Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2025 Ford RangerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2025 Ford Ranger. Most complaints involve power train (18) and engine (12). The EPA rates it 17–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
45
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported May 27, 2026NHTSA 26V343000

Seats: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Apr 28, 2026NHTSA 26V268000

Structure: sun visor

Remedy pending

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.

StructureReported Apr 14, 2026NHTSA 26V238000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

45 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train18
  2. Engine12
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Vehicle speed control5
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Suspension2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Steering2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ranger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996430
1997427
1998597
1999785
2000729
2001558
2002389
2003243
2004405
2005289
2006272
2007270
2008326
2009169
2010164
2011235
2019272
2020130
2021119
202238
202319
202497
202545
20260
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

18 reports
“On XXX Pulling out at an intersection to turn left, the vehicle pulled out normally but then went into neutral - coasting through the intersection for about 5 seconds - until it finally selected another gear. It then drove normally. On XXX, I slowed down and made a left turn, the vehicle again went into neutral seeming trying to find a gear - it didn’t. I stopped, put it in park, then back in drive. That reset worked and it again drove normally. No codes were tripped but it is a major safety issue if on random occasions the power is cut and you can’t safely operated the vehicle. The ford dealer said 1) no codes, 2) can’t replicate the problem, 3) Ford has no technical bulletin on it, so we can’t fix it. After experiencing this, I looked online and their are Ranger Forum and Reddit threads about it, so it is certainly a known issue. Hopefully, you can push Ford to acknowledge and address the issue before someone is killed or injured. This issue and lack of action from Ford leaves me with little confidence in reliability and safety. Thank you, [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11774487

Engine

12 reports
“Yes this is my second time filing a complaint regarding my new truck switching drive modes on its own. The first time it tried going into 4 low while i was going over 45 mph, with only 800 miles. The next time it did it was at around 1200 miles it switched drive modes completely and tried switching into 4 wd while at hoghway speeds. This is clearly a safety issue, their are numerous threads on reddit, facebook and ranger forums regarding it. Ford cannot replicate so they dont fix, what will it take one of us getting killed before we get a recall for whatever part or module is broken.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11763583

Electrical system

11 reports
“2025 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 4x4, 2.3L EcoBoost. When I change the drive mode with the rotary dial and then return it to Normal, the drive modes begin cycling on their own with no input from me. A drive mode fault message then appears on the instrument cluster, and I am unable to select a drive mode. I first took the truck to a Ford dealer on 07/13/2026 at about 4,100 miles. The dealer recorded the cause as an all-terrain control module software fault and an ABS module communication concern with the ATCM. They reconfigured the ABS module and released the truck as operating as designed. The problem came back. I returned to the dealer on 10/15/2026 at about 6,745 miles. The technician verified the concern and found DTC P05D3 stored in the ABS module. The concern returned after the ABS module was configured again, and the dealer then replaced the electronic brake booster under warranty. Safety risk: the drive mode system changes traction control, throttle, and drivetrain behavior. Having it cycle modes on its own while driving, with no warning, could cause loss of control, especially while towing a trailer. The fault also points to a communication problem between the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11772275
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ranger 2WD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800380
Ranger 4WD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900405
Ranger 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192320$3,200431
Ranger RAPTOR 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
161817$3,800525
  • Ranger 2WD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Ranger 4WD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Ranger 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Ranger RAPTOR 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 18 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford Ranger (Super Crew) PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Ford Ranger (Super Crew) PU/CC RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
27.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 20344Vehicle 20343
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 Ranger questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Ranger have?

13 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Ford Ranger problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (18), engine (12), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Ford Ranger get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Ford Ranger at 17–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Ford Ranger?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Ford Ranger 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026