Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2001 Ford Ranger: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Ranger, most recently filed October 2009. Owners have filed 515 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 vehicle speed control · 1 seat belt · 1 structure Source: NHTSA Complaints 515filed Owner reports, 1997–2006 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 58mpg combined $1,126/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs Electric· Automatic 14 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Ranger. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2001 Ford Ranger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 09V399000 Filed Oct 13, 2009

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
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 CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V399000
Listed for 2001 Ford Ranger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V336000 Filed Aug 3, 2007

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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 SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V336000
Listed for 2001 Ford Ranger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 01V227001 Filed Jul 16, 2001

FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
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 VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Repair progress not yet reported1,400,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V227001
Listed for 2001 Ford Ranger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V394000 Filed Nov 28, 2000

FORD/HOOD

Structure · body · hood · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence
A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.
Repair progress not yet reported137,700 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V394000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Ranger years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford RangerAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (515)

515 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.

62involved a crash
9involved a fire
49injuries reported
4deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Ranger, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 515.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2001 compares with other Ranger years

Best and worst Ranger years →
411 576 755 670 515 346 243 404 289 271
1997199819992000200120022003200420052006
This year (2001)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 58 mpg combined

58
mpg combined
62
city
54
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$1,300
CO₂ tailpipe
—
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$1,126per year
$94per month
259gallons a year

Miles ÷ 58 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2001 Ford Ranger configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
Electric · Automatic2-Wheel Drive62 / 54 / 58$1,300—
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200423
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20$3,350444
2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$3,550468
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18$3,700494
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2001 Ranger for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Ranger years

Where to next

Which Ranger years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2002 Ford Ranger report346 complaints · 3 campaigns →2000 Ford Ranger report670 complaints · 3 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2001 Ford Ranger FAQ

How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Ranger have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control), 07V336000 (vehicle speed control), 01V227001 (seat belt), 00V394000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2001 Ford Ranger problems?

Owners filed 515 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (112), Suspension (87), Air bags (62) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2001 Ford Ranger get?

EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 62 city, 54 highway and 58 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2001 Ranger compare with other years?

Among the 1997–2006 Ford Ranger model years at least five years old, the 2003 drew the fewest complaints (243) and the 1999 the most (755). The 2001 drew 515. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.