2000 Ford Ranger

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2000 Ford Ranger
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2000 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2000 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 264 complaints 2020: 126 complaints 2021: 112 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 73 complaints 2025: 35 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2000: 670 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019264
2020126
2021112
202237
202318
202473
202535
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

TIRES 21%

21% of complaints: tires — 143 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
STRUCTURE 16%

16% of complaints: structure — 110 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

APPROX 10 MINUTES AFTER I HAD GOTTEN HOME I HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED OUTSIDE.. IT WAS 1:20 A.M; I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. AN EXPLOSION COMPLETELY BLEW OFF THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130910

Also filed under ENGINE

CONSUMER WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT BEGAN IN OR UNDER THE BED OF THE PICKUP. CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171226

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 82 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 77 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and upper ball joint.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 71 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FRONT AXLE BROKE CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE A COLLISON, ALSO THE UPPER KINGPEN, LOWER KINGPEN, TIE ROD END BROKE, DURING THE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOYAND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT...

NHTSA ODI report, 20020924

Also filed under AIR BAGS

SAFETY TIMELINE

2000 — complaint volume: 670
R 20000323 — engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L OHC ENGINES. ENGINE COOLANT CIRCULATION THROUGH THE HEATER CIRCUIT IS PREVENTED BECAUSE OF A PLUGGED HEATER RETURN TUBE (WATER PUMP INLET TUBE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PLUGGED HEATER WATER RETURN TUBES.

Campaign 00V094000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000826 — tires

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIR

Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001026 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 20

Campaign 00V228001 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010604 — tires

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERN

Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070813 — vehicle speed control

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, S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION

Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2000 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (143 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (110 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V094000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V228001 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2022 ▲ 1986

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 1998 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2000 Ford Ranger reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Ford Ranger is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Ranger?

The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Ranger have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.