Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 2, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 111 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2026
During low speed driving, mainly stop and go traffic the truck will randomly lunge forward when the brake pedal is engaged. It happens when accelerating and the truck will shift in to second gear, then if you apply the brake the truck will act like it is going to stall, the engine rpm will spike and the truck will launch forward. If you dont force the brake pedal to the floor, the truck will continue to accelerate, potentially slamming into another vehicle. This has happened multiple times, the dealer has rebuilt the transmission and that fixed the issue for the last 6-8k miles. the issue has returned and the truck is back at the dealership for diagnostics. This is becoming a serious safety concern and the potential that someone gets hurt grows every day. I have seen other complaints on the internet about this same issue in trucks with the same transmission.
NHTSA ID
11741626
Incident
May 28, 2026
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 17, 2024
Wiring for back up camera failed and short circuited - will attempt to retain the components for inspection needs. Safety concern - when wire short circuited, it burned the wire at the control module in the dash board, causing the control module to also fail - according the the ford service advisor at my dealership. Issue was diagnosed and inspected by Titus Will Ford service center at 11503 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 - phone # (253) 753-1253. No warning lamps/messages/symptoms.
NHTSA ID
11625773
Incident
Oct 28, 2024
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2024
Crash reported
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while in the reverse gear, the rear cross-traffic warning did not alert the contact that the vehicle was close to an object. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole. No injuries were sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the bumper and the harness for the rear cross-traffic warning system were replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 14,850.
NHTSA ID
11582546
Incident
Mar 25, 2024
Mileage
14,850 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the message "Trailer Connected" was displayed; however, there was no trailer connected to the vehicle. The contact pressed OK and messages indicating that the driver's side and the passenger's side trailer bulbs were faulty were displayed. The contact pressed OK, and the message "Trailer Disconnected" was displayed, then disappeared after the contact pressed OK. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall, and he would be charged a repair fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,600.
NHTSA ID
11539191
Incident
Jul 27, 2023
Mileage
35,600 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jun 1, 2023
The backup camera on my truck washes out at night when the lights are turned on and backing up, rendering it useless. The washout is not as severe with just putting in reverse without lights, but still dangerous. The local Ford dealer states this is inherent in all Rangers, Broncos and other vehicles.
NHTSA ID
11524954
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 16, 2023
Crash reportedFire reported
On Monday 15th of May the ford ranger was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy and the engine compartment caught fire. I was un able to open door and other doors would not unlock from inside switch. Finally able to kick door open will the truck filled with smoke and people put out fire.
NHTSA ID
11522330
Incident
May 15, 2023
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 27, 2022
Crash reported1 injury reported
As I was pulling out of Zip's Car into a parking spot to vacuum truck. I was barely moving when the truck accelerated at a high rate of speed and hit the wall in front of me. It was like the truck had a mind of its own. I just knew I wasn't doing it. If someone had been walking in front of me it would have killed them. My air bag did not come out. My chest hit the steering wheel very hard. The police showed up and did a report. I did not get a ticket. The truck was towed and looked over. There was so much damage to the truck it was totaled. I can't believe this happened to me. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone. It was a very scary experience.
NHTSA ID
11471269
Incident
May 27, 2022
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 1, 2021
Driver side rear door constantly shows as ajar and triggers alarm, even when firmly closed. Unsure if cause is improperly fit body work or electrical components but nothing fixes it and dealer doesn't have time to look at it. I am unable to lock the truck or the alarm WILL sound and drain my battery because of the left passenger door.
NHTSA ID
11419157
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own