2021 Ford Ranger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
64/100
#5 most-complained of 12 Ranger years
The 2021 Ford Ranger has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 5th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 114 complaints, 6 recalls, 6 crashes, 3 fires, and 9 injuries, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 50% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 114
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 19.5 city / 21.5 hwy
Top 2021 Ford Ranger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain57 (50%)
- Engine23 (20%)
- Brakes15 (13%)
- Other13 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (10%)
- Electrical System8 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (7%)
- Structure & Body8 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
What owners report
- Transmission slips or jerks during shifts in multiple gears, sometimes leading to hard downshifts.
- Vehicles have reportedly accelerated unexpectedly at low speed while parking, resulting in collisions.
- Some engines produced smoke and visible flames from under the hood while driving at moderate speed.
- Rear cross-traffic warning failed to alert before a low-speed reverse collision with a pole.
- Brake pedal required excessive effort to depress at various speeds with no warning light on.
- Rear or front doors show a false 'door ajar' alert and trigger the alarm even when fully closed.
2021 Ford Ranger recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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 will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
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 display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: 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.
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.
- NHTSA 23V379000May 26, 2023Other29,607 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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."
Risk: 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.
2021 Ford Ranger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Ranger a Complaint Index of 64, ranking it 5th worst among 12 model years with a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up half of the 114 complaints filed.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Ford Ranger?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead with 57 reports, 50% of the total, and a median failure mileage of 32,800 miles overall for the year, with transmission-specific failures reported near 77,500 miles.
- Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Ranger, covering a misaligned cruise control radar module, a seat belt assembly issue, rear head restraint interference with child seats, and other campaigns; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Ranger compare to other model years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 64 is worse than the 2020 (45, Good) and 2023 (27, Good) model years but better than the 2019 (91, Avoid) and 2022 (100, Avoid) model years.