Is your defective Ford Ranger actually a LEMON?

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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Ford Ranger drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #14

Oct 112024

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission issues that are known to the manufacturer. Backed out onto a road while there was no traffic, shifter into drive and the transmission made a banging noise and refused to shift. Cars started coming in behind me and I was blocking traffic. Was able to get it into neutral then into drive so I could pull away. This is a well known issue to Ford and they have only offered service bulletins that provide temporary fixes until vehicles are out of the factory warranty period and Ford no longer has to cover repair costs. Vehicle only has 50,000 miles and the transmission issues started around 30,000

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #13

Aug 122024

Ranger

  • miles
We love Ford Rangers. This is my 4th. It has been wonderful, until [XXX]. We had to replace an A/C, but that's normal. We've also noticed a very few times that when the transmission shifted, there was a little jolt. But that was rare. But on [XXX], after stopping at a light at the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] in Indianola, MS., we had a frightening experience. After crossing the busy highway I began to accelerate and suddenly the truck jolted forward and quickly accelerated to 70 mph. I hit the brakes, and after a couple of taps it slowed down. But when I gave it more gas, it only roared twice, and no power...with big trucks beside and behind me. That was frightening. Then it returned to normal, and I went on to Isola, MS. Upon leaving it didn't want to move forward, only roaring, but then quickly responded and was back to normal. I was scheduled for a 12:30 lunch meeting in Leland, MS and my wife and I proceeded. All normal. Upon leaving Leland, same thing. No power at first, then it moved forward, normally. We noticed it was a rough shift at 45 mph as we got out on freeway. I called the service department at Hallmark Ford, Batesville, and told mgr. my problem. Thought it might be fuel pump, filter, or transmission. Upon arrival at home, it wouldn't go in reverse. I sent it to dealer on wrecker. Got second opinion. Both say it needs a new transmission at $8900. My concern is will the new transmission have same problems...reading now on internet of other people who have had similar events. Money matters, but MY CONCERN is the danger this could have inflicted upon us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Charleston, MS, USA

problem #12

Aug 202024

Ranger

  • miles
2021 Ford Ranger - 10R80 Transmission Failure while driving. Hard shifting, lurching, slipping gears then abrupt failure. It is available. Currently at Diehl Ford in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. - It went from being 90% drivable to coming to complete stop with no transmission engagement at all. Break down occured while climbing a grade and the complete stop happened over a blind crest with guard rails on either side. Leaving myself vulnerable to being struck from behind and another driver having minimal time to see then avoid me or potentially have no where to go but through me. Can I add documents later as I get them?

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #11

Oct 012021

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am, yet another of numerous Ford Ranger owners with the same brake issue. I completely concur with the November 3, 2023 complaint (NHTSA ID Number: 11553431) and everything stated in it. I must add that a few times I got pretty scared that I would not be able to stop in time as planned. The brake pedal travels (literally falls) far deep to the floor before ANY, however slight, breaking effort is achieved. Disturbingly, if I don-??t keep the brake pedal firmly pressed the truck will move forward!

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #10

Apr 282024

Ranger

  • miles
This is what is going on with my 2021 Ford Ranger automatic 10-speed transmission and the vehicle's drivability. When bringing the vehicle to a stop, the shifting down to a 1st gear is often executed so harshly that I can hear the driveshaft ringing in reaction to the transmission hard shift nearly locking the rear wheels. The whole act resembles "slamming" a shifter into a gear without disengaging a clutch that can be achieved on a standard (stick-shift) transmission "bangs" at a full stop feeling like being rear-ended. After a full stop, the take-off is -??sluggish-?? - The truck gets moving in the 1st gear, the engine revs up to 2500 - 3000 RPM the transmission hesitatingly shifts into 3rd (always skipping 2nd), the noticeable sound of -??gear grinding-?? is heard when the 3rd gear is engaging. The whole process usually takes 2 to 3 seconds, the truck would literally "drift" before any noticeable acceleration is achieved. Lastly, since the day days of ownership, in the area around 2K miles and above, the truck, when the gas pedal is -??floored-?? (ea. on the highway), would get a hard "mallet-like: kick with a significant audible, hard knock somewhere in the drivetrain and at times during this even the "explosion-like" could be heard from the engine compartment making the vehicle shudder.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #9

May 152024

Ranger

  • miles
Truck has hard shifting and loss of power, usually on startup and at low speeds (like in a parking lot) that cause lurching and no response from gas pedal. These events are not reliably repeatable, and result in no dash lights. Sequence of events, start truck, place in reverse, back out of parking spot, place in drive, apply throttle/gas pedal, while driving slowly, car will hard shift, sometimes resulting in a lurch forward, approach exit to parking lot, truck rolls down slight incline of parking lot entrance and throttle is unresponsive to gas pedal, no power, release pedal, wait a second or two, apply pressure and it works. Driving at low speeds in parking lots, truck cannot decide what gear to be in, and sounds horrible, 5-10 mph. Approaching stops on an incline, driving forward, release gas, start to apply brakes, truck will shift and apply power while under braking. Once, pulled in to parking space, backed out to straighten, placed in drive, wrench light came on, no power. Turned the truck on and off again, and that fixed the issue. All incidents between 20k and 40k miles.

- Hood River, OR, USA

problem #8

May 082021

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The critical level of FUEL DILUTION (Fuel% = 5.5) in the motor oil of this vehicle's 2.3L EcoBoost engine poses a Safety Hazard due to its system's Fuel Leaks and Fire Danger probability existing since the vehicle purchase. I am concerned for the safety of everyone because this vehicle has been evaluated to be a Fire Hazard with 104.5C via ASTM D93 Closed Cup Flash Point. The Motorcraft's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is listed as >185C. Ford Motor Company (FMC) inspected the vehicle numerous times but safety issues remain. For this reason, I took it out of service and parked at my residence until this problem would be resolved entirely in according with the law. The vehicle mustn't be driven on its power.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #7

Feb 182024

Ranger

  • miles
Harsh shifting into D, loss of power when accelerating while cold. Sometimes would start across an intersection then buck, loose power and slow down then SLAM back into gear and chirp the rear tires. Technical Service Bulletin 23-2350 was performed on 11/15/2023 which updated the trans tables and cleared some codes. This helped the issue for about a week but then truck was in again on 1/22/2024 for TSB 23-2350 a second time which replaced the CDF drum. A month later, 800 miles, 2/18/2024 truck shifted HARD while in cruise control on the turnpike in traffic and lost power. DTC P0766 check engine light came on and truck would no longer move. Transmission fluid sprayed under truck. Had to be towed to dealership. Clutch Valve D was replaced. Two months have gone by and the hard shifting into D and occasional complete loss of power still occurring. Waiting for the next check engine light to appear to take it in again. I now drive very conservatively because I don't know if it will stop moving half way across an intersection again.

- Clifton Heights, PA, USA

problem #6

Jul 222023

Ranger

  • miles
10 speed transmission issues: hard shifts, feels like slipping while in gear and driving, transmission "lunged" at a STOP sign jerking the truck forward, transmission "bangs" during some upshifts, transmission "bangs" at a full stop feeling like being rear-ended. Erratic shifting and unexpected forward lunging are a safety issue of myself and other drivers. Have not asked dealer to investigate yet. No warning lamps or messages. Unable to reliably replicate the issues.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 142023

Ranger

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been involved in a crash due to unintended acceleration, which caused the contact to rear-end another vehicle. The vehicle had body and paint repairs performed; however, the vehicle later experienced jerking, and the transmission was seized while driving. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

- Jefferson, GA, USA

problem #4

Jun 022023

Ranger

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact leased a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted into drive(D) or reverse(R), he heard a clunking sound and while shifted into park(P), the vehicle rolled several inches further than normal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the contact was not informed of what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was then towed from the residence back to the dealer where the contact was then informed that the transmission was previously replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a different dealer where it remained. The contact stated that service was denied. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- South Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #3

Mar 222023

Ranger

  • miles
vehicle has a hard shift and jerks when shifting up and down

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 012022

Ranger

  • miles
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. I will be taking it to the dealer soon, to see if this can be fixed. These issues can be a little scary at times. There have been no warning lights or messages. This has happened at least a dozen times now. The first incident with the transmission I think started in 10/2022. it was sporadic at first, but seems to happen almost daily now.

- Prospect Park, PA, USA

problem #1

Nov 292022

Ranger

  • miles
There is gasoline in my oil. I had an oil analysis from a lab, and they confirmed there is too much gasoline in my oil.

- Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA

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