Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 29% | — |
| 2025 | 17 | 39% | — |
| 2024 | 37 | 39% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 5 | 28% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 17 | 46% | 80,000 miles |
| 2021 | 60 | 51% | 79,000 miles |
| 2020 | 49 | 38% | 80,000 miles |
| 2019 | 92 | 34% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% | 45,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 47,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% | 17,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2004 | 27 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 2003 | 16 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 2002 | 61 | 18% | 52,000 miles |
| 2001 | 51 | 10% | 53,000 miles |
| 2000 | 69 | 10% | 86,000 miles |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% | 59,000 miles |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% | 44,000 miles |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 1996 | 28 | 7% | 51,000 miles |
| 1995 | 22 | 7% | 198,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2025 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 has experienced sudden and complete loss of accelerator pedal response while driving at low speed on at least 4 to 6 separate occasions. The engine continues to run normally, but pressing the accelerator produces no power and no vehicle response. The condition has consistently occurred while pulling into my subdivision, which has an inclined entrance. The truck also feels noticeably sluggish nearly every time I make this turn, even when full dropout does not occur. No warning lights, check engine light, or messages in the instrument cluster illuminate during these events. No diagnostic trouble codes have been stored that I am aware of. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. …
2025 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 4x4, 2.3L EcoBoost. When I change the drive mode with the rotary dial and then return it to Normal, the drive modes begin cycling on their own with no input from me. A drive mode fault message then appears on the instrument cluster, and I am unable to select a drive mode. I first took the truck to a Ford dealer on 07/13/2026 at about 4,100 miles. The dealer recorded the cause as an all-terrain control module software fault and an ABS module communication concern with the ATCM. They reconfigured the ABS module and released the truck as operating as designed. The problem came back. I returned to the dealer on 10/15/2026 at about 6,745 miles. The technician verified the concern and found DTC P05D3 stored in the ABS module. The concern returned after the ABS module was configured again, and the dealer then replaced the electronic brake booster under warranty. …
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 owned a 2023 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in tow mode, he heard an abnormal pop emanating from underneath the vehicle, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, he observed an oil leak, smoke, and a fire near the transmission. Local emergency services were called, and they were able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed, but no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 1,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH, and the vehicle then shifted into 4WD-Low independently. As a result of the failure, the vehicle dramatically decelerated and skidded to a complete stop. The 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who observed water damage to the fuse box which caused electrical failures. The contact was informed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 10,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle revved but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact came to a stop with the engine still running. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times, but when the gear shifter was shifted into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who ran a scan on the vehicle and retrieved several transmission codes and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The diagnostic tests determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, but no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side the roadway but found no failure with the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 2,000.
Related recalls (6)
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The fasteners that attach the transmission shifter cable bracket to the transmission may loosen allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the transmission shift cable bracket fasteners as necessary, and verify the proper transmission shift operation, free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. In some of these vehicles, the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without the key in the starting system and without depressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the transmission floor shift selector interlock assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
On some manual transmission trucks equipped with the fx4 package, the rear axle differential case could fracture under a high torque event such as when customers accelerate rapidly from a stop or when a spinning tire suddenly gains traction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle assembly. Owner notification began March 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: electric vehicles. The transaxle May have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mechanism May not engage when the shift lever is placed in the park position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transaxle and any with misaligned park detent springs will be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Ranger years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (92), 2000 (69), 1999 (67), 2002 (61) and 1998 (60) model years. Transmission complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Ford Ranger transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 25V-164 (valves/valve body, Mar 14, 2025); 20V-197 (gear position indication (prndl), Apr 3, 2020); 19V-366 (floor shift, May 13, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Ranger transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (174 mentions), followed by the driveline › driveshaft (44).
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.