2001 Ford Ranger
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.
- Complaints
- 515
- Recalls
- 9
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2001
Opened by NHTSA
22% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 515 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 269 |
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
22% · 114 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Suspension
17% · 89 reportsMost commonly citing front and lower ball joint.
Air bags
12% · 64 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
My son was involved in an accident where he was hit head on by someone who ran a red light. The airbags failed to deploy. He was traveling around 40 (Ish) MPH. Seems strange that the airbags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-23
Vehicle hit a ditch at 40 MPH, the driver airbag deployed, then immediatly burst open. Damage to vehicle unknown, no injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-05
Was at a complete stop signaling for a left turn and other driver hit me from behind at aprox. 30 miles/hour. Airbags did not deploy, although my seatbelt locked and I was slung forward, missing the windshield by only an inch or two.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-04
Also filed under Seat belts
Service brakes
12% · 60 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Vehicle speed control
11% · 57 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
S10 direct reply - a letter addressed to president trump regarding an incident with a stuck acceleration pedal on a 2001 Ford Ranger.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-08
Ford sent out recall notices for faulty Texas instruments speed control deactivation switch. My 2001 Ford Ranger was included in the recall. I took my 2001 Ford Ranger to a certified Ford dealership.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-03
Also filed under Electrical system
Safety timeline
9 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2001Complaint volume 515 complaints filed for this model year.
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2001-01-23Structure00V394000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood striker.
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2001-06-04Tires01X001000 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…
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.
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2001-07-25Seat belts01V227001 Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began July 25, 2001. Owners who take their…
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2004-10-22Recall queryClosed 2005-02-17 Front seat belt buckle assembly
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2005-02-17Engineering analysisClosed 2005-07-06 Front seat belt buckle assembly
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2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…
Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
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2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
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2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…
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…
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
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2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 114 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 89 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 64 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 00V394000 · Structure
- Recall 01X001000 · Tires
- Recall 01V227001 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Ford Ranger is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Ranger have?
- 9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.