2025 Ford Ranger

I have around 26000 miles on my 2025 Ford Ranger Lariat 2.7l V6. My drive mode has changed on its own multiple times without anyone touching the dial. Recently I was letting it idle to cool the cabin. I hopped in and heard some thunking and saw my drive mode change all the way to slippery mode. Nothing was touching the dial. It has also changed modes while I was exiting my driveway, leaving the Taco Bell drive-thru, and driving down the highway at about 50 MPH. It's scary to think I could be driving down the road and it automatically shifts into 4WD on its own. Sometimes I don't know it's in a different mode until the steering is hard to turn and the wheels chirp. Since then I have been able to trigger the drive mode changes by only pushing down the drive mode selector's bezel, not turning/twisting it. Pushing downwards on the bezel at or just below the 2H label can trigger the drive mode change for me. It's very inconsistent and won't trigger very often. But I was able capture a video of it in case someone is interested. [XXX] No modifications, No Forscan alterations, Happens before and after installing a ford performance tune Before me capturing it on video, I asked the dealer (Sunset Ford [XXX]) about getting it fixed. They told me if they cant reproduce it, then they cant do anything for me and I would be charged for the diagnosis and a car rental. My vehicle is still under factory warranty. Since I created the video I sent it to them and I had to call them multiple times to get them to look at it. I have an appt on XXX, we'll see what happens. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11765304

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

When I'm driving in standard mode on the highway the truck software will change to different drive modes on it own. I do not touch anything and it will try to change to crawl mode or 4 wheel low mode even going 65MPH on the freeway. One time it changed on the freeway going 65mph and switch to 4 wheel low and the tach raced up to 8K even though I had slowed down to 25mph. I had to turn the vehicle on and off to correct the issue. This is dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11764965

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

Brake fault warning light stays on. It will not reset and 2 different Ford dealers cannot figure out the problem. The dealerships cannot determine if the brakes are malfunctioning. The problem forst occured May 2026.

NHTSA ID

11763760

Incident

May 15, 2026

Yes this is my second time filing a complaint regarding my new truck switching drive modes on its own. The first time it tried going into 4 low while i was going over 45 mph, with only 800 miles. The next time it did it was at around 1200 miles it switched drive modes completely and tried switching into 4 wd while at hoghway speeds. This is clearly a safety issue, their are numerous threads on reddit, facebook and ranger forums regarding it. Ford cannot replicate so they dont fix, what will it take one of us getting killed before we get a recall for whatever part or module is broken.

NHTSA ID

11763583

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

2025 Ford Ranger XLT experienced an electrical short-circuit causing a persistent speaker hiss with the vehicle turned off, accompanied by an electrical burning smell. The radio and audio became very staticky and a constant hissing sound with the radio and the truck turned off. By the time the dealer looked at the vehicle it was operating normally. Dealership refused to inspect wiring or ACM due to intermittent nature of the failure.

NHTSA ID

11761748

Incident

Aug 28, 2026

I am not a mechanic or a 'car person', so I may not know technical terms. This has occurred 4-6 times since purchasing the truck in March '26. After initial start up, it has a tendency to accelerate when applying the break. This is only within the first several minutes after startup. The most recent incident caused the truck to "roll" into the main street rather than coming to a complete stop. I was applying the break, but the truck was 'resisting' to come to a complete stop. The local Ford mechanic found this to be "undesirable, but normal characteristic". The situation that is occurring is anything BUT normal. The Ford dealer was able to replicate the situation, but deemed it to be "no further instructions on fixes or issues related to this concern and no further action can be perfomed" The truck is available for inspection. This is a major safety issue as I was unable to stop the truck before entering the main road. Yes, the truck was inspected by the dealer. There were no warning messages

NHTSA ID

11759914

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

Vehicle received and installed an over-the-air software update to the Body Control Module, identified on the vehicle screen as BCM-26.6.3 and associated with Safety Recall 26S29 (A-pillar/sun visor wiring, NHTSA 26V238000). The update screen displayed a status of "Not Completed." Since that update the vehicle will not start and is inoperative. Current condition: opening the driver door wakes the center infotainment screen only. The instrument cluster does not illuminate. Pressing the brake pedal produces no response - no cluster illumination, no warning lamps, no chimes, no messages, no crank. 12V power is present; the manufacturer's telematics app still reaches the vehicle and returns status. Symptoms are consistent with a Body Control Module that is powered but not communicating on the vehicle network. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms were present before the update. The vehicle operated normally until the update was installed. Safety risk: the vehicle became immobile without warning immediately following installation of a manufacturer-pushed safety recall remedy. The transmission cannot be shifted electronically, requiring the manual park release to move or tow the vehicle. Had this occurred away from home or in a traffic lane, the vehicle would have been stranded and unable to move under its own power. The BCM also governs exterior lighting and hazard lamp function. Note: the update screen header displayed "25S29" while the body text referenced completing Safety Recall 26S29. The vehicle has a dealer-installed Ford Performance ProCal calibration. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the dealer or manufacturer. It is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11757184

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

Truck is randomly switching to Baja mode which engages the 4wheel drive making steering difficult

NHTSA ID

11755760

Incident

Aug 7, 2026

Some of the following vehicles: * 2023-2025 F-Super Duty built on or before 02-Feb-2025 * 2024-2026 Ranger/Bronco/Mustang * 2024-2025 F-150 built on or before 15-Jul-2025 * 2024-2025 Nautilus built on or before 16-Feb-2025 * 2025 Explorer/Aviator built on or before 01-Feb-2025 may exhibit all of the following symptoms: - "No Key Detected" message displayed on the instrument panel cluster (IPC). - Key fob does not work in the backup slot. - Remote keyless entry (RKE) (lock and unlock from the key fob) functionality will work to lock/unlock the vehicle. If the vehicle exhibits these symptoms, start the vehicle using both key fobs. If the no crank/no start condition with "No Key Detected" concern is present, reprogram both key fobs and retest. If the no crank/no start condition with "No Key Detected" is still present, replace the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-10. For claiming, use causal part 15604 and labor operation MT55118SSM up to 1.8 hours.

For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and W715386-S424 if the clip is still partially attached. It is not necessary to replace the seat cover if only the J-clip is separating from the cover. Refer to PTS Home > Technical Assistance > Technical Support Videos > Section 501- Body and Paint > Seat J-Clips. For claiming, use causal parts from list below and labor operations 63100A and 63100A5. Causal Parts for claiming: Bronco/Bronco Sport/Escape/Explorer/Expedition/Navigator: 7862900 or 7862901 F-150/F-Super Duty: 1562900 or 1562901 Ranger/Maverick: 6062900 or 6062901

Some 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a cargo box power point plug may exhibit a condition where all interior/exterior power outlets/plugs are inoperative with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1330:9A stored in the body control module (BCM). This may be due to an inoperative light emitting diode (LED) in the cargo box power point plug. To correct the condition, replace the cargo box power point plug (service base part number 19A464). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-05 > Removal and Installation > Alternating Current (AC) Power Outlet Socket > Cargo Box Power Point Plug. For claiming, use causal part 19A464 and labor operation MT19A464SSM up to 0.6 hours.

This bulletin supersedes 26-2301. Reason for update: to update the Pinpoint Tests referenced in Step 1. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may require the replacement of the ambient air temperature sensor for various concerns. DTCs P0071, P0072, and/or P0073 may be present in the powertrain control module (PCM).

Some 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles equipped with a cargo box power point plug may exhibit a condition where all interior/exterior power outlets/plugs are inoperative with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1330:9A stored in the body control module (BCM). This may be due to an inoperative light emitting diode (LED) in the cargo box power point plug. To correct the condition, replace the cargo box power point plug (service base part number 19A464). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-05 > Removal and Installation > Alternating Current (AC) Power Outlet Socket > Cargo Box Power Point Plug. For claiming, use causal part 19A464 and claim M-time up to 0.6 hours.

Some 2025-2026 Bronco/Ranger vehicles may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2122, P2123, P2127, P2128, and/or P2138 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). The vehicle may or may not exhibit a perceived lack of power intermittently. This may be due to an issue with the following connectors associated with the accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor circuits: -C115B -C175B -C2040 Replacement of the accelerator pedal may not resolve this concern. Perform a wiggle test of the connectors while the engine is at normal operating temperature. Perform a visual inspection of the connectors as well as a terminal fit test using the appropriately sized flex probe. Repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Diagram Cell 005. If no concerns are found, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 310-02 for normal diagnostics.