2022 Ford Ranger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Ranger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)1733.3%
- Electrical815.7%
- Engine611.8%
- Driver assistance47.8%
- Visibility35.9%
- Brakes35.9%
- Interior & seats23.9%
- Fuel system23.9%
- Exterior lighting23.9%
- Other / unspecified12.0%
- Seat belts12.0%
- Steering12.0%
- Airbags12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Wiper arm stops working or stays in up position. Intermittent issue.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The ACM (Audio Control Module) failed, causing a network failure in the CAN system. This caused a condition of no speedometer reading, no automatic braking, no adaptive cruise control, no fuel gauge reading, no blind spot monitoring, no forward collision, no rear cross traffic warning. Additionally, while the turn signals worked, there was no inside audio or visual confirmation that it was functioning. Also no high beam headlight indicator and no automatic high-low beams. Cost of repair was $739.00 and the dealer had to order the part.
While driving my 2022 Ford Ranger, the transmission failed to engage Drive. I started my morning as usual, letting the vehicle warm up and the RPMs settle before leaving my neighborhood. As I pulled onto the main road, the truck began acting strangely—I noticed it wasn’t accelerating normally and felt constant gear shifting without gaining speed. To avoid blocking traffic, I pulled over at a local store and shifted into Park. When I tried to shift back into Drive, the transmission would not engage. Pressing the gas felt like the truck was in Neutral. I turned the vehicle off for about a minute and restarted it, but the same issue occurred. I then called my local dealer, who suggested using Sport mode and manually selecting gear 2. This worked, and I was able to drive home safely since I was only about a minute away. After that, I contacted the warranty company and arranged for a tow. Component/System: Transmission Safety Risk: Loss of acceleration on a main road created a risk of collision with other vehicles. Reproduced/Confirmed: UNKNOWN until December 15th if the issue has been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. Inspection: Dealer is scheduled to inspect the vehicle on December 15. Warning Lamps/Messages: None appeared prior to the failure. None After. Until repairs are completed, I am without a vehicle and will only be reimbursed for a rental while repairs are worked on
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Wiper arm stops working or stays in up position. Intermittent issue.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH and exiting the driveway, the contact heard a loud bang coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the rear windshield had fractured without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the rear windshield was not defective. The contact was informed that the replacement of the windshield was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close together. While driving at various speeds, the contact’s foot slid off the brake pedal onto the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward. While reversing, the vehicle automatically backed up, but after depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle jumped several feet. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Had someone driving behind me flag me over. I had no tail lights, brake lights, turn signals front or rear or hazzard lights in the front or back. There is only 15,000kms on this truck. Head light low beam and high beam work. trying to get in contact with ford canada and a ford dealership. was scanned at a shop and showed multiple body control module faults and looks like a module. but not touching the vehicle as it has the max warranty they sell this vehicle is in nova scotia, but came from the michigan plant. it will not accept my canadian address
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
This vehicle is brand new. 250 miles. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. No one is in the seat. Tried buckling seat belt for rear passenger seat - warning cleared. Unbuckled and warning appears again and won't clear. There are no objects on the seat. Shut vehicle off and dismounted. Got back in and restarted vehicle. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. FORD has nothing documented for clearing this. Dealership will not acknowledge this and does not have a 'fix'. The resulting warning may now affect how safety/collision systems will operate in an actual collision.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Went on a trip with the vehicle. When returning to home put the vehicle in the garage. Came out the next day and the Garage smelled like a gas can. Looked all around could not find signs of the gas. Got in the truck and was overwhelmed by gas smell. Moved the vehicle out of the garage. Googled the issue and found 170 pages of people with the same issue. The engine is filling with gas and overfilling the engine. Lots of people have taken vehicles to the dealer and ford is advising changing the oil more often and not drive short trips. This seems to be a possible fire hazard to me. If continued driving the gas will eventually come out and pour onto the hot engine resulting in a fire?
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V685000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Had someone driving behind me flag me over. I had no tail lights, brake lights, turn signals front or rear or hazzard lights in the front or back. There is only 15,000kms on this truck. Head light low beam and high beam work. trying to get in contact with ford canada and a ford dealership. was scanned at a shop and showed multiple body control module faults and looks like a module. but not touching the vehicle as it has the max warranty they sell this vehicle is in nova scotia, but came from the michigan plant. it will not accept my canadian address
The lighting on the shift lever that shows what mode the transmission is being selected is missing. Apparently Ford stopped installing the lighting that lights the "Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive" in the shifter beginning in 2021. This is a serious safety issue because at night, the driver cannot look down at determine what mode is being selected. The dealer stated to me the selected mode is in the driver console at night. I'm a 5'9" male and any time the wheel is turned or my hand in on the wheel, I cannot see the mode selected. I quickly realized this the first time I drove the vehicle at night, none of the lighting on the shifter was on. I thought it was broken! Basically Ford has skimped a few dollars and NOT installed internal night lighting on the lettering. A simple correction for this is require ford to install the lighting in the unit as a retrofit kit (basically put back what they stopped installing). This would not incur a great expense or time, however, this could PREVENT the driver from selecting the wrong mode causing abrupt forward or backward movement injuring another person or vehicle when moving the vehicle out of park, in particular, backing in or out of parking spots for example that require you to turn the vehicle (AKA WHEEL NOT CENTERED). If not requiring a recall, FORD should make this retrofit available to owners because as of right now, I was told there is none. I included a short video showing the impeded view of the shift mode selected on the driver panel when the steering wheel is being moved and not at wheel centered. At night, this would be the only lighted shifting reference. I also included a day photo of the same view, a view of an earlier 2020 ranger (that had the shifter lighting standard) and my 2022 ranger shifter at night with no lighting. The current standard equipment lighting presents a safety hazard and is directly related to the movement of the vehicle so the likelihood of injury or occurrence are both HIGH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought a rack from a company called Carid.com. It was a Torxe Model 40-1001620 Adjustable Truck Bed Carrier With Bend Mount Kayak Surf Canoe 2-Bar. https://www.carid.com/torxe/adjustable-truck-bed-carrier-rack-mpn-40-1001620.html It came with about 60 undecipherable parts with no instructions. I asked the company for instructions and they were non-responsive for a week. Called them again. Some photos came, but it still did not explain how to put it together. Many of the pieces did not seem to fit where they logically looked like they would. I am a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience, and I would not even attempt to put this together without instructions, as it would potentially pose a safety hazard running down the road. The company is now stating I cannot return the product. Just thought I would let you know. It appears this is not a DOT safe product, as one would expect some instructions to come with it in order to insure it is properly assembled.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
This vehicle is brand new. 250 miles. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. No one is in the seat. Tried buckling seat belt for rear passenger seat - warning cleared. Unbuckled and warning appears again and won't clear. There are no objects on the seat. Shut vehicle off and dismounted. Got back in and restarted vehicle. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. FORD has nothing documented for clearing this. Dealership will not acknowledge this and does not have a 'fix'. The resulting warning may now affect how safety/collision systems will operate in an actual collision.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Dueler HT685, Tire Size: 255/70/R16, DOT Number: 1VN0KDH2 3422. The contact stated that the driver’s side front inner tire was excessively worn. The contact noticed that the steel belts were showing through. The contact replaced the tire with a spare. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed him that the alignment bolt s could not be adjusted. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle and tire failure mileage were approximately 38,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 40 MPH, he ran a red light at an intersection and T-boned another vehicle. The impact bent the frame into the front tires. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries, and medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .