Ford Ranger Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Ford Ranger model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (1) and the 2004 the most (404).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
7 | 8 | Power train | 4★ | 17–23 |
| 2023 | 18 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 19–23 |
| 2022 | 37 | 5 | Power train | 4★ | 19–23 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
42 | 13 | Power train | 4★ | 17–23 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
85 | 13 | Power train | 4★ | 17–22 |
| 2021 | 117 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2020 | 129 | 7 | Power train | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2010 | 156 | 8 | Air bags | — | 15–24 |
| 2009 | 169 | 7 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
| 2011 | 235 | 5 | Air bags | 2★ | 16–24 |
| 2003 | 243 | 1 | Structure | — | 15–23 |
| 2019 | 268 | 11 | Power train | 4★ | 18–23 |
| 2007 | 270 | 5 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
| 2006 | 271 | 12 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
289 | 9 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
326 | 5 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
404 | 10 | Air bags | — | 15–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Ford Ranger years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2004 Ford Ranger: 404 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 189 (47%); Structure 46 (11%); Suspension 29 (7%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 3 fires, 35 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 66,803 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Ford Ranger: 326 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 295 (90%); Structure 10 (3%); Electrical system 7 (2%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Ford Ranger: 289 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 132 (46%); Fuel system 37 (13%); Structure 34 (12%).
Reports mention 23 crashes, 5 fires, 23 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 58,000 miles. 9 recall campaigns listed.
The Ford Ranger years with the fewest complaints
Crashes, fires and injuries in Ford Ranger owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 85 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 99 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 117 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 35,600 |
| 2020 | 129 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2019 | 268 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 19,500 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 235 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 49,500 |
| 2010 | 156 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 52,350 |
| 2009 | 169 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 36,500 |
| 2008 | 326 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 65,000 |
| 2007 | 270 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2006 | 271 | 14 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 69,440 |
| 2005 | 289 | 23 | 5 | 23 | 0 | 58,000 |
| 2004 | 404 | 42 | 3 | 35 | 2 | 66,803 |
| 2003 | 243 | 37 | 11 | 43 | 1 | 56,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Ford Ranger recalls
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS (1995–2003 model years; 4,500,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V399000)
- Trailer Lighting and Brakes May Not Function/FMVSS 108 (2024–2026 model years; 4,381,878 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2026; 26V104000)
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (1998–2002 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2007; 07V336000)
- FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC (1986–1987 model years; 3,600,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 1987; 87V139000)
- Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2007–2011 model years; 2,602,668 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V158000)
All 102 Ford Ranger recall campaigns · Ford Ranger problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Ford Ranger years FAQ
Which Ford Ranger year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Ford Ranger years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2004, 2008 and 2005 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Ford Ranger problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,539 of 3,069 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA lists 102 recall campaigns covering the Ford Ranger. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Ford Ranger recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.