Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 73/100 (GOOD)

2026 Ford Ranger Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Ford Ranger
Brand: Ford

The 2026 Ford Ranger has a predicted reliability score of 73/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 1 recall and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$615

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,600–$3,500

The Verdict

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 73/100 — worth considering.

Should You Buy the 2026 Ford Ranger?

The 2026 Ford Ranger has a predicted reliability score of 73/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 1 recall, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Ford Ranger for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
−Above-average repair costs for its class

Compare 2026 Ford Ranger With

2026 Nissan Frontier

Predicted: 82/100

Predicted

2026 Chevrolet Colorado

Predicted: 77/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Tacoma

Predicted: 64/100

Predicted

2026 Honda Ridgeline

Predicted: 83/100

Predicted

2026 Ford Maverick

Predicted: 69/100

Predicted

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2026 Ford Ranger carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2026 Ford Ranger Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2026 Ford Ranger. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V5410002025-08-22

AIR BAGS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence

Air bags that deploy improperly during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Ford Ranger? Check its history first

Every 2026 Ford Ranger has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Ford Ranger NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 27.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Ford RangerRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$615

vs $548 avg for midsize trucks

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Ranger

$615

Category Avg

$548

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

17–23 MPG

Running cost: $3,200–$4,100/yr

Fuel + repair

16–21 city / 18–25 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Ranger 2WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	21	25	23	$2,600
Ranger 4WD 2.3L 4-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	19	24	21	$2,850
Ranger 4WD 2.7L 6-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	18	23	20	$3,000
Ranger RAPTOR 4WD 3.0L 6-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S10)	16	18	17	$3,500

Best & Worst Ford Ranger Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Ford Ranger Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Ford Ranger year is 2022 with a reliability score of 75/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2025 (74/100) and 2023 (73/100).

Top Pick

Good

Ford Ranger Years to Avoid

The worst Ford Ranger year is 2019 with a score of 64/100, primarily due to power train (76) issues.

Good

2019

11Recalls

237Complaints

See full Ford Ranger years-to-avoid analysis

Ford Ranger Reliability Score Trend

Ford Ranger reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 72/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Ford Ranger reliability scores by year
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

Ford Ranger Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	73/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	1	0
2025	74/100	+2	Good	8	11
2024	72/100	-1	Good	10	44
2023	73/100	-2	Good	4	16
2022	75/100	+3	Good	5	34
2021	72/100	+1	Good	6	88
2020	71/100	+7	Good	7	109
2019	64/100	—	Good	11	237

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Ford Ranger reliable?

The 2026 Ford Ranger has a predicted reliability score of 73/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there is 1 recall and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Ford Ranger?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Ford Ranger. Based on available data, the main item to verify is recall completion. Prior model years can indicate what to watch for.

How many recalls does the 2026 Ford Ranger have?

The 2026 Ford Ranger has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 73/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Ford Ranger without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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