NHTSA Complaint #11202751 — 2005 FORD RANGER

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHACKLE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THE LEAF SPRING ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS NOT DRIVABLE UNTIL THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHACKLE WAS REPLACED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HEARING A LOUD BANG AND EXPERIENCING A JOLT. ONCE PARKED THE TRUCK WAS COMPLETELY LOOKED OVER, WHICH LEAD TO MORE DISCOVERIES. A GIANT RUST HOLE HAS FORMED IN THE FRAME BEHIND THE SHACKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AREA OF THE TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND WAS PROFESSIONALLY UNDER COATED A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH NO HOLES IN THE FRAME OR VISIBLE RUST AT THAT TIME. THE FRAME HAS DETERIORATED RAPIDLY. LUCKILY I DID NOT TRY TO TOW ANYTHING WITH THIS TRUCK BECAUSE THE REAR PART OF THE FRAME LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF, LOSING WHAT WAS BEING TOWED AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS ALSO A LARGE HOLE FORMING IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK.