2021 Ford RANGER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford RANGER has 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is transmission problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: there is gasoline in my oil. i had an oil analysis from a lab, and they confirmed there is too much gasoline in my oil.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.
147
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
49 complaints- • There is gasoline in my oil. I had an oil analysis from a lab, and they confirmed there is too much gasoline in my oil.
- • On multiple occasions the transmission has slipped when changing gears .This has happened when trying to merge into traffic . One time almost causing someone to rear-end me . It also fails to downshift some times when stopping , causing me to brake much harder than normal . I will be taking it to th
- • vehicle has a hard shift and jerks when shifting up and down
“There is gasoline in my oil. I had an oil analysis from a lab, and they confirmed there is too much gasoline in my oil.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford RANGER
Based on 32 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
TRANSMISSION
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 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."
Risk: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 147 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: There is gasoline in my oil. I had an oil analysis from a lab, and they confirmed there is too much gasoline in my oil.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, EXCESSIVE EFFORT WAS NEEDED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WEST HERR FORD OF HAMBURG (5025 CAMP RD, HAMBURG, NY 14075) WHERE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: After driving a 700 mile round-trip, I got home and parked my vehicle in my garage. It have a strong smell of fuel and oil mix what's your is exceedingly strong the next morning when I woke up and went into the garage. I pulled the oil dipstick out, the level was 2 inches higher than normal and it
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Lane departure features is excessive. I've twice now had to make an emergency lane change to avoid an accident occurring in front of me and the lane keep assist almost forced me back into the lane and potentially causing me to get in an accident. I have had to turn this feature off entirely, which
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 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 147
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 6
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 146
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford RANGER