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Are Ford Rangers Reliable? Lifespan, Trends & FAQ

ford ranger

Many fans were dismayed when Ford took a hiatus from making the compact Ranger truck. Due to the economic crisis that hit Detroit, the Ranger was put out of production for a time. Those same fans were ecstatic to hear the news that the iconic truck was making a comeback. The Ranger has long held the status as a cult classic truck, and the newest models continue to sell well and have strong resale value. But are the new Ford Rangers reliable? Yes, Ford Rangers are considered to be reliable. 

This overview will go over the reliability scores for the new Ford Rangers to determine how reliable they are. By the end, you should have the information you need to decide whether the Ford Ranger is right for you based on lifespan and reliability.

car and road divider Ford Ranger Reliability Scores

JD Power (2022) – 85/100

JD Power rated the 2022 Ford Ranger 85 out of 100 in terms of overall reliability. That is the same score they gave the truck in 2021 as well which is a good sign for continued reliability. JD Power ranks vehicles in five distinct categories, including reliability. The reliability category is based on the following criteria:

“Measures the level of defects, malfunctions, and design flaws experienced by vehicle owners. Covers the entire vehicle from engine to infotainment system. A higher rating means fewer problems.”

85 out of 100 is a good score. That means they are confident that this model does not have any major design flaws or concerning issues. That covers the entire truck bumper to bumper. JD Power also ranks the Ford Ranger as #1 overall for mid size trucks.

Repair Pal (2022) – 4/5

Repair Pal rates the Ford Ranger a 4 out of 5 in overall reliability. That is good for third out of seven qualified trucks ranked by Repair Pal. That is a decent score that outperforms more than half of other similar vehicles. Repair Pal rates the Ford Ranger as above average in terms of overall reliability.

The average maintenance costs for the Ford Ranger are estimated to be $615 per year, which is exactly average. An above average reliability score coupled with an average maintenance cost is a very good pairing for the Ford Ranger.

Consumer Reports (2021) – 4/5

The latest scores from Consumer Reports have not been made public regarding the 2022 Ford Ranger, but they gave the 2021 Ford Ranger 4 out of 5 for reliability. However, the year before that they only gave the Ranger a 2 out of 5, and before that, they gave them a measly 1 out of 5.

This up and down reliability score can be concerning for the discerning customer, but the most recent reports claim the reliability has improved for the Ford Ranger. Consumer Reports has been more critical of the Ford Ranger than other reviewers, but the improved score shows that the truck has gotten better since it returned from hiatus.

Composite Rating (2022) – 82/100

If we blend all of these scores together, we come up with a final score of 82 out of 100. That is very good and definitely comes in above average. Ford Rangers can be considered reliable trucks, and it seems like the latest models, 2021 and 2022, are more reliable than the 2019 and 2020 models. If you are looking for a solid mid size truck with good reliability scores, the Ford Ranger should be taken under serious consideration.

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Lifespan and Trends

The Ford Ranger took a seven-year break from 2012 to 2019. The reliability scores used here only take the most recent iteration of the Ford Ranger into account, which made its return in 2019. Overall, the trends have been positive. The first Rangers back from break did not score well in reliability, but the two most recent models did score very well.

If you are going to buy a used Ford Ranger from the most recent batch, it is probably best to avoid the 2019 and 2020 models or at least go in with your eyes open to the possibility that they could have more severe maintenance costs than the most recent version.

The Ford Ranger is rated to exceed 200,000 like most trucks. Well cared for Ford Rangers should be able to make it to 250,000 or even 300,000 miles. That is good for 20 years or more. In terms of overall lifespan, the Ford Ranger is on par with other similarly sized trucks.

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If you are already partial to the Ford Ranger, the reliability scores should do nothing to change your mind. The Ford Ranger is not the #1 most reliable truck on the market, but it is very near the top on most lists. If you want to get a good truck that is not too big but is still reliable and can last for many years, the Ford Ranger will fit the role just fine.

If you are looking for the most reliable truck on the market, that distinction often falls to the Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is not the best-looking truck available, and Honda is not known for their trucks, but they are known for reliability.

car and road divider Conclusion

The Ford Ranger is a reliable truck that seems to be getting better with each passing year. The Ranger has always been very popular and continues to be a crowd favorite. Ford Ranger continues to be a leading truck in terms of overall reliability and if trends continue, it will stay near the top of that list.


Featured Image Credit: DanRais, Pixabay

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