Ford Ranger Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Ford Ranger across 21 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (51).
- 334engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Ford Ranger at $1,600, and half of them between $1,050 and $3,400.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 134 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 334 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 5 an injury.
Ford Ranger engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Ranger | 1 | 3% | 300 |
| 2021 Ranger | 3 | 3% | 59,500 |
| 2020 Ranger | 2 | 2% | 37,250 |
| 2019 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 19,888 |
| 2010 Ranger | 1 | 1% | 1,600 |
| 2009 Ranger | 3 | 2% | 1,238 |
| 2008 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 750 |
| 2007 Ranger | 3 | 1% | 16,804 |
| 2006 Ranger | 7 | 3% | 29,205 |
| 2005 Ranger | 10 | 3% | 44,000 |
| 2004 Ranger | 17 | 4% | 45,500 |
| 2003 Ranger | 18 | 7% | 15,000 |
| 2002 Ranger | 39 | 11% | 14,500 |
| 2001 Ranger | 29 | 6% | 67,000 |
| 2000 Ranger | 37 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 1999 Ranger | 45 | 6% | 88,500 |
| 1998 Ranger | 51 | 9% | 83,000 |
| 1997 Ranger | 14 | 3% | 71,500 |
| 1996 Ranger | 31 | 8% | — |
| 1995 Ranger | 14 | 4% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 28, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2025, 2026
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S35. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 28, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Model years: 2025
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with 2.5l ohc engines. Engine coolant circulation through the heater circuit is prevented because of a plugged heater return tube (water pump inlet tube) at the water pump. These vehicles do not comply with the intent of fmvss no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems."
Risk: As a result of no heat in the heater circuit, defrost performance is compromised.
Fix: Dealers will replace the plugged heater water return tubes.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was a misfire coming from the engine, and the vehicle shuddered violently. The contact stated that the failure increased while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was…
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving on several occasions, the infotainment system screen turned black intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and accelerating, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was skipping gear, slipping, and shifting hard. The check engine warning light was briefly illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the check engine warning light started flashing off and on, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was smoke was coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinder, causing…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Rangers have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 334 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling 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 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Ford Ranger?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,600 (half paid between $1,050 and $3,400), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
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)
- Electrical System problems (434)
See all Ford Ranger problems.