Ford Ranger 1996–2026
Summary
- 24 model years in 4 generations, 6,805 owner complaints in total.
- Within their own generation, 1998, 1999 and 2000 drew the most complaints in the first three years.
- 2003 and 2004 drew the fewest complaints of their generation over the same span.
- These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
- Half of the complaints that give a mileage were filed by 69,138 miles (2,458 of them give one).
- Owners reported 624 crashes, 134 fires, 624 injuries and 36 deaths across these model years.
- 87 recalls and 9 federal investigations cover these model years; 2 investigations are still open.
1996–1997
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 1996 | 413 | 159 | Brakes | |
| 1997 | 411 | 104 | Fuel & Propulsion | |
1998–2011
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 167.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 1998 | 582 | 324 | Wheels & Tires | most complaints |
| 1999 | 760 | 393 | Wheels & Tires | most complaints |
| 2000 | 677 | 325 | Wheels & Tires | most complaints |
| 2001 | 527 | 167 | Body & Structure | |
| 2002 | 346 | 127 | Powertrain | |
| 2003 | 243 | 95 | Body & Structure | fewest complaints |
| 2004 | 405 | 78 | Airbags | fewest complaints |
| 2005 | 289 | 31 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2006 | 272 | 16 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2007 | 270 | 17 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2008 | 326 | 12 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2009 | 169 | 11 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2010 | 156 | 10 | Airbags | not compared |
| 2011 | 235 | 9 | Airbags | not compared |
Wheels & Tires is the largest group in 3 of the 7 compared years.
2019–2023
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2019 | 270 | 68 | Powertrain | |
| 2020 | 130 | 32 | Powertrain | not compared |
| 2021 | 119 | 39 | Powertrain | not compared |
| 2022 | 38 | 23 | Powertrain | not compared |
| 2023 | 18 | 15 | Powertrain | not compared |
2024–2026
Each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Fewer than three years of this generation are comparable, so no year is named.
| Model year | All complaints | First three years | Most reported system | Note |
|---|
| 2024 | 96 | 96 | Powertrain | not compared |
| 2025 | 44 | 44 | Powertrain | not compared |
| 2026 | 9 | 9 | Powertrain | not compared |
Every model year
A model year gets its own page when four sources cover it, it holds at least 50 complaints, and it either compares with the other years of its generation or shows one system in 40% or more of the complaints that name a component. The rest are listed here with their figures.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Bulletins | Combined MPG | Page |
|---|
| 1996 | 413 | 8 | 0 | 176 | 16–21 | listed here |
| 1997 | 411 | 7 | 2 | 202 | 16–22 | listed here |
| 1998 | 582 | 13 | 1 | 295 | 16–21 | yes |
| 1999 | 760 | 11 | 0 | 308 | 15–21 | yes |
| 2000 | 677 | 9 | 0 | 197 | 15–22 | yes |
| 2001 | 527 | 9 | 2 | 205 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2002 | 346 | 7 | 0 | 128 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2003 | 243 | 5 | 1 | 68 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2004 | 405 | 12 | 3 | 55 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2005 | 289 | 11 | 3 | 30 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2006 | 272 | 12 | 0 | 15 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2007 | 270 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2008 | 326 | 6 | 1 | 16 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2009 | 169 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 15–23 | yes |
| 2010 | 156 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 15–24 | yes |
| 2011 | 235 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 16–24 | yes |
| 2019 | 270 | 11 | 0 | 139 | 18–23 | listed here |
| 2020 | 130 | 7 | 1 | 137 | 18–23 | yes |
| 2021 | 119 | 6 | 0 | 113 | 18–23 | yes |
| 2022 | 38 | 5 | 0 | 87 | 19–23 | listed here |
| 2023 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 64 | 19–23 | listed here |
| 2024 | 96 | 13 | 0 | 107 | 17–22 | yes |
| 2025 | 44 | 13 | 0 | 75 | 17–23 | listed here |
| 2026 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 17–23 | listed here |
What owners report across all years
| System | Complaints | Share | Median mileage |
|---|
| Airbags | 1,865 | 28% | 68,000 mi |
| Wheels & Tires | 747 | 11% | 45,000 mi |
| Powertrain | 730 | 11% | 52,000 mi |
| Body & Structure | 653 | 10% | 100,000 mi |
| Brakes | 578 | 9% | 40,000 mi |
Shares are over complaints that name a component; a complaint naming several systems is counted under each.
Airbags
Owner report The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and making a U-turn, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power. The Service Emergency Brake and Trailer Brake Assist warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; …
Owner report The contact owns a 2006 Ford Ranger. Before purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the driver's side air bag had deployed. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V787000 (Air Bags) and 17V788000 (Air Bags). In 2019, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall rep…
Wheels & Tires
Owner report The lug nuts are corroding and do not want to come off. The lug wrench doesn't fit and can't remove the wheels.
Owner report Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic traile…
Powertrain
Owner report While driving a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor at approximately 40 mph under normal road conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden and uncommanded drive-mode failure. Without any driver interaction with the center console GOAT mode dial, the truck spontaneously began cycling through drive modes and attempted to engage the …
Owner report After arriving in Carson City from Reno, NV and running errands on local city side streets the vehicle began making a loud ticking noise which transitioned to a whomp/whomp/whomp noise. I pulled over at the nearest opportunity into a business parking lot and the vehicle brakes immediately locked up. I received the fo…
Largest recalls
| Campaign | Component | Filed | Vehicles |
|---|
| 00T005000 | TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2000-08-21 | 14,400,000 |
| 01X001000 | TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2001-05-22 | 13,000,000 |
| 09V399000 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2009-10-13 | 4,500,000 |
| 26V104000 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL | 2026-02-20 | 4,381,878 |
| 07V336000 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2007-08-03 | 3,600,000 |
Whether a recall has been done on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Open investigations
| Action | Component | Opened | Subject |
|---|
| RQ21002 | BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | 2021-08-03 | Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance |
| EA15001 | AIR BAGS | 2015-02-24 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture |
Service bulletins
Ford issued 2,497 service bulletins covering these model years, most often about power train.
A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so a bulletin listed here may not be specific to one year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.
| Date | Component | Summary |
|---|
| 2026-10-22 | POWER TRAIN | This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason for update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update theParts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator |
| 2026-10-19 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a rotary selectable drive mode control may exhibit a condition where the Drive Mode will change uncommanded (without driver input) while driving with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the a… |
| 2026-10-14 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display screen af… |
| 2026-10-08 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Re… |
| 2026-09-22 | POWER TRAIN | This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles list… |
| 2026-09-18 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Quality improvements include: -Enhanced AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay connectivity |
| 2026-09-16 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may cause updates to fail |
| 2026-09-16 | STRUCTURE:BODY | 26S29 Recall remedy: -Updates the Body Control Module to remove sun visor light operation in case of a short |
| 2026-09-09 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements |
| 2026-08-25 | ENGINE | Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change |
How to read this page
Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more after news coverage or a recall. That is why years are compared only with other years of the same generation, over the same span, and never with other models.
Sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications (data as of 2026-10-28).
- U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines and fuel economy.
This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection.