2022 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Ranger, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Ford Ranger, 2019 to 2023 model years
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2022 compares

Too new to judge fully

It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Ranger year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the transmission and drivetrain.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Ranger years from 2019 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Ranger. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (17, 45% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 5th of 6 Ranger years from 2019 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.

Complaints38filed with NHTSA
Recalls5for this model year
Crashes199 injuries reported
Fires0reported in complaints
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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2022 Ford Ranger before you buy.

Transmission and drivetrain

17 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Vehicle was placed into Ford’s Neutral Tow mode according to the owner’s manual before being recreationally towed behind a motorhome. The instrument cluster displayed Ford’s confirmation that Neutral Tow was enabled and the vehicle was ready for four-wheel-down towing. The transmission failure occurred during the second day of towing.…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission. Total mechanical failure. TSB. 23-2250 TBS 24-2101 TBS. 25-2134. Transmission fluid was replaced at 83709. Replaced at 104263. Factory schedule 150000. Ford is aware they are selling a product that has Factory mechanical issues.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Electrical system

9 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Truck cut off at an intersection without warning and would not turn back over. After multiple attempts and AAA service members checking batter car would not start. Has power but will not turn over dealership is saying there is a module issue but is not sure.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start with the key in the ignition. The contact stated that the vehicle started after the battery was recharged. The contact was able to start the vehicle using the key instead of the key fob. The vehicle was taken to a local…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 14,000 miles

Engine and cooling

7 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Engine revolutions increased to 4500 rpm while waiting for a school bus to unload. Engine revolutions increased to 4500 rpm while waiting at intersection Engine increased to 4500 rpm’s while driving down road slowly in front of school. Safety of school children were put at risk in two of these instances. Dealer has not found code in…Owner complaint, filed 2023
A recall for a block heater was active. They removed the part and they never call back to install the new part. As of now my truck does not have an engine block heater. I emailed and called them and no answers from them. The Sheehy ford at Gaithersburg.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Lights, wipers and visibility

5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH and exiting the driveway, the contact heard a loud bang coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the rear windshield had fractured without impact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the rear…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 27,000 miles
I was stopped at a red light, not moving, and the rear window completely shattered, the entire window, except the small center slider.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Brakes and stability control

3 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close together. While driving at various speeds, the contact’s foot slid off the brake pedal onto the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward. While reversing, the vehicle automatically backed up, but after depressing the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 10,000 miles

Cruise control and acceleration

3 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving my 2022 Ford Ranger, the transmission failed to engage Drive. I started my morning as usual, letting the vehicle warm up and the RPMs settle before leaving my neighborhood. As I pulled onto the main road, the truck began acting strangely, I noticed it wasn’t accelerating normally and felt constant gear shifting without…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close together. While driving at various speeds, the contact’s foot slid off the brake pedal onto the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward. While reversing, the vehicle automatically backed up, but after depressing the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 10,000 miles

Fuel system

2 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Went on a trip with the vehicle. When returning to home put the vehicle in the garage. Came out the next day and the Garage smelled like a gas can. Looked all around could not find signs of the gas. Got in the truck and was overwhelmed by gas smell. Moved the vehicle out of the garage. Googled the issue and found 170 pages of people with…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Seats and seat belts

2 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have developed severe chronic neck and back pain due to the shape and position of the headrests in this vehicle (as well as my wife’s 2024 Hyundai Kona). There is no position that does no cause pain, and I am forced to remove them entirely, or lean forward and not use them, causing a lack of support and different muscle tension. This…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Steering

1 complaintLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Dueler HT685, Tire Size: 255/70/R16, DOT Number: 1VN0KDH2 3422. The contact stated that the driver’s side front inner tire was excessively worn. The contact noticed that the steel belts were showing through. The contact replaced the tire with a spare. There…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 38,000 miles

Driver assist systems

1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The ACM (Audio Control Module) failed, causing a network failure in the CAN system. This caused a condition of no speedometer reading, no automatic braking, no adaptive cruise control, no fuel gauge reading, no blind spot monitoring, no forward collision, no rear cross traffic warning. Additionally, while the turn signals worked, there…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Air bags

1 complaintAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 40 MPH, he ran a red light at an intersection and T-boned another vehicle. The impact bent the frame into the front tires. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries, and medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 17,000 miles

Ford Ranger complaints by year

Compare the 2022 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2022 midsize trucks

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2022 Ford RangerToo new to judge5Transmission and drivetrain
2022 Toyota TacomaToo new to judge3Transmission and drivetrain
2022 Chevrolet ColoradoToo new to judge1Electrical system
Compare side by side

2022 Ford Ranger recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2022 Ford Ranger, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Equipment Engine block heater

Oct 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V685000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Backup camera

Jun 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
Fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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.

Equipment Labels

May 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V379000
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.
Full recall summary

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."

Fuel system

Sep 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V685000
Risk
An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
Fix
Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.

Windows, mirrors and wipers Windshield

Jun 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V451000
Risk
A windshield that separates from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge.
Full recall summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

2022 Ford Ranger questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Ford Ranger?

The most reported problem areas on the 2022 Ford Ranger are the transmission and drivetrain (17 complaints), the electrical system (9 complaints) and the engine and cooling (7 complaints).

Is the 2022 Ford Ranger a good year to buy?

Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 4 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Ranger year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the transmission and drivetrain. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Ranger years from 2019 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Ranger have?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2022 Ford Ranger. The most recent, from Oct 2025, covers the engine block heater. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?

The Ranger years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2019. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.