NHTSA Complaint #10838504 — 2006 FORD RANGER

THE ENTIRE REAR CROSS MEMBER THAT CONNECTS THE FORE AND AFT RUNNING FRAME MEMBERS ROTTED OUT AND DROPPED OFF THE TRUCK. THIS INCLUDES THE SPARE TIRE ENCLOSURE, THE CHAIN WINCH AND SPARE TIRE -- BROKE AWAY FROM THE TRUCK AS IT WENT OVER A BUMP. WITH IT WENT THE FUEL EMISSION CONTROL TUBING THAT NOW REGISTERS AS A FAULT ON THE DASH BOARD. THIS WAS A SERIOUS FAULT AND FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED ON A RURAL ROAD INSTEAD OF A BUSY HIGHWAY WHERE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO ANY FOLLOWING VEHICLE. ALARMINGLY, WHEN SPEAKING TO MY MECHANIC, HE SAYS THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. IN FACT, HE HAS REPAIRED MANY FRAMES ON RANGERS -- SPARE TIRES FALLING OFF, BUMPERS FALLING OFF AND SO ON.. INDEED, THERE IS A BUSINESS WHO SPECIALIZES IN REPAIR FRAME PARTS TO REPAIR ROTTEN RANGER FRAMES. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE ENTIRETY OF THE REMAINDER OF THE TRUCK SHOWS LITTLE OR NO RUST BUT AFT OF THE REAR WHEELS IS TURNING TO SWISS CHEESE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN TOWING A TRAILER WHEN A BUMPER FALLS OFF?. APPARENTLY, FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE ENCLOSED PHOTO SHOWS WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER AND TIRE ENCLOSURE USED TO BE, THE TORN MEMBER AND THE CORRUGATED FLEX TUBING FOR THE EMISSION CONTROL WITH A PIECE OF THE FORMER SPARE TIRE CARRIER ATTACHED.