Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Ranger years to avoid relative to other Ranger model years, with complaint index scores of 82, 91 and 100 respectively.

Which Ram 1500 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 as Ram 1500 years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 92, 75, 83 and 100 respectively; 2019 also carries 29 recall campaigns.

Does the Ranger or Ram 1500 have more complaints?

The Ram 1500 has 11,591 total complaints across 13 model years versus 1,080 for the Ranger across 12 model years, but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.

Which gets better fuel economy, the Ranger or Ram 1500?

The Ranger averages 20.6 mpg combined versus 19.2 mpg combined for the Ram 1500, based on EPA figures.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

For the Ranger, Airbags account for 32% of complaints and Transmission & Powertrain for 25%. For the Ram 1500, Engine accounts for 26% and Steering for 23%.

Ford Ranger vs Ram 1500: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Ranger years to avoid are 2011, 2019 and 2022; Ram 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. The Ranger logs 1,080 total complaints across 12 model years (90 per year on average) versus 11,591 for the Ram 1500 (892 per year), and the Ranger averages 20.6 mpg combined against 19.2 mpg for the Ram 1500. Totals aren't sales-normalized, so raw counts can't rank overall reliability.

Head to head

Ford Ranger

Model years: 2010–2025 (12)
NHTSA complaints: 1,080
Per model year: 90
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2011, 2019, 2022
Best years: —
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 3.3 ★

Ram 1500

Model years: 2013–2025 (13)
NHTSA complaints: 11,591
Per model year: 892
Recall campaigns: 92
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
Best years: 2018, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.3 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Ranger				1500
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	156	8	17.5	—	—	—	—
2011	Avoid	235	5	17.5	—	—	—	—
2013	—	—	—	—	Caution	1,276	11	17
2014	No verdict	1	0	—	Avoid	1,766	16	19
2015	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,448	17	19.5
2016	No verdict	1	0	—	Avoid	1,541	16	19.5
2017	No verdict	1	0	—	Caution	878	13	19
2018	—	—	—	—	Best	661	15	19
2019	Avoid	267	11	22	Avoid	1,477	29	19
2020	Good	127	7	22	Good	628	14	19
2021	Caution	114	6	20.5	Good	678	15	19
2022	Avoid	37	5	22	Good	612	16	20
2023	Good	18	4	22	Best	201	11	19
2024	Caution	83	13	21	Best	74	6	19.5
2025	Caution	40	13	21	Caution	351	8	21

Complaint Index by year

Ford Ranger

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ram 1500

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Ranger years to avoid relative to other Ranger model years, with complaint index scores of 82, 91 and 100 respectively.
Which Ram 1500 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 as Ram 1500 years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 92, 75, 83 and 100 respectively; 2019 also carries 29 recall campaigns.
Does the Ranger or Ram 1500 have more complaints?: The Ram 1500 has 11,591 total complaints across 13 model years versus 1,080 for the Ranger across 12 model years, but NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not normalized per vehicle sold.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Ranger or Ram 1500?: The Ranger averages 20.6 mpg combined versus 19.2 mpg combined for the Ram 1500, based on EPA figures.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: For the Ranger, Airbags account for 32% of complaints and Transmission & Powertrain for 25%. For the Ram 1500, Engine accounts for 26% and Steering for 23%.