2021 Ford Ranger Problems And Complaints

2021 Ford Ranger Common Problems

Electrical issues:

1. False alarms: Many people have faced false alarms in the 2021 Ranger. These warnings ranged from door ajar alarms to trailer unhooked alarms. The system falsely detected things and gave out a warning on the instrument cluster. This also led to a lot of confusion and distraction while driving. 
2. Infotainment issues: People have reported the infotainment system in the Ranger to lag and freeze. This rendered the whole infotainment system inoperable and one had to restart the vehicle to get it working again. This leads to a lot of hassle and distraction. 
3. Battery issues: A handful of 2021 Ranger owners have reported that the battery in the truck discharges abnormally and dies. This sudden battery drain has led the truck inoperable. One has to jump-start the truck every time it is started after just a couple of days.

Mechanical issues:

• Fuel mixing into engine oil: Many owners have complained of the fuel getting mixed with engine oil after the truck has been driven for a long period. The owners complained that the resulting odor was very strong. This odor entered the cabin, causing nausea and headaches. The manufacturer has been notified of the issue and a resolution is being wired upon.
• Excessive brake pedal travel: The brake pedal in the Ford Ranger has excessive travel that makes it very difficult to bring the truck to a halt. The owners complain that the pedal feels very “mushy” and doesn’t inspire confidence while braking. 
• Overheating: Some units of a particular manufacturing batch of the 2021 Ranger experienced a lot of overheating issues. This overheating is also said to cause a fire in the engine compartment. The fires also fill the cabin with smoke, causing difficulty in breathing. 

Safety issues:

• Vehicle Speed Control (VSC) issues: People have reported the truck accelerating without any input from the driver. This unintentional acceleration has caused the truck to collide with objects in its surroundings. This only happens at very low speeds but has resulted in property damage as well.
• Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA) issues: Some owners have faced premature engagement of the FCA in the Ranger. This premature engagement activates the automatic braking of the truck. This causes it to decelerate rapidly and cause rear-end collisions.

2021 Ford Ranger Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1.	September 30, 2021	21V765000	Seats	In the units equipped with fixed head restraints, the restraints might hinder proper installation of child seats. An improper installation of a child seat increases the risk of injury in a crash. The affected units also fail to comply with FMVSS Number 225, “Child Restraint Anchorage System”.	The recall started on November 5, 2021. The dealers adjusted the lower anchorage of the child seat mounts. They also replaced the fixed head restraints with removable ones.
2.	October 15, 2021	21V811000	Seatbelts	A misrouted seatbelt may allow movement in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The affected units also fail to comply with FMVSS Number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection” and 209, “Seat Belt Assemblies”.	The recall for this issue began on November 5, 2021. The dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the front row outboard seat belts.
3.	December 16, 2021	21V982000	Forward Collision Avoidance	A misaligned cruise control radar module fails to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. It also hampers the proper functioning of the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. Both the cases increase the risk of a crash.	The recall for this issue began on January 21, 2022. The dealers will adjust the angle of the radar module.

Should you buy the 2021 Ford Ranger?

The 2021 Ford Ranger is an impeccable pickup truck that does its duty well. It is also one of the most reliable ones out there in the market. The NHTSA-registered complaints do throw light on some pressing issues like the brake pedal travel and false warnings. The American carmaker is notified of these problems and solutions are being worked upon. If you want to go for a used Ranger, just do the standard due diligence and you’ll be good to go.