Ford Ranger Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Ranger model year from 1995–2026 using 7,089 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 75 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 1999, 2000, 1998 and 1996, which drew far more complaints than other Ranger years at the same age. The best years are 2023, 2022 and 2020.

25model years
7,089complaints
75recalls
2019, 1999worst years
2023, 2022best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26321413411576755670515346243404289272270326169156235270130118371894447
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Ranger. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20267−17%8SeatFew
2025441.2×13TransmissionAverage
2024941.2×13TransmissionAverage
202318−76%4TransmissionGood
202237−64%5TransmissionGood
2021118typical6TransmissionAverage
2020130−28%7TransmissionAverage
20192701.5×11TransmissionCaution
2011235typical5AirbagAverage
2010156−40%8AirbagGood
2009169−35%7AirbagAverage
2008326−65%5AirbagGood
2007270−86%5AirbagGood
2006272−74%12AirbagGood
2005289−56%9AirbagGood
2004404−34%10AirbagAverage
2003243−31%1BodyAverage
20023461.4×3TransmissionAverage
20015151.8×4BodyCaution
20006702.7×3Wheel & TireAvoid
19997553.3×4Wheel & TireAvoid
19985762.6×5Wheel & TireAvoid
19974111.7×1Fuel SystemCaution
19964131.8×2BrakeCaution
19953211.5×1Window & WiperCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Ranger year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Ranger problems

Latest Ford Ranger recalls

Back over prevention › Display function

NHTSA recall 26V-605 · Sep 22, 2026 · 11,405 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10.1-inch center stack screen. 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."

Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed October 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent when the remedy is available.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-548 · Aug 25, 2026 · 10,001 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 26V-343 · May 27, 2026 · 1,536 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 26V-335 · May 26, 2026 · 268 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. 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 dimensions, and recommended…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Seats › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 26V-268 · Apr 28, 2026 · 179,698 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

All 75 Ford Ranger recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Ranger should you avoid?

2019, 1999, 2000, 1998, 1996 and 2001 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Ranger years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Ford Ranger?

2023 has the fewest complaints compared with other Ranger years at the same age, followed by 2022 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Ranger problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (1,880), wheels & tires (775) and transmission & drivetrain (746). Airbag complaints peak in the 2008 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Ranger had?

75 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2024. See all Ford Ranger recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.