Is the 2010 Ford RANGER reliable?

The 2010 Ford RANGER has 170 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Ford RANGER?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (127 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Ford RANGER?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Ford RANGER?

The 2010 Ford RANGER gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Ford RANGER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Ford RANGER is approximately $1,451/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Ford RANGER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Ford RANGER has 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is air bags problems (75% of all complaints), specifically: i work during the nights on the 8pm-4:30am shift. i was changed temporarily to the 3:30am - 12pm shift to cover a coworker's vacations. i worked on saturday from 8pm-4:30am and then on monday from 3:30am-12pm. as a result, on my second day on this new shift, i didn't rest well. on tuesday, march 11,. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 4 injuries

170

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

127 complaints

75%

• I WORK DURING THE NIGHTS ON THE 8PM-4:30AM SHIFT. I WAS CHANGED TEMPORARILY TO THE 3:30AM - 12PM SHIFT TO COVER A COWORKER'S VACATIONS. I WORKED ON SATURDAY FROM 8PM-4:30AM AND THEN ON MONDAY FROM 3:30AM-12PM. AS A RESULT, ON MY SECOND DAY ON THIS NEW SHIFT, I DIDN'T REST WELL. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11,
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN FROM THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE AND TAKEN TO A NEARBY EMERGENCY FACILITY. THE CONTACT SU
• DRIVING ON INT 10 SAN BERNARDINO CALIF, SLAMMED INTO VEHICLE BARELY MOVING AND I WAS DOING ABOUT 60MPH. HORRIBLE IMPACT AND DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SEVERE RT HAND TRAUMA INCLUDING BROKEN INDEX FINGER.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 5 crashes

“I WORK DURING THE NIGHTS ON THE 8PM-4:30AM SHIFT. I WAS CHANGED TEMPORARILY TO THE 3:30AM - 12PM SHIFT TO COVER A COWORKER'S VACATIONS. I WORKED ON SATURDAY FROM 8PM-4:30AM AND THEN ON MONDAY FROM 3:30AM-12PM. AS A RESULT, ON MY SECOND DAY ON THIS NEW SHIFT, I DIDN'T REST WELL. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11,”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Ford RANGER

Based on 58 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 66K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (9)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Ford RANGER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Ford RANGER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,451

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$629

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1451

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford RANGER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2010 RANGER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 170 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WORK DURING THE NIGHTS ON THE 8PM-4:30AM SHIFT. I WAS CHANGED TEMPORARILY TO THE 3:30AM - 12PM SHIFT TO COVER A COWORKER'S VACATIONS. I WORKED ON SATURDAY FROM 8PM-4:30AM AND THEN ON MONDAY FROM 3:30AM-12PM. AS A RESULT, ON MY SECOND DAY ON THIS NEW SHIFT, I DIDN'T REST WELL. ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TAILGATE AND IT COMPLETELY FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,766. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 2010 FORD RANGER LST 4 CYLINDER. THERE IS A SEVER VIBRATION AT 2000 RPMS AND THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE. 850 RPMS ON THE TACH. THE VIBRATION IS IN THE STEERING AND THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE TRUCK. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)