Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 19 | 7% | 21,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% | 31,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 37,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% | 28,000 miles |
| 2006 | 20 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 26 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 29 | 7% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 23 | 9% | 98,000 miles |
| 2002 | 36 | 10% | 94,000 miles |
| 2001 | 87 | 17% | 108,000 miles |
| 2000 | 72 | 11% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% | 102,000 miles |
| 1998 | 52 | 9% | 114,000 miles |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% | 123,000 miles |
| 1996 | 21 | 5% | 200,000 miles |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% | 195,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchased a new 2024 Ford Ranger yesterday. As I was researching camper shells and truck racks I found that these common items cannot be installed without first installing a load bed reinforcement bracket kit to reinforce the truck bed to the bed side rails. Apparently, nothing can be attached to the side rail which weights more that 88 lbs or the truck bed could separate from the side rails. This is an design/engineering shortcoming from Ford as these are common after market add-ons for mid-sized trucks. Also, Ford is asking customers to pay for the reinforcement bracket and installation - which was quoted today at $1,600, and the Ford part is not currently available from the corporate US Ford website, and has not been available for several months.
The vehicle occasionally will change drive modes while in motion. In the past three months, it has switched from Normal to Baja mode three times and from Normal to Rock Crawl mode one time. The issues occured while driving on the freeway in construction traffic, driving slowly down rural county roads, and driving slowly in my subdivision.
Brought the vehicle to the dealer for standard 40,000 mile service. When it was raised on their lift, the rear end dropped out because both driver and passenger side leaf springs had broken at the mount bushings. The springs had been broken for some time, as there was significant rust at the broken points. The truck drove normally. This was only discovered once the truck was on a service lift. The weight of the truck was resting on the intact part of the springs, but may have completely disconnected if I had hit a large enough bump while the springs were broken. This would certainly have caused a loss of control, and likely resulted in a crash. The dealer confirmed that this was a manufacturer defect. Despite being past the warranty period, Ford agreed that this is a defect. …
2020 Ford Ranger XL: Total failure of both rear leaf spring assemblies (detached from bushing). Discovered during routine maintenance at approximately 47K miles. Both rear leaf spring assemblies failed in the same location where spring meets the bushing at fwd spring attachment leaving the rear of the truck supported by the rear shock assemblies only. Technician assessment showed no damage to associated rear suspension components, minimal corrosion, and no sign of collision or impact causing failure - suspect latent manufacturing defect in original OEM part as OEM has since updated original part number. Local ford service center indicated that this is a known issue however no current recall or extended warranty covered by OEM. I am in possession of all failed parts. Happy to provide info or failed parts upon request for further analysis.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer for routine maintenance and the dealer became aware that the driver's side rear leaf spring at the front end where the shackle bolt passes through the eyelet on the leaf spring was fractured. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the leaf spring could be replaced; however, the contact declined the repair. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
While operating my 2019 Ford Ranger under completely normal driving conditions without a heavy payload or trailer, the rear driver-side suspension suffered an instantaneous, catastrophic structural failure. The vehicle emitted a sudden, loud metallic clanking sound as the rear main mono-leaf spring completely sheared in half directly in front of the axle mount assembly. The vehicle instantly lost two inches of ride height, bottoming out heavily onto the rubber axle bump stops and leaving only five inches of total clearance. A physical inspection of the broken component shows a uniform, bright, raw crystalline fracture face across the entire thickness of the steel leaf plate, with absolutely zero internal rust or environmental corrosion inside the metal grain. …
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that after lending the vehicle to a neighbor, the neighbor informed the contact that the vehicle was making an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the rear spring hangers had detached. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Invalid VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the driver sneezed and crashed into the curb which caused the contact to bounce onto the passengers side of the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his neck, shoulder and a minor concussion. The police were notified of the failure and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 6,000. ...updated 04/25/13 updated 05/31/2013
Related recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint fastener may be missing or tightened improperly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the ball joint fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge.
Suspension › Multiple axle
Ford is recalling 11,134 my 2009 4x2 ranger vehicles. Some front wheel spindles were improperly manufactured creating the risk that a spindle May fracture during the normal useful life of the truck.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front spindle if necessary free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2009. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Ranger years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (87), 2000 (72), 1999 (67), 1998 (52) and 2002 (36) model years. Suspension complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Ford Ranger suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-310 (upper ball joint, May 9, 2025); 24V-770 (upper ball joint, Oct 16, 2024); 09V-040 (multiple axle, Feb 3, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Ranger suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles; 19% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (56 mentions), followed by the rear (32).
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.