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2021 Ford Ranger problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Ford Ranger has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 118owner complaints
- 6crash reports
- 3fire reports
- 12%fail the UK MOT
118 complaints, against an average of 86 for the other 7 Ford Ranger model years.
Every Ford Ranger model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Ford Ranger?
The components named most often in the 118 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Ford Ranger owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 118 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?17 owners · 14.4%
- Has the 2021 Ford Ranger had transmission failures?16 owners · 13.6%
- Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger idle rough, misfire or hesitate?10 owners · 8.5%
- Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger stall, lose power or shut off while driving?9 owners · 7.6%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 Ford Ranger?6 owners · 5.1%
- Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger smell of fuel or gas?4 owners · 3.4%
- Why does adaptive cruise control not work properly on my 2021 Ford Ranger?4 owners · 3.4%
Fault codes 2021 Ford Ranger owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2021 Ford Ranger been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Ranger as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAFrozen Rearview Camera Screen
Risk: On affected vehicles there is a potential software issue causing the rear-view camera not to function as intended.
Fix: Update the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software to the latest level.
UK DVSACrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update
Risk: On affected vehicles a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver’s view or with it remaining on after a reversing event.
Fix: Update the vehicle software to the latest level.
UK DVSAOn the affected vehicles the Brake Fluid Level Low warning message will not appear on the Instrument Panel Cluster when the brake fluid…On the affected vehicles the Brake Fluid Level Low warning message will not appear on the Instrument Panel Cluster when the brake fluid level falls below a pre-determined level
Risk: On affected vehicles the Brake Fluid Level Low warning message will not appear on the Instrument Panel Cluster when the brake fluid level falls below a pre-determined level.
Fix: Affected vehicles need to be returned to a Ford Authorised Dealer to have a software update that will restore feature functionality.
EU Safety GateThe front wheel right stub axle may crack, possibly compromising the stability of the component and causing it to break.This breaking may damage the steering, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2021 Ford Ranger fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2021, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2021 Ford Ranger owners report?
12 of the 118 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
I am reporting a potential drivetrain safety defect involving the rear driveshaft bearing on my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 Lariat. On September 3, 2025, I brought my truck to Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood after experiencing an intermittent abnormal whistling/mechanical noise while driving. The vehicle had 38,275 miles and was still under warranty. Ford retained it until September 6 but could not reproduce or diagnose the noise. This is documented on service invoice #415969. The noise continued and progressively worsened, eventually accompanied by increased vibration. In early July 2026, an…
I was parking the truck and I put it in reverse and no reverse whatsoever. I put it and drive them back and reverse nothing. I put it in park turned it off restarted it and reverse worked took it to the dealer and they said the transmission has to be replaced due to faulty parts from Ford on the original transmission although it might be covered under the 200,000 mile powertrain warranty it is still a big inconvenience and this is not the first time I was having problems with the transmission if I have to pay for it it could be up to $8500
Vehicle is just out of warranty and has less than 45,000 miles yet I'm being told I need a full transmission replacement. I know of 4 other rangers that as soon as they hit 40,000 or there about, began having jerky transmission issues. I reached out to ford for a goodwill request and am being told that I have to pay to have the transmission disassembled just to see IF they will pay for anything to be fixed. Is this not planned obsolesence?
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…
During low speed driving, mainly stop and go traffic the truck will randomly lunge forward when the brake pedal is engaged. It happens when accelerating and the truck will shift in to second gear, then if you apply the brake the truck will act like it is going to stall, the engine rpm will spike and the truck will launch forward. If you dont force the brake pedal to the floor, the truck will continue to accelerate, potentially slamming into another vehicle. This has happened multiple times, the dealer has rebuilt the transmission and that fixed the issue for the last 6-8k miles. the issue has…
My truck loses power at a stop, starting to accelerate is stalls in the middle of the road. It seems to be stuck in gear or not going in gear. It will finally start going and the hesitation starts a the rpm gage goes up to about 3000 rpm’s and then goes back down to 1500. This is extremely dangerous to lose power in the middle of the road. This needs to be addressed.
10R80 TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WILL JERK & LAG WHEN DRIVING. HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TRANSMISSION FOR TRUCK
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was a misfire coming from the engine, and the vehicle shuddered violently. The contact stated that the failure increased while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The service manager at the dealer was contacted and informed the contact that he had remote access to the DTC that was displayed after the failure had occurred. The contact verbally provided the DTC, but the information was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact…
The boot material surrounding the parking brake bunches up and does not allow the handle to properly seat. When using the cruise control, the parking brake handle will raise up on its own, due to the boot material, causing the cruise control to abruptly disengage. This causes the vehicle to mildly to moderately deaccelerate without warning. This could cause rear end collision.
Several warning lights, which included: ABS failure, Parking Assist Failure, Lane Avoidance Failure, Traction Control Failure, as well as having steering difficulty. ( mileage 24500 ). The problem was found by dealer to be an eletrical connector underneath the vehicle at the mid point, with their belief that it was corrosion, which I believe to be a defective component and design. I contacted Ford but they were not interested in retrevale of the connector, so as to diagnose the failure. ( I am keeping the connector )
Wiring for back up camera failed and short circuited - will attempt to retain the components for inspection needs. Safety concern - when wire short circuited, it burned the wire at the control module in the dash board, causing the control module to also fail - according the the ford service advisor at my dealership. Issue was diagnosed and inspected by Titus Will Ford service center at 11503 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 - phone # (253) 753-1253. No warning lamps/messages/symptoms.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while in the reverse gear, the rear cross-traffic warning did not alert the contact that the vehicle was close to an object. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole. No injuries were sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the bumper and the harness for the rear cross-traffic warning system were replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 14,850.
2021 Ford Ranger: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Ford Ranger reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Ranger; the most common categories were power train (60, 50.8%), service brakes (15, 12.7%), engine (13, 11%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 6 complaints mention a crash, 3 mention a fire, 9 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Ranger?
Across 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (50.8% of complaints), service brakes (12.7% of complaints), engine (11% of complaints), electrical system (6.8% of complaints), vehicle speed control (6.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Ford Ranger. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
17 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (14.4%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11755122, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2021 Ford Ranger had transmission failures?
16 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (13.6%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "Transmission failure at 75k miles. It downshifted from 10th gear into 4th at highway speeds and started throwing transmission codes. Almost caused me to get rid as I was on the interstate in traffic at a speed of roughly 65-70 mph." (NHTSA complaint 11734737, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
10 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (8.5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "truck hesitates to go into gear then slams into reverse unexpectedly with a lot of force backing up - almost ran over a family member. Same thing when cold and going from park to drive, almost drove off my driveway down a steep mountain." (NHTSA complaint 11740512, May 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
9 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (7.6%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Truck Issue Description (2021 Ford Ranger – ~93k miles): Truck makes a whining / humming noise with a slight rattling vibration. The noise occurs while accelerating in gears 1–5. The pitch stays mostly the same but gets louder under throttle." (NHTSA complaint 11728611, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 Ford Ranger?
6 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (5.1%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "When I accelerate after a stop my truck starts jerking when shifting thru lower gears and the check engine light flashes. To increase my speed I have to slowly press the gas until it shifts thru gears." (NHTSA complaint 11665453, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 Ford Ranger smell of fuel or gas?
4 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (3.4%) describe a fuel or gasoline smell, or a fuel leak. One owner wrote: "Oil level 1/2 quart high, and smells like gasoline.? Actual mileage on truck is 8,544 last oil change @ dealership @ Wiscasset Ford on 5/6/24 in Wiscasset, Maine. 378 Bath Road 04578-9431 I was informed this is an issue. But what is the fix.?" (NHTSA complaint 11611440, August 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does adaptive cruise control not work properly on my 2021 Ford Ranger?
4 of the 118 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Ford Ranger (3.4%) describe adaptive cruise control disengaging, braking or not working. One owner wrote: "The boot material surrounding the parking brake bunches up and does not allow the handle to properly seat. When using the cruise control, the parking brake handle will raise up on its own, due to the boot material, causing the cruise control to abruptly…" (NHTSA complaint 11698044, November 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Ranger
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2021 only; combines NHTSA's entries for RANGER SUPER CAB and RANGER SUPER CREW. How these reports are made.