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2021 Ford Ranger

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Ford Ranger
Pictured: 2011 Ford Ranger XLT -- NHTSA. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Supercab 4WD, Supercrew 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 21 city / 26 hwy
Length
211 in
Curb weight
4,352–4,440 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2021 standard pickup truck (19.8 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Ford Ranger is a standard pickup truck offered with a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 211 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 127-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,352 lb (Supercab 4WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 26 highway), 16% better than the 2021 standard pickup truck average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 119 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Ranger — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Ranger →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.3L
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

SuperCrewSuperCab

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Backup cameraStandard

Built in: Wayne, Michigan

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2021 Ranger configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Supercab 4WD211 in73.2 in71.3 in126.8 in61.4 / 61.4 in4,352 lb57/43
Supercrew 4WD211 in73.2 in71.3 in126.8 in61.4 / 61.4 in4,440 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ranger 2WD2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23+16%$2,900387
Ranger 4WD2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive20 / 24 / 22+21%$3,050404
Ranger Tremor 4WD2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive19 / 19 / 19+4%$3,550462
Ranger 2WD Incomplete2.3L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive19 / 18 / 18-14%$3,700486
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.8 MPG2021 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Ford Ranger.

Similar 2021 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Ford Ranger (this car)23 MPGNot rated6
2021 Toyota Tacoma21 MPG★★★★★0
2021 Nissan Frontier20 MPGNot rated2
2021 Honda Ridgeline21 MPG★★★★★7
2021 Jeep Gladiator24 MPGNot rated8

Recalls (6)

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater · Oct 10, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V685000 · 59,006 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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 December 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.
Back Over Prevention › Software · Jun 27, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · May 26, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V379000 · 29,607 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Radar · Dec 16, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V982000 · 839 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
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.
Fix
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.
Seat Belts › Front › Webbing · Oct 15, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V811000 · 47,683 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.
Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor · Sep 30, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V765000 · 37,625 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
Risk
An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Ford Ranger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

119Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
9Injuries reported
35,600 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train60
Service Brakes14
Engine13
Unknown Or Other13
Electrical System7
Vehicle Speed Control7
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Structure › Body4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/07: 324/08: 524/10: 124/11: 124/12: 225/01: 525/02: 125/03: 125/04: 225/06: 825/07: 125/09: 125/10: 225/11: 525/12: 426/02: 526/03: 126/04: 326/05: 426/06: 326/07: 426/08: 526/09: 426/10: 324/0724/1125/0225/0625/1026/0226/0526/08max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Ford Ranger buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 60 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Service Brakes — 14 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,600 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Ford Ranger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Ranger years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Ranger23210.6 inNot rated88
2025 Ranger23210.6 inNot rated1344
2024 Ranger22210.6 inNot rated1395
2023 Ranger23211 inNot rated418
2022 Ranger23211 inNot rated538
2020 Ranger23211 in★★★★★7130
2019 Ranger23211 in★★★★★11270
2011 Ranger24187.4 inNot rated5223
2010 Ranger24187.4 inNot rated8140
2009 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated6152
2008 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated5306
2007 Ranger23187.4 inNot rated5243

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →