2024 Ford Ranger Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 25, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

While driving a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor at approximately 40 mph under normal road conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden and uncommanded drive-mode failure. Without any driver interaction with the center console GOAT mode dial, the truck spontaneously began cycling through drive modes and attempted to engage the 4-wheel drive system. The driver's instrument cluster displayed a warning message stating "Stop to go to 4L," indicating that the vehicle's computer module was actively trying to shift the transfer case into 4-Wheel Drive Low while traveling at highway speeds. While the vehicle's digital electronic guardrails successfully blocked the physical shift into 4-Low due to the vehicle's current velocity, the uncommanded shift command represents a severe safety hazard. If the software safety parameters fail to block an unprompted 4-Low shift at these speeds, it could cause catastrophic mechanical failure, instantaneous drivetrain lockup, or an immediate loss of vehicle control. This is a known issue within the owner community that requires an official investigation to determine if a manufacturing defect exists in the All-Terrain Control Module (ATCM) or the physical mode-selector switch assembly.

Incident: August 1, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission independently shifted. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission independently reset. The vehicle was driven to the residence. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was on vacation in Nova Scotia. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Incident: June 3, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and making a U-turn, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power. The Service Emergency Brake and Trailer Brake Assist warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnosis details were unavailable. Additionally, during rainy weather, water intruded into the cabin and accumulated, leaving the seats wet and causing mold growth. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions regarding the water intrusion. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V541000 (Air Bags), suspecting that improper completion of a prior recall repair contributed to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone and email. The failure mileage was approximately 50,148.

Incident: October 10, 2026 · Filed: October 14, 2026

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? • Component/System: The Drive Mode Control / Terrain Management System (including the rotary mode selector dial in the center console, Body Control Module (BCM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and Transfer Case Control Module). • Malfunction Description: Uncommanded drive mode switching. Without driver input, the system autonomously changes terrain modes (e.g., cycling from Normal into off-road modes like Rock Crawl or Baja) both while driving and while idle. This causes forced changes to throttle response, steering, suspension damping, and automatically attempts to engage four-wheel-drive (4H/4L) and locking differentials. • Availability: Yes, the complete vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? • Handling & Steering Control Changes: Unintended switching into aggressive off-road settings alters engine mapping, suspension stiffness, and steering effort without notice, affecting vehicle stability at road speeds. • Drivetrain Binding Risk: Engaging four-wheel drive (4H/4L) and rear locking differentials on dry pavement causes mechanical binding. This can result in sudden unwanted deceleration, restricted turning ability, or potential damage/failure of driveline components at speed, creating a hazardous loss of control in traffic. • Accidents or Incidents:No crashes, collisions, or injuries have occurred. However, the vehicle behavior creates an unpredictable safety risk while driving. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? • No, the vehicle has not yet been brought to or inspected by a dealer or service center for this issue. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? • No. There are no police reports or insurance claims, and neither the manufacturer nor any other party has

Incident: October 12, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning in either direction, an abnormal sound was heard coming from under the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle shuddered. The contact expressed safety concerns that the failure could leave the vehicle stranded in an intersection. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,500.

Incident: October 1, 2026 · Filed: October 12, 2026

The vehicle intermittently changes its drive mode on its own, with no input from the driver. This has happened approximately 6 to 12 times. It occurs in two situations. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle has switched itself into Rock Crawl mode, and on other occasions into Baja mode. During at least one Rock Crawl event I believe the rear differential locker engaged, though I did not photograph the cluster to confirm it. The vehicle has also attempted to change drive modes while driving on the highway at speed. When it happens, the drive mode change animation appears in the instrument cluster. If I notice it immediately I can manually reselect Normal mode before the new mode fully engages. If I do not catch it in time, the mode engages. Safety risk: an unrequested change into Rock Crawl or Baja alters throttle mapping, transmission shift scheduling, traction and stability control calibration, and driveline configuration, and in Rock Crawl potentially the differential lockers. A mode engaging while stopped and then pulling into traffic, or the system attempting a mode change at highway speed, produces a loss of expected vehicle handling and response. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer. The dealer was unable to reproduce or confirm the problem. They reflashed all vehicle modules. The failure has recurred multiple times since that reflash, so the reflash did not correct it. No warning lamps or messages appear other than the drive mode animation in the instrument cluster. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I believe the cause is a fault in the electronic module or software controlling drive mode selection.

Incident: September 4, 2026 · Filed: October 11, 2026

In the 21 months I have owned this 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat, it has changed driving modes 15-20 times ON ITS OWN. It goes from NORMAL OR ECO all the way to SAND, from 2wd to 4wd lo if I am stopped or 4wd high, (while telling it cannot go to 4lo if I don't stop), when I at at highway speeds.It also locks the differential so steering is somewhat compromised. If this thing decides to overrule the speed requirements for shifting to 4lo on the freeway, this would put others at risk. The truck has changed modes while Idling, at a cold start, and at driving speeds. the dealer says they could not replicate the problem, (it is very random), and that they found no trouble codes. I believe that engineers would only assign trouble codes to something they think is possible. This has happened since the first night I took it home, but until last month when it did it while I was alone in the truck, I thought my wife was accidentally hitting the switch on the center console. Searching this on the internet will find many people reporting the same problem, with a very small number reporting that their dealer replaced the selector switch, (ATCM). No warning lamps appear other than the message that it cannot go into 4lo unless I stop.

Incident: October 9, 2026 · Filed: October 10, 2026

On [XXX], my 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat, with approximately 25,000 miles, experienced a catastrophic front suspension failure while traveling at highway speeds. I suddenly felt what seemed like a tire blowout and was forced to pull onto the shoulder. Upon inspection, the driver’s-side front wheel was severely displaced and turned sideways. Immediately following the incident, I contacted Ford Motor Company for roadside assistance. Ford arranged towing through Murray Auto Body in Salt Lake City, Utah. Upon inspecting the vehicle, Murray Auto Body identified that the driver’s-side upper control arm had completely separated from the steering knuckle. Their technician indicated that the upper ball joint retaining nut appeared to be missing, allowing the ball joint stud to separate from the knuckle. Approximately two months earlier, Larry H. Miller Ford in Salt Lake City performed a warranty repair involving a leaking front strut. The repair took approximately three weeks due to backordered parts. After completing the repair, the dealership released the vehicle to my mother, who drove it home. The dealership subsequently contacted me, stating that they had forgotten to install several parts and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was returned for additional corrective work. I am concerned that this failure may be related to the previous suspension repair or a manufacturing defect. Ford has issued safety recalls 24S64 (NHTSA 24V770) and 25S45 (NHTSA 25V310) involving missing or improperly tightened front upper control arm ball joint fasteners on certain Ford Rangers. My vehicle experienced a failure consistent with the conditions described in these recalls. This incident could have resulted in a serious or fatal accident. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of the suspension failure, including any connection to previous dealership repairs or known safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

I have a 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat. Approximately once a month, the vehicle intermittently loses throttle response while making a turn, most often a right-hand turn but sometimes a left-hand turn. The problem generally occurs after I let off the accelerator and coast into or through an intersection. When I complete the turn and press the accelerator, there is no response from the pedal for approximately 1–2 seconds. The vehicle simply coasts with no acceleration. Then the power suddenly returns. The vehicle hesitates, makes a noise, and then accelerates. This creates a serious safety concern because it can leave me without acceleration while turning through an intersection or entering traffic, with other vehicles approaching around me. The problem is intermittent and may occur only about once a month, making it difficult to reproduce on demand. I am reporting it because the temporary loss of propulsion could potentially cause a collision.

Incident: October 3, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

I was driving the truck on Saturday Oct 3rd on a 55 MPH road. Slowed down to turn left at an intersection. I didn't come to a complete stop before the turn, but close to it. As soon as I started to turn left and then tried to accelerate thru the turn, there was about a 1-2 second delay when I had my foot on the gas pedal before any acceleration actually occured. Stepping on the gas was not doing anything to move the truck. This was the 2nd or 3rd time that I have experienced this with the truck... always when turning from a near stop. If there would have been a car coming at me while I was trying to turn and was closer to me, they could have hit me as I was not able to accelerate and complete the turn in the expected amount of time that I had. I did not notice warning lights or anything when this happened or after it happened, and after the ~2 second delay, everything was working normally again.