Ford Ranger Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 434 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Ford Ranger across 25 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (41). The words owners use most often: “windshield wipers” (6% of reports).
- 434electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Windshield wipers: mentioned in 24 of 434 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 184 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 434 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 53 a fire, 10 an injury.
Ford Ranger electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ranger | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2025 Ranger | 9 | 21% | — |
| 2024 Ranger | 28 | 30% | 177 |
| 2023 Ranger | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2022 Ranger | 8 | 22% | 7,150 |
| 2021 Ranger | 8 | 7% | 25,225 |
| 2020 Ranger | 11 | 8% | 14,000 |
| 2019 Ranger | 41 | 15% | 18,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 58,000 |
| 2010 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 28,250 |
| 2009 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 55,000 |
| 2008 Ranger | 7 | 2% | 57,000 |
| 2007 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 35,000 |
| 2006 Ranger | 11 | 4% | 24,705 |
| 2005 Ranger | 21 | 7% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Ranger | 16 | 4% | 76,112 |
| 2003 Ranger | 17 | 7% | 56,000 |
| 2002 Ranger | 17 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2001 Ranger | 22 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2000 Ranger | 38 | 6% | 71,000 |
| 1999 Ranger | 39 | 5% | 78,000 |
| 1998 Ranger | 29 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 1997 Ranger | 28 | 7% | 78,000 |
| 1996 Ranger | 38 | 9% | 121,310 |
| 1995 Ranger | 29 | 9% | 75,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system; structure:interior panels:sun visor
Model years: 2024, 2025, 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The sun visor or headliner wiring harnesses may be improperly positioned or have excessive tape thickness, which can result in damaged wires.
Risk: Damaged wires can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiring for damage and update the body control module software. Damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 5/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2026 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 6/29/2026 for Phase 2 and the week of 7/27/2026 for Phase 3. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed May 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S29. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 17, 2026.
Exterior lighting:tail lights; electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Model years: 2024, 2025, 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driverâs ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Electrical system:software; electrical system: instrument cluster/panel; electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger trucks. The instrument panel was not properly configured, preventing many of the the warning lights or gauges from properly displaying. This includes forward collision warnings, auto emergency braking, traction control, roll stability, and other gauges. The fuel gauge, distance to empty, and fuel economy may also not show accurately. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: An instrument panel that does not clearly display critical safety information increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fords number for this recall is 25C23.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle intermittently changes its drive mode on its own, with no input from the driver. This has happened approximately 6 to 12 times. It occurs in two situations. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle has switched itself into Rock Crawl mode, and on other occasions into Baja mode…
In the 21 months I have owned this 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat, it has changed driving modes 15-20 times ON ITS OWN. It goes from NORMAL OR ECO all the way to SAND, from 2wd to 4wd lo if I am stopped or 4wd high, (while telling it cannot go to 4lo if I don't stop), when I at at highway speeds.It also…
Rear Camera - Back Over Prevention - I took it to the dealer, they said there is no recall for my vehicle. It is currently available for inspection but I will need to get it fixed. Safety risk is elevated due to inability to fully see surroundings/people/children/pets, etc. behind the vehicle. The…
My 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor will shift drive modes by itself. I has tried to shift from normal drive mode to rock crawl mode or Baja mode. Rock crawl mode goes into 4 wheel drive low which would be very dangerous if it tried to shift into 4 low on the highway. It has happened multiple times…
Filed a complaint that Rangers had a recall on wiring harness and this vehicle was made in the Michigan plant where other Rangers had the recall. This particular Ranger should have been included in the recall. The dealership refused to do their due diligence. I filled a complaint and have a case…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Rangers have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 434 owner complaints about electrical system for the Ford Ranger. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Ranger electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Ford Ranger?
The most frequent phrase is “windshield wipers”, in 24 of 434 complaints.
Other Ford Ranger problems
- Air Bags problems (1,882)
- Power Train problems (745)
- Tires problems (701)
- Structure problems (668)
- Suspension problems (523)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (486)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (483)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (334)
See all Ford Ranger problems.