What year Ford Ranger should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2019, and 2022 Ford Ranger model years score worst, with complaint indexes of 82, 91, and 100.

Is the 2022 Ford Ranger reliable?

The 2022 Ranger has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, driven mainly by Transmission & Powertrain complaints (46% of its 37 complaints) and 99 reported injuries, so it ranks as an Avoid year relative to other Rangers.

Does the Ford Ranger have airbag recalls?

Yes. The 2011 Ranger was covered by recalls tied to driver-side airbag inflators, including a do-not-drive Takata recall, and airbags account for 83% of that year's complaints.

Which Ford Ranger years are best?

No year is marked Best in this dataset, but 2010, 2020, and 2023 have the lowest complaint indexes at 36, 45, and 27, respectively, making them comparatively stronger choices.

What is the most common Ford Ranger problem overall?

Across all years, Airbags account for 32% of the 1,080 total complaints (344 cases), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 25% (271 complaints).

Ford Ranger Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)

Ford Ranger years to avoid are 2011, 2019, and 2022, with complaint index scores of 82, 91, and 100 versus a scale where higher means more reported problems. No model year is flagged as best, but 2010, 2020, and 2023 score lowest with complaint indexes of 36, 45, and 27.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2019 Avoid 2022

Model years: 12; 2010–2025
NHTSA complaints: 1,080
Recall campaigns: 46
Crashes reported: 48
Fires reported: 8
Top problem area: Airbags

Ranger Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

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

Ford Ranger problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Good	36	156	6	0	8 !	Airbags	17.5	—
2011	Avoid	82	235	9	1	5 !	Airbags	17.5	2★
2014	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2016	No verdict	9	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2017	No verdict	18	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2019	Avoid	91	267	13	2	11	Transmission & Powertrain	22	4★
2020	Good	45	127	6	1	7	Transmission & Powertrain	22	4★
2021	Caution	64	114	6	3	6	Transmission & Powertrain	20.5	—
2022	Avoid	100	37	1	0	5	Transmission & Powertrain	22	—
2023	Good	27	18	2	1	4 !	Engine	22	—
2024	Caution	73	83	2	0	13	Transmission & Powertrain	21	—
2025	Caution	55	40	3	0	13	Engine	21	—

Ranger years to avoid: what went wrong

2022 Ford Ranger Index 100 · 37 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2022 Ranger has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, despite a smaller complaint count of 37. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 46% of complaints (17 cases), with failures reported around 41,000 miles; electrical issues appeared much earlier, near 7,150 miles. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in a T-bone crash, a rear window shattering while stopped, and seat belt warning indicators that would not clear. NHTSA lists 5 recalls and this year's complaints are linked to 99 injuries.

2022 transmission & powertrain problems →

2019 Ford Ranger Index 91 · 267 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2019 Ranger carries a 91 complaint index, the second-worst in the lineup, from 267 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 34% (92 complaints), with failures reported near 50,000 miles, while electrical problems surfaced closer to 12,584 miles. Owners describe brakes failing to stop the vehicle despite collision-detection systems engaging, and one report describes an engine-compartment fire while towing. This year saw 13 crashes and 6 injuries, with no deaths reported.

2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →

2011 Ford Ranger Index 82 · 235 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2011 Ranger logs 235 complaints, the most of any early year, with an 82 complaint index. Airbags dominate at 83% of complaints (196 cases), with failures reported around 50,000 miles. Owners describe airbags not deploying during crashes and brake pedals that failed to respond. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, including two driver-side airbag inflator campaigns and a do-not-drive Takata inflator recall. Crashes tied to this year total 9, with 9 injuries reported and no deaths.

2011 airbags problems →

Most common Ford Ranger problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Airbags344 (32%)
Transmission & Powertrain271 (25%)
Engine142 (13%)
Electrical System134 (12%)
Other81 (8%)
Brakes78 (7%)
Structure & Body57 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires49 (5%)
Collision Avoidance & Cameras42 (4%)
Fuel System40 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Ford Ranger should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2019, and 2022 Ford Ranger model years score worst, with complaint indexes of 82, 91, and 100.
Is the 2022 Ford Ranger reliable?: The 2022 Ranger has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, driven mainly by Transmission & Powertrain complaints (46% of its 37 complaints) and 99 reported injuries, so it ranks as an Avoid year relative to other Rangers.
Does the Ford Ranger have airbag recalls?: Yes. The 2011 Ranger was covered by recalls tied to driver-side airbag inflators, including a do-not-drive Takata recall, and airbags account for 83% of that year's complaints.
Which Ford Ranger years are best?: No year is marked Best in this dataset, but 2010, 2020, and 2023 have the lowest complaint indexes at 36, 45, and 27, respectively, making them comparatively stronger choices.
What is the most common Ford Ranger problem overall?: Across all years, Airbags account for 32% of the 1,080 total complaints (344 cases), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 25% (271 complaints).