The 2021 Ford Ranger has 6 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (60 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints119filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
2021 Ford Ranger in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater
NHTSA recall 25V685000 · Oct 10, 2025 · 59,006 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 December 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
NHTSA recall 25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 23V379000 · May 26, 2023 · 29,607 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Forward collision avoidance › Sensing system › Radar
NHTSA recall 21V982000 · Dec 16, 2021 · 839 vehicles
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Risk: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
NHTSA recall 21V811000 · Oct 15, 2021 · 47,683 vehicles
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
Risk: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
25.6%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 2WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
29.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 4WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
25.6%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 2WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
29.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Ranger 2WD
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Ranger 4WD
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Ranger Tremor 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S10) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Ranger 2WD Incomplete
18mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S10) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Back over prevention Sensing system › Camera; Warnings
5
1
1
0
—
Tires Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
3
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
3
0
1
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 23, 2026Structure › Body The chrome coating on both interior door handles is peeling. The chrome coating creates very sharp edges and has already cut a passenger who was getting out of the car. I checked the internet and found that the same thing has been happening to Ford Expeditions of these same years. They have been recalled for the chrome peeling and possibly cutting passengers.
Sep 30, 2025Power train I am reporting a potential drivetrain safety defect involving the rear driveshaft bearing on my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 Lariat. On September 3, 2025, I brought my truck to Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood after experiencing an intermittent abnormal whistling/mechanical noise while driving. The vehicle had 38,275 miles and was still under warranty. Ford retained it until September 6 but could not reproduce or diagnose the noise. This is documented on service invoice #415969. The noise continued and progressively worsened, eventually accompanied by increased vibration. In early July 2026, an independent repair shop identified a rear driveshaft problem and recommended replacement. I returned to Ford…
Oct 1, 2026Power train I was parking the truck and I put it in reverse and no reverse whatsoever. I put it and drive them back and reverse nothing. I put it in park turned it off restarted it and reverse worked took it to the dealer and they said the transmission has to be replaced due to faulty parts from Ford on the original transmission although it might be covered under the 200,000 mile powertrain warranty it is still a big inconvenience and this is not the first time I was having problems with the transmission if I have to pay for it it could be up to $8500
Sep 9, 2026Power train The 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat , mileage 42,362 would not go into reverse, the wrench was lit up on dash. Shut Truck off it cleared the code, immediately took it to Ford dealer. Was sent home because the tech said the light was off so he couldnât diagnose. After reading about the issue we made the appt for a diagnostic scan. The codes were P2704, P0772 . The truck has been with dealership since 09/14/2026. Itâs the 10R80 transmission with a service bulletin out on the CDF drum.mechanical defect that Ford knowingly sold to unsuspecting consumers. I was able to get a goodwill assist from Ford to help with repair , told they would cover 40% but are now only wanting to pay 16% . The time…
Aug 24, 2026Engine Vehicle is just out of warranty and has less than 45,000 miles yet I'm being told I need a full transmission replacement. I know of 4 other rangers that as soon as they hit 40,000 or there about, began having jerky transmission issues. I reached out to ford for a goodwill request and am being told that I have to pay to have the transmission disassembled just to see IF they will pay for anything to be fixed. Is this not planned obsolesence?
Jul 27, 2026Power train While driving from [XXX] to [XXX] on XXX my 2021 Ford Ranger's dash light came on and I noticed harsh shifting and the vehicle began jolting unpredictably while I was driving at highway speeds. To avoid imminent danger, I pulled off the 101 and slowly drove to the closest Ford dealership, Vista Ford Lincoln of [XXX], in order to have the truck assessed. Technicians performed a diagnostic evaluation and retrieved DTC P0766 (shift solenoid "D" performance/stuck off) and P2703 (transmission friction element "D" apply time.) These codes are the documented engineering signature of internal CDF clutch drum bushing migration- a known, widespread manufacturing defect inherent to Ford's 10R80…
May 20, 2025Unknown or other One suspects dealership misrepresented sale. Website lists vehicle series, XL; window sticker document indicates Lariat. 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor might have been rebuilt without instrument reporting changes. Because one has been ambushed - one no longer has collateral. One is attempting such creation report via XXX Code [XXX] for unwinding contract, good faithing Wells Fargo lien key negotiation VIN hold: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 24, 2025 · 59,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and shifting gear, the transmission shifted hard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the transmission was operating as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recalls on the VIN associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
