7 Most Common Ford Ranger Problems & Potential Issues

Are you considering purchasing a Ford Ranger compact mid-size truck, or do you already own one? You must have a good understanding of the problems that past owners of Ford Ranger commonly reported. Knowing these problems might help you make a wise buying decision or maintain the vehicle’s health and prevent potential issues that might cause a costly repair if left unchecked or repaired late.

This guide will explore the most common Ford Ranger problems most owners have reported during their vehicle usage journey. So, let’s take a look at these potential issues.

Ford Ranger problems: A Comprehensive guide

Ford Ranger is one of the most popular compact, mid-size trucks that has gained global attention. It remains a favorite pickup compact, especially in North America and many other countries. It’s known due to its reliability, versatility, and off-road capability.

However, like any other vehicle, it also has its share of problems that owners experienced over time. Here’s the breakdown of the frequently reported issues.

Transmission issues

From the 2000s to 2011, transmission issues have remained a main concern for owners of Ford Ranger models, including the XL, XLT, STX, Sports, Edge, and Tremor. These old model years frequently report problems, especially in the automatic transmission system. However, the new Ford Ranger models have also reported these issues. Here’s a look at the problems that owners report in CVT transmission.

Gears slipping: Many complaints regarding gear slippage while accelerating the vehicle have been reported. The rough shifting usually occurs at a slow speed and during off-road conditions.
Delayed engagement: Over time, the time interval of changing the position from part to drive or drive to park becomes longer due to transmission issues. The delayed engagement can lead to other problems such as internal components damage or braking, worn-out clutch, and faulty solenoids.
Fluid leaks: Many owners have triggered transmission fluid leaks that might lead to significant issues such as overheating, rough or hard shifting gears, and complete transmission failure. The fluid leaks usually occur due to worn seals, gaskets, or damaged transmission pan or case.

Combination Switch Problems

Another Ford Ranger fault the owner faces is the combination switch, which controls the turn headlights, wipers, and turn signals. These issues include:

Headlight failure: When the combination switch is malfunctioning, it can cause the headlights to flicker and fail to turn on. That might frustrate many owners, especially if you’re traveling at night.
Turn signals not functioning properly: Signals may work intermittently or not when the sensor is faulty.
Wiper malfunction: Wiring damages and wear & tear on the combination switch internal components can cause the wipers to stop working or operate at random speeds.

Engine problems

Engine issues remain common among many Ford Ranger owners, and different problems have been encountered over usage. These issues are as follows.

Timing Chain Issues: Models with 4.0L V6 engines most frequently trigger timing chain problems, which can lead to other potential issues such as rattling noises, poor engine performance, illumination of check engine light, and other critical damage.
Misfires and Rough Idling: It remains frustrating and disturbing for owners when rough idling or engine misfires occur, usually caused by faulty fuel injectors, ignition coils, and bad spark plugs.

Turbocharger Problems (2019–Present Models)

The turbocharger was introduced in the 2019 Ford Ranger models to enhance the vehicle’s power and improve fuel efficiency. Many owners face issues with the turbocharger, which are listed below.

Excessive noise: Owners experience unusual sounds like rattling and whining from the engine bay due to the Ford Ranger turbocharger issues.
Reduced performance: At higher RPMs, some owners noticed a reduction in performance that might cause other critical problems.
Turbo Lag: When the turbocharger system is not functioning properly, it can lead to turbo lag, increasing the delay time in power delivery.

Electrical issues

Many electrical issues in Ford Ranger remain commonly reported from the past years, such as power window failure, instrument cluster malfunction, etc. Some of these Ford Ranger problems are broken down below.

Faulty Sensors: Over time, several complaints regarding faulty sensors such as MAF, Oxygen, and ABS sensors in different truck parts like engine, transmission, and braking system have been reported. Not every owner faces the same faulty sensor issues, as many sensors are installed in different vehicle parts.
Faulty alternators: The alternator issues in the Ford Ranger are frequent and cause problems like battery drainage, electrical faults, and truck starting issues.
Power window issues: Sometimes, the power windows occasionally stop working or become stuck and do not move. It might be due to the electrical glitches in the Ford Ranger computer system.

Fuel System problems

The fuel system in old Ford Ranger models has remained problematic, and many owners report different issues in the fuel system, as explained below.

Clogged fuel injectors: Blocked or clogged fuel injectors can cause multiple issues, such as engine misfires or rough idling, stalling, poor vehicle performance, and poor acceleration during driving. You can only resolve the problems by cleaning the injectors, replacing the blocked ones, and installing new ones.
Fuel pump failure: A fuel pump, when not delivering enough fuel to the engine’s combustion chamber and becomes faulty, will lead to potential Ford Ranger issues such as rough idling, difficulty starting the vehicle, and reduced engine performance.

Flex Fuel Sensor Problems

The flex fuel sensor issues in the Ford Ranger flex-fuel equipped engines are among the most common problems that drivers report, and they can be caused by wiring issues, contamination, and wear & tear over a period that impacts the flex fuel sensor functionality. Here are some symptoms that help you detect a malfunctioning flex fuel sensor and prevent the Ford Ranger faults.

Check engine light: The first sign you notice when the flex fuel sensor becomes faulty is the illumination of the warning light on the dashboard.
Poor fuel economy: The flex fuel sensor helps the engine control module (ECM) adjust and adjust the fuel injection; when it becomes faulty, it can cause increased fuel consumption.

You can also watch an automotive expert’s overview of Ford Ranger faults in the video below.

Also Read:

https://sinceremechanic.com/mitsubishi-asx-problems/
https://sinceremechanic.com/ford-edge-years-to-avoid/

Ford ranger models and reported problems.

Here’s the chart below to take a quick view of Ford Ranger problems and specific models & years in which the common faults were reported.

Model Name	Year(s)	Reported Problems
Ford Ranger XLT	2000–2005	Transmission slipping, delayed shifting, engine misfires, power steering failure
Ford Ranger Edge	2001–2003	Electrical issues, power window failure, steering vibrations, suspension noise
Ford Ranger Sport	2010–2011	Combination switch failure, instrument cluster glitches, suspension noise, fuel pump failure
Ford Ranger XLT	2011–2012	Flex fuel sensor malfunction, poor fuel economy, rough idling
Ford Ranger Wildtrak	2020–2023	Combination switch failure, electrical glitches, transmission issues, poor fuel system performance
Ford Ranger XL	1999–2004	Power steering failure, suspension noise, exhaust leaks, electrical malfunctions
Ford Ranger FX4	2004–2011	Engine misfires, steering issues, suspension wear, combination switch issues

Final words

There’s nothing wrong with buying or owning a new or used Ford Ranger. Every vehicle has its share of problems that are crucial for new buyers and current owners to understand. We’ve thoroughly discussed the most frequent Ford Ranger problems most owners have experienced and reported. After understanding the Ford Ranger issues, you can take a systematic approach to resolve the problem or make a wise buying decision based on your research.

It’s recommended to go with the new Ford Ranger model 2019+, in which most of the problems are covered under warranty, and there is less chance of encountering critical issues. Regular servicing, promptly addressing issues, and consulting a professional mechanic to clear the issue can help you prevent the Ford Ranger truck from significant problems.