Common Problems with the Ford Ranger
FixMyCar discusses common problems with the Ford Ranger and average repair costs.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Tuesday August 12 2025
7 min read
The Ford Ranger is an outstanding pick-up that ticks all the boxes you'd hope for - it's a reliable and competent workhorse but doesn't sacrifice passenger comfort.
This guide explores common problems with the Ranger. These include:
Corrosion
What's wrong with the Ford Ranger?
Drivers commonly search online for information about the following problems.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak roller shutter problems
The roller shutter system can stop working for several reasons, including loose side rail bolts, debris in the side rails, a blown fuse and lack of lubrication. For has issued this maintenance guide to help prevent problems.
Ford Ranger engine problems
Two of the most common engine-related issues with the Ranger are a faulty MAF sensor and oil pump failure. If the MAF sensor fails, the check engine light will usually appear on the dashboard, and you might notice black exhaust smoke and difficulty starting.
Average engine management light diagnostic price: £93.51
On the other hand, the symptoms of oil pump failure include low oil pressure and increased engine temperature. This repair is more expensive, costing anywhere from £300 to over £1,000.
Ford Ranger AdBlue problems
The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system is vital in reducing emissions from the Ranger’s diesel engine. One way it does this is using AdBlue, which you can learn about here. However, the system sometimes fails due to a blocked injector or faulty sensor, triggering the check engine light. You’ll need to read the fault code to determine the exact problem.
Average diagnostic test price: £61.03
Recent recalls
| Recall number | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| R/2024/245 | 24.07.24 | A small number of Ranger vehicles that have been manufactured with an incorrectly assembled engine idler gear. |
| R/2024/042 | 18.02.24 | Ranger vehicles have been manufactured using a front wiper motor linkage that could potentially fracture due to a manufacturing quality issue. |
| R/2024/033 | 05.02.24 | The incorrect Front Propeller Shaft may have been installed. |
| R/2023/320 | 10.11.23 | Ranger vehicles where the High Pressure (HP) Pipes connecting with the Fuel Pump may not have been correctly tightened to specifications. |
| R/2023/285 | 03.10.23 | Ranger vehicles that may have been produced with incorrect bolts for the rear axle ring gear. |
| R/2023/247 | 24.08.23 | Affected vehicles may have been produced with the propeller shaft flange to transmission bolts loose and / or missing. |
| R/2023/241 | 16.08.23 | Ranger vehicles that have a manual rear door child lock which is activated near the rear door latch may have been incorrectly fitted with a switch pack that includes a rear window/rear door child lock button that illuminates when actuated. |
| R/2023/152 | 23.05.23 | 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. |
| R/2023/085 | 30.03.23 | The driver’s seat belt might have the webbing routed through the anchor rubber trim sleeve instead of being routed through the metal anchor eyelet. |
| R/2022/196 | 22.03.23 | It is possible that the exhaust muffler flange weld could crack and in extreme circumstances the exhaust muffler could detach from the vehicle. |
| R/2023/014 | 31.01.23 | On several Ranger vehicles an incorrectly configured Headlamp Control Module (HCM) is causing the Static Bending Light (SBL) feature to not work as intended. |
| R/2022/142 | 01.11.22 | A small number of Ford Ranger vehicles could suffer a differential drive pinion failure caused by micro cracks created during the production process. |
| R/2022/308 | 28.10.22 | On the affected vehicles there is a possibility that the steering column bolt may not be correctly tightened to specification. |
| R/2020/103 | 28.04.20 | Transmission fluid pump gear failure. |
| R/2019/153 | 12.07.19 | Ruptured flexible front brake hoses may occur from cyclic fatigue. |
Ford Ranger 2011-2019 faults
1. Oil pump failure
The oil pump in Rangers with a 3.2-litre diesel engine is known for being unreliable. If you hear ticking noises from the engine, see the check engine light on the dashboard, or experience low oil pressure, these are all signs that the pump is faulty.
What repair is needed for oil pump failure, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
The faulty oil pump needs replacing. We recommend upgrading to a geared oil pump, which is more reliable. Unfortunately, our average price data doesn’t cover this type of repair.
2. Timing belt issues
Some later 2.0-litre diesel models can suffer from timing belt issues at around 70,000 miles. When the belt wears out, you’ll likely experience a drop in engine performance and misfires accompanied by the check engine light.
What repair is needed for timing belt issues, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
The timing belt needs replacing, which costs £1,325 on average for a Ranger.
3. Corrosion
Several Ranger owners have reported corrosion, particularly on the chassis and wheel arches.
What repair is needed for corrosion, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
A bodywork specialist can offer advice about the best way to repair the corrosion, as it largely depends on how severe it is and how much of the vehicle it affects. It might be possible to use Small to Medium Area Repair Technology (SMART), and if your car only has a small patch of rust, you may even be able to fix it yourself.
The average price of a SMART repair on FixMyCar is £593.26.
4. Leaking transmission fluid
Drivers have reported problems with both the manual and automatic gearboxes in the Ranger, but the biggest issue to watch for is leaking transmission fluid in automatic models. A puddle of dark fluid under the vehicle is the most obvious sign of a leak. It will usually be accompanied by jerky gear changes, a burning smell, and a dashboard warning light.
What repair is needed for leaking transmission fluid, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
A mechanic will identify where the fluid is leaking from and replace the necessary parts. The average price of a Ford Ranger leak diagnostic is £69.60.
Ford Ranger 2019-2022 faults
1. Rattling transmission
Transmission problems are a recurring theme for the Ranger. Several owners have reported rattling noises, which can be caused by low or old transmission fluid, worn-out bearings or gear teeth, worn transmission mounts or a damaged drivetrain.
What repair is needed for a rattling transmission, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
Any worn-out components need replacing. If old oil is the cause, the system should be flushed and filled with fresh oil. The average price of a transmission repair is £252.54.
2. Water leaks
The seals around the doors and windows can wear out, leading to leaks. The doors also have drains beneath them that can get clogged with debris, and when this happens, they fill with water quickly.
What repair is needed for water leaks, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
Worn seals need replacing, and if the door drains are blocked, clear away the debris to stop water from building up. Replacing door and window seals is a relatively easy job. It’s something you could do yourself. Alternatively, a professional seal replacement should cost less than £100, depending on how many seals need fixing.
3. Scratched paintwork
Many Ranger owners have observed that the paintwork scratches easily.
What repair is needed for scratched paintwork, and how much does it cost for a Ford Ranger?
Repairing scratches is something you can do at home. Follow the advice in this guide.
Ford Ranger 2022-present faults
There isn’t enough data yet to identify common problems for this generation of the Ranger.
Is the Ford Ranger reliable?
The Ranger wasn’t included in WhatCar?’s latest reliability survey. However, Ford came in 17th place out of 32 car manufacturers, suggesting average reliability.
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