2021 Ford Ranger Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Ranger, 20% of all 114 complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure is 9,952 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 23
- 20% of 114
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 9,952 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report fuel dilution in the engine oil, with the oil level rising and smelling strongly of gasoline, sometimes discovered after a long highway trip.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while braking at low speed, in one case resulting in a crash into a building.
- One owner reported smoke and then flames rising from under the hood while driving at highway speed, with no warning lights preceding the fire.
- Several owners describe hesitation or loss of power when pressing the accelerator, accompanied by the check engine light and, in one case, a diagnosed cylinder misfire.
- Owners report a squeaking noise from the engine at startup and while driving, with uncertainty about whether it could lead to engine lockup.
- One owner reported water leaking into the spark plug wells, causing a loss of power, and noted the spark plugs had no protective cover.
When 2021 Ford Ranger engine complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 9, 2021, latest Jul 29, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Ford Ranger
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Ranger model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2021 Ford Ranger?
- NHTSA lists 23 engine complaints for the 2021 Ford Ranger, which is 20% of the 114 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Ford Ranger engine?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area on the 2021 Ford Ranger.
- At what mileage do 2021 Ford Ranger engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2021 Ford Ranger is 9,952 miles.
- Are the 2021 Ford Ranger engine problems serious?
- Among the 23 engine complaints, NHTSA data shows 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury reported.
- How does the 2021 Ranger compare to other Ranger years for engine complaints?
- The 2021 Ranger's engine complaints make up 20% of its total complaints, compared to 16% for 2019, 18% for 2020, and 35% for 2025, according to NHTSA data.