no report yet
Electrical: engine block heater
Risk. An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
2021 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 119 owner complaints about the 2021 Ford Ranger, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-765 the manufacturer reports only 42% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 25, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Ford Ranger has problems
119 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
60Power train2 crash/fire/injury
14Service brakes
13Engine
8Vehicle speed control
8Electrical system
7Forward collision avoidance
7Fuel/propulsion system
7Structure
5Back over prevention
2011 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 60 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 2 |
| Back over prevention | 5 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 20 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2021 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Risk. A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q3
Front: webbing
Risk. A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Child seat: vehicle latch anchor
Risk. An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Ranger year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score
11122735508973105132189232438321413411576755670515346243405289272270326169156235111272131119391999469
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Ranger owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I am reporting a potential drivetrain safety defect involving the rear driveshaft bearing on my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 Lariat. On September 3, 2025, I brought my truck to Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood after experiencing an intermittent abnormal whistling/mechanical noise while driving. The vehicle…
I was parking the truck and I put it in reverse and no reverse whatsoever. I put it and drive them back and reverse nothing. I put it in park turned it off restarted it and reverse worked took it to the dealer and they said the transmission has to be replaced due to faulty parts from Ford on the…
The 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat, mileage 42,362 would not go into reverse, the wrench was lit up on dash. Shut Truck off it cleared the code, immediately took it to Ford dealer. Was sent home because the tech said the light was off so he couldn’t diagnose. After reading about the issue we made the appt…
Own a 2021 Ranger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.