Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2024 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the 4WD message was displayed and the 4H warning light illuminated before the screen went blank, and the rear wheels locked up, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and drive into a ditch. The vehicle came to a stop after driving into the ditch. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was winched out of the ditch and towed to a Collision Center. The contact stated that the drivetrain and the front end needed to be replaced, and the passenger's side fender and driver's side front fender were damaged, and the front driver's side step was bent. No injuries were reported. The contact stated that the vehicle was involved in another crash in March 2026. …
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while attempting to leave a parking lot while on an incline, the transmission was shifted into drive(D); however, the vehicle began to slowly reverse. The contact quickly proceeded to depress the brake pedal and shift back to park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was no failure found with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V164000 (POWER TRAIN); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while reversing, the differential indicator independently moved, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the transmission. The abnormal sound could be heard for a short while, and then the sound dissipated. The contact stated the sound could be heard intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,200.
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning in either direction, an abnormal sound was heard coming from under the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle shuddered. The contact expressed safety concerns that the failure could leave the vehicle stranded in an intersection. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,500.
The Drive Mode Control has been malfunctioning and selecting different drive modes while the vehicle is in motion without any physical input from myself, the driver. While driving in the normal two-wheel drive high (2H) at various rates of speed the Drive Mode Control will start clicking and selecting different drive modes, such as going to four-wheel drive low (4L) or four-wheel drive high (4H) and a pop-up message in the instrument cluster display showing the change displaying Mud/Ruts, Sand, Slippery modes being selected. This has been continuously occurring randomly at both low and high rates of speed. There are never any objects or materials in contact with the Drive mode Control when this happens, it does it on it's own with an audible clicking noise. …
I am the original owner of this vehicle and the engine and controls have not been modified in any way. Yesterday while driving at approximately 30 mph on a surface street with dry road conditions in the "2H" setting on the Drive Modes Selection Dial my truck spontaneously shifted into four-wheel drive high and then attempted to switch into four-wheel-drive low - "Rock Crawl Mode." The rear differential locked, speed was suddenly reduced, and the steering became more difficult. Luckily, I was able to safely pull over. I captured a video at this time documenting the control settings and display image. It took multiple attempts, even in Park and Neutral, to get out of 4WD and back into the 2H setting. Once back in 2H, the truck drove normally. I have had similar experiences at least twice before in this truck with months between them. …
My 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor has been suddenly losing power or stumbling upon initial acceleration. This has been occurring intermittently since it was nearly new. My truck now has approximately 10,500 miles. The problem has become increasingly frequent. It seems to occur most often when accelerating from a complete stop. The loss of power can last for several seconds, then afterwards, normal power is regained. It poses a safety risk since it has nearly caused collisions. Several times, the truck has lost power while making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. It simply will not accelerate, and I find that I am stuck, unable to complete my turn and clear the oncoming traffic. Once when accelerating away from a stoplight, the truck lost power, and I was nearly struck by following vehicle. …
My 2024 Ford Ranger XLT 2W has been suddenly losing power or stumbling upon initial acceleration. This has been occurring intermittently. My truck now has approximately 20,000 miles. The problem has become increasingly frequent. It seems to occur most often when accelerating from a complete stop. The loss of power can last for several seconds, then normal power is regained. Several times, the truck has lost power while making a left turn. It simply will not accelerate, and I find that I am stuck, unable to complete my turn and clear the oncoming traffic. I have taken my truck to a local dealer who attempted to diagnose the problem and they didn't offer a solution since they were unable to reproduce the problem during their road test. …
The transmission under several circumstances will just stall out. Will NOT allow the vehicle to accelerate. Flooring the gas pedal does not do anything. RPM may go up a couple hundred RPM (not thousand) but the truck just will not move. After this now happening several times I can tell you that it happens when making a left or right hand turn without coming to a complete stop and the area turning into is an up hill section. Watching the gear indicator normally shows a very high gear of 8 or higher. Trans needs to down shift but it will not. Stomping accelerator to the floor does nothing. On and off to the floor does nothing. Pulling the shifter to manual and flicking the change gear does work and if you don't have on coming traffic bearing down that's fine. But if you have on coming traffic and you can't move it is a major safety issue in my mind. …
My truck has selectable drive modes. These drive modes control steering effort, suspension, shift points, the four-wheel drive system, ABS, and exhaust. My truck changes drive modes on its own without any input. Going down the highway, my truck is tried to go into rock crawl modes several times. If this happens, my truck will go into four low and the components above will be affected. A cursory Google search leads to a forum where 10 pages of people have reported this problem. It is scary to think that my truck has the potential to change drive modes on its own. This could lead to loss of steering control, sudden acceleration, or a locked differential can make me lose control of the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Transmission complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2024 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2024 Ford Ranger, 39% of the model year's 94 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2024 Ford Ranger transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-164 (valves/valve body, Mar 14, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2024 Ford Ranger transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 75% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.