Makes›Ford›Ranger›2011

2011 Ford Ranger

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Ford Ranger
Pictured: 2011 Ford Ranger XLT -- NHTSA. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Reg Cab Styleside S/Box, Super Cab Styleside S/Box Sport/Xlt 4x, Super Cab Styleside S/Box Xl/Sport 4x2
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
24 combined · 22 city / 27 hwy
Length
187.4–201.6 in
Curb weight
3,069–3,600 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2011 small pickup truck (19.1 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Ford Ranger is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-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 Styleside S/Box).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (22 city / 27 highway), 26% better than the 2011 small pickup truck average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2011

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Ranger — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Ranger →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Reg Cab Styleside S/Box187.4 in69.3 in63.8 in111.8 in58.7 / 57.5 in3,069 lb60/40
Super Cab Styleside S/Box Sport/Xlt 4x201.6 in69.3 in67.7 in125.6 in58.7 / 57.5 in3,600 lb60/40
Super Cab Styleside S/Box Xl/Sport 4x2201.6 in69.3 in65 in125.6 in58.7 / 57.5 in3,234 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ranger 2WD2.3L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive22 / 27 / 24+26%$2,800370
Ranger 2WD2.3L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 20+5%$3,350444
Ranger 2WD4.0L 6-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-6%$3,700494
Ranger 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-11%$3,950523
Ranger 4WD4.0L 6-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17-4%$3,950523
Ranger 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16-10%$4,200555
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2011 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Ford Ranger.

Similar 2011 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Ford Ranger (this car)24 MPGNot rated5
2011 Suzuki Equator21 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (5)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 10, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V158000 · 2,602,668 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high 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
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 16, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 7, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V001000 · 782,384 vehicles

Problem
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 31, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V384000 · 1,892,343 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in 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." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · Jul 13, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles

Problem
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Risk
NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Ford Ranger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

223Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags193
Exterior Lighting8
Structure › Body7
Service Brakes7
Electrical System5
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/04: 220/06: 120/07: 120/09: 121/05: 221/07: 121/09: 121/10: 122/02: 122/03: 222/05: 222/06: 122/07: 122/08: 122/09: 122/10: 122/11: 123/02: 223/05: 123/07: 124/07: 124/10: 125/07: 126/06: 120/0420/0921/0922/0322/0722/1023/0524/10max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Ford Ranger buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Air Bags — 193 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 8 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Structure › Body — 7 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Ford Ranger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Ranger years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Ranger23210.6 inNot rated88
2025 Ranger23210.6 inNot rated1344
2024 Ranger22210.6 inNot rated1395
2023 Ranger23211 inNot rated418
2022 Ranger23211 inNot rated538
2021 Ranger23211 inNot rated6119
2020 Ranger23211 in★★★★★7130
2019 Ranger23211 in★★★★★11270
2010 Ranger24187.4 inNot rated8140
2009 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated6152
2008 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated5306
2007 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated5243

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →