NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2024 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 2024 Ford Ranger earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 13 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 19154
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS26V268000
Risk: A seat with a dislodged bolt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 26S30. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 30, 2026.
Reported 2026-04-28
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR26V238000
Risk: Damaged wires can create an electrical short and cause a fire in the A-pillar area, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring for damage and update the body control module software. Damaged wiring harnesses will be replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 model year vehicles. Owners will be notified by mail the week of 5/31/2026. Phase 2 will include 2026 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024
Reported 2026-04-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL26V104000
Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-20
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V597000
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S90.
Reported 2025-09-11
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN25V541000
Risk: Air bags that deploy improperly during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.
Reported 2025-08-22
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT25V310000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the ball joint fastener as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S45.
Reported 2025-05-09
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V315000
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is avail
Reported 2025-05-09
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS25V237000
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force and pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C10.
Reported 2025-04-11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY25V164000
Risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Reported 2025-03-14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS24V848000
Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for a fuel vapor line bracket and install a tie strap to secure the fuel vapor line to the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S71.
Reported 2024-11-08
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT24V770000
Risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S64.
Reported 2024-10-16
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
55 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.