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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Ford Ranger is associated with 112 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 41 reports (37% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 4 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.3l 4-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 23 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 112 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (41 / 37%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 6 crash / 3 fire / 7 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 18–23 MPG across 4 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Ranger 2WD 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 21 MPG 26 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Ranger 4WD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 20 MPG 24 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Ranger Tremor 4WD 2.3L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 19 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Ranger 2WD Incomplete 2.3L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S10) 19 MPG 18 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
Super Crew PU/CC 2WD 29.2%
Super Crew PU/CC 4WD 25.6%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Ford Ranger models.
View complete 2021 Ford Ranger crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Summary of 112 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
112
Crash Reports
6
Fire Reports
3
Complaints w/ Injury
7
Total Injuries
9

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 41 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance 3 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Ford Ranger problems & component breakdown (40 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #25V685000 Active Recall
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA Campaign #25V442000 Active Recall
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
NHTSA Campaign #23V379000 Active Recall
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
View all 2021 Ford Ranger recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Ford Ranger

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Ford Ranger

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Ford Ranger have?

The 2021 Ford Ranger is associated with 6 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 6 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Ford Ranger?

NHTSA records list 112 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Ford Ranger. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 41 filings (37% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Ford Ranger defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Ford Ranger earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Ford Ranger get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Ford Ranger range from 18 to 23 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.