Ford Ranger reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,102 complaints about the Ford Ranger with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and transmission and drivetrain. Ford has filed 0 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns for it, and there are 49 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Ford Ranger? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Ranger a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,102
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 0
- Filed by Ford
- Service campaigns
- 8
- Filed by Ford
- Safety recalls
- 49
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Ranger with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | Other or unspecified (29%) | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 43 | Transmission and drivetrain (37%) | 13 | 1 |
| 2024 | 88 | Transmission and drivetrain (40%) | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | Transmission and drivetrain (28%) | 4 | 3 |
| 2022 | 37 | Transmission and drivetrain (46%) | 5 | 3 |
| 2021 | 117 | Transmission and drivetrain (50%) | 6 | 2 |
| 2020 | 129 | Transmission and drivetrain (38%) | 7 | 2 |
| 2019 | 269 | Transmission and drivetrain (34%) | 11 | 5 |
| 2018 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | Airbags (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | Airbags (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | Airbags (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 235 | Airbags (83%) | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 156 | Airbags (82%) | 8 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Ranger model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Ford
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Ford filed with NHTSA for the Ranger, in its own words. A warranty extension means Ford pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Service campaignAug 2026· Engine· model years 2018–2022
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change
- Service campaignApr 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2025
Recommended Repair Prior to Sale Customer Satisfaction Program 26P04 Certain 2025 Model Year Bronco and Ranger Vehicles with 2.7L Engine Setting Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P04DB Powertrain Control Module Software Update
- Service campaignApr 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2026· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2019–2023
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
- Service campaignMar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2022–2023
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold.
- Service campaignOct 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2023
Customer Satisfaction Program 23B42 Certain 2023 Model Year Explorer, Bronco, Ranger Vehicles Equipped with 2.3L Gas Engine - Engine Long Block Replacement
- Service campaignOct 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2019
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Customer Satisfaction Program 19B24 Certain 2019 Model Year Ranger and 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost Engines Balance Shaft and Oil Pump Assembly Inspection
- Service campaignSep 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2019
Advance Notice NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Customer Satisfaction Program 19B24: Certain 2019 Model Year Ranger and 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost Engines - Balance Shaft and Oil Pump Assembly Inspection
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Ranger model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags329 (30%)
- Transmission and drivetrain280 (25%)
- Electrical system113 (10%)
- Engine91 (8%)
- Other or unspecified78 (7%)
- Brakes66 (6%)
- Cruise control and speed control32 (3%)
- Exterior lights32 (3%)
Safety recalls
49 recalls cover at least one Ranger model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The screen may lose power and fail to display the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.
The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim…
The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
The sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
The instrument panel top cover may prevent the passenger air bag from deploying as intended.
The bolts securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, which can result in a fuel leak.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment.
And 34 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ21002Recall query· opened Aug 2021, still open· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2020
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Led to recall 26V104.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Ford Ranger has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Ford Ranger reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,102 owner complaints, 0 warranty extensions and 8 service campaigns Ford filed, and 49 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (269), 2011 (235), 2010 (156). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Ford Ranger?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (30%), transmission and drivetrain (25%), electrical system (10%). Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Ranger with NHTSA.
Which Ranger model years have the most complaints?
2019 (269), 2011 (235), 2010 (156). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Ranger with each other rather than with other models.
Has Ford extended the warranty on the Ranger?
Ford has filed no warranty extension for the Ranger with NHTSA in the years we hold.
How do I check recalls on a Ranger?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 49 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.