Your vehicle report
2021 Ford Ranger
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 119
- Received Mar 2021 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips23 complaints · 19% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Transmission fails or loses power while driving13 complaints · 11% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines10 complaints · 8.4% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #25V685000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Recall #25V442000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
- Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slipsFirst signal: Apr 2024
- Transmission fails or loses power while drivingFirst signal: Dec 2024
Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 6 crashes, 3 fires, 9 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 12 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Month | Complaints |
|---|---|
| March 2021 | 1 |
| April 2021 | 0 |
| May 2021 | 0 |
| June 2021 | 3 |
| July 2021 | 0 |
| August 2021 | 2 |
| September 2021 | 0 |
| October 2021 | 1 |
| November 2021 | 2 |
| December 2021 | 4 |
| January 2022 | 0 |
| February 2022 | 0 |
| March 2022 | 1 |
| April 2022 | 1 |
| May 2022 | 0 |
| June 2022 | 2 |
| July 2022 | 0 |
| August 2022 | 1 |
| September 2022 | 0 |
| October 2022 | 2 |
| November 2022 | 2 |
| December 2022 | 1 |
| January 2023 | 2 |
| February 2023 | 1 |
| March 2023 | 1 |
| April 2023 | 0 |
| May 2023 | 2 |
| June 2023 | 5 |
| July 2023 | 2 |
| August 2023 | 1 |
| September 2023 | 0 |
| October 2023 | 1 |
| November 2023 | 1 |
| December 2023 | 0 |
| January 2024 | 0 |
| February 2024 | 0 |
| March 2024 | 0 |
| April 2024 | 3 |
| May 2024 | 1 |
| June 2024 | 2 |
| July 2024 | 3 |
| August 2024 | 5 |
| September 2024 | 0 |
| October 2024 | 1 |
| November 2024 | 1 |
| December 2024 | 2 |
| January 2025 | 5 |
| February 2025 | 1 |
| March 2025 | 1 |
| April 2025 | 2 |
| May 2025 | 0 |
| June 2025 | 8 |
| July 2025 | 1 |
| August 2025 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 1 |
| October 2025 | 2 |
| November 2025 | 5 |
| December 2025 | 4 |
| January 2026 | 0 |
| February 2026 | 5 |
| March 2026 | 1 |
| April 2026 | 3 |
| May 2026 | 4 |
| June 2026 | 3 |
| July 2026 | 4 |
| August 2026 | 5 |
| September 2026 | 4 |
| October 2026 | 3 |
| Total | 119 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 23 | 19% | 8.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Apr 2024 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 7.6% |
| Transmission fails or loses power while driving | 13 | 11% | 7.7× | BrakeNews flag · First signal: Dec 2024 Model estimate of a matched recall within 24 months: 10% |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 10 | 8.4% | 6.2× | |
| Ford F-150 transmission unexpectedly downshifts or jerks | 7 | 5.9% | 5.5× | |
| Rearview backup camera fails or goes black | 5 | 4.2% | 1.8× | NHTSA recall #25V442000 |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 5 | 4.2% | – | |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 4 | 3.4% | 16.2× | |
| Door ajar light stays on when closed | 3 | 2.5% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 3 | 2.5% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 3 | 2.5% | – | |
| Ford Focus transmission clutch slips and hesitates | 3 | 2.5% | – | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 3 | 2.5% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #25V685000October 10, 202559,006 vehicles affected
equipment: electrical: engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA recall #25V442000June 27, 2025200,237 vehicles affected
back over prevention: software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
NHTSA recall #23V379000May 26, 202329,607 vehicles affected
equipment: other: labels
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
NHTSA recall #21V982000December 16, 2021839 vehicles affected
forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radar
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
NHTSA recall #21V811000October 15, 202147,683 vehicles affected
seat belts: front: webbing
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.
NHTSA recall #21V765000September 30, 202137,625 vehicles affected
child seat: vehicle latch anchor; seats: mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2021 Ford Ranger.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN