NHTSA Complaint #10380361 — 1999 FORD RANGER

THE SHACKLE ON THE LEFT REAR SPRING TOTALLY BROKE OFF OF VEHICLE. THE SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS ALMOST TOTALLY DETACHED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ATTACH NEW SHACKLES BECAUSE THE TRUCK FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY. ALSO MUCH TO MY AMAZEMENT THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS SUSPENDED UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP BED IS GONE. WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED IS ALL ROTTED AWAY SO AT SOME POINT IT JUST FELL OFF WHEN WE WERE DRIVING, DON'T KNOW WHERE OR WHEN. TODAY I TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPT OF THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THEY SAID WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH SHACKLES ALL THE TIME. THEY RUST OUT. MY MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM SAID HE SEE THIS A LOT ON ALL MODELS OF FORDS PICKUPS. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WHICH JUST FAILED A SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A ROTTED FRAME. TOYOTA IS REPLACING HIS FRAME FREE OF CHARGE. I FEEL THAT IS WHAT FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO. I THANK GOD THE OTHER SHACKLE DIDN'T GIVE WAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.