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
5 recalls · 487 complaints
42 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 586
4 recalls · 423 complaints
47 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 539
5 recalls · 373 complaints
20 reported injuries
5 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 453
Best Ford Ranger Years to Buy
4 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 18
2 recalls · 14 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 22
3 recalls · 26 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 35
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 | 4 | 6 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 48 | — | — | 54 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 6 | 82 | 3 | — | 106 | Good |
| 2023 | 2 | 14 | 1 | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 3 | 26 | — | — | 35 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 83 | 3 | — | 95 | Good |
| 2020 | 3 | 67 | 7 | — | 90 | Good |
| 2019 | 5 | 182 | 1 | — | 199 | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | 131 | 3 | — | 146 | Good |
| 2010 | 3 | 84 | 3 | — | 99 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 97 | 6 | 1 | 126 | Good |
| 2008 | 2 | 175 | 3 | 1 | 192 | Good |
| 2007 | 3 | 141 | 6 | — | 162 | Good |
| 2006 | 8 | 164 | 7 | — | 202 | Good |
| 2005 | 8 | 194 | 18 | — | 254 | Caution |
| 2004 | 8 | 218 | 22 | 3 | 301 | Caution |
| 2003 | 3 | 148 | 41 | — | 239 | Caution |
| 2002 | 4 | 237 | 26 | 1 | 306 | Caution |
| 2001 | 5 | 344 | 39 | 2 | 447 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 4 | 423 | 47 | 2 | 539 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 5 | 487 | 42 | — | 586 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 5 | 373 | 20 | 5 | 453 | 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 18 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 5 recalls, 487 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 586 — 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 18. It has only 4 recalls and 6 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Ranger has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2023, 2022 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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