Complaint 2218379

Complaint Summary

SUSPENSION

Owner Narrative

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2019 Ford Ranger because I discovered what I believe to be a serious safety defect involving the rear leaf spring mounting system. My vehicle has approximately 55,000 miles and has been used primarily as a commuter vehicle for driving to and from work in the city. The truck is originally from Virginia and has very minimal rust exposure. While replacing my rear brake pads, I noticed that the area where the rear leaf spring connects to the body/frame of the truck had broken away and was no longer properly attached. This was completely unexpected. A critical suspension component such as the leaf spring mounting point should not fail on a relatively low-mileage vehicle with only 55,000 miles, especially one that has not been subjected to severe corrosion or extreme use. Had I not been performing brake maintenance myself, I likely would not have discovered this defect. I fear that many other Ford Ranger owners may be driving their vehicles unaware that they could be experiencing the same dangerous condition. A failure involving the leaf spring mounting system has the potential to affect vehicle stability, handling, braking, and overall control. This creates a significant safety risk not only for the driver and passengers of the affected vehicle, but also for everyone sharing the roadway. I respectfully urge your agency to investigate this issue and determine whether a broader defect exists involving the rear leaf spring mounting components on 2019 Ford Rangers. If warranted, I ask that Ford be required to issue a recall to inspect and repair affected vehicles before a catastrophic failure results in serious injury or loss of life. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your efforts to protect the safety of the driving public.

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.