CarBrief

Air bags dominate the 2010 Ford Ranger's complaint record, with 128 of 156 owner complaints naming them[1][2]. Several of its recalls involve air bag inflators that may explode, so check that each one was handled before you buy or keep the truck[3][4].

156owner complaints[1]
8recalls[5]
15–24MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 156 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ranger[1]. Six mention a crash, none a fire, five injuries and none a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Air bags. 128 complaints name the air bags group[2]. It holds all six crashes and all five injuries from the total[1][2]. The median mileage at failure is 66,000[2]. In the sample of air bag complaints we read, owners describe waiting for repair parts for an air bag recall, and several say they had not had a failure[2]. Several of those texts are copies of one report, so the sample is smaller than it looks. Two other texts describe a crash in which the air bags did not deploy[2].

Structure. Six complaints name structure, with a median mileage of 44,000[7]. In the six texts we read, four describe rust. The rust reports include a stuck spare tire cable, a rusted bed, a loose radiator support and a rusted underbody with fuel tank brackets that came loose[7]. One text describes a tailgate that fell off[7].

Speed control. Four complaints name speed control[8]. In the four texts we read, owners describe the truck accelerating on its own or a stuck accelerator or throttle. In some of them the dealer could not repeat or repair the problem[8].

Engine. Five complaints name the engine[9]. The three texts we read describe a vibration with rough idle, fuel on the engine while driving, and a check engine light[9]. That is too small a sample to call any of them a pattern.

The other groups are small: brakes 4, suspension 2, seats 2 and electrical system 2[10][11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists eight recalls for the 2010 Ranger[5]. Newest first:

Whether a recall applies to a specific truck depends on its build date, model year and registration state, and our data cannot say if a given truck was already repaired.

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 2010 Ranger, all on regular gas. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the truck was new.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[6] 22 / 27 / 24 $2,800
2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, automatic 5-spd[20] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, automatic 5-spd[21] 16 / 21 / 18 $3,700
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[22] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, manual 5-spd[23] 15 / 19 / 17 $3,950
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, automatic 5-spd[24] 14 / 18 / 15 $4,450

The gap between the best and worst version is 9 MPG combined[6][24].

Engine and size

EPA's test car list gives 207 hp for a 4.0L 6-cylinder entry[25]. It also has a 2.3L entry at 143 hp and a 4.0L entry at 207 hp, and both carry the label 'with electric motor' in the list[26][27].

Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds. They can differ slightly from US trucks.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Reg cab flareside S/box[28] 187 in 69 in 64 in 112 in 3,069 lb
Reg cab flareside S/box 4x4[29] 187 in 70 in 64 in 112 in 3,069 lb
Reg cab styleside S/box[30] 187 in 69 in 64 in 112 in 3,069 lb
Reg cab styleside S/box 4x4[31] 187 in 69 in 68 in 112 in 3,408 lb
Reg cab styleside L/box[32] 200 in 69 in 65 in 117 in 3,069 lb
Reg cab styleside L/box 4x4[33] 200 in 69 in 68 in 117 in 3,510 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

1995: 321 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 413 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 411 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 582 complaints, 7 recalls19981999: 760 complaints, 5 recalls2000: 676 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 527 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 346 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 243 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 404 complaints, 10 recalls20042005: 289 complaints, 9 recalls2006: 272 complaints, 12 recalls2007: 270 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 326 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 169 complaints, 7 recalls2010: 156 complaints, 8 recalls15620102011: 235 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 270 complaints, 11 recalls2020: 130 complaints, 7 recalls20202021: 118 complaints, 6 recalls2022: 37 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 18 complaints, 4 recalls20232024: 94 complaints, 13 recalls2025: 44 complaints, 13 recalls2026: 7 complaints, 8 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Ranger model year. The 2010 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19953211
19964132
19974111
19985827
19997605
20006764
20015274
20023463
20032431
200440410
20052899
200627212
20072705
20083265
20091697
20101568
20112355
201927011
20201307
20211186
2022375
2023184
20249413
20254413
202678

NHTSA shows 156 complaints and 8 recalls for the 2010 Ranger[5]. Only model years of the same truck are comparable, and the counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2010 Ranger?

The complaint count is lower than for every model year from 1995 through 2011[5], but almost all of it is about air bags[5][1][2]. The air bag recalls carry the most serious risk, since an inflator may explode and cause serious injury or death, and several tell owners not to drive the truck until the repair is done[15][16][4]. Before you buy, ask for proof that every air bag recall that covers the truck was completed, and ask Ford about the recall that had no parts at the time of its 2016 letters[4]. The fuel line and parking brake recalls apply only to trucks built in set windows, so the build date matters[18][19]. Our data has no safety ratings, so it cannot tell you how the truck does in crash tests.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2010 Ford Ranger have?
In NHTSA's data, 128 of 156 complaints name air bags[1][2]. Structure has 6 complaints and engine has 5[7][9]. In the small samples we read, owners describe air bag recall delays and rust[2][7].
Does the 2010 Ford Ranger have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the model year[5]. Five involve air bag inflators[3][14][15][16][4]. The others cover a brake light switch, a fuel line and a parking brake cable[17][18][19]. Ford's customer service number in the recall notices is 1-866-436-7332[3].
What MPG does a 2010 Ford Ranger get?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 MPG for the 4WD 4.0L automatic to 24 MPG for the 2WD 2.3L manual[24][6].
Is 2010 a good year for the Ford Ranger?
It has fewer complaints than every year from 1995 through 2011 and than 2019, and more than 2020 through 2026[5]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so they do not prove one year is better.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 156 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Ford Ranger (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 128 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Ranger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Ranger 2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 6 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V001, filed January 7, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 18V046, filed January 11, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 11V352, filed July 13, 2011: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 11V126, filed February 21, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 10V202, filed May 11, 2010: Parking Brake › Driveline › Hydraulic › Actuator. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for Ranger 2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Ranger 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Ranger 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Ranger 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Ranger 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Ranger with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 207 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Ranger with electric motor: rated 143 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Ford Ranger with electric motor: rated 207 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB FLARESIDE S/BOX: length 187 in, width 69 in, height 64 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,069 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB FLARESIDE S/BOX 4X4: length 187 in, width 70 in, height 64 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,069 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB STYLESIDE S/BOX: length 187 in, width 69 in, height 64 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,069 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB STYLESIDE S/BOX 4X4: length 187 in, width 69 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,408 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB STYLESIDE L/BOX: length 200 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 3,069 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RANGER REG CAB STYLESIDE L/BOX 4X4: length 200 in, width 69 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 3,510 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.