Fourth generation
2021 Ford Ranger
The most reported problem on the 2021 Ford Ranger is transmission shudder, with 35 complaints, usually around 50,000 miles.
- 115owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 6involved a crash
- 45,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Ranger doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
The 2021 Ford Ranger has 115 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 259 for 2021 pickups on this site. Of the 7 Ranger model years since 2019, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- At 19 complaints for each year on the road, the 2021 runs close to the 2020 (18) and 2.6 times the 2022 (7).
- Top problem
- Transmission shudder leads with 35 of the 115 complaints (30%), ahead of brake wear at 15. A quarter of the 16 owners who gave a mileage for transmission shudder saw it by about 45,000 miles, and half by about 50,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 12 of the 115 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 6 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 9 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as transmission shudder. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 30, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 28 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 35 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
115 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 2.3 times fewer than the median 2021 pickup. Among the 3 Ranger model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Ford Ranger
Ford filed 112 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Ford Ranger. 31 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 8 bulletins · 35 complaints
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic ...
Some 2017-2023 F-150, 2018-2023 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger, 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Transit and 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 10R60/10R80/10R80MHT transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed ...
6 more on this problem
Some 2019-2023 Ranger (non-Tremor) vehicles may exhibit a shudder/vibration when accelerating. This may be due to an excessive rear axle pinion angle (rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles) or the pinion and driveshaft assemblies (four-wheel drive (4WD) non-Tremor ...
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Some 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles may exhibit a shudder/vibration when accelerating from a stop. This may be due to an excessive rear axle pinion angle. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to adjust the rear axle pinion angle.
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles may exhibit a shudder/vibration when accelerating from a stop. This may be due to an excessive rear axle pinion angle. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to adjust the rear axle pinion angle.
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang and 2019-2021 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 automatic transmission may exhibit a harsh engagement/harsh shift/delayed shift.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 15 complaints
Some 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles built on 15-Jun-2021 and through 15-Aug-2021 may exhibit an illuminated anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning indicator lamp with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C003A, C0036, C0037, and/or C0039 stored in the ABS control ...
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 10 complaints
Some 2019-2021 Ranger vehicles built on or before 09-Aug-2021 and 2021 Bronco vehicles may experience a loss of power when driving in freezing temperatures with an illuminated malfunction indication lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction indicator (wrench) ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 12 bulletins · 8 complaints
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC).
10 more on this problem
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation.
Certain 2018 - 2024 Model Year Various Vehicles Update SYNC Software In all the affected vehicles, due to an error in the SYNC software, you may experience SYNC system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles.
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various FordPass/LincolnWay connectivity concerns including but not limited to: missing activation prompt (pop-up) on the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate ...
Some 2019-2024 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a programming Error - "INSTL_ERR12" while programming APIM using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) or experience a frozen screen which says "updating system software" or no ...
Some 2021-2023 F-150, 2021-2023 F-Super Duty, 2021-2023 Ranger customers may have concerns including, but not limited to: no power to the distribution box, rear camera inoperative, rear park assist inoperative, box lights inoperative, power up/down tailgate ...
Some 2021-2023 F-150, 2021-2022 F-Super Duty, 2021-2023 Ranger customers may have concerns including, but not limited to: no power to the distribution box, rear camera inoperative, rear park assist inoperative, box lights inoperative, power up/down tailgate ...
Some 2020-2022 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a telematic control unit (TCU) may exhibit inoperative remote features via Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, and/or modem electronic serial number (ESN) could not be ...
Some 2016-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may exhibit a condition where the navigation voice prompts are inoperative after a SYNC map update. This may be due to an incomplete installation of the SYNC map software.
Some 2018-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit inoperative remote features via the Ford Pass/Lincoln Way mobile app, incomplete user authorization, no modem electronic serial number (ESN) displayed or DTCs U2100 and/or B156D in the telematics control ...
Some 2016-2021 Ford or Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 or SYNC 4 may exhibit a blank screen or other various SYNC symptoms only when the vehicle is in transport mode.
Check engine light or misfire 9 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
7 more on this problem
Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic ...
Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles not equipped with an engine appearance cover may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module ...
Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles (equipped without an engine appearance cover) may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control ...
Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Some 2019-2021 Edge/Nautilus/Ranger, 2020-2021 Escape/Corsair/Explorer, and 2021 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 2.0L/2.3L EcoBoost may exhibit a lack of power with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) ...
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2019-2021 Ranger vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
Complaints filed by year
30 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Ford Ranger
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
All 6 recalls on the 2021 Ford Ranger, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Ford Ranger?
Transmission shudder, with 35 of the 115 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 50,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Ford Ranger problems start?
Of the 43 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 15,000 miles and half by about 45,000.
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has about as many complaints as the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 19 a year against 18 and 7.
How many 2021 Ford Ranger complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
12 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2021 Ford Ranger?
No recall on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger is on the same system as transmission shudder. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.