The best Ranger years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2019: the first year of the returning Ranger drew about twice the complaints of later years, led by hard shifting from the 10-speed automatic and air conditioning faults.
Best years: 20212022 Years to avoid: 2019
Every Ranger year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 99 | - | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 19 | - | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 38 | 67 | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good buy |
| 2021 | 119 | 126 | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Good buy |
| 2020 | 131 | 129 | 7 | Transmission and drivetrain | Watch out |
| 2019 | 272 | 304 | 11 | Transmission and drivetrain | Skip this year |
About the Ranger
The Ranger returned to the U.S. for 2019 as a midsize pickup with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost and a 10-speed automatic. Its complaint rate is below average for a truck. The 2019 drew many reports of harsh or erratic shifting and air conditioning that blows hot, and both fade in later years. The 2024 redesign is too new to judge.
- 2019-2023: Returning Ranger, 2.3 EcoBoost and 10-speed.
- 2024 on: Redesign with optional V6 and Raptor.
Ranger warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Ford files with NHTSA. 285 Ranger bulletins are on file in total.
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2025 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change
Customer Satisfaction Program 23B42 Certain 2023 Model Year Explorer, Bronco, Ranger Vehicles Equipped with 2.3L Gas Engine - Engine Long Block Replacement
Advance Notice Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change
Advance Notice NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Customer Satisfaction Program 19B24: Certain 2019 Model Year Ranger and 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost Engines - Balance Shaft and Oil Pump Assembly Inspection
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Customer Satisfaction Program 19B24 Certain 2019 Model Year Ranger and 2020 Model Year Explorer Vehicles with 2.3L EcoBoost Engines Balance Shaft and Oil Pump Assembly Inspection
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Ranger
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Recall query RQ21002 · 2020 · opened Aug 2021 · led to recall 26V104
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No.
Ranger vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Ford Ranger?
2021 and 2022. The best Ranger years to buy are 2021 and 2022. Avoid the 2019: the first year of the returning Ranger drew about twice the complaints of later years, led by hard shifting from the 10-speed automatic and air conditioning faults.
Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?
2019. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Ford Ranger average.
Does the Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
Some 2019-2020 Rangers with the 10-speed automatic shift harshly or erratically. Ford issued software updates and service bulletins. Test the truck in stop-and-go traffic and ask whether the transmission software was updated.
Based on 678 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2019 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.