2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab
Safety ratings, recalls, and consumer complaints from NHTSA
NHTSA Safety Ratings
2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 4WD
- Overall
- Not Rated
- Front Crash
- Not Rated
- Side Crash
- Not Rated
- Rollover
- ★★★☆☆
2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 2WD
- Overall
- Not Rated
- Front Crash
- Not Rated
- Side Crash
- Not Rated
- Rollover
- ★★★☆☆
Recalls(6)
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
Campaign: 21V765000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Campaign: 21V982000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Campaign: 21V811000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Campaign: 23V379000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Campaign: 25V442000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Campaign: 25V685000
Consumer Complaints(114 total, showing 10)
POWER TRAIN
While driving from [XXX] to [XXX] on XXX my 2021 Ford Ranger's dash light came on and I noticed harsh shifting and the vehicle began jolting unpredictably while I was driving at highway speeds. To avoid imminent danger, I pulled off the 101 and slowly drove to the closest Ford dealership, Vista Ford Lincoln of [XXX], in order to have the truck assessed. Technicians performed a diagnostic evaluation and retrieved DTC P0766 (shift solenoid "D" performance/stuck off) and P2703 (transmission friction element "D" apply time.) These codes are the documented engineering signature of internal CDF clutch drum bushing migration- a known, widespread manufacturing defect inherent to Ford's 10R80 transmission platform. Vista Ford confirmed the transmission required a complete replacement, but assured me that I could slowly drive the truck home to [XXX] for the repair. [XXX] of [XXX] confirmed the error codes and quoted me 9,857.86 to repair the existing transmission and 13,295.84 to replace the transmission. I reached out to Ford Corporate (case number: [XXX]) who explicitly refused a reasonable goodwill remedy, offering only a 10% discount against [XXX]'s replacement quote. This left me with an untenable 11, 966.26 bill for a known factory defect, therefore I transferred the truck to B'N'C Mobile Auto Repair where the transmission replacement cost me 7, 954.73 Although the 5 year express powertrain warranty concluded on XXX, a major vehicle powertrain components failing at just 48,820 miles under normal during conditions is dangerous and unacceptable. I have preserved all diagnostic sheets, including trouble codes, paid receipts and my original 2021 sale contract. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
One suspects dealership misrepresented sale. Website lists vehicle series, XL; window sticker document indicates Lariat. 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor might have been rebuilt without instrument reporting changes. Because one has been ambushed - one no longer has collateral. One is attempting such creation report via XXX Code [XXX] for unwinding contract, good faithing Wells Fargo lien key negotiation VIN hold: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and shifting gear, the transmission shifted hard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the transmission was operating as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recalls on the VIN associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
POWER TRAIN
2021 ford ranger 98160 millas firts time buy 01 19 2022 transmition went out 7 2 2026, my factory defect
POWER TRAIN
Transmission hard shifts in low gear and sometimes slips gears or revs up engine without accelerating then slams into gear lurching forward. Had transmission oil checked by dealer and they said it looked great. Happened 29 July several times and again 5 Aug all throughout the day.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chrome metal on 3 door handles sticking up. Cut my daughter's fingers and my fingers. Was reported to Ford and local dealer but Ford said I would have to pay out of pocket to replace full handle assemblies. Ford offerred a discount, but it was still expensive. Truck was too new for the chrome to be coming off. I rarely use the back seat/doors, and those handles are peeling up just like front handles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chrome metal peeling up on 3 door handles. Started peeling around 39K miles. Cut my fingers and my daughter's fingers. Brought it to local dealer who filed a repair request and Ford said I would have to pay for ful door handle assemblies out of pocket. Truck was too new and well taken care of for me to feel comfortable paying out of pocket.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 stopping. The impact is so severe that it sounds and feels like a loud gunshot firing right next to the cabin occupants. Furthermore, the transmission simultaneously exhibits severe throttle hesitation and gear-skipping. This causes the vehicle to drop gears and completely fail to move when attempting to accelerate at busy stoplights, trapping us as a sitting duck in active traffic. Earlier in our timeline, the technician improperly reassembled the shift linkage, which caused the multi-ton vehicle to refuse to engage in Park and violently roll backward down a steep residential incline; an emergency parking brake deployment was required to prevent a catastrophic accident. The transmission defect was physically confirmed by [XXX] of Papillion, who verified scored, sticking fluid control valves inside the main control unit. Additionally, the hazard was officially confirmed by BBB AUTO LINE National Arbitrator Sharon Katt (Case XXX). The arbitrator officially signed a ruling certifying that our safety, use, and value concerns are completely valid, explicitly noting that the intermittent nature of this transmission failure does not minimize the extreme safety hazard. There were no warning lamps prior to the failure. The symptoms first appeared at ~49,000 miles. The dealer has since refused advanced diagnostics, executed an irrelevant radio reset instead, and willfully fabricated a fake service record on CARFAX on April 21, 2026, to force-close system safety alerts in their database. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN
I've had many issue's with this vehicle's transmission: Harsh and erratic shifting. Shuddering when accelerating. Slippage. On several occasions not able to go in reverse. Issue's started at 45k miles. Had it in the shop on several occasions to address problem. I've had to replace faulty transmission at 70k miles. This is a faulty transmission due to incompetent CDF Clutch drum. This is NOT a safe vehicle to operate.
POWER TRAIN
The ring gear wore out and had to replace the whole rear end
Decode a 2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab VIN
Enter your 17-character VIN to get complete specs, safety equipment details, and production information.
Open VIN Decoder