InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2026 Ford Ranger problems, complaints & recalls

Far fewer Too few recent reports to judge

NHTSA has received 7 owner complaints about the 2026 Ford Ranger, or 7.0 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.17, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2026 vehicles we track, it ranks #22 of 73 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Ford models its rate is 86% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 65% 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 2026-03-18 and 2026-10-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 2 days.

7Complaints
7.0Complaints per year on the road
0.17Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
8Recalls
0.0%Share involving a crash or fire
7Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2025) drew 24.1 complaints per year, more than this one.

The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (28.6% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (28.6%) and Engine (14.3%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 0 reports (0.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.

In the last 12 months 7 complaints were filed, versus none in the 12 months before.

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for this model year.

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles0.17
  • vs. other Ford models0.14
  • vs. other 2026 models0.28
  • vs. other Midsize pickups0.35
  • #22 of 73 · 2026Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 201934.7 per year0.86
  • 202019.1 per year0.47
  • 202120.2 per year0.5
  • 20227.7 per year0.19
  • 20234.8 per year0.12
  • 202432.6 per year0.81
  • 202524.1 per year0.6
  • 20267.0 per year0.17

Ford Ranger problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Transmission / powertrain2 · 28.6% · 2.45×
  • Unspecified or other2 · 28.6% · 3.18×
  • Engine1 · 14.3% · 0.64×
  • Electrical1 · 14.3% · 0.91×
  • Other1 · 14.3% · 7.74×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Transmission / powertrain · Engine · Electrical · Brakes · Body & structure · Unspecified or other

When complaints were filed

2026: 7 7 2026
  • Crashes reported: 0
  • Fires reported: 0
  • Injuries: 1
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr100.0%
  • 1–2 yrsnot reached yet
  • 2–3 yrsnot reached yet
  • 3–5 yrsnot reached yet
  • 5+ yrsnot reached yet

Median age at incident: 6 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2026 · Midsize pickups

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2026 Jeep Gladiator33.00.07
2026 Ford Ranger77.00.17
2026 Nissan Frontier1111.00.27
2026 Chevrolet Colorado1818.00.45

Safety recalls (8)

BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION Campaign 26V605000 · 2026-09-22

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10.1-inch center stack screen. The screen may lose power and fail to display the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed October 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C42. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 25, 2026.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 26V548000 · 2026-08-25

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.

Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 26V343000 · 2026-05-27

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS Campaign 26V335000 · 2026-05-26

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), tire and rim dimensions, and recommended cold tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims" and 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: The incorrect tire size, tire pressures, and GAWR listed on the labels can allow the vehicle to be overloaded or have improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C24. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS Campaign 26V268000 · 2026-04-28

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S30. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 30, 2026.

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR Campaign 26V238000 · 2026-04-14

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires.

Risk: Damaged wires can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring for damage and update the body control module software. Damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 5/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2026 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 6/29/2026 for Phase 2 and the week of 7/27/2026 for Phase 3. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL Campaign 26V104000 · 2026-02-20

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN Campaign 25V541000 · 2025-08-22

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Risk: Air bags that deploy improperly during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.