2010 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year are dominated by airbag recall notices: owners report repeated notices about the Takata inflator recalls, long waits and parts that dealers said were unavailable, rather than failures they experienced themselves. Away from airbags, the sample describes corrosion of the frame, radiator support and spare-tire carrier on older, higher-mileage trucks, plus a few reports of fuel-line leaks, a parking brake that would not hold, and unintended acceleration or a sticking throttle at very low mileage.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag recall notices, long waits and unavailable parts

   • 118 complaints (76%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the frontal airbag inflator and then being unable to get the work done: dealers told them the replacement part was not available, was back-ordered or was VIN-specific, and gave no date. Several say they called repeatedly or visited a dealer and were put on a list, and that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the repair; a few mention distance to a dealer or having a local mechanic order parts. Most had not experienced a failure at the time of the complaint. A small number describe airbags that did not deploy in a crash, which is a separate observation from the recall itself. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand to over 170,000 miles, and most often in complaints filed from 2016 onward as recall notices arrived.

   Recall 21V158000Recall 21V081000Recall 19V001000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V046000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V384000 · DO NOT DRIVE2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the seller or a dealer whether the open inflator recalls for this VIN have been completed, and get the recall status in writing before purchase. If a notice has arrived but no repair has been done, confirm with a dealer what the current remedy and timing are.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 9/11/2010 we were sold a Ford Ranger that had an outstanding takata air bag recall and also had a rusted through frame and body. We took pictures and returned the truck to the dealer on 9/14/2010. The dealer will not accept the truck back and will not recall the loan even though we were not made aware of the deficiencies or the outstanding recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11267181, filed 2019-10, 13,000 miles

   “Takata recall. I have received two recall letters from Ford. Each time I took it to brinson Ford in athens tx and was told that even though the letter stated that the parts were available, they could not get them and they were backordered. I need to get this taken care of since my wife will nt ride as a passenger until it is fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11143425, filed 2018-10, 66,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe rust-through on the frame and body of trucks that are otherwise well kept, including the lower radiator support separating from the frame, holes in the bed floor, the spare-tire carrier cable rusting solid so the spare could not be lowered, and rear leaf-spring mounts and fuel-tank brackets rusting away. Some reports note a thumping noise when accelerating or braking, or the radiator moving when pushed. According to the complaints, dealers photographed the damage and in some cases took no action, citing vehicle age, while others were told the truck was not safe to drive until the subframe was rebuilt. Mostly reported at higher mileage, roughly 44,000 to 130,000 miles and beyond, on trucks used in areas where road salt is common.

   What to check: Inspect the frame rails, radiator support, rear spring and fuel-tank mounts and the spare-tire carrier from underneath, ideally on a lift, paying attention to any truck that has lived in a salt-belt state. Ask whether the underbody has been treated and check that the spare tire can actually be lowered.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The lower part of the radiator support has rusted and is no longer attached to the frame of the truck. Truck is form pennsylvania, this is the only spot of major rust damage on the vehicle. Vehicle has 103000 miles on it. I noticed this when I herd a strange thumping noise when accelerating or braking quickly. When popping the hood I noticed that when pushed on the radiator would move. Thats when I noticed the rust and that the lower part of the support is no longer connected.”

   NHTSA complaint #11243434, filed 2019-08, 103,000 miles

   “Due to a recent road hazard a tire went flat, when attempting to retrieve the spare, it could not be removed because the cable holding it up rusted solid. Additionally, the bed is also rusting to the extent where holes go through to the road(see pic). The dealer took pictures and sent them to Ford who in turn said they will take no action because the vehicle is six years old. My vehicle was purchased new, it has 44,000 miles on it and is well taken care of(see pic). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10913903, filed 2016-10, 44,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and fuel line leaks

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2022

   Owners report a strong gasoline smell noticed while parked or in a closed space, traced by a dealer to a split in the engine-compartment fuel line near the area covered by a protective shield. In one report the engine was found covered with fuel while driving; another describes a fuel vapor hose that a dealer declined to cover under warranty. Some owners connect the leak to the fuel-line routing recall for this model year and were told their VIN was not included. Reported from about 39,000 to over 123,000 miles, sometimes noticed while the vehicle was parked rather than while driving.

   Recall 11V126000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel-line routing recall was performed for the VIN and have the engine-compartment fuel line and shield inspected. A persistent fuel smell when parked, or fuel visible on the engine, is worth diagnosing before driving further.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2.3l engine with a bad fuel vapor hose that is part of the emission control system and the dealer says it's not covered under warranty. They are refusing to cover this hose. I think this should be covered as part of the federal emission warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10651832, filed 2014-11, 39,500 miles

   “Strong smell of gas fumes. 2010 Ford Ranger taken to dealer. Dealer reported a split in the fuel line. Fuel line was protected by a shield. No appearance of visible damage to fuel line. Cost of repair $538.00. Vehicle had 55,000 miles on it. Fumes could be detected outside of vehicle, and would build up in closed shop area, which lead to investigation of the odor. Manufacturers defect of line.”

   NHTSA complaint #10413271, filed 2011-07, 55,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Parking brake freezing or cable detaching

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the parking brake shoes freezing to the drum in wet, freezing conditions so the truck would not roll until extra power broke them free, and in one case the brake then failed completely. Other reports describe the parking brake pedal going to the floor or the truck rolling on an incline, with the cable found detached from the right rear actuator; dealers told those owners their VIN was not part of the parking brake recall. Brake-related complaints also include repeated rotor and pad replacement at low mileage. Reported from about 14,500 to 55,000 miles; the freezing reports came from cold, wet conditions.

   Recall 10V2020001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the parking brake on a slope and ask whether the parking brake cable recall was completed for the VIN. On a truck from a cold climate, check that the rear brakes release cleanly after being parked wet.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brake calipers, I have 60000 miles and have completely replaced rotors and pads 4 times under normal driving conditions. Rotors were first turned at 10000 miles(warrantee) ,pads replaced also,( paid for), lasted 5000 miles, rotors destroyed same every time”

   NHTSA complaint #11011883, filed 2017-07, 10,000 miles

   “Emergency brake failed completely. Emergency brake on this vehicle would occasionally freeze to brake drum while parked in wet, freezing conditions. This is with the emergency brakes fully released. Normally, a slight application of power would pop the brake free and then operate normally. On one occasion, the brake shoes were well frozen to the emergency brake drums (this vehicle has disc brakes with small brake drums only for the emergency brakes) and more power was needed to free the vehicle, associated with a louder pop . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10563235, filed 2014-02, 14,500 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or sticking throttle

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the truck accelerating on its own at low speeds, sometimes with cruise control previously engaged, and in one case the accelerator pedal sticking while reversing. Another describes the throttle locking wide open after a climb so that braking could barely hold the truck, with the throttle manually returned to idle from the engine compartment and the condition repeatable. According to the complaints, dealers either could not duplicate the problem or said nothing needed repair. Reported at very low mileage, from about 78 to 3,000 miles in most reports, with one case near 66,600 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, check that the throttle and cruise control release cleanly and that the pedal returns freely; ask whether any throttle body diagnosis or repair has been done. A service bulletin describes revised diagnostic procedures for the electronic throttle body.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Accelerating up hill throttle locked into full open (full throttle) after reaching level grade. Brakes barely able to restrain truck. Got stopped and into neutral at side of road. Throttle stuck open at 3500 to 4000 RPM. Throttle cable able to be returned to idle manually from engine compartment. Able to repeat lock up by goosing accelerator (this after second occurrence). This is used commercial vehicle. There is no carpeting. No codes or other explanation recorded by vehicle computer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10759418, filed 2015-08, 66,609 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Ford Ranger. While driving in reverse at 2 MPH, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck. In order to stop the acceleration, the contact had to apply pressure to the brakes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be repaired. . The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. The current mileage was approximately 7,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10334231, filed 2010-06, 3,000 miles

Buying note. Check the open airbag inflator recalls for this VIN first, since many owners report long waits for parts, then inspect the frame and underbody for rust and confirm the parking brake and fuel-line recall work. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with older trucks is worthwhile given the corrosion reports at higher mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.