Ford Ranger Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Ranger model year (1998–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Ranger Years to Avoid
9 recalls · 487 complaints
42 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 598
7 recalls · 423 complaints
47 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 548
10 recalls · 373 complaints
20 reported injuries
5 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 468
Best Ford Ranger Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
4 recalls · 12 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 26
7 recalls · 13 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 34
Found the right year? Verify that specific Ranger with a free VIN report.
Ford Ranger — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 7 | 13 | — | — | 34 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 8 | 41 | 3 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2023 | 4 | 12 | 1 | — | 26 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 5 | 24 | — | — | 39 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 5 | 63 | 2 | — | 82 | Good |
| 2020 | 6 | 55 | 7 | — | 87 | Good |
| 2019 | 7 | 168 | 1 | — | 191 | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | 130 | 3 | — | 145 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 83 | 2 | — | 99 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 97 | 6 | 1 | 126 | Good |
| 2008 | 3 | 174 | 3 | 1 | 194 | Good |
| 2007 | 3 | 138 | 6 | — | 159 | Good |
| 2006 | 8 | 163 | 7 | — | 201 | Good |
| 2005 | 9 | 194 | 18 | — | 257 | Caution |
| 2004 | 10 | 217 | 22 | 3 | 306 | Caution |
| 2003 | 5 | 148 | 41 | — | 245 | Caution |
| 2002 | 7 | 237 | 26 | 1 | 315 | Caution |
| 2001 | 9 | 342 | 39 | 2 | 457 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 7 | 423 | 47 | 2 | 548 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 9 | 487 | 42 | — | 598 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 10 | 373 | 20 | 5 | 468 | Avoid |
All 22 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Ranger Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Ranger models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 1 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Ranger models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Ranger should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1999 Ford Ranger if possible. It has 9 recalls, 487 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 598 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Ranger to buy?+
The 2026 Ford Ranger is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Ranger has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2023, 2025 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Ranger Research
Check a Specific Ford Ranger VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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