2024–2026 Ford Ranger common problems and fixes
A long list of recalls: loose front suspension ball joint nuts, side curtain air bags, and engines that may fail on some 2025–2026 trucks.
What owners should know
Covers 2024–2026 · 2.3L four, 2.7L V6, 3.0L V6 (Raptor) · Updated 2026-10-07
The current Ranger arrived for 2024 with a 2.3L EcoBoost four, an available 2.7L EcoBoost V6, and a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 in the Ranger Raptor, all with a 10-speed automatic.
We counted 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2024–2026 Rangers (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 58 from the 2.3L, 48 from the 3.0L and 25 from the 2.7L, identified by VIN, plus one with no VIN. None had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. That's too few to show a clear pattern yet: no single problem has more than about 30 complaints. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.
At a glance
- The most common complaints so far mention the brakes (28), stalling or loss of power (25), and the four-wheel-drive system (21).
- Many recalls for a new truck, so checking the VIN matters.
Recalls to check
- Front upper ball joint nuts that may be loose or missing on 2024–2025 trucks (24V770000 and 25V310000)
- Side curtain air bags that can tear when they deploy on 2024–2026 trucks (25V541000)
- Engine failure on some 2025–2026 trucks (26V343000) and piston domes made incorrectly on some 2026 trucks (26V548000); as of October 2026 Ford's repairs for both aren't available yet
- Transmission valve body that can cause reverse gear failure on some 2024 trucks (25V164000)
- Trailer lights and brakes on certain 2024–2026 trucks: while towing, the trailer module may lose communication with the truck, so the trailer's lights or brakes can stop working; the fix is a software update from the dealer or over the air (recall 26V104000)
Before you buy
- Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN, and ask a dealer which factory warranty coverage is left for this VIN; it depends on when the truck was first sold and its mileage.
- Bring our used truck inspection checklist.
Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.
Sources (10)
- NHTSA owner complaints and recalls database (our count of 2024–2026 Ranger complaints, retrieved 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 24V770000: suspension (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 25V310000: suspension (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 26V343000: engine and engine cooling (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 26V548000: engine and engine cooling (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- Ford interim owner letter, recall 26S35 / NHTSA 26V343000: camshaft roller finger followers, remedy not yet available (June 2026, on NHTSA)
- Ford interim owner letter, recall 26S61 / NHTSA 26V548000: cracked piston dome, remedy expected December 2026 (on NHTSA)
- NHTSA recall 25V541000: side curtain air bags (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 25V164000: transmission valve body, 2024 Ranger (official record; checked 2026-10-05)
- NHTSA recall 26V104000: 2024–2026 Ranger integrated trailer brake module software, Ford 26C10 (official record; checked 2026-10-07)
Common failures & how to fix them
Parts and video buttons search for your 2024-2026 Ford Ranger. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.
Front upper ball joint nut may be loose or missing
Dealer jobSigns: Clunking from the front suspension; in the worst case the upper control arm can come apart from the knuckle.
Fix: Covered by Ford recalls for certain 2024 (24V770000) and 2024–2025 (25V310000) trucks: the dealer inspects the fastener and tightens or replaces parts as needed. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.
May be covered free by recall 24V770000 / 25V310000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Engine may fail (some 2025–2026 trucks)
Dealer jobSigns: Engine ticking or tapping, a small oil leak, a check engine light, misfires, a no-start, or a loss of drive power.
Fix: Two Ford recalls. 26V343000 (Ford 26S35) covers certain 2025–2026 trucks whose camshaft roller finger followers may not have been installed correctly; 26V548000 (Ford 26S61) covers certain 2026 trucks with a piston that may be cracked. As of October 2026 neither remedy is available yet: Ford expects them in the fourth quarter of 2026 and around December 21, 2026, and says it will mail owners when they are. Ford has not told owners to stop driving. If the VIN is included and the engine ticks, misfires or shows a check engine light, have a dealer check it now rather than waiting. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May be covered free by recall 26V343000 / 26V548000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Each year in this generation
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.