DecodedCarsFord Ranger
15 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2026
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Latest engines
- 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 22–24 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2020)
- Recalls
- 59 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2008 (306)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 12,080 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Ranger in brief
The 2026 Ford Ranger is a standard pickup truck offered with 3 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 211 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 129-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,324 lb (Raptor Supercrew 3.0l 4WD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 25 highway), 12% better than the 2026 standard pickup truck average of 20.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
The Ford Ranger has 15 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 2WD.
Its most efficient year was 2011 at 24 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 24 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,285), power train (280), electrical system (125).
Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2019 is the year to avoid.
2025 has the most recalls (13); all years together count 59 campaigns and 2,186 owner complaints.
How the 2005 Ranger compares
The 2005 Ford Ranger is a standard pickup truck offered with 3 engines (2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,069 lb (Reg Cab Flareside S/Box).
About the Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a range of pickup trucks manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company in North and South America under the Ford Ranger nameplate. Introduced in early 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Ranger is currently in its fifth generation. Developed as a replacement for the Mazda-sourced Ford Courier, the model line has been sold across the Americas; Ford of Argentina began production of the Ranger for South America in 1998.
From the Wikipedia article "Ford Ranger (Americas)", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Ranger pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Best and worst years to buy used
2023 Ranger
18 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 1 fire report · 2 crash reports
Year to avoid2019 Ranger
270 owner complaints · 11 recalls · 2 fire reports · 13 crash reports
Most reported: Power Train
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 6 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Ranger changes by model year
- 2024
- New body dimensions: 0.4 in shorter, wheelbase +1.9 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 2.7L 6-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- 2019
- New body dimensions: 23.6 in longer, wheelbase +15.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Engines dropped: 2.3L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
- 2009
- Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 15 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 210.6 in | 5,324 lb | Not rated | 8 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 210.6 in | 5,324 lb | Not rated | 13 | 44 |
| 2024 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 22 MPG | 210.6 in | 5,324 lb | Not rated | 13 | 95 |
| 2023 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 211 in | 4,352 lb | Not rated | 4 | 18 |
| 2022 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 211 in | 4,352 lb | Not rated | 5 | 38 |
| 2021 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 211 in | 4,352 lb | Not rated | 6 | 119 |
| 2020 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 211 in | 4,352 lb | ★★★★★ | 7 | 130 |
| 2019 | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 211 in | 4,352 lb | ★★★★★ | 11 | 270 |
| 2011 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 5 | 223 |
| 2010 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 8 | 140 |
| 2009 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 6 | 152 |
| 2008 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 5 | 306 |
| 2007 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 5 | 243 |
| 2006 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 11 | 218 |
| 2005 | 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl | 23 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,069 lb | Not rated | 9 | 182 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Ranger
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Tacoma | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Chevrolet Colorado | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 GMC Canyon | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Honda Ridgeline | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Gladiator | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Rivian R1T | 420 mi | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →