2023 Ford Ranger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Ford Ranger has 18 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 19, ranking 14th of 17 model years. Its verdict is Caution, capped by a Do Not Drive lug-nut recall despite a relatively low complaint count.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 19/100
- #14 of 17 Ranger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2023 Ford Ranger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration while braking at a stoplight, leading to a low-speed rear-end crash.
- Drivers describe the brake pedal fading and sinking toward the floor even after dealers bled the brake lines.
- One owner reported an oil leak followed by smoke and fire near the transmission while towing.
- Some report the engine shutting down completely with no power or dashboard lights, then restarting on its own hours later.
- Owners describe the Lane Keep Assist system vibrating the steering wheel and alarming while the truck still drifted into another lane.
- One driver reported airbags failing to deploy during a swerve-and-crash incident at 40 mph.
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?
- NHTSA lists 18 complaints and a complaint index of 19 for the 2023 Ranger, which is low compared with other years, but the verdict is capped at Caution because of a Do Not Drive recall for improperly tightened lug nuts.
- What problems does the 2023 Ford Ranger have?
- The top problem areas are Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 28% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 17% and Airbags at 11%.
- Does the 2023 Ford Ranger have a Do Not Drive recall?
- Yes. Recall 23V283000 covers 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles with improperly tightened driver-side lug nuts and tells owners not to drive until repaired.
- How does the 2023 Ranger compare to other model years?
- It ranks 14th worst out of 17 model years with data, with a complaint index of 19, well below years like 2022 (100) and 2019 (94), which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Ford Ranger?
- EPA rates it at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.