Ford Ranger Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 486 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the Ford Ranger across 22 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (71). The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (19% of reports).
- 486vehicle speed control complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 59mention a crash
- 18mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 34%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.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 93 of 486 complaints (19%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 187 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 486 complaints, 59 mention a crash, 29 a fire, 18 an injury.
Ford Ranger vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ranger | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2024 Ranger | 4 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Ranger | 2 | 11% | 38,000 |
| 2022 Ranger | 3 | 8% | 10,000 |
| 2021 Ranger | 8 | 7% | 4,500 |
| 2020 Ranger | 6 | 5% | 21,500 |
| 2019 Ranger | 12 | 4% | 6,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 4 | 2% | 43,500 |
| 2010 Ranger | 4 | 3% | 2,500 |
| 2009 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 12,501 |
| 2006 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 93,500 |
| 2005 Ranger | 7 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2004 Ranger | 19 | 5% | 42,500 |
| 2003 Ranger | 40 | 16% | 53,500 |
| 2002 Ranger | 51 | 15% | 65,000 |
| 2001 Ranger | 57 | 11% | 73,232 |
| 2000 Ranger | 55 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 1999 Ranger | 54 | 7% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Ranger | 71 | 12% | 78,650 |
| 1997 Ranger | 23 | 6% | 128,000 |
| 1996 Ranger | 34 | 8% | 109,128 |
| 1995 Ranger | 20 | 6% | 116,387 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle speed control
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
Risk: If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission and the gear-shift linkage module are defective, and the truck remains available for inspection. Our safety is constantly put at risk because the transmission exhibits an extremely violent, highly intermittent powertrain lunging jolt during deceleration and…
Several times while driving at highway speed, my vehicle transmission will shift all by itself into baha 4wd mode, or 4wd mode causing my truck to become a hazard on the road. Should someone be following me and my transmission implodes due to this issue, people could be seriously harmed or killed.
On multiple occasions while making a left or right turn and trying to accelerate, there is no input via the gas pedal. The truck will not accelerate at all. It takes a random amount of time before any throttle input is registered, which is usually followed by rapid acceleration.
On 6-7 separate occasions, my 2025 Ranger had a sudden and complete loss of accelerator response while slowing down to make a left turn. This also happens on occasion at traffic lights when the light turns and I attempt to turn left. The duration of loss of power has increased with each incident…
Purchased this truck new and took on a trip over the weekend. Put on just under 800 miles no issues. This morning while driving to get my wondows tinted I noticed my truck flashing to apply brakes as it was trying to shift itself into 4wd low setting. Sure enough i looked over and the truck was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Rangers have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 486 owner complaints about vehicle speed control 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 vehicle speed control?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the Ford Ranger?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 93 of 486 complaints.
Other Ford Ranger problems
- Air Bags problems (1,882)
- Power Train problems (745)
- Tires problems (701)
- Structure problems (668)
- Suspension problems (523)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (483)
- Electrical System problems (434)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (334)
See all Ford Ranger problems.