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Verdict

2023 Ford Ranger: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2023 Ford Ranger — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most truck.

Owners filed 17 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 88% of 2023 trucks. Power Train leads the reports (29%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2023 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

17

Reports to NHTSA, 2023

Safety recalls

4

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

22

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 88% of 2023 trucks

The bar is this car's percentile among 2023 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Power Train issues lead owner complaints (29% of 17 reports), followed by service brakes (18%).

Power Train29% · 5 reports
Service Brakes18% · 3 reports
Air Bags12% · 2 reports
Vehicle Speed Control12% · 2 reports
Electrical System6% · 1 report
Engine6% · 1 report
Fuel System6% · 1 report
Lane Departure6% · 1 report

+ 1 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 17 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11551701, ODI 11651300, ODI 11638904, ODI 11594547, ODI 11551677.

Recalls(4)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

EquipmentOct 2025 · 25V685000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Wheels · 23V283000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The lug nuts on the driver's side wheels may have been improperly tightened.

Risk: Loose lug nuts may result in wheel detachment while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, retighten the lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S17.

Equipment · 23V379000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.

Back Over Prevention · 25V442000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Ranger 2WD2.3L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive212623
Ranger 4WD2.3L 4-cylPart-time 4-Wheel Drive202422
Ranger 2WD2.3L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive202622
Ranger 4WD2.3L 4-cylPart-time 4-Wheel Drive192421
Ranger Tremor 4WD2.3L 4-cylPart-time 4-Wheel Drive191919

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2023 Ford Ranger: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2023 Ford Ranger?

Owners filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the 2023 Ford Ranger — fewer complaints than 88% of comparable 2023 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2023 Ford Ranger?

The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (29% of complaints) and service brakes (18%).

How many recalls does the 2023 Ford Ranger have?

4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2023 Ford Ranger, covering components such as equipment. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Ford Ranger get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Ford Ranger between 19 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.