2021 Ford Ranger VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2021 Ford Ranger has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 88 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger. Severity signals include 6 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (36), Service Brakes (9), Electrical System (7).
Ranger reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Ford Ranger before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Most-reported 2021 Ford Ranger issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Power Train36
- Service Brakes9
- Electrical System7
- Engine7
- Unknown Or Other5
- Vehicle Speed Control3
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Ford Ranger
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Test transmission for jerky or slipping gear changes
- Inspect brake pedal height and firmness
- Check for fuel odor in engine oil
- Verify rearview camera functionality
- Inspect for water leaks in spark plug wells
- Check for door ajar warnings when doors are closed
- Inspect leaf springs for damage or wear
2021 Ranger recalls (6)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Ranger. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- EQUIPMENTNHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
- EQUIPMENTNHTSA 23V379000May 26, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENHTSA 21V982000Dec 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Consequence: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
- SEAT BELTSNHTSA 21V811000Oct 15, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.
- SEATS, CHILD SEATNHTSA 21V765000Sep 30, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
Consequence: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
Used-market value
2021 Ford Ranger resale snapshot
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
2021 Ford Ranger on the road
94,755 2021 Ford Ranger units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2021 Ford Ranger stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2021 Ford Ranger
The 2021 Ford Ranger posts an above-segment reliability result, landing solidly ahead of the class average. As year three of the current generation, the data points to a generally stable ownership profile, but not one without notable downside exposure.
Complaint patterns are not evenly spread. Reports cluster heavily in the powertrain, with brakes a distant second and smaller pockets in electrical and engine-related areas. That concentration suggests the model’s reliability story is shaped more by a few key systems than by broad, vehicle-wide quality noise. Recall activity is elevated rather than limited, which adds some additional uncertainty even with the strong overall score.
Overall, the data supports an above-average reliability outlook with moderate buyer risk driven by powertrain concentration and elevated recalls.
What you get in a 2021 Ford Ranger report
Check a 2021 Ford Ranger now
Confirm exact options, recall completion, accident history, and odometer accuracy in minutes.
2021 Ford Ranger — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
The 2021 Ford Ranger posts an above-segment reliability result, landing solidly ahead of the class average. As year three of the current generation, the data points to a generally stable ownership profile, but not one without notable downside exposure.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?
6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Ford Ranger. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2021 Ford Ranger problems?
The most-reported 2021 Ford Ranger problem areas are: Power Train (36), Service Brakes (9), Electrical System (7).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Ford Ranger?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Ford Ranger, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.