The Ford Ranger enjoys an average reliability score of 4.1 out of 5 from the National Automobile Dealers Association for units belonging to the 2001 to 2011 model years.
The average annual maintenance cost for the Ranger is around $615.
Some common issues reported by owners include steering problems (2007 model), engine misfires (2004 model), difficult cold starts and stalling at idle (1991-2001, 2003, & 2005-2008 models), and rough shifting (2002 model), among others.
Initially offered as the top trim package of the 1967 F-Series pickup, the Ford Ranger became its own line in 1982, replacing the F-100 and Courier as Ford’s compact truck model. It gets an average reliability score of 4.1 out of 5 on the National Automobile Dealers Association website for the 2001 through 2011 year models. On the other hand, CarComplaints.com lists rough and erratic shifting, misfiring engine, and flashing overdrive light as the chief problems found with this model.
How Reliable is the Ford Ranger?
Produced from 1982 until 2012, and revived in 2018, the Ranger has had four generations in the U.S. Its lasting presence is a testament to its reliability. CarEdge.com notes that when purchased brand new, the model could depreciate by up to 24% on its fifth year and with an average of 13,500 miles traveled annually. Meanwhile, the 2020 model has a total rating of 84 out of 100 on J.D. Power and was given the Quality Award for having the fewest reported problems for every 100 owners who have had the vehicle for 90 days.
The Ford Ranger became its own line in 1982, replacing the F-100 and Courier as the brand’s compact truck model.
Carbuyer rates the Ranger highly, at 3.8 out of 5, for its engine power, durability, and load capacity. The review website also mentions that the average fuel consumption of models with the 168 brake horsepower engine is at 34 miles per gallon while models with the 210bhp engine are at 30.7mpg.
When it comes to repairs, the average annual maintenance cost for the Ford Ranger is at $615, according to RepairPal. The website also states that the vehicle only needs to be brought to the mechanic for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.2 times a year or once every five years. Also, the chances of the issue being severe is only at 12 percent.
As for crashworthiness, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the third generation of Ford Rangers an acceptable rating for the moderate overlap front test. Meanwhile, the vehicle got the highest rating of good for its head restraints and seats.
Top Ford Ranger Problems
Despite having high reliability ratings, the Ford Ranger is not without issues. Also, some model years present more troubles or exhibit more severe problems than others. For instance, the 2020 model was reported to drive stiffly while the 2019 Ford Ranger had problems including unusual vibration at low speeds, service brake troubles, and engine and vehicle speed control issues.
According to MotorBiscuit, the model years to avoid if you are in the market for a second-hand Ford Ranger are 2001, 1999, and 1986. Some of the noted 2001 Ford Ranger problems are transmission failures, rough shifting, and the overdrive light going on and off. Many of the issues with the 2001 model have also been reported to occur even before the vehicle reached 100,000 miles. Additionally, the 2001 Ford Ranger has nine official recalls.
Some of the top issues with the Ford Ranger and details about the problems are:
Many owners of 2007 Ford Rangers reported steering issues in their units. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Steering Issues
Many owners of brand new 2007 Ford Rangers reported hearing and feeling clunking and clicking in the steering assembly even after only having the vehicle for a few days to a month. Ford released technical service bulletin (TSB) number 19844, which was meant to address the issue with a new version of the tie rod assembly. However, some drivers and mechanics have found that this did not fix the problem and that other steering components, such as the intermediate shaft and steering rack, had to be replaced as well.
Engine Troubles
The 2004 model is reported to exhibit several engine problems, with the chief complaint being misfires. Some symptoms observed were slight tremors, low compression, power loss, and engine stalls. TSB 05-26-3 was issued for year models 2004 to 2006 equipped with 3.0L-2V Vulcan engine. The bulletin notes that the engine problems are caused by the recession of the exhaust valve seat. This sets diagnostic trouble codes P0300 to P0306 and P0316 and triggers the malfunction indicator lamp. The recommended repair for this issue was the replacement of the cylinder heads.
Some drivers report that their Ford Ranger is hard to start from cold, hesitates on acceleration, and stalls at idle. These issues persist from model years 1991 to 2001, 2003, and 2005 to 2008. For the 2003 model, some additional reported symptoms were excess smoke from the exhaust pipe, high idle at startup, and the vehicle dying from idle. One owner also observed that the mutual radiator water and engine oil had to be refilled frequently. RepairPal notes that the problem may be with the idle air bypass valve.
Transmission Problems
The most common complaint regarding the transmission of the 2002 Ford Ranger was rough shifting. Drivers of this model reported experiencing erratic shifting, shift flares, and gear loss, and have observed that the overdrive light intermittently blinked on and off. One owner noted that having the transmission rebuilt did not fix the issue, while another found that getting a remanufactured valve body and solenoids solved the problem. Several TSBs addressing the transmission of the 2002 model were issued including numbers 02138, 02191, 16148, and 16064. The 2007 year model was also reported to shift erratically.
Engine Idle speeds that are higher than usual have been observed from Ford Ranger model years 1990 through 2010. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Extremely High Engine Idle
Engine Idle speeds that are higher than usual have been observed from Ford Ranger model years 1990 to 1991, 1993 to 2002, 2004, and 2007 to 2010. This issue has been reported to occur when the clutch in a manual transmission has been disengaged or after a cold start in automatic transmission vehicles. What is noted as a possible fix for this is by updating the software of the powertrain control module (PCM).
When buying a used Ford Ranger, consider both its reliability scores and common problems when weighing your options. If you are getting a model year that has some known issues, verify from the seller if the problems have been addressed to avoid having to shoulder the repair costs. Also, check if there are any TSBs for the vehicle and if it is possible to get any needed repairs under warranty.
Where to Get Auto Parts and Accessories for Your Ford Ranger
Your Ford Ranger is built to conquer rough terrain and cover great distances, not gather dust in your garage due to bad parts. So don’t put off addressing any issues once you’ve identified them. If you’re in a hurry to get your Ford back on the road, shop online at CarParts.com.
Find exactly what you need and check out securely in minutes when you shop at our easy-to-navigate website. Once you’ve placed your order, you can expect it to arrive at your doorstep in as fast as two business days, thanks to our strategically located warehouses.
We source our parts from some of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. They also passed the highest quality control standards from industry professionals, so rest assured that you’ll get OE-grade parts.
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Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
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My 2007 ranger xlt has 83,300 and some change. I full full synthetic oil. Mostly around town driving. So change the oil every 3,000. People forget about the idle time at a signal, can really add up to oil getting just as dirt. Soaking up thoses hydro-carbons, un-burnt gassed. That's why oil gets dirty. I'm a retired mechanic.so know the internal working very well. It does use any oil.and runs like a top. I keep up with the schedule maintainance.So far, it's the best truck I have ever owned. I'm a home owner. And do most of that needed work. So the truck hauls what I need with no problem. I have even had offers who want to buy it . Sorry, not this one.lol.I did a front brake modification. Installed the power stop, high temp ceramic pads with drilled and slotted rotors. Great improvement.
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My 2007 ranger xlt has 83,300 and some change. I full full synthetic oil. Mostly around town driving. So change the oil every 3,000. People forget about the idle time at a signal, can really add up to oil getting just as dirt. Soaking up thoses hydro-carbons, un-burnt gassed. That's why oil gets dirty. I'm a retired mechanic.so know the internal working very well. It does use any oil.and runs like a top. I keep up with the schedule maintainance.So far, it's the best truck I have ever owned. I'm a home owner. And do most of that needed work. So the truck hauls what I need with no problem. I have even had offers who want to buy it . Sorry, not this one.lol.I did a front brake modification. Installed the power stop, high temp ceramic pads with drilled and slotted rotors. Great improvement.