Used Ford Ranger: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 539 complaints across these 7 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year

Problems that follow the Ranger from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Transmission	76	37	36	14	5	11	2	181
Brakes	13	8	10	2	3	5	4	45
Electrical	32	9	7	7		5		60
Engine	11	8	9	2				30

Ranger generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

Fourth generation
2019–2023

Mileages where Ranger problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileage	Problem	Year
50–6,000 miles	Soft, long brake pedal	2021
1,242–11,000 miles	Soft, sinking brake pedal	2020
1,400–5,000 miles	Unintended acceleration while braking	2020
3,000–8,544 miles	Fuel diluting engine oil	2021
3,500–4,200 miles	Transmission and drivetrain faults	2024
20,000–50,000 miles	Spark plug water intrusion misfires	2020
26,662–46,000 miles	Climate housing, defroster failure	2019
28,000–79,000 miles	Transmission hard shifts and slipping	2020
50,000–90,000 miles	Transmission slipping and failure	2021
50,000–75,570 miles	Transmission hard shifting, slipping	2019

Every Ranger recall to confirm

33 recalls cover the Rangeryears on this site. Open a campaign number for NHTSA's full notice. 7 campaigns span more than one model year. One told owners not to drive or to park outside until repaired.