2023 Ford Ranger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#9 most-complained of 12 Ranger years
NHTSA lists 18 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2023 Ford Ranger, with a Complaint Index of 27 and a rank of 9th worst out of 12 model years, making it one of the Good years for this model.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 24 hwy
Top 2023 Ford Ranger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (28%)
- Brakes3 (17%)
- Airbags2 (11%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (6%)
- Lane Departure1 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report unintended low-speed acceleration while braking at a stoplight, leading to a rear-end crash at around 38,000 miles.
- Brake pedal reportedly fades and sinks to the floor even after dealers bled the brake lines, at a median mileage of 1,640.
- A transmission fire was reported near 1,000 miles, with smoke and an oil leak occurring while towing.
- Lane Keep Assist has been described as vibrating the wheel and failing to hold the vehicle in its lane, with one incident causing the vehicle to veer into another lane at 1,700 miles.
- Some owners describe the engine shutting down completely with no warning lights, then restarting on its own after sitting for a period.
- Front windshield delamination and misaligned front tires rubbing during turns were reported around 10,000 miles.
2023 Ford Ranger recalls
4 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.
2023 Ford Ranger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2023 compared with other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Ranger has a Complaint Index of 27 and ranks 9th worst out of 12 model years tracked, putting it in the Good category relative to other Ranger years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Ford Ranger?
- Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for 28% of complaints (5 each), followed by Brakes at 17% (3 complaints).
- Does the 2023 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Ranger, including one do-not-drive recall for improperly tightened lug nuts on the driver's side wheels.
- How does the 2023 Ranger compare to other bad years like 2019 and 2022?
- The 2023 Ranger's Complaint Index of 27 is far lower than the 2019 Ranger's 91 and the 2022 Ranger's 100, both rated Avoid, making 2023 a comparatively Good year.