NHTSA Complaint #10566707 — 2000 FORD RANGER

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER 4X4. THE FRAME IS ROTTING AWAY TOWARDS THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK. IN 2011, THE REAR BUMPER WAS FALLING OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY CAME OFF. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD FALL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN 2008 I TOWED A CAR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHUDDER TO THINK HOW WEAK THAT BUMPER WAS AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE CAR I TOWED WAS A BIT HEAVIER. AROUND THE SAME TIME I HAD TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM ITS HOLDER UNDER THE TRUCK BED - THE SPARE TIRE AND BRACKETRY WAS SLOWLY SAGGING TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, IT WAS REMOVED BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. MOST RECENTLY BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS AND THEIR BRACKETS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. THE WHOLE REAR END OF THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRUCK HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE - IT ONLY HAS 135,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION - NO RUST ON THE BODY. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE. JUST THE REAR 1/4 OR SO OF THE FRAME IS DISINTEGRATING. *TR