The most-reported Ranger run is 1FTER4FH3KL (2019 builds) with 23 complaints, 10× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 29% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 114 recall campaigns for Ranger model years 1983–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Ranger has 2,828 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 1% of every Ranger complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FTER4FH3KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FTER4FH8KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1FTER4FH7KL•••••• | 2019 | 2 | — | |
| 1FTER4FH9KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FTYR14V1YP•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1FTER4FH2KL•••••• | 2019 | 3 | — | |
| 1FTER4FH5KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTYR10D48P•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTER4FH6KL•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1FTER4FH4KL•••••• | 2019 | — | 1 | |
| 1FTER4FH0KL•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 1FTZR45E92P•••••• | 2002 | 2 | 1 |
Each of the other 2,816 Ranger runs has 13 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 501 Ranger VINs so far, most often 2026, 2021, 2025 builds; 12 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Ranger the gap between build years is 4.7×: a 2019 car draws 7 complaints per run, a 1993 one 1.5.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 125 | 39 | 5 | |
| 2019 | 266 | 38 | 12 | |
| 2011 | 219 | 60 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 159 | 59 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 309 | 101 | 9 | |
| 2007 | 246 | 101 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 251 | 90 | 11 | |
| 2005 | 251 | 101 | 16 | |
| 2004 | 355 | 142 | 32 | |
| 2003 | 200 | 116 | 27 | |
| 2002 | 267 | 125 | 32 | |
| 2001 | 420 | 156 | 49 | |
| 2000 | 527 | 192 | 68 | |
| 1999 | 568 | 208 | 70 | |
| 1998 | 466 | 203 | 50 | |
| 1997 | 291 | 157 | 29 | |
| 1996 | 322 | 164 | 30 | |
| 1995 | 246 | 152 | 20 | |
| 1994 | 346 | 180 | 42 | |
| 1993 | 183 | 125 | 23 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 7 complaints per run; lightest is 1993 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Ford Ranger owners report: Air Bags, 1,563 of 6,523 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 258 | 6 | |
| Tires | 51 | 1 | |
| Structure | 12 | 2 | |
| Power Train | 38 | 4 | |
| Service Brakes | 81 | 11 | |
| Suspension | 18 | 2 | |
| Hydraulic | 65 | 9 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 51 | 29 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 114 recall campaigns on the Ford Ranger; the 6 below cover build years 1983 to 2005. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1993–2005 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1989–2000 |
| 98E010000 | Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor | 1983–1994 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1993–2003 |
| 01X001000 | Tires:tread/belt | 1991–2001 |
| 00T005000 | Tires:tread/belt | 1991–2000 |
The Ranger against its rivals
The Ranger draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Nissan Frontier 1.8 and the Honda Ridgeline 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger | 6,523 | 2,828 | 8.8% | |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,122 | 609 | 8.8% | |
| Honda Ridgeline | 2,095 | 697 | 2.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 6,523 reports on the Ford Ranger, 8.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Ranger | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 6,523 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 573 (8.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 232 (3.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 491 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 40 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 52% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Ranger share of that is 6,523 complaints over 2,828 runs, 0.58% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Ranger VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 6,523 NHTSA complaints from 2,828 Ranger runs and 114 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Ranger production run has the most complaints?
1FTER4FH3KL, a 2019 build, with 23 complaints. The typical Ranger run has 2.3.
Which Ranger years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 7 complaints per run and 1993 lightest at 1.5.
Does the Ranger get more complaints than the Nissan Frontier?
Yes: 2.3 complaints per production run for the Ranger against 1.8 for the Nissan Frontier.
How many Ranger complaints involve a crash?
8.8% of 6,523 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 232 involved a fire.
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