should not happen is there a recall I dont no about? Thankyou
Suspension complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Ford Ranger, 9% of the model year's 289 complaints. The component named most often is rear (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Ranger suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Ford Ranger, though it has 9 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 2005 Ford Ranger suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.