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The 2022 Ford Ranger is a smaller truck that is meant to fill a niche market on the roads. The automaker claims it is “built for adventure.” However, faulty components and a shoddy structure are causing quite a stir.
Click on other model years to view more problems: 2019 2020 2021
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2022 Ford Ranger
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| Equipment | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Seats | |
| Visibility/wiper |
Most Common Problems with the 2022 Ford Ranger
Complaints about the 2022 Ford Ranger are very varied, ranging from windows that shatter spontaneously to serious exterior lighting problems that impede safety.
Several different components and systems are referenced in consumer complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These relate to equipment, exterior lighting, the powertrain, seats and seat belts, and service brakes. There are also some scathing consumer reviews on other platforms including Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and Edmunds.
Problems with the Electrical System
The electrical system in any vehicle affects a multitude of functions. As a newer model, the Ford Ranger should have everything working in harmony for a smooth ride. Yet, drivers are finding it is full of electrical system glitches.
Vehicle warning systems are powered by the electrical system as is the exterior lighting. When these systems malfunction, the safety of those traveling in the vehicle is at risk.
Faulty Exterior Lighting
According to an owner from Missouri, Ford stopped installing the lights that illuminate “Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive” on the shift lever in 2021. The function of this lighting was to show which transmission mode was selected.
“This is a serious safety issue because, at night, the driver cannot look down to determine what mode is being selected. The dealer stated to me the selected mode is in the driver console at night. I’m a 5’9″ male and any time the wheel is turned or my hand is on the wheel, I cannot see the mode selected. I quickly realized this the first time I drove the vehicle at night, none of the lighting on the shifter was on. I thought it was broken!”
His take is that Ford is cutting costs and suggests they supply a retrofit kit that will provide this lighting. “This would not incur a great expense or time, however, this could prevent the driver from selecting the wrong mode causing abrupt forward or backward movement injuring another person or vehicle when moving the vehicle out of park, in particular, backing in or out of parking spots for example that require you to turn the vehicle.”
He is also adamant that the “current standard equipment lighting presents a safety hazard.” Because it is directly related to the movement of the vehicle, “the likelihood of injury or occurrence are both high.”
Malfunction Seat Belt Warning Light and Rear Seat Alarm
A 2022 Ford Ranger owner from Pennsylvania experienced problems with the seat belt warning indicator when the vehicle had only 250 miles on the clock. What happens is that the indicator for the rear passenger seat stays on and won’t clear, even though nobody is in the seat. “Tried buckling seat belt for rear passenger seat – warning cleared. Unbuckled and (a) warning appears again and won’t clear.”
The complaint states that Ford “has nothing documented for clearing this.” To make matters worse, the dealership won’t acknowledge the problem and cannot suggest a fix. The owner’s primary concern is that “The resulting warning may now affect how safety/collision systems will operate in an actual collision.”
A comment on the KBB website maintains that the “most unwanted, constant annoying feature of auto-engine shutoff ‘check the rear seat’ alarm that goes off at every stop sign or light. There is no way to permanently turn this off.
Design & Structural Issues
When it comes to initial reports on the 2022 Ford Ranger, even automotive publications see where it lacks.
Here’s how Car and Driver reviewed the Ranger. “Bland cabin design, other rivals offer more off-road prowess, (the) base model lacks modern infotainment features.”
Now that it’s been on the road for a while, we’re getting feedback from consumers.
Windshields and vehicle windows are part of the design, and when they fail it may be considered a structural issue. A Florida owner states in a complaint that the rear window “completely shattered” while the Ford Ranger was stopped at a red light, motionless. All the glass was shattered except for the small center slider.
An NHTSA complaint about brakes also appears to be structural or design-related rather than a fault with the braking system. An owner from Kansas says that the brake pedal gets closer to the floor than the accelerator pedal. So, when coming to a stop, if “your foot is a little off on the brake pedal you can simultaneously hit the brake and the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to not stop properly.”
A user on Edmunds gives a rented 2022 Ford Ranger only 2 out of 5 stars. The complaints are varied, but a lot has to do with the design and structure of the truck.
For example,
- The truck is cramped. “Getting in the truck where normal sized get in is obstructed by the front pillar. you have to contort yourself off balance.”
- “The center console was an afterthought fitting into the leftover space of the design.”
- “Back-up visibility was terrible and with the steering a total nuisance.”
- Overall, “the awkwardness was something of a hardship. I think it was designed for more petite folks looking for the strength of a 1/2 ton truck.”
What if your 2022 Ranger is a Lemon?
If you think you have a lemon Lemberg Law will assess your case free of charge. Every year, auto manufacturers like Ford replace or buy back vehicles, or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners.
The reason we don’t charge is that the law says Ford must pay lemon law legal fees. Call our Helpline or fill in our contact form and we’ll see where you stand.
Complaint Data
| Category | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | Feb 24, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The contact owns a 2022 ford ranger. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v685000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vin was unavailable. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Feb 03, 2023 |
| State | CO |
| Description | The transmission and or converter on the vehicle continue to have harsh vibrations in all gears. The unit has a difficult time finding the right gear for the traveling speed. Some times accelerates slightly from a stopped position which requires excessive force on the brake. At highway speeds downshifts are very slow and sometimes not at all when trying to pass slower vehicles. Employee's refuse to drive this vehicle due to excessive vibration felt through the steering wheel and foot pedal's when coming to a stop. They don't feel that the vehicle is going to come to a stop. I would agree. It's as if the transmission does not start downshifting as the vehicle slows, and then drops into first very hard as the vehicle is coming to a stop. The vehicle started doing this at 220 miles and continues to get worse. It has been to the dealer four times, with the first being a driveshaft shim placement to the driveshaft per a tsb. Second visit, the dealer states there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Third visit, complete drive shaft and components replaced, with no remedy. Fourth visit, an engineer from ford came to the dealership and determined there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. These problems have been occurring since the vehicle had 220 miles on it. The vehicle has 1700 miles and note being driven very much. |
| Category | Equipment |
| Date | Jul 18, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | I bought a rack from a company called carid. Com. It was a torxe model 40-1001620 adjustable truck bed carrier with bend mount kayak surf canoe 2-bar. Https://www. Carid. Com/torxe/adjustable-truck-bed-carrier-rack-mpn-40-1001620. Html it came with about 60 undecipherable parts with no instructions. I asked the company for instructions and they were non-responsive for a week. Called them again. Some photos came, but it still did not explain how to put it together. Many of the pieces did not seem to fit where they logically looked like they would. I am a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience, and I would not even attempt to put this together without instructions, as it would potentially pose a safety hazard running down the road. The company is now stating I cannot return the product. Just thought I would let you know. It appears this is not a dot safe product, as one would expect some instructions to come with it in order to insure it is properly assembled. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jul 17, 2022 |
| State | KS |
| Description | When coming to a stop at a stop sign or light and your foot is a little off on the brake pedal you can simultaneously hit the brake and the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to not stopping properly. The brake pedal is closer to the floor board when applied than the accelerator pedal. |
| Category | Exterior Lighting, Power Train |
| Date | Apr 20, 2022 |
| State | MO |
| Description | The lighting on the shift lever that shows what mode the transmission is being selected is missing. Apparently ford stopped installing the lighting that lights the "park, reverse, neutral, drive" in the shifter beginning in 2021. This is a serious safety issue because at night, the driver cannot look down at determine what mode is being selected. The dealer stated to me the selected mode is in the driver console at night. I'm a 5'9" male and any time the wheel is turned or my hand in on the wheel, I cannot see the mode selected. I quickly realized this the first time I drove the vehicle at night, none of the lighting on the shifter was on. I thought it was broken! Basically ford has skimped a few dollars and not installed internal night lighting on the lettering. A simple correction for this is require ford to install the lighting in the unit as a retrofit kit (basically put back what they stopped installing). This would not incur a great expense or time, however, this could prevent the driver from selecting the wrong mode causing abrupt forward or backward movement injuring another person or vehicle when moving the vehicle out of park, in particular, backing in or out of parking spots for example that require you to turn the vehicle (aka wheel not centered). If not requiring a recall, ford should make this retrofit available to owners because as of right now, I was told there is none. I included a short video showing the impeded view of the shift mode selected on the driver panel when the steering wheel is being moved and not at wheel centered. At night, this would be the only lighted shifting reference. I also included a day photo of the same view, a view of an earlier 2020 ranger (that had the shifter lighting standard) and my 2022 ranger shifter at night with no lighting. The current standard equipment lighting presents a safety hazard and is directly related to the movement of the vehicle so the likelihood of injury or occurrence are both high. |
| Category | Seat Belts, Seats |
| Date | Apr 18, 2022 |
| State | PA |
| Description | This vehicle is brand new. 250 miles. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. No one is in the seat. Tried buckling seat belt for rear passenger seat - warning cleared. Unbuckled and warning appears again and won't clear. There are no objects on the seat. Shut vehicle off and dismounted. Got back in and restarted vehicle. Seat belt warning indicator remains on for rear passenger side and will not clear. Ford has nothing documented for clearing this. Dealership will not acknowledge this and does not have a 'fix'. The resulting warning may now affect how safety/collision systems will operate in an actual collision. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Feb 01, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | I was stopped at a red light, not moving, and the rear window completely shattered, the entire window, except the small center slider. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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A back seat alarm is not a flaw it’s a safety feature and auto shut off is a gas saving feature sounds like your just trashing ford here