90 of the 668 complaints about the Ford Ranger (13.5%) concern Engine, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 0.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
90Complaints · Engine
13.5%Share of complaints
0.61×vs. all vehicles
35Last 12 months
3.3%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (31, 12% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (3). 35 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 12 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “spark”, “engine cover”, “water”, “plug wells” and “plugs”. 3 of these reports (3.3%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V343000 (2026-05-27, model years 2025).
The contact owned a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that his wife had parked the vehicle in the residence driveway and was bringing purchases into the residence when she returned to the vehicle she observed that gray smoke was being emitted from under…
Engine · 2025-03-20 · ODI 11649542 · Fire
Manufacture defected valve cover allows water to gather and leak into coils causing vehicle to shut down at highway speeds !
Engine · 2024-05-22 · ODI 11590042 · Crash
I am not a mechanic or a 'car person', so I may not know technical terms. This has occurred 4-6 times since purchasing the truck in March '26. After initial start up, it has a tendency to accelerate when applying the break.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759914
Vehicle received and installed an over-the-air software update to the Body Control Module, identified on the vehicle screen as BCM-26.6.3 and associated with Safety Recall 26S29 (A-pillar/sun visor wiring, NHTSA 26V238000).
Engine · 2026-08-15 · ODI 11757184
The cooling fan clutch control wire is supported by a "wire support hose" between the engine block and the fan clutch. the cooling fan clutch control freely rotates on a raceway on the drive shaft.
Engine · 2026-08-13 · ODI 11756686
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
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 26V343000 · 2026-05-27 · Model years: 2025
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.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Campaign 26V122000 · 2026-03-03 · Model years: 2025
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
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.
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.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Ford Ranger?
90 of the 668 complaints about the Ford Ranger (13.5%) concern Engine, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 0.6× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Ford Ranger model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (31, 12% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (3).
Is there a recall for Ford Ranger Engine problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V343000 (2026-05-27, model years 2025).