NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Ford Ranger
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ford Ranger is a mid-size pickup truck aimed at buyers who want truck capability without the bulk of a full-size rig. Competing in one of the most hotly contested segments in the American market, the Ranger targets active lifestyle buyers, small-business owners, and weekend adventurers who need a practical, maneuverable workhorse. Across model years 2019 through 2025, its safety profile has been a genuine mixed bag worth examining closely before you buy.
The 2021 Ford Ranger earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 6 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the Ford Ranger as a capable, well-rounded mid-size pickup that balances everyday usability with off-road credibility. Most professional assessments praise its driving dynamics and feature set for the segment, while noting that the Ranger faces stiff competition. Reviewers tend to acknowledge the improvements made in more recent model years as meaningful refinements over the original generation.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15447
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
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
Reported 2025-10-10
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
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.
Reported 2025-06-27
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS23V379000
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.
Reported 2023-05-26
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR21V982000
Risk: A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
Reported 2021-12-16
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING21V811000
Risk: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Int
Reported 2021-10-15
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY21V765000
Risk: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866
Reported 2021-09-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
103 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.