The Used Car Index

2021 Ford Ranger problems

NHTSA lists 117 complaints for the 2021 Ford Ranger, 6 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD RANGER.

At a glance

Complaints
117
With crash
6
With fire
3
With injury (complaints)
7
Injuries
9
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
200,237
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
113

Complaints per 100k sold: 123.476. Units sold: 94,755; sales year: 2021; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN5950.4%
SERVICE BRAKES1412.0%
ENGINE1311.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1311.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM86.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL86.8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE76.0%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM76.0%
STRUCTURE65.1%
BACK OVER PREVENTION54.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL3
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM2
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMADAS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCESOFTWARE1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure5446.2%0.84
loss of control2823.9%0.79
electrical electronic1412.0%0.79
fluid or fuel leak76.0%0.68
visibility or lighting43.4%0.93
fire or overheating32.6%0.88
noise or comfort32.6%0.85
structural or corrosion21.7%0.85
restraint or airbag10.9%0.49
unclear10.9%0.98
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate7765.8%0.85
low2622.2%0.74
high119.4%0.91
critical21.7%0.96
none10.9%0.84

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 117 tagged complaints of 117 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

25V685000

Date: 2025-10-10. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

25V442000

Date: 2025-06-27. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V379000

Date: 2023-05-26. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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."

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V982000

Date: 2021-12-16. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V811000

Date: 2021-10-15. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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." (excerpt)

Consequence: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V765000

Date: 2021-09-30. Systems: CHILD SEAT, SEATS.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

113 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM40
POWER TRAIN32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
EQUIPMENT21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
COMMUNICATION5
BACK OVER PREVENTION4
SEATS4

11036545

Date: 2026-08-25. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change

11036074

Date: 2026-08-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.

11035465

Date: 2026-07-09. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module Software Update

11033577

Date: 2026-05-09. Type: Other. Systems: ENGINE.

Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles

11031262

Date: 2026-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

For 2021 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by

11031263

Date: 2026-04-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE.

Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

11030282

Date: 2026-03-25. Type: Other. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION, LANE DEPARTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Advance Notice a Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

11030791

Date: 2026-03-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

For 2021- 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. The Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated under

11029052

Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the

11029595

Date: 2026-02-17. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Linco

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
RANGER117

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2021

Sources

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