Avoid These Ford Ranger Years at All Costs

24/7 Wall St. Insights

•  Ford is the most popular truck brand in the U.S.
•  About half, or 47%, of adult Americans own or drive a truck

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Ford became synonymous with trucks in the early 1900s, when it debuted the Model TT truck in 1917. In 1925, it began selling a new version of the model T, complete with a pickup body. Shortly after the end of WWII, Ford introduced its F-series. As of 2023, the Ford F-series had been the best-selling pickup truck in America for 47 consecutive years, beating out the Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500. Though the most popular truck in the series, the F-150, sold extremely well, the automobile company wanted to design a slightly smaller truck, for consumers who wanted a less bulky vehicle. Thus, the Ford Ranger was born in 1982.

The Ford Ranger is an attractive choice if you love the F-150 but want a slightly smaller version. However, you have to be careful, as not every model year for the Ranger has been one to remember. As with every vehicle, the Ranger has some model years that even Ford would love to forget. Using data from CoPilot, Consumer Reports, and Car Complaints, we compiled all of the Ford Ranger model years you should absolutely avoid. 

Why We Are Covering This

Americans love trucks. In the U.S., trucks sell in higher numbers than any other type of vehicle. A poll by YouGov Survey: Serviced revealed that almost half of adult Americans (47%) own a truck. Despite love for these vehicles, 41% of individuals polled say trucks have grown too large in recent years. Even truck drivers themselves agree these vehicles are too large, with 39% of truck owners stating as such. Though the Ford Ranger might be a good option for these consumers, a handful of years on certain models are not worth owning.

Avoid: 1999

• Total NHTSA complaints: 963
• Major problems: electrical issues, tire blowouts

With 963 NHTSA (National Highway Transportation & Safety Administration) complaints, 1999 is safely one of the worst years for the Ford Ranger. There is no question that this model year was poorly received by Ranger owners, who let Ford know in every possible way. It might even be fair to say that the 1999 Ford Ranger is one of the worst vehicles Ford has ever made, at least in recent history. 

Surfacing to the top of its lengthy problem list were electrical issues. Whether it was the windshield wipers activating by themselves or the dome light staying on continuously, the Ranger had multiple electrical headaches. Things did not improve when you looked at tire concerns with the 1999 Ranger, as tires would spontaneously blow out while driving. Needless to say, avoid the 1999 Ford Ranger like the plague. 

Avoid: 2000

• Total NHTSA complaints: 853
• Major problems: tire blowouts, defective airbags

The 2000 model year was expected to bring about change to combat the difficulties of the 1999 Ford Ranger. Unfortunately, 853 NHTSA complaints filed in 2000 showed these changes were insufficient. Between tires spontaneously exploding or the tread wearing thin well before it should, tires remained a significant and expensive problem in 2000. 

The same can be said for airbag issues, which failed to deploy in a front-end collision. This was problematic enough that CarComplaints indicates that at least 36 injuries were reported due to failed airbags. Consumer Reports called the 2000 Ford Ranger a vehicle that “falls far short of modern pickup-truck standards.” This makes it easy to call the 2000 Ford Ranger another model year to avoid. 

Avoid: 2001

• Total NHTSA complaints: 682
• Major problems: Defective airbags, faulty speed control, rust, safety scores

For the third year, the Ford Ranger continued disappointing customers with significant issues. While only 682 NHTSA complaints were filed this year, many of these gripes relate to issues Ford did not fix from the previous two years. This includes but is not limited to the same issue with airbags not deploying in frontal collisions. According to CarComplaints, in 2001, there were at least 31 crashes resulting in 26 injuries because airbags did not properly deploy. Between the airbag issues and subpar safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), the 2001 Ford Ranger should be skipped altogether. 

Amplifying this message were additional headaches that came from problems with the engine. Owners of the 2001 Ranger said the vehicle speed control was faulty. Ranger owners could not shift gears and speed up properly. Though a recall was identified, it was an issue that 2001 Ranger owners would have preferred not to deal with altogether. Lastly, Ranger owners complained of rust forming on the frame before the vehicle hit 100,000 miles. 

Avoid: 2002

• Total NHTSA complaints: 447
• Major problems: Safety scores, defective airbags, speed control

Moving into a fourth year in a row of deeply troubling Ford Ranger models, it’s clear there were headaches Ford was struggling to address. The only good news is that NHTSA complaints continued to drop, with only 447 reports received in 2002. Safety issues bubbled to the top again in 2002 IIHS, giving the Ranger scores of “Marginal” and “Poor.” It also only scored two stars for its rollover protection, according to NHTSA safety testing. 

Safety aside, 91 total NHTSA complaints relating to engine issues were made in 2002. After not being as prevalent in 2001, vehicle speed control returned as a major headache during this model year—so much so that, according to CarComplaints, at least 6 crashes and 2 deaths are related to this problem. When you factor in lingering issues with frontal airbags not properly deploying, it reiterates the need to avoid this entire multi-year span of the Ford Ranger. 

Avoid: 2003

• Total NHTSA complaints: 301
• Major problems: Safety scores, defective airbags, rust

The 2003 model year caps off an awful five-year run for the Ford Ranger. With 301 NHTSA complaints filed this year, things are moving in the right direction, but not fast enough to satisfy 2003 model-year owners. The still subpar safety records in 2003 are kicking things off, with IIHS only awarding the Ranger scores of both “Acceptable” and “Marginal.” The same two-star rating from 2002 from NHTSA for rollover protection also carried over, so drive carefully with this model. 

Unfortunately, safety isn’t the only reason to avoid the 2003 model year. Rust was again a common complaint, resulting in holes across various frame parts. However, this wasn’t as problematic as the frontal airbags still failing to deploy in 2003, which marked the fifth year in a row this major safety concern was near the top of Ranger owner complaints. 

Avoid: 2007

• Total NHTSA complaints: 282
• Major problems: Defective airbags

The 2007 Ford Ranger is a tricky model year, as it has been approved since 2003. While this model year did some things right, like introducing a new anti-theft system, LATCH seats, and added safety standards, there was one glaring problem. With 282 NHTSA complaints, 233 relate to one specific issue. Defective airbags are hard to ignore, and this is precisely why the 2007 Ford Ranger joins the list of model years to avoid. 

It wasn’t until 2017 when the first airbag recall was initiated, with a second recall ordered in 2021. This was too long of a gap to be satisfactory to 2007 Ford Ranger owners and the primary reason this model year should be avoided. What makes this all the more difficult is that safety scores were even worse in 2007 than in 2003. This time around, the Ford Ranger receives “Acceptable,” “Marginal,” and even one “Poor” score for rear protection. 

Avoid: 2008

• Total NHTSA complaints: 293
• Major problems: Safety concerns, defective airbags, rust

It’s hard to imagine a worse year for airbag complaints than the 2007 Ford Ranger model year, but this is precisely what happened in 2008. A total of 293 complaints were filed specifically relating to airbag concerns. 

Regarding safety, you can copy and paste the same frustrations from 2007. Ford wasn’t making enough progress to enhance Ranger owners’ safety, making it easy to label 2008 as a model year to avoid. When you factor in additional concerns around rust forming in random places around the frame, there is just enough room for concern beyond the airbags to label the 2008 model year a definite year to avoid.