Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Ranger Reliability by Year
Ford Ranger reliability is good, but early trucks had transmission trouble, and yearly repairs run about $615, above the class average.
Ford Ranger Reliability Overview
Used Rangers hold up well and rank above average among trucks. The 2019 model year is the one to skip, mostly for a transmission that shifts hard, slips, or skips gears. The 2022 is the better buy, with far fewer owner complaints. Across all years, power train and electrical faults draw the most reports, including a climate system that blows hot on one side and cold on the other.
Current generation: 4th gen (2019–2023).
Best & Worst Ford Ranger Years
Best Ford Ranger Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 has been on the road long enough to judge, and it drew 34 complaints against 237 for the 2019, with fewer recalls too. Harsh shifting still tops its list, so check the service history. But the sinking brake pedal and failed climate blend door reports that mark the 2019 are not its main complaints.
Ford Ranger Years to Avoid
Transmission complaints lead: hard shifts, slipping, and a skipped second gear, often just past the 60,000-mile warranty. Software reflashes often fail, and some trucks needed a full replacement. Owners also report failed climate blend doors and a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor. This year has the most complaints and recalls of any.
Ford Ranger Reliability Score Trend
Ford Ranger reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 73/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Ford Ranger
1 recalls · 0 complaints
Excellent standing with no owner complaints yet and one air bag recall, compared with 11 complaints and 8 recalls on the 2025 model.
2025 Ford Ranger
8 recalls · 11 complaints
Good reliability and one of the stronger Ranger years, but with eight recalls and brake complaints that set it apart.
2024 Ford Ranger
10 recalls · 44 complaints
Rates good and mid-pack among Ranger years, with 10 recalls and owner reports of drive modes changing on their own and a missing bed bracket.
2023 Ford Ranger
4 recalls · 16 complaints
Last year of the fourth generation, with good, mid-pack reliability, held back by transmission shift complaints and one do-not-drive recall.
2022 Ford Ranger
5 recalls · 34 complaints
Rates good with far fewer complaints than the 2021, but transmission shifting problems lead owner reports and five recalls apply.
2021 Ford Ranger
6 recalls · 88 complaints
Middle of the pack among Ranger years, with transmission slipping and a soft brake pedal as the main complaints, and fewer complaints than 2020.
2020 Ford Ranger
7 recalls · 109 complaints
Good standing but among the weaker Ranger years, with transmission shifting complaints and seven recalls; 2019 rates worse and 2021 about the same.
2019 Ford Ranger
11 recalls · 237 complaints
First year of the fourth generation and the weakest of the scored Ranger years, with transmission complaints that often start just past the warranty.
Found Your Ford Ranger? Check Its History
Power train (2) problems come up most in Ford Ranger owner complaints, and 52 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Ford Ranger Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$615
Repair Frequency
0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk
12%
$67 above the midsize trucks average of $548/yr.
Ranked #3 of 7 among midsize trucks.
Ford Ranger Resale Value
The Ford Ranger is estimated to retain about 99.7% of its original value after 1 year, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 99.7%
- Depreciation
- 0.3%
- Listings Analyzed
- 102
after 1 year
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Ford Ranger depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comFord Ranger Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Ford Models
Compare all Ford models by reliability
Compare Ford Ranger With Similar Trucks
The Ford Ranger competes with other midsize trucks such as Nissan Frontier, Ford Maverick, and Chevrolet Colorado.
Ranger vs Nissan Frontier
7 years tracked · 92 complaints
Ranger vs Ford Maverick
5 years tracked · 1050 complaints
Ranger vs Chevrolet Colorado
9 years tracked · 695 complaints
Ranger vs Honda Ridgeline
9 years tracked · 919 complaints
Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma
9 years tracked · 795 complaints
More Ford Ranger comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Ford Ranger?
- The 2022 is the best pick among years with enough time on the road. It has far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than 2019 through 2021. The 2026 looks clean, but it is too new to have collected complaints, so it should not be favored yet.
- Is the Ford Ranger reliable?
- Yes, its standing is good and above average among trucks. The weak spot is the transmission, with many reports starting between 50,000 and 75,570 miles. Data covers 2019 to 2026 only, so very high mileage outcomes are not tracked here.
- What are the most common Ford Ranger problems?
- Power train problems lead, mainly a transmission that shifts hard, slips, or hesitates. Electrical faults come next, including a climate blend door that fails and a loose rear connector that can stall the engine. Brake pedals that sink at a stop are the third most reported area.
- How much does it cost to repair a Ford Ranger?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $615. That is above the $548 average for midsize trucks. Budget a little extra, especially for a 2019 to 2021 truck with transmission history.
- Does the Ford Ranger have engine problems?
- Engine complaints are fewer than power train ones, but they are serious. Rainwater reaching the spark plug wells can stall the engine at highway speed. Owners also report fuel seeping into the oil and oil leaking from the timing cover, which can shut the engine off.
How we score the Ford Ranger
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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