Used Ford Ranger 2011 - present reliability
Category: Pick-up
Big, rugged and capable; the Ford Ranger is a good value pick-up truck that’s not bad to drive
What should I look for in a used Ford Ranger 4x4?
Off road damage
This four-wheel drive Ranger is intended as a vehicle for mud plugging, but do inspect the underside for signs of damage caused by rocks. Also, make sure there aren’t clumps of mud stuck to it because that’ll trap water that may then lead to corrosion.
Bed liner
The bed of a pick-up truck will see a lot of abuse in its life from the items thrown into it, which is why a plastic bed liner is a good idea. Not only will it be easier to clean out, but also it’ll prevent the painted bed from being scratched.
Spare tyre
The spare tyre is exposed under the car, so make sure it is securely fastened to the car and the security locks are still in place. Otherwise, you might find the opportunist thief might relieve you of it and you’ll be left with a bill for a new spare.
What are the most common problems with a used Ford Ranger 4x4?
Failing seat back latch
On models produced between 5 September 2011 and 10 May 2012 there was an issue where the seat back latch would fail. A recall was issued where dealers would modify the latch to fix the problem.
Engine cut out
There was a problem with the fuel injection system of cars manufactured between 12 September 2014 and 26 January 2015 where fuel pressure could be lost and cause the engine to cut out. Dealers were to inspect the injectors and replace if necessary.
Unintended downshift
On Rangers built between 30 September 2011 and 31 March 2012 that were equipped with an automatic gearbox, there could be a downshift from 6th to 1st because of an incorrect signal from the output speed sensor. A recalibration of the sensor solved the problem.
Driveshaft damage
The gearshift cables on Rangers made between 17 November 2015 and 24 February 2016 can damage the rear driveshaft. Dealers were to inspect the gearshift retaining clips to ensure correct alignment to prevent the two from coming into contact.
Side airbags that fail to deploy
The ignitor used in the side airbag system to inflate the bag itself might fail to operate in a collision on some models constructed between 7 October 2016 and 17 November 2016. Replacement side airbags were fitted to fix the issue.
Is a used Ford Ranger 4x4 reliable?
The Ford Ranger wasn’t included in the latest What Car? Reliability survey but Ford as a brand only managed a middling 18th place out of 31 manufacturers. Toyota, by contrast, was up in 3rd place.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
