2011 Ford Ranger Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 235 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Ford Ranger, 4% of the 235 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have had a problem with our 2011 Ford Ranger since buying it on 10-24-15. Notice it after one day and took it back to dealership. They said it was fine and we went back another time to complain and they didn't care. The high beam headlights only works intermittently. My husband goes to work in the dark and we live in a rural area. This also affect us using truck at night. The truck was in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #10821835, filed 2016-01, 24 miles“High beam lights failed on, the hi-lo beam switch in turn, hazard, wiper combo switch later overheated, burn up, smoke in cabin causing complete loss of lamps, wipers at night in rain. Clearly a common issue based on web. If you are going to send full load current with no control relays force a higher standard on design margins and and mttf. You have (4) head lamps on a car no reason a design should be allowed to cause all (4) to failure. Force multiple relays, modules, and contacts, wiring circuits and fuses. Also fix the blinding headlight issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11618410, filed 2024-10, 110,000 miles“2011 Ford Ranger could be related to Ford's safety recall no. 11c18. : on 09-06-19, during night time, a co-worker following this vehicle reported to the owner that all rear tail lights; brake lights, and emergency flashers have stopped working. On-09-07- 2019, the fuses were checked and appear to be good. Back up lights work and all dash lights and lights to the vehicle front work. The VIN for this 2011 truck apparently is not part of the recall even though it sounds like it could be the same problem. The vehicle will be taken to a Ford dealer the week of 09-09-2019 for repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11253816, filed 2019-09, 65,547 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the high beam head lights failed to illuminate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11144206, filed 2018-10, 105,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Ford Ranger. When the vehicle was taken to be inspected, the inspector observed that the brake lamps failed to illuminate. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the multifunction switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. Updated 04/06/16”
NHTSA complaint #10822001, filed 2016-01, 29,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service…Covers: Ford Ranger 2004–2011, F-350 2002–2007, F-250 2002–2007 +5 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 14 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 13 | 2% |
| 1998 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 17 | 4% |
| 1995 | 15 | 5% |
| 1994 | 10 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 3% |
| 1992 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2011 Ford Ranger
196 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology