2011 Ford RANGER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Ford RANGER has 260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is air bags problems (76% of all complaints), specifically: my vehicle (1 )was involved in collision with another vehicle( 2) failing to yield at an intersection, the non-yielding vehicle(2) was sideswiped as i was not going to take him head on, the front end and side panels on the drivers side of vehicle (1) and the passenger side front and quarter panels r. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
260
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
2/5
Safety Stars
1.8x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
AIR BAGS
198 complaints- • MY VEHICLE (1 )WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( 2) FAILING TO YIELD AT AN INTERSECTION, THE NON-YIELDING VEHICLE(2) WAS SIDESWIPED AS I WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE HIM HEAD ON, THE FRONT END AND SIDE PANELS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE (1) AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND QUARTER PANELS R
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD RANGER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FI
- • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT AND PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE
“MY VEHICLE (1 )WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( 2) FAILING TO YIELD AT AN INTERSECTION, THE NON-YIELDING VEHICLE(2) WAS SIDESWIPED AS I WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE HIM HEAD ON, THE FRONT END AND SIDE PANELS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE (1) AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND QUARTER PANELS R”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Ford RANGER
Based on 85 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION
AIR BAGS
BRAKES
BODY/STRUCTURE
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 (6)
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 2011 Ford RANGER
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Ford RANGER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford RANGER Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2011 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 260 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: MY VEHICLE (1 )WAS INVOLVED IN COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE( 2) FAILING TO YIELD AT AN INTERSECTION, THE NON-YIELDING VEHICLE(2) WAS SIDESWIPED AS I WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE HIM HEAD ON, THE FRONT END AND SIDE PANELS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE (1) AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND QUARTER PANELS R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐LIGHTING: 2011 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER STATES REAR TURN SIGNALS AND STOP LIGHTS DID NOT WORK *TGW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE ACCELERATES IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. OCTOBER 2011, I WAS SLOWLY BACKING AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD ALMOST HITTING TWO MEN DIRECTING ME. THE NEXT DAY I CARRIED VEHICLE TO AN OPEN FIELD AND TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I ASSUMED DRIVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BED LINER DETACHED FROM THE BED OF THE VEHICLE AND LANDED ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,600.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford RANGER — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 260
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 11
- Injury reports
- 9
- Segment avg
- 146
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Ford RANGER