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Your vehicleHome›Ford›Ranger› 2021
Ford · Large Pickup truck

2021 Ford Ranger

Gas
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
63 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 6
Complaints6 crash · 3 fire · 9 injured reported 118
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019

The 2021 Ford Ranger is sold in the U.S. as a gas large pickup truck with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Ranger 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 118 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Ford Ranger — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Ford Ranger · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Ranger 2WDGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo212623$2,900
Ranger 4WDGas4WD (part-time)2.3L 4-cyl turbo202422$3,050
Ranger Tremor 4WDGas4WD (part-time)2.3L 4-cyl turbo191919$3,550
Ranger 2WD IncompleteGasRWD2.3L 4-cyl turbo191818$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43615, 43542, 43617, 43618.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Ranger 2WD, Ranger 4WD5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Ranger 2WD Incomplete, Ranger Tremor 4WD3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body stylePickup
GVWR classClass 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)

Engine Basics

Displacement2.3 L

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: SuperCab, SuperCrew). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length211.0 in
Width (body, without mirrors)73.2 in
Height71.3 in
Wheelbase126.8 in
Track, front61.4 in
Track, rear61.4 in
Curb weight4,352–4,440 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: Supercab 4WD, Supercrew 4WD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2021 Ranger
Head to head vs the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Other years The 2022 Ranger Recalls Ford recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Ford Ranger is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Equipment

25SA4
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
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFInterim owner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V685000 reported Oct 10, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Back Over Prevention

25S72
200,237 vehicles 59% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 reported Jun 27, 2025 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Equipment

23C18
29,607 vehicles 100% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V379000 reported May 26, 2023 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Forward Collision Avoidance

21S52
839 vehicles 82% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V982000 reported Dec 16, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

21C25
47,683 vehicles 76% reported repaired
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
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V811000 reported Oct 15, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

21C24
37,625 vehicles 56% reported repaired
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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V765000 reported Sep 30, 2021 Ford Motor Company the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Ranger

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Ford publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Ford’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Ford Ranger, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2021 Ford Ranger

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Ranger →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
118complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 9 injuries · 0 deaths reported

13 per 10,000 built · Ford reported 93,060 Ranger built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 13 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 31

Most-cited components

Power Train → 60
Engine 16
Service Brakes 15
Unspecified 13
Electrical System 8
Vehicle Speed Control 8

In depth: transmission and drivetrain problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal on four separate occasions, with the check engine warning light illuminated.
Engine at 9,952 miles Jan 11, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11501301
On multiple occasions the transmission has slipped when changing gears .This has happened when trying to merge into traffic . One time almost causing someone to rear-end me . It also fails to downshift some times when stopping , causing me to brake much harder than normal .
Power Train Jan 2, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11499822
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the brakes were inspected. The dealer informed the contact that the brakes were in good condition; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired.
Service Brakes at 30,000 miles Dec 29, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11499366
2021 Ford Ranger. Consumer writes in regard to safety recall related to cruise control feature. The consumer feels as though the cruise control feature puts him too close even in the 4bar range setting
Forward Collision Avoidance Oct 20, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11490102
Tire Failed on highway, at approx 60 MPH. Tire pressure instantly went to zero. No debris, or road issues. Tread completely separated from sidewall. Original tires that came from factory. No nails or damage noted to tread Unknown tire size, tire and vehicle at dealership, should be standard for that truck
Tires Oct 3, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11487575
As I was pulling out of Zip's Car into a parking spot to vacuum truck. I was barely moving when the truck accelerated at a high rate of speed and hit the wall in front of me. It was like the truck had a mind of its own. I just knew I wasn't doing it. If someone had been walking in front of me it would have killed them.
Structure Jun 27, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11471269

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Ford itself: 7 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 7 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 7.5 per 100,000 built. Every Ranger model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 37k

miles, typically

Half the 24 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 13,000 and 59,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 24 on file: 5 under 10k, 5 10k–20k, 3 30k–40k, 1 40k–50k, 4 50k–60k, 2 70k–80k, 1 80k–90k, 2 90k–100k, 1 100k–150k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆29%
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆26%
PU/EC 2WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆29%
PU/EC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆26%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 113
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-08-25
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 105 service bulletins, 7 others, 1 emissions

Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Engine.

  • 26L01 Other
    2026-08-25 · Engine
  • Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change
  • TSB 26-2359 Service bulletin
    2026-08-04 · Electrical System
  • Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.
  • 26E04 Emissions
    2026-07-09 · Electrical System
  • NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module Software Update
  • 25B51 Other
    2026-05-09 · Engine
  • Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
  • SSM 54720 Service bulletin
    2026-04-02 · Lane Departure — Blind Spot Detection
  • Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 st
  • SSM 54719 Service bulletin
    2026-04-02 · Power Train
  • For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by a pinpoint test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing, the Clutch Assembl
  • 25N17 Other
    2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention — Rearview System Braking
  • Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
  • SSM 54674 Service bulletin
    2026-03-19 · Power Train
  • For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. The Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated under Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing to include this procedure. The new test improves the accurac

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0766
P0766 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 2 owner reports
P0733
P0733 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0734
P0734 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0772
P0772 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 1 owner report
P2703
P2703 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 1 owner report
P2704
P2704 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins · 1 owner report
P0729
P0729 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins
P0731
P0731 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins
P0732
P0732 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins
P0735
P0735 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins
P0736
P0736 on Ford →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train10 bulletins
P0751
P0751 on Ford →		Shift solenoid A is not responding — stuck off.Power Train10 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Ford Ranger failed the emissions check on 0.98% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%).

New York inspections 0.98%

failed emissions

2,050 initial inspections of 2,026 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2021 RangerEvery 2021 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check0.98%1.9%2,043
Failed the safety inspection1.6%1.5%2,050
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.15%0.19%2,050
Miles driven a year10,16510,343odometer at inspection
Average odometer53,68454,681odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Compare the 2021 Ranger with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2021 Chevrolet Silverado · Large Pickup truck · grade FRanger +26.9

Ranger by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 F 8 8 23 mpg2025 F 13 44 23 mpg2024 F 13 95 22 mpg2023 D 4 18 Do not drive2022 D 5 38 23 mpg2021 this page D 6 118 23 mpg2020 D 7 130 23 mpg2019 F 11 270 23 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Ranger

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2021 Ford Ranger, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 25V685000, covering Equipment. 3 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. The manufacturer's own estimate for when a fix would be ready: December 2026. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Ford Ranger?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Ford Ranger 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 3-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (63/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Ford Ranger, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Transport Canada measured it at 211.0 in long, 73.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 71.3 in tall, on a 126.8 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,352–4,440 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ranger, most often about power train, engine, service brakes. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 9 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Ford Ranger?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Ford Ranger runs 3 to 5 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Ranger?

The manufacturer has filed 113 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Ranger, most often covering electrical system, power train, equipment. The most recent is dated 2026-08-25. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Ford Ranger do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Ford Ranger failed the emissions check on 0.98% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2021 Ford Ranger better than the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado?

The Ford Ranger wins clearly, 85.7 to 58.8, on safety, fuel & range. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2021 Ford Ranger against the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints118NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings4 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins113NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA5 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2022 Ranger The Ranger model year with the cleanest record on file — grade D, 5 recalls.Recalls Every Ford recall on file All campaigns filed against Ford vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Ranger by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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