2021 Ford Ranger
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 50 |
| 1988 | 89 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 105 |
| 1991 | 132 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 232 |
| 1994 | 438 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 324 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 260 |
| 2020 | 119 |
| 2021 | 105 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
49% of complaints: power train — 51 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
2021 Ford Ranger Transmission slipping during driving . causes vehicle to jerk during shifting in gear 3, 4, 7, which causes the vehicle to jerk also during down shifting it shifts very hard.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250226
13% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 7 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted.
Remedy: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts.
Campaign 21V811000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
Campaign 21V982000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge.
Campaign 21V765000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles.
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.
Campaign 23V379000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 25V442000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 25V685000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V685000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V982000 (forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V765000 (child seat, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V379000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V442000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.