MYRModel Year Report

2021 Ford Ranger

▲ Better than typical
2021 Ford Ranger
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:57.126Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
119
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2020: 130 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2021 119 2022: 38 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2026: 9 complaints
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1986 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 73 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 235 complaints 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2004: 404 complaints 2004 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2007 2008: 326 complaints 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2010 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2020: 130 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2021 119 2022: 38 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1985 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1987 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 73 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1997 1998: 576 complaints 1999: 755 complaints 1999 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2005 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2007 2008: 326 complaints 2009: 168 complaints 2009 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2011 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2019 2020: 130 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2021 119 2022: 38 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2023 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2025 2026: 9 complaints

2021: 119 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019271
2020130
2021119
202238
202318
202493
202545
20269

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

50% · 60 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show 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, 2025-02-26

While driving from [XXX] to [XXX] on XXX my 2021 Ford Ranger's dash light came on and I noticed harsh shifting and the vehicle began jolting unpredictably while I was driving at highway speeds.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-13

The 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission and the gear-shift linkage module are defective, and the truck remains available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-29

Service brakes

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

Engine

11% · 13 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle is just out of warranty and has less than 45,000 miles yet I'm being told I need a full transmission replacement. I know of 4 other rangers that as soon as they hit 40,000 or there about, began having jerky transmission issues.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-28

Vehicle speed control

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while his wife was pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the building.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-11-24

Electrical system

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing autonomous/self driving.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while in the reverse gear, the rear cross-traffic warning did not alert the contact that the vehicle was close to an object. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-12

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2021-12-22Seat belts21V811000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2022-01-21Forward collision avoidance21V982000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2022-03-17Child seat, seats21V765000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2023-07-21Equipment23V379000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2025-09-04Back over prevention25V442000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    Date not on fileEquipment25V685000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 60 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 13 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 25V685000 · Equipment
  • Recall 21V811000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V982000 · Forward collision avoidance
  • Recall 21V765000 · Child seat, seats
  • Recall 23V379000 · Equipment
  • Recall 25V442000 · Back over prevention
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.