NHTSA Complaint #10468753 — 2002 FORD RANGER

A LOUD THUNK, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DROPPED, IMMEDIATE STOP AT MECHANIC'S SHOP, EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST AND RIVETED CONSTRUCTION OF SHACKLE BRACKET HANGERS AND SHACKLE BRACKET HAD CAUSED THE SHACKLE BRACKET HANGER TO BREAK FROM THE FRAME. THE SPRING WAS SHOVED UP AGAINST THE TRUCK'S BED. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. MECHANIC SAID BOTH SHACKLE BRACKET HANGERS AND SHACKLE BRACKETS WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT WITH PROBABLY NEW METAL WELDED TO THE FRAME TO ENSURE THE NEW SHACKLE BRACKET HANGERS WOULD BE STABLE. ALSO, MECHANIC STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO A GREATER DEGREE THAN USUAL EVEN FOR NEW ENGLAND. WITH 107000 MILES, THIS SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR US. THERE ARE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING DONE. MORE TO COME ONCE I GO TO THE WELDING SHOP TODAY (8/1/2013). READ ONLINE RANGER FORUMS TO SEE HOW PREVALENT THIS FRAME ROT ISSUE IS. *TR