NHTSA has received 18 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford Ranger, or 4.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.12, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #12 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 91% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 76% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2023-07-18 and 2026-08-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 39 days.
18Complaints
4.9Complaints per year on the road
0.12Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls · ⚠ 1
16.7%Share involving a crash or fire
4Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 7.9 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2024) drew 28.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 11 complaints, 87% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (22.2% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.7%) and Brakes (16.7%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 3 reports (16.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 10 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (61% of incidents). 4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 22% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.12
vs. other Ford models0.09
vs. other 2023 models0.12
vs. other Midsize pickups0.24
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (11)0.13
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while idling at the red traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was accelerating unintendedly.
Other · 2026-01-15 · ODI 11711247 · Crash
The contact owned a 2023 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in tow mode, he heard an abnormal pop emanating from underneath the vehicle, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway.
Transmission / powertrain · 2023-10-24 · ODI 11551701 · Fire
Appx 73000 Miles truck developed shudder (felt like transmission jumping gears) under moderate acceleration. Gently Drove home, no other shudder. Called dealer who said to drive it in.
Engine · 2026-08-09 · ODI 11755726
Received safety recall 25S72 sync software and had repaired in Feb. 2026. Same issue has already resurfaced. Many issues are related to this.
Electrical · 2026-06-30 · ODI 11747442
Brake pad fell off while driving, it hasn’t been serviced by anyone else except the manufacturer. It’s a manufacturer failure and a safety issue. The dealer ship refused to provide an inspection report of the vehicle
Brakes · 2025-11-21 · ODI 11700807
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V442000 · 2025-06-27
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The lug nuts on the driver's side wheels may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: Loose lug nuts may result in wheel detachment while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, retighten the lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S17.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Ford Ranger?
18 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Ford Ranger, or about 4.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Ford Ranger?
The most common category is Transmission / powertrain, accounting for 22.2% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Ford Ranger still generating complaints?
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2023 Ford Ranger compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 18 owner complaints about the 2023 Ford Ranger, or 4.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.12, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #12 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Ford models its rate is 91% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 76% lower.