Short answer
Among Ford Ranger model years through 2024, 2003 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2024 has the most (13). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Ford Ranger: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 20 (2000–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 70
- Fewest recalls
- 2003 (1)
- Most recalls
- 2024 (13)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (51)
Ford Ranger Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 8 | 4 stars | Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Back over prevention |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 13 | 4 stars | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Seats |
| 2024 | 13 | 4 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Suspension, Visibility |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 stars | Equipment, Back over prevention, Wheels |
| 2022 | 5 | 4 stars | Equipment, Back over prevention, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2021 | 6 | 4 stars | Equipment, Back over prevention, Child seat |
| 2020 | 7 | 4 stars | Back over prevention, Equipment, Child seat |
| 2019 | 11 | 4 stars | Back over prevention, Equipment, Power train |
| 2011 | 5 | 2 stars | Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2010 | 8 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2009 | 7 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Suspension |
| 2008 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2007 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2006 | 12 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Visibility |
| 2005 | 9 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting |
| 2004 | 10 | Not rated | Air bags, Exterior lighting, Structure |
| 2003 | 1 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control |
| 2002 | 3 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Power train |
| 2001 | 4 | Not rated | Vehicle speed control, Seat belts, Structure |
| 2000 | 4 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Seat belts |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20268 recalls
- 202513 recalls
- 202413 recalls
- 20234 recalls
- 20225 recalls
- 20216 recalls
- 20207 recalls
- 201911 recalls
- 20115 recalls
- 20108 recalls
- 20097 recalls
- 20085 recalls
- 20075 recalls
- 200612 recalls
- 20059 recalls
- 200410 recalls
- 20031 recall
- 20023 recalls
- 20014 recalls
- 20004 recalls
Ford Ranger: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford Ranger recalls are air bags (51), equipment (12), exterior lighting (12), back over prevention (9) and visibility (7). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 9 of these 20 model years. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Ford Ranger Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Ford Ranger?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2003 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.
Which Ford Ranger model years have the most recalls?
2024 has the most, with 13 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Ranger", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy