The Lemon Index
202020224th generation
57 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Toyota Tacoma 222021 Chevrolet Colorado 492021 Nissan Frontier 24
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2021 Ford Ranger
- Transmission failure14 complaints
- Rough or hard shifting13 complaints
Specific parts named in the 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Ford Ranger (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 17 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V685000 (equipment), 25V442000 (back over prevention) and 23V379000 (equipment) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Ford sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Shudder/vibration when accelerating from a stop”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 57 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 30K miles (8K to 48K km) on the car (17 of all 57 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The brake pedal is very soft. It needs 1 or 2 pumps to get it to where my former vehicles were.
2021 Ford Ranger owner · NHTSA complaint 11437395
More owner reports
vehicle has a hard shift and jerks when shifting up and down
NHTSA complaint 11520309
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.
NHTSA complaint 11495419
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 48.1M views · 2019–2023 Ford Ranger
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service638K views
SHOP FAILED! 2019 Ford Ranger 2.3L Ecoboost Engine Died @104K Miles With TERRIBLE Maintenance!I Do Cars · 587K views · 2 videos - Starter, alternator & belts212K views
Wet Belt SNAPPED At Just 56,000 Miles 😱 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack Engine Repair - The Car EditionThe Car Edition Ltd · 212K views - Transmission & shifter183K views
2023 Ford Ranger: Have they fixed the 10R80 10sp transmission? | Auto Expert John CadoganAuto Expert John Cadogan · 183K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical75K views
2019 - 2023 Ford Ranger No Key Detected - How to Start With Dead, Bad, Broken Smart Key FobPYR Automotive · 75K views
Show 1 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door50K views
2019 - 2023 Ford Ranger How to replace the cabin air filter / 2020 2021 2022Oil Light Reset · 50K views
Before you buy, watch
2020 Ford Ranger Raptor reviewDrive.com.au · 1.2M views
2019 Ford Ranger - Review & Road TestKelley Blue Book · 582K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 113 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Shudder/vibration when accelerating from a stop
- Intermittent audio echo/robotic voice heard
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Equipment · recall issued 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.
Show all 6 recalls
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2021
The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted.
- Seats · recall issued 2021
The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Ford Ranger year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 6 older years (1998–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 14 Ford Ranger years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-ranger/?y=2021" title="Ford Ranger reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="468" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-ranger/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Ford Ranger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Ranger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Ranger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (28%), brakes (19%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
6 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Ford Ranger get?
18 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Ford Ranger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Ford Ranger year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works