2022 Ford Ranger

Vehicle was placed into Ford’s Neutral Tow mode according to the owner’s manual before being recreationally towed behind a motorhome. The instrument cluster displayed Ford’s confirmation that Neutral Tow was enabled and the vehicle was ready for four-wheel-down towing. The transmission failure occurred during the second day of towing. After highway travel, the transmission severely overheated, expelled transmission fluid and lost all ability to move in forward or reverse. Diagnostic code P0218, transmission over-temperature, was present. Neutral Tow was no longer enabled when the vehicle was subsequently checked. The Ford dealer states that the vehicle does not retain logs confirming whether Neutral Tow was enabled or remained enabled. Ford’s GSB 22-7086 directs the dealer to inspect for transmission damage associated with the drivetrain being rotated during recreational towing. However, the resulting damage cannot establish whether the owner failed to activate Neutral Tow or whether Ford’s electronically controlled Neutral Tow system confirmed activation and later failed to maintain the required mechanical state. The fact that the vehicle was successfully towed during the first day before failing on the second day raises concern that the transfer case, shift-control system or related electronics may have lost or failed to maintain Neutral Tow after it had been successfully activated. There are other reported incidents involving Ford Ranger, F-150 and Bronco vehicles in which owners state that Neutral Tow was confirmed but the drivetrain subsequently re-engaged, overheated or suffered catastrophic transmission damage during recreational towing. This condition presents a safety risk because Ford’s system may display that the vehicle is ready and safe to tow while potentially failing to keep the drivetrain mechanically isolated. In this incident, extremely hot transmission fluid was expelled onto the vehicle, tow equipment and surrounding roadway, creating a poss

NHTSA ID

11753520

Incident

Jul 19, 2026

Transmission. Total mechanical failure. TSB. 23-2250 TBS 24-2101 TBS. 25-2134. Transmission fluid was replaced at 83709. Replaced at 104263. Factory schedule 150000. Ford is aware they are selling a product that has Factory mechanical issues.

NHTSA ID

11748529

Incident

Jul 3, 2026

Complete transmission failure with normal driving use just outside of warranty

NHTSA ID

11733138

Incident

Jan 20, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Inspection available if needed. The ignition coils and spark plugs failed due to Ford’s negligence to provide an engine cover. Water has gotten in to the engine and caused these systems to fail How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine violently shakes and causes you to lose speed. I was going 20 under the limit on the highway due to this and could have caused an accident. The vehicle felt as if it was shutting off and I got off at the next available exit. It placed my family at risk and others as it could have caused a bad accident if someone would have rear ended me due to the slow speed. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, this is a known issue and Ford refuses to repair the vehicle and advises it is out of pocket. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by a repair facility. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The check engine light was flashing and then stayed solid. This first appeared on 1/27/26

NHTSA ID

11715118

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

Engine Valve Cover has Cracked. High Pressure Pump Seals and gaskets needed to be replaced. Confirmed by 2 dealerships It has been inspected No warning lamps messages.

NHTSA ID

11713696

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

Several occasions, pulling out into traffic and giving it gas the truck jerks repeatedly and won't go and then we'll kick into normal speed several times driving out of nowhere RPM shoot up truck almost comes to a complete stop in the middle of traffic but no Code is popping up saying there's anything wrong with the vehicle and in order to have Ford looking at it. It's gonna cost $399 since as of now there is no recall on anything for this.

NHTSA ID

11710384

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

I have developed severe chronic neck and back pain due to the shape and position of the headrests in this vehicle (as well as my wife’s 2024 Hyundai Kona). There is no position that does no cause pain, and I am forced to remove them entirely, or lean forward and not use them, causing a lack of support and different muscle tension. This has been confirmed by my physical therapist. Due to NHTSA requirements, I cannot buy a newer vehicle that does not cause this condition, nor even purchase aftermarket replacements. Being forced to drive without a headrest at all is much more dangerous than having a comfortable option. I have to drive a lot to work and shop because I live in the mountains. Please help. I’m one of millions with this problem.

NHTSA ID

11710143

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

Wiper arm stops working or stays in up position. Intermittent issue.

NHTSA ID

11709077

Incident

Dec 8, 2025

Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.

NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module Software Update

This bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to the F clutch friction plates brinelling into the clutch and planetary container cylinder (7B177).

This bulletin supersedes 25-2587. Reason For Update: update the Parts list to add the F-clutch friction plates HL3Z-7B164-D and the F-clutch steel plates PR3Z-7B164-A for the proper vehicle lines, replace the transfer case mounting bolt part number from W714288-S438 to W714288-S437, update the part number W720688-S439 quantity from 2 to 1, update the part number ML3Z-7869-C claim quantity from 2 to 1 (only if necessary), update the description of CXT-10-LV6 and XT-10-QLVC by adding "transfer case fluid, 4WD only", move HL3Z-7A191-B and L1MZ-7F396-A fluid pan gaskets to the parts to inspect and replace list, and remove TL1Z-6775-A self adhesive heat shield from the F-150/Expedition/Navigator parts list as it is not a discard item. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to the F clutch friction plates brinelling into the clutch and planetary container cylinder (7B177).

Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement

For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by a pinpoint test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing, the Clutch Assembly tests have been updated with a hyperlink to the new Transmission Line Pressure Test - Pressure Vacuum Transducer (PVT) Is Available procedure in WSM, Section 307-01 > General Procedures. This procedure provides instructions to perform the FDRS Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test when applicable. The new test improves the accuracy of detecting leaks within transmission fluid circuits and replaces the previous air check method. The previous air check procedure has been shown to produce a high rate of false positives, which may lead to unnecessary repairs when no actual leak is present. Accordingly, the air check procedure is not to be used for diagnosing internal transmission hydraulic leaks or as justification