2026 Ford Ranger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 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)225.0%
- Engine112.5%
- Interior & seats112.5%
- Electrical112.5%
- Other / unspecified112.5%
- Seat belts112.5%
- Exterior lighting112.5%
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
8/4/2026 @ approximately 0630 When making a right hand turn vehicle (transmission) stalled for approximately 3-4 seconds before restarting. Reported to Corwin Ford Service Dept. here in RENO,NV who declined to investigate. Said it was my responsibility even though vehicle is under warranty. 8/27/2026 @ approximately 0830 while entering high traffic roadway with 55mph speed limit with foot depressed on gas pedal transmission completely stalled while traffic rapidly approached. Transmission engaged at last minute before rear end impact.
While making a right turn, vehicle suddenly lost all power and shut down for several seconds. This is a safety issue, stalling out in front of oncoming traffic, etc. No warnings lamps, messages appeared. No dealer inspection yet. Numerous other owners on message boards have reported the same issue occurring with their vehicle.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not function. This loss of communication can occur with-or-without a trailer connected to the vehicle and can only initiate at vehicle start-up. If this occurs, a trailer brake module fault notification will pop-up on the vehicles instrument panel cluster. The vehicle brake and turn signal lamps will continue to operate normally and are not affected by this trm fault. If you do not tow with your vehicle, you may wait for ota deployment for your vehicle remedy. Safety Risk This may result in inoperable trailer brake lights, trailer turn signals and trailer braking functions that can reduce a drivers ability to control an attached trailer and make the trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram your vehicles trm free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
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
Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not function. This loss of communication can occur with-or-without a trailer connected to the vehicle and can only initiate at vehicle start-up. If this occurs, a trailer brake module fault notification will pop-up on the vehicles instrument panel cluster. The vehicle brake and turn signal lamps will continue to operate normally and are not affected by this trm fault. If you do not tow with your vehicle, you may wait for ota deployment for your vehicle remedy. Safety Risk This may result in inoperable trailer brake lights, trailer turn signals and trailer braking functions that can reduce a drivers ability to control an attached trailer and make the trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram your vehicles trm free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
When setting up my vehicle for neutral towing behind my motorhome and having parts installed for the proper operation of my turn signal and brake lights when vehicle is flat towed it was found that for it to happen were the brake lights do not override the turn signal when both activated at the same time you have to let the vehicle enter into a sleep mode for 10 minutes with the key FOB completely isolated from the vehicle for 10 minutes. If you stayed near the vehicle or approached with the key fob closer than 30ft it would come out of the sleep mode and when pushing on the brake pedal and using your turn signal at the same time from your motorhome you would override the turn signal with the brake lights. Normal checks for RV'ers would not identify this issue as you would stand behind the vehicle you are towing to check right and left turn signals then shut them off and check the brake light then final check would be rear, front and marker lights never pushing the break and having the turn signal on at the same time. This is a safety issue for anyone behind you as they can see you are braking but not be aware you are turning if you have awaken your vehicle modules by it getting a signal from the Key FOB. This issue was found and verified by my installer and myself when checking as to why the turn signal would shutoff at the same point I pushed the brake pedal in my RV. The manufacturer has no information in its manually about this 10 minute delay nor that the FOB can keep the delay from occurring by being near the vehicle. When you actually keep the vehicle in the sleep mode what happens is the active turn signal blinks and the opposite light indicates a brake light.
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
Description On your vehicle it is possible that the trailer module trm may lose communication at vehicle start-up. If a trm loss of communication occurs and a trailer is connected to the vehicle, trailer stop lamps and turn signal indicators will not function. Additionally, for trailers equipped with electronic trailer brakes, the trailer brakes will not function. This loss of communication can occur with-or-without a trailer connected to the vehicle and can only initiate at vehicle start-up. If this occurs, a trailer brake module fault notification will pop-up on the vehicles instrument panel cluster. The vehicle brake and turn signal lamps will continue to operate normally and are not affected by this trm fault. If you do not tow with your vehicle, you may wait for ota deployment for your vehicle remedy. Safety Risk This may result in inoperable trailer brake lights, trailer turn signals and trailer braking functions that can reduce a drivers ability to control an attached trailer and make the trailer less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Software is available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to reprogram your vehicles trm free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.
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
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that both rear seat headrest metel coming from the rear of the head rest. causing laceration to the. The contact discover that when firmly grabbing the rear headrest a sharp metal piece would come threw the head. The local dealer was notified of the issue. The manufacturer was not contacted. Medical treatment was not required. The failure mileage was 32.
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
When setting up my vehicle for neutral towing behind my motorhome and having parts installed for the proper operation of my turn signal and brake lights when vehicle is flat towed it was found that for it to happen were the brake lights do not override the turn signal when both activated at the same time you have to let the vehicle enter into a sleep mode for 10 minutes with the key FOB completely isolated from the vehicle for 10 minutes. If you stayed near the vehicle or approached with the key fob closer than 30ft it would come out of the sleep mode and when pushing on the brake pedal and using your turn signal at the same time from your motorhome you would override the turn signal with the brake lights. Normal checks for RV'ers would not identify this issue as you would stand behind the vehicle you are towing to check right and left turn signals then shut them off and check the brake light then final check would be rear, front and marker lights never pushing the break and having the turn signal on at the same time. This is a safety issue for anyone behind you as they can see you are braking but not be aware you are turning if you have awaken your vehicle modules by it getting a signal from the Key FOB. This issue was found and verified by my installer and myself when checking as to why the turn signal would shutoff at the same point I pushed the brake pedal in my RV. The manufacturer has no information in its manually about this 10 minute delay nor that the FOB can keep the delay from occurring by being near the vehicle. When you actually keep the vehicle in the sleep mode what happens is the active turn signal blinks and the opposite light indicates a brake light.
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 .