2004 Ford Ranger Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED TWO HOLES UNDER THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR LATCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE FAILURE, A SCREW DRIVER COULD BE USED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

MY WIFE SAT ON THE TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE, AND BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES SNAPPED AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING HER TO BE DROPPED ONTO THE GROUND, AND INJURING HER KNEE. NEITHER OF THE CABLES HAD SHOWN ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE, AND THE RUBBER EXTERIOR COATING OF THE CABLES WAS STILL FULLY INTACT. UPON MY INSPECTING THE CABLES AFTER THEY HAD BROKEN, BOTH STEEL CORES WERE IN FACT CORRODED. *TR

ROT HAS APPEARED IN BED OF TRUCK. ROT HAS COME FROM UNDERSIDE OF BED, SEEMINGLY DUE TO A FABRIC THAT HOLDS MOISTURE AND WATER, THAT IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH UNDERSIDE OF BED, CAUSING RUST TO FORM AND EVENTUALLY ROT THROUGH THE BED. IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, ONE HOLE APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES IN DIAMETER, ANOTHER 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND THIRD HOLE IS FORMING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS ROT FORMING ON THE FRAME MEMBERS, AND IF THIS WILL LEAD TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION DURING DRIVING OR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

FRAME HAS ISSUES WITH SEVERE SURFACE RUST PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE MORE DEEPER RUSTING UNDERNEATH. WORRIED BRACKETS, HANGERS AND OTHER PARTS IN TIME WILL CORRODE TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. *TR

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE ODOMETER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ODOMETER COULD NOT BE SEEN IN DAYLIGHT OR AT NIGHT. THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER HAS A RECALL. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD REPORT IT TO ENGINEERING. *AK

PAST SAFETY RECALLS OTIFICATION DATE COMPONENT DESCRIPTION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER /3/2004 STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS 04V331000 . *AK I BROUGHT MY 2004 FORD RANGER TO THE DEALER THIS DAY 12-13-2004 AND WHEN I MENTIONED THIS RECALL TO INSPECT FOR THIS POSSIBLE FRAME PROBLEM THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE "WORLD FORD" DEALER IN MIAMI, FL. TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

1)THERE HAD BEEN A LIGHT RAIN A SHORT TIME EARLIER. 2)ON A 2004 FORD RANGER 4X4 PICK UP; THERE IS A TUBE STEP WITH A RUBBER STEP AREA. AS I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I MADE SURE THAT I WAS ON THAT RUBBER AREA (SINCE IT HAD JUST RAINED). AS I WENT TO STEP IN, MY FOOT SLID OFF THE RUBBER AREA; MY TOE WENT BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR JAM, MY HEEL LOCKED TO THE TUBE. I THEN FELL BACK AND HIT THE GROUND, WHILE MY FOOT STAYED LOCKED IN THE DOOR JAM AREA. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY AND NOW HAVE A BLOWN DISK IN MY LOWER BACK THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CORRECT AT THIS TIME.I HAVE BEEN OFF WORK SINCE THIS HAPPENED! 3)IF FORD WOULD HAVE HAD " A BETTER IDEA"; THEY WOULD HAVE JUST PUT THE SANDPAPER NON-SKID IN THE AREA AND THIS HAZZARD WOULD NOT BE THERE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE! OR IS AN ATTOURNY NEEDED?*AK