Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Ford Ranger
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Ford Ranger has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 119 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V685000 Engine Block Heater May Short Circuit and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V442000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V379000 Incorrect Load Carrying Capacity/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V982000 Radar Module Misaligned NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V811000 Seat Belt Routed Incorrectly/FMVSS 208 & 209 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V765000 Child Seat May Not Attach Properly/FMVSS 225 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 60 complaints
- Service Brakes 14 complaints
- Engine 13 complaints
- Unknown or Other 13 complaints
- Electrical System 8 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 8 complaints
Of the 119 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 119 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $15,000–$20,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Ford Ranger shows an average reliability with powertrain issues being the most reported by owners. Brake and engine complaints are less frequent, but notable. The rating reflects mixed feedback, with a moderate shortage of significant issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| powertrain | 20,000–50,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| service brakes | 30,000–60,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
| engine | 40,000–70,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections
- Tire rotations
- Transmission fluid check
- Engine air filter replacement
- Battery condition check
- Cooling system inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Delayed gear shifts
- Unusual brake noise
- Engine misfire
- Fuel efficiency drop
- Unexpected speed fluctuations
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.