2025 Ford Ranger

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 18, 2026.

Fuel economy
17–23 mpgcombined; city 16–21, highway 18–26; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$14,120–$19,110U.S. average; Ohio $12,620–$17,070 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
4 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
13over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
43filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2025 Ranger. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Ranger. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power train16000
Engine12000
Electrical system9000
Unknown or other6000
Service brakes5100
Vehicle speed control5101
Forward collision avoidance3100
Air bags2101
Fuel/propulsion system2100
Seats2000
Service brakes, hydraulic2000
Steering2101
3 more parts
Suspension2000
Equipment1000
Visibility/wiper1000
What the columns count

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 2006272
  2. 2007270
  3. 2008326
  4. 2009169
  5. 2010156
  6. 2011235
  7. 2019270
  8. 2020130
  9. 2021118
  10. 202237
  11. 202318
  12. 202493
  13. 202543
  14. 20267

Every Ranger year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2025 Ranger over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA campaign 26V343000 · reported May 27, 2026 · 1,536 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.

Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seats: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 26V268000 · reported Apr 28, 2026 · 179,698 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S30. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 30, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.

Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system; Structure: interior panels

NHTSA campaign 26V238000 · reported Apr 14, 2026 · 140,201 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring for damage and update the body control module software. Damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 5/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2026 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 6/29/2026 for Phase 2 and the week of 7/27/2026 for Phase 3. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires.

Risk: Damaged wires can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

NHTSA campaign 26V122000 · reported Mar 3, 2026 · 47,804 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control; Exterior lighting: tail lights

NHTSA campaign 26V104000 · reported Feb 20, 2026 · 4,381,878 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

NHTSA campaign 25V823000 · reported Dec 1, 2025 · 679 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. 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.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Visibility: windshield

NHTSA campaign 25V683000 · reported Oct 10, 2025 · 9 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C52. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Risk: In the event of a crash, windshield detachment can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal; Structure: interior panels

NHTSA campaign 25V678000 · reported Oct 9, 2025 · 405 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C54. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger vehicles. The instrument panel top cover may prevent the passenger air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 25V541000 · reported Aug 22, 2025 · 100,900 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Risk: Air bags that deploy improperly during a crash increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

NHTSA campaign 25V488000 · reported Jul 25, 2025 · 312,120 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S77.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. 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.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; Electrical system: instrument panel; Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 25V399000 · reported Jun 13, 2025 · 45 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fords number for this recall is 25C23.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger trucks. The instrument panel was not properly configured, preventing many of the the warning lights or gauges from properly displaying. This includes forward collision warnings, auto emergency braking, traction control, roll stability, and other gauges. The fuel gauge, distance to empty, and fuel economy may also not show accurately. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Risk: An instrument panel that does not clearly display critical safety information increases the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Suspension: front

NHTSA campaign 25V310000 · reported May 9, 2025 · 4,497 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the ball joint fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S45.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. 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.

Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA's record and documents

Seats: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 25V311000 · reported May 9, 2025 · 46 vehicles potentially affected across the whole campaign

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat fasteners and tighten or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C16.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The bolts that secure the driver's seat frame to the body may be loose or missing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems."

Risk: A seat with loose or missing fasteners may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 74 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2025 Ranger, the latest on Oct 8, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (35), unknown or other (31), power train (19), engine (14), service brakes (7).

NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2025 Ranger.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: standard pickup trucks. EPA greenhouse gas score: 3–5 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Ranger
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S10)Regular Gasoline21 / 26 / 23
Ranger
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
2.3 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S10)Regular Gasoline19 / 26 / 22
Ranger
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
2.7 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S10)Regular Gasoline19 / 23 / 20
Ranger RAPTOR
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S10)Regular Gasoline16 / 18 / 17

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data