Ford Ranger Complaints (2024)

96 consumer complaints on file.

#11773608October 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor at approximately 40 mph under normal road conditions, the vehicle experienced a sudden and uncommanded drive-mode failure. Without any driver interaction with the center console GOAT mode dial, the truck spontaneously began cycling through drive modes and attempted to engage the 4-wheel drive system. The driver's instrument cluster displayed a warning message stating "Stop to go to 4L," indicating that the vehicle's computer module was actively trying to shift the transfer case into 4-Wheel Drive Low while traveling at highway speeds. While the vehicle's digital electronic guardrails successfully blocked the physical shift into 4-Low due to the vehicle's current velocity, the uncommanded shift command represents a severe safety hazard. If the software safety parameters fail to block an unprompted 4-Low shift at these speeds, it could cause catastrophic mechanical failure, instantaneous drivetrain lockup, or an immediate loss of vehicle control. This is a known issue within the owner community that requires an official investigation to determine if a manufacturing defect exists in the All-Terrain Control Module (ATCM) or the physical mode-selector switch assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772768October 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission independently shifted. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission independently reset. The vehicle was driven to the residence. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred while the contact was on vacation in Nova Scotia. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with ABS failure. The contact was informed that the ABS needed replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771347October 15, 2026
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and making a U-turn, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power. The Service Emergency Brake and Trailer Brake Assist warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnosis details were unavailable. Additionally, during rainy weather, water intruded into the cabin and accumulated, leaving the seats wet and causing mold growth. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions regarding the water intrusion. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V541000 (Air Bags), suspecting that improper completion of a prior recall repair contributed to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone and email. The failure mileage was approximately 50,148.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771019October 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? • Component/System: The Drive Mode Control / Terrain Management System (including the rotary mode selector dial in the center console, Body Control Module (BCM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and Transfer Case Control Module). • Malfunction Description: Uncommanded drive mode switching. Without driver input, the system autonomously changes terrain modes (e.g., cycling from Normal into off-road modes like Rock Crawl or Baja) both while driving and while idle. This causes forced changes to throttle response, steering, suspension damping, and automatically attempts to engage four-wheel-drive (4H/4L) and locking differentials. • Availability: Yes, the complete vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? • Handling & Steering Control Changes: Unintended switching into aggressive off-road settings alters engine mapping, suspension stiffness, and steering effort without notice, affecting vehicle stability at road speeds. • Drivetrain Binding Risk: Engaging four-wheel drive (4H/4L) and rear locking differentials on dry pavement causes mechanical binding. This can result in sudden unwanted deceleration, restricted turning ability, or potential damage/failure of driveline components at speed, creating a hazardous loss of control in traffic. • Accidents or Incidents:No crashes, collisions, or injuries have occurred. However, the vehicle behavior creates an unpredictable safety risk while driving. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? • No, the vehicle has not yet been brought to or inspected by a dealer or service center for this issue. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? • No. There are no police reports or insurance claims, and neither the manufacturer nor any other party has
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770746October 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and turning in either direction, an abnormal sound was heard coming from under the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle shuddered. The contact expressed safety concerns that the failure could leave the vehicle stranded in an intersection. An appointment was scheduled with the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770521October 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle intermittently changes its drive mode on its own, with no input from the driver. This has happened approximately 6 to 12 times. It occurs in two situations. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle has switched itself into Rock Crawl mode, and on other occasions into Baja mode. During at least one Rock Crawl event I believe the rear differential locker engaged, though I did not photograph the cluster to confirm it. The vehicle has also attempted to change drive modes while driving on the highway at speed. When it happens, the drive mode change animation appears in the instrument cluster. If I notice it immediately I can manually reselect Normal mode before the new mode fully engages. If I do not catch it in time, the mode engages. Safety risk: an unrequested change into Rock Crawl or Baja alters throttle mapping, transmission shift scheduling, traction and stability control calibration, and driveline configuration, and in Rock Crawl potentially the differential lockers. A mode engaging while stopped and then pulling into traffic, or the system attempting a mode change at highway speed, produces a loss of expected vehicle handling and response. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer. The dealer was unable to reproduce or confirm the problem. They reflashed all vehicle modules. The failure has recurred multiple times since that reflash, so the reflash did not correct it. No warning lamps or messages appear other than the drive mode animation in the instrument cluster. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I believe the cause is a fault in the electronic module or software controlling drive mode selection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770463October 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In the 21 months I have owned this 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat, it has changed driving modes 15-20 times ON ITS OWN. It goes from NORMAL OR ECO all the way to SAND, from 2wd to 4wd lo if I am stopped or 4wd high, (while telling it cannot go to 4lo if I don't stop), when I at at highway speeds.It also locks the differential so steering is somewhat compromised. If this thing decides to overrule the speed requirements for shifting to 4lo on the freeway, this would put others at risk. The truck has changed modes while Idling, at a cold start, and at driving speeds. the dealer says they could not replicate the problem, (it is very random), and that they found no trouble codes. I believe that engineers would only assign trouble codes to something they think is possible. This has happened since the first night I took it home, but until last month when it did it while I was alone in the truck, I thought my wife was accidentally hitting the switch on the center console. Searching this on the internet will find many people reporting the same problem, with a very small number reporting that their dealer replaced the selector switch, (ATCM). No warning lamps appear other than the message that it cannot go into 4lo unless I stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770307October 10, 2026
SUSPENSION
On [XXX], my 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat, with approximately 25,000 miles, experienced a catastrophic front suspension failure while traveling at highway speeds. I suddenly felt what seemed like a tire blowout and was forced to pull onto the shoulder. Upon inspection, the driver’s-side front wheel was severely displaced and turned sideways. Immediately following the incident, I contacted Ford Motor Company for roadside assistance. Ford arranged towing through Murray Auto Body in Salt Lake City, Utah. Upon inspecting the vehicle, Murray Auto Body identified that the driver’s-side upper control arm had completely separated from the steering knuckle. Their technician indicated that the upper ball joint retaining nut appeared to be missing, allowing the ball joint stud to separate from the knuckle. Approximately two months earlier, Larry H. Miller Ford in Salt Lake City performed a warranty repair involving a leaking front strut. The repair took approximately three weeks due to backordered parts. After completing the repair, the dealership released the vehicle to my mother, who drove it home. The dealership subsequently contacted me, stating that they had forgotten to install several parts and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was returned for additional corrective work. I am concerned that this failure may be related to the previous suspension repair or a manufacturing defect. Ford has issued safety recalls 24S64 (NHTSA 24V770) and 25S45 (NHTSA 25V310) involving missing or improperly tightened front upper control arm ball joint fasteners on certain Ford Rangers. My vehicle experienced a failure consistent with the conditions described in these recalls. This incident could have resulted in a serious or fatal accident. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of the suspension failure, including any connection to previous dealership repairs or known safety defects. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769570October 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving the truck on Saturday Oct 3rd on a 55 MPH road. Slowed down to turn left at an intersection. I didn't come to a complete stop before the turn, but close to it. As soon as I started to turn left and then tried to accelerate thru the turn, there was about a 1-2 second delay when I had my foot on the gas pedal before any acceleration actually occured. Stepping on the gas was not doing anything to move the truck. This was the 2nd or 3rd time that I have experienced this with the truck... always when turning from a near stop. If there would have been a car coming at me while I was trying to turn and was closer to me, they could have hit me as I was not able to accelerate and complete the turn in the expected amount of time that I had. I did not notice warning lights or anything when this happened or after it happened, and after the ~2 second delay, everything was working normally again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769618October 7, 2026
ENGINE
I have a 2024 Ford Ranger Lariat. Approximately once a month, the vehicle intermittently loses throttle response while making a turn, most often a right-hand turn but sometimes a left-hand turn. The problem generally occurs after I let off the accelerator and coast into or through an intersection. When I complete the turn and press the accelerator, there is no response from the pedal for approximately 1–2 seconds. The vehicle simply coasts with no acceleration. Then the power suddenly returns. The vehicle hesitates, makes a noise, and then accelerates. This creates a serious safety concern because it can leave me without acceleration while turning through an intersection or entering traffic, with other vehicles approaching around me. The problem is intermittent and may occur only about once a month, making it difficult to reproduce on demand. I am reporting it because the temporary loss of propulsion could potentially cause a collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769306October 6, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On 10/05/2026 at about 35 mph, driving on a normal street in good weather, for no apparent reason... my 2024 Ranger Raptor decided to auto change to all other driving modes, one after another (i.e. 2High then All wheel drive then 4High and then tried 4Low, all on its own. Thankfully the computer wouldn't allow it to drop into 4L without first stopping, else may have been an accident or truck damage! Also, now that this glitch has stopped (at least for the time being), at any speed below 20mph, the 4 wheel drive icon on the instrument cluster turns yellow and any speed over 30, it goes back off to normal gray. And I believe it's actually engaging 4 wheel drive, even though it still indicates 2H. Definitely taking it to the dealer ASAP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768609October 2, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
When the fuel tank gets to 1/2 tank while making left hand turns, the accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive for 2 - 5 seconds. As the tank gets lower, the problem is more pronounced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767113September 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The truck randomly starts changing drive modes while at speed. It moves from normal mode and goes into baja mode then trys going into 4H and 4L, Rock Crawl mode, etc. Safety problem is that you are at speed and it tries to put itself into 4L or Rock crawl or any 4 wheel mode. This happens on pavement which can create catastrophic traction problems. The problem is random and has not been reproduced. It has been to the dealer a couple of times for this issue. They say that it is probably related to the Drive Mode Selector. They ordered the part in June and still have not received it. The problem exposes itself by showing the changes to drive modes going across the speedometer area and on the drive mode selector.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766512September 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, ENGINE
My truck has selectable drive modes. These drive modes control steering effort, suspension, shift points, the four-wheel drive system, ABS, and exhaust. My truck changes drive modes on its own without any input. Going down the highway, my truck is tried to go into rock crawl modes several times. If this happens, my truck will go into four low and the components above will be affected. A cursory Google search leads to a forum where 10 pages of people have reported this problem. It is scary to think that my truck has the potential to change drive modes on its own. This could lead to loss of steering control, sudden acceleration, or a locked differential can make me lose control of the vehicle. Here is the page referenced above: [XXX] Despite having an effect on the powertrain, Ford does not consider this to be covered under the 36,000 mile powertrain warranty, of which my vehicle is beyond. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765204September 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Drive mode changes without any input. Driving down the road it randomly changes from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive. Since it's random, it can't be reproduced by dealership. It's dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765273September 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The drive mode suddenly changes without input from the driver. Sometimes the vehicle will change from 2H to 4H without touching the mode selector knob. this is dangerous for the vehicle to randomly change drive settings without the driver knowing. There is an electrical issue or short in the mode selector dial.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765333September 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Filed a complaint that Rangers had a recall on wiring harness and this vehicle was made in the Michigan plant where other Rangers had the recall. This particular Ranger should have been included in the recall. The dealership refused to do their due diligence. I filled a complaint and have a case number. CXH09344864X2D6B2. These issue needs to be resolved in a timely manner as it can cause fires and children are riding in this vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764615September 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The drive mode selector, which changes vehicle handling behavior, can change modes without driver intervention causing the vehicle to shift between 2 and 4 wheel drive unexpectedly causing a crash or injury. Widespread reports of the issue exist online as well: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764826September 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The truck changes drive modes and will shift from 2wd to 4wd randomly, including on the freeway. i have had it change from 2wd to 4wd suddenly on the freewway at 65+ MPH. Attempted to take to Lithia Ford in Fresno awhile back and they could not reproduce the issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763428September 10, 2026
STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The consumer owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The consumer received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the parts were unavailable, even though the recall notification stated that parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired since June 22, 2026. The contact stated that the interior lights, including the dome light and the sun visor lights, were inoperable. The dealer confirmed the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Ranger