2026 Ford Ranger vs 2026 GMC Sierra
On the public data alone the Sierra edges it 4–2.
| 2026 Ford Ranger | 2026 GMC Sierra | |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Pickup truck | Pickup truck |
| Powertrains | Gas | Electric, Gas, Diesel |
| Best EV range | — | 410 |
| Best combined mpg | 23 | 25 |
| Safety Signal | 42 | 43 |
| NHTSA recalls | 7 | 6 |
| Critical recalls | 1 | 2 |
| Owner complaints | 5 | 120 |
| NHTSA overall stars | 4 | 5 |
2026 Ford Ranger
The 2026 Ford Ranger is sold in the U.S. as a gas pickup truck with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Ranger 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model y
F2026 GMC Sierra
The 2026 GMC Sierra is sold in the U.S. as a electric, gas and diesel pickup truck with 25 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the SIERRA EV Ext Range (11kW Charger), is EPA-rated at 410 miles with 68 MP
Recalls at a glance
Ranger
Engine And Engine Cooling
highProblem: 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.
Fix: 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
highProblem: 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.
Fix: 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
minorProblem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Sierra
Wheels
highProblem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV vehicles. A manufacturing defect may result in the steel wheels cracking at the disc vent holes.
Risk: A cracked wheel may lead to disc separation and a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262556920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 30, 2026.
Electrical System
criticalProblem: General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, GMC Sierra EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The high voltage battery may have an improperly secured internal module component.
Risk: A loose component may move and damage the high voltage battery, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2026. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262562600. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 30, 2026.
Power Train
criticalProblem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on
Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.