2025 Ford Ranger

The vehicle is equipped with a drive mode selector that switches between drive modes such as Normal, Sport, Eco, Mud/Ruts, Slippery, etc. My vehicle recently started switching drive modes by itself, with no human interaction with the switch, and is potentially dangerous both to the vehicle and it’s occupants as the drivetrain tries to switch into 4x4 and even 4-Low at speed, causing sudden and violent deceleration, difficulty turning, and potential loss of control of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11776120

Incident

Nov 5, 2026

On XXX Pulling out at an intersection to turn left, the vehicle pulled out normally but then went into neutral - coasting through the intersection for about 5 seconds - until it finally selected another gear. It then drove normally. On XXX, I slowed down and made a left turn, the vehicle again went into neutral seeming trying to find a gear - it didn’t. I stopped, put it in park, then back in drive. That reset worked and it again drove normally. No codes were tripped but it is a major safety issue if on random occasions the power is cut and you can’t safely operated the vehicle. The ford dealer said 1) no codes, 2) can’t replicate the problem, 3) Ford has no technical bulletin on it, so we can’t fix it. After experiencing this, I looked online and their are Ranger Forum and Reddit threads about it, so it is certainly a known issue. Hopefully, you can push Ford to acknowledge and address the issue before someone is killed or injured. This issue and lack of action from Ford leaves me with little confidence in reliability and safety. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11774487

Incident

Oct 18, 2026

2025 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 4x4, 2.3L EcoBoost. When I change the drive mode with the rotary dial and then return it to Normal, the drive modes begin cycling on their own with no input from me. A drive mode fault message then appears on the instrument cluster, and I am unable to select a drive mode. I first took the truck to a Ford dealer on 07/13/2026 at about 4,100 miles. The dealer recorded the cause as an all-terrain control module software fault and an ABS module communication concern with the ATCM. They reconfigured the ABS module and released the truck as operating as designed. The problem came back. I returned to the dealer on 10/15/2026 at about 6,745 miles. The technician verified the concern and found DTC P05D3 stored in the ABS module. The concern returned after the ABS module was configured again, and the dealer then replaced the electronic brake booster under warranty. Safety risk: the drive mode system changes traction control, throttle, and drivetrain behavior. Having it cycle modes on its own while driving, with no warning, could cause loss of control, especially while towing a trailer. The fault also points to a communication problem between the drive mode module and the brake system.

NHTSA ID

11772275

Incident

Jul 13, 2026

I was driving at approximately 25 MPH and all of a sudden the truck automatically went into 4 wheel drive low which altered my ability to keep up with traffic and caused me to pull over to figure out why. I had to restart my truck to get it out of 4 wheel drive. This has happened approximately 5 times and fortunately at low speeds. I have not taken it to the dealer because it is an intermittent problem. I have read that it is a common problem with this truck and the dealer can't find the issue because it is intermittent. I was nearly rear ended because the truck slowed way down when it went. into 4 wheel drive. I think it is unsafe and startling when it happens and unexpected.

NHTSA ID

11769094

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

While driving at 45 mph. The dash changed and the truck started shifting into wheel low. I had to stop and put the truck back into 2 wheel drive. This has happened 5 times since new.

NHTSA ID

11767346

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

My 2025 Ford Ranger Raptor will shift drive modes by itself. I has tried to shift from normal drive mode to rock crawl mode or Baja mode. Rock crawl mode goes into 4 wheel drive low which would be very dangerous if it tried to shift into 4 low on the highway. It has happened multiple times. Sometime while parked, sometimes while driving.

NHTSA ID

11766922

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

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

Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 – Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2025 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change

This bulletin supersedes 26-2297. Reason for update: Add 2022-2025 Transit vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may experience a blank center display screen or black center display screen after welcome animation. The rear-view camera will still function when shifting the vehicle to reverse under these conditions.

Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (303-1790) that is used to align the engine front cover to the engine block, preventing the O-ring seal on the engine oil galley feed tube from getting damaged during installation.

Quality improvements include: -Enhanced Android Auto and Car Play connectivity

Quality improvements include: -Addresses a bug that may cause updates to fail

Quality improvements include: -ePrivacy enhancements