Ford Ranger Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford Ranger years to avoid are 2008, 2011, 2019, 2021, and 2022 based on complaint index scores of 88, 75, 94, 81, and 100 respectively. No Ranger year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year carries recall campaigns; 2010, 2023, and 2025 are the lowest-risk choices among the rest.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2011Avoid 2019Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Lowest-risk years:Caution 2010Caution 2023Caution 2025
- Model years
- 17
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,405
- Recall campaigns
- 58
- Crashes reported
- 107
- Fires reported
- 17
- 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.
Ford Ranger problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 69 | 289 | 23 | 5 | 9 ! | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 50 | 271 | 14 | 2 | 12 ! | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 44 | 270 | 10 | 1 | 5 ! | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 88 | 326 | 9 | 1 | 5 ! | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 63 | 169 | 3 | 0 | 7 ! | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 31 | 156 | 6 | 0 | 8 ! | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 75 | 235 | 9 | 1 | 5 ! | Airbags | 17.5 | 2★ |
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2016 | No verdict | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 94 | 267 | 13 | 2 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 56 | 127 | 6 | 1 | 7 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 81 | 114 | 6 | 3 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 19 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 4 ! | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 38 | 83 | 2 | 0 | 13 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2025 | Caution | 25 | 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 in the lineup at 100, ranking worst overall despite a relatively low complaint count of 37. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 46% of complaints at a median failure mileage of 41,000 miles, with electrical problems appearing much earlier at 7,150 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in a T-bone collision, a shattered rear window while stationary, and a persistent false seat belt warning. Five recall campaigns apply to this year.
2019 Ford Ranger Index 94 · 267 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2019 Ranger carries a complaint index of 94, ranking 2nd worst. Transmission & Powertrain leads complaints at 34% share, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles, while electrical and engine issues followed at lower mileage (12,584 and 11,000 miles). Owners reported brakes not stopping the vehicle despite collision-detection warnings, seat belt concerns, and an engine-compartment fire during towing. Eleven recall campaigns cover this year, touching rearview cameras and block heaters.
2019 transmission & powertrain problems →2019 electrical system problems →2019 engine problems →
2008 Ford Ranger Index 88 · 326 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Ranger posted a complaint index of 88 and ranks 3rd worst of 17 years. Airbags dominate the complaint mix at 90% share, with a median failure mileage of 79,000 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in front-end impacts, sometimes with severe frame damage. Nine recall campaigns cover this year, including two Do Not Drive airbag inflator recalls tied to Takata modules. Structure & body and electrical complaints appear at low single-digit shares behind airbags.
2021 Ford Ranger Index 81 · 114 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2021 Ranger has a complaint index of 81, ranking 4th worst. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up half the total, with a median failure mileage of 77,500 miles, while engine complaints surfaced much earlier at 9,952 miles. Owners described transmission slipping and hard shifting between gears, unintended acceleration during low-speed parking, and engine-compartment fires. Six recall campaigns apply, including rearview camera software and an incorrect tire-load label recall.
2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 engine problems →2021 brakes problems →
2011 Ford Ranger Index 75 · 235 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2011 Ranger has a complaint index of 75, ranking 5th worst. Airbags account for 83% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. Owners described airbags not deploying during collisions, including one case following a brake failure that led to a rear-end crash. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, including two Takata-related airbag inflator recalls. Electrical system and brakes issues follow at much smaller shares.
Most common Ford Ranger problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags1,325 (55%)
- Transmission & Powertrain289 (12%)
- Engine205 (9%)
- Electrical System184 (8%)
- Structure & Body148 (6%)
- Other133 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires131 (5%)
- Fuel System111 (5%)
- Brakes104 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras42 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2008, 2011, 2019, 2021, and 2022 as Avoid years for the Ford Ranger, with complaint index scores of 88, 75, 94, 81, and 100.
- What are the best Ford Ranger years to buy?
- No Ford Ranger year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2010, 2023, and 2025.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford Ranger?
- Across all years, airbags are the top complaint area with 1,325 complaints, 55% of the total, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 289 complaints, 12% of the total.
- Does the 2022 Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
- Yes. Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 46% of 2022 Ranger complaints, with a median failure mileage of 41,000 miles, and the year carries the highest complaint index of any Ranger year at 100.
- Why is the 2011 Ford Ranger rated Caution and not worse?
- The 2011 Ranger is rated Avoid based on its complaint index of 75, driven mainly by airbag complaints at 83% share, with five recall campaigns including two Takata-related airbag recalls.
- Does the Ford Ranger have gearbox (transmission & powertrain) problems?
- NHTSA has 289 transmission & powertrain complaints for the Ford Ranger across model years 2005–2025, 12% of all 2,405 complaints. The 2019 model year has the most (92).