Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, brakes, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2024Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2024 Ford Ranger: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
Worth adding to your 2024 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Ford Ranger. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 22 mpg |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4WD | 20 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Transmission and drivetrain faults
3,500–4,200 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Ford Ranger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The drive mode selector changes modes on its own, the most common complaint. While moving, sometimes at highway speed, the truck leaves 2H for 4H, 4L, Sand, Mud/Ruts or Baja. In some cases it slows suddenly and steering gets heavy. Other reports describe the transmission dropping into neutral, a 3-4 second hesitation after a stop or turn, a hard slam into gear on a cold start, and rolling backward in drive on an incline. Dealers often find no fault. Problems show up early, at roughly 3,500 to 4,200 miles.
One crash is linked to braking. On a snowy road, the ABS kicked in and the truck seemed to push forward into an intersection. Other reports describe a pedal that travels far before the brakes engage, and startup warnings for ABS, AdvanceTrac, Auto Hold and Pre-Collision Assist. One truck needed a rear wheel speed sensor at 400 miles. Heavy rear brake dust and fast pad wear also come up. A vent under the steering wheel can catch the driver's foot on the way to the pedal.
The throttle goes dead for 3-4 seconds after a quick turn onto a hill, then responds all at once, with no codes or warning lights. A front sensor fault triggers false automatic braking with nothing nearby, and dealers report no fix for it. Other complaints include steering wheel buttons and the center screen failing at startup, and a battery that drains after a software update, blacking out the rear camera. A rear window also shattered while the defroster ran in cold weather.
Many trucks left the factory without the load box reinforcement bracket. On affected trucks, the bed side rails can hold no more than 88 lbs before the bed may crack, bend or break, so toppers and racks are risky. Owners report Ford has a fix but has not issued a recall, will not cover it under warranty, and in some cases cannot supply the parts. Most owners only learn about the missing bracket when shopping for bed accessories. A separate report says the parking sensors failed to show distance to a pole.
Power steering assist fails, and the dash shows a "Steering Assist fault-Service required" message. One report with an injury describes steering that grew steadily harder to turn in cold, icy conditions in four-wheel drive, while lane keeping resisted the driver's input. Losing assist while driving carries a real risk of losing control. Another owner reports the speedometer jumping up and down while the truck is parked.
Most of these complaints are about an open recall with no parts. Owners with recall 25V541 say dealers report parts are unavailable, even after Ford mailed letters saying parts were ready. That leaves drivers waiting with an unrepaired airbag defect. In a separate complaint, a driver in work boots says the knee airbag housing leaves too little room around the brake pedal. The boot can catch there and delay braking in a panic stop.
The windshield glass is distorted enough to make it hard to see out. In one case the distortion came back after two warranty replacements at different dealers. The other complaint is about recall 24V597000. The repair part was not available, and the owner says the wait has gone on too long. Neither complaint mentions a crash or injury.
A shock absorber leaks fluid on a truck with under 3k miles. The other complaint repeats the bed rail problem. The side rails cannot carry more than 88 lbs, so camper shells and racks need a load bed reinforcement bracket kit first. A dealer quoted $1,600 for the bracket and installation, and the part was not available from Ford at the time.
Excerpts from complaints Ranger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
When stopped or turning from a stop I will lose acceleration for 3-4 seconds at such time I will almost over accelerate when it does catch which I almost will lose control especially in icy weather. I have no codes have taken to dealership for repairs 4 times they can't find any issues. The issues appeared day 1 asked them to look at it they said it was fine.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Vehicle has multiple drive modes. Vehicle will attempt to change drive modes while moving without any input from the driver, i.e. using the drive mode control to change drive modes. Results in vehicle attempting to shift into four-wheel-drive or other drive modes while vehicle is in motion, even at highway speeds.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Vehicle randomly upon start up, shows error codes on dash, of important Safety System Tech, including: Pre-collision Assist not available Service Advance Trac Auto Hold System Fault Antilock Brake Fault Service vehicle soon Vehicle warnings make Truck unsafe to drive.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Air vent under steering wheel does not provide proper clearance for brake applications. Foot gets tangled/caught on vent. Had a few close calls during emergency situations. Problem gets worse with thicker sole shoes.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
I was in an area that had received snow and cold temperatures. I started my car to warm it up and began cleaning off the snow. The heat from the rear defroster caused my read window to shatter leaving glass mostly on the exterior of the truck bed but also in the back seat. This is a known problem with Ford model trucks and they refuse to repair the issue or replace my window.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Certain buttons don't work on the steering wheel. Usually temporary. Sometime the center console won't load at start up. The lane keeping system and speed control don't follow the instructions in the setup menu.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2024 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 7 Ranger years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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. 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 February 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The bolts securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, which can result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S90.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: Air bags that deploy improperly during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint fastener may be missing or tightened improperly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the ball joint fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S45.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger and 2024 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V-597. When closing the windows with the global closing feature, the windows may not automatically reverse after detecting an object. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems.".
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force and pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C10.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger vehicles. The fuel vapor line bracket may have insufficient clearance to the fuel vapor line, which can result in fuel vapor line damage that can lead to a fuel vapor leak.
Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for a fuel vapor line bracket and install a tie strap to secure the fuel vapor line to the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S71.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S64.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger and 2024 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. When closing the windows with the global closing feature, the windows may not automatically reverse after detecting an object. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems.".
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 13, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C24.
Cars shoppers compare with the Ford Ranger, with their own 2024 checklists.
2024 owner complaints, side by side
