The Lemon Index
20245th generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2025 Ford Ranger hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2025 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Too new: partial score · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
43 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2025 Toyota Tacoma2025 Chevrolet Colorado2025 Nissan Frontier
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V343000 (engine), 26V268000 (seats) and 26V238000 (body structure) done? It has 13 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.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 75 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2021-2025 Bronco and 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost engine…”?
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 43 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 →
In owners' words
Coolant hose on bypass valve came off. Dumped coolant and engine overheated. Tech said it just came off, service advisor said I “hit a bump”.
2025 Ford Ranger owner · NHTSA complaint 11734992
More owner reports
While driving at 45 mph. The dash changed and the truck started shifting into wheel low. I had to stop and put the truck back into 2 wheel drive. This has happened 5 times since new.
NHTSA complaint 11767346
Truck is randomly switching to Baja mode which engages the 4wheel drive making steering difficult
NHTSA complaint 11755760
Fixes owners look up most.
From 189 YouTube videos · 12.7M views · 2024–2025 Ford Ranger
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service10K views
First Oil Change for my 2025 Ford Ranger.My Torino (my73Torino) · 10K views
Before you buy, watch
2024 Ford Ranger Sport NextGen | Fix or Repair Daily? | Reliable ba? | Owners ReviewRoadTrip with Me · 51K views
5th Gen Ford Ranger Common ProblemsLRT Outpost · 27K views
The 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat: A Buyer's GuideSparkPlug TV · 5K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2025 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 75 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2021-2025 Bronco and 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.0L EcoBoost engine…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 13
- Engine · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Seats · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
- Body structure · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires.
Show all 13 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- Electrical · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.
- Brakes · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
- Airbags · recall issued 2025
The instrument panel top cover may prevent the passenger air bag from deploying as intended.
- Airbags · recall issued 2025
The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment.
- Brakes · recall issued 2025
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The instrument panel was not properly configured, preventing many of the the warning lights or gauges from properly displaying.
- Seats · recall issued 2025
The bolts that secure the driver's seat frame to the body may be loose or missing.
- Suspension · recall issued 2025
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.
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 Crew) PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger (Super Crew) PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,550 (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, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Ranger year. 2025 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 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-ranger/?y=2025" 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/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Ford Ranger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Ford Ranger reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn about average per car sold, against other 2025 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 100; 100 is average). The Ford Ranger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2025 Ford Ranger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (37%), engine (28%) and electrical (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Ford Ranger have?
13 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Ford Ranger get?
17 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 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 2025 Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 37% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2025 Ford Ranger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Ford Ranger have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Ranger year is better than the 2025?
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