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2021 Ford Ranger driver assistance problems

13 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 19,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
19,000
crashes
3
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Adaptive cruise control
    3
  • Warnings
    2
  • Warning
    2
  • Sensing system: camera
    2
  • Software: pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognition
    1
  • Automatic emergency braking
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Ranger driver assistance problems in other years

199720012004200520112019202020212022202320242025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Ford Ranger driver assistance

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Adaptive cruise 6

Related recalls

Back over prevention: softwareReported June 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details

Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: radarReported December 16, 2021 · 839 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Risk
A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.

Recall number 21V982000 · Recall details

What 2021 Ford Ranger owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Driver assistance · TN

The boot material surrounding the parking brake bunches up and does not allow the handle to properly seat. When using the cruise control, the parking brake handle will raise up on its own, due to the boot material, causing the cruise control to abruptly disengage. This causes the vehicle to mildly to moderately deaccelerate without warning. This could cause rear end collision.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Driver assistance · 50,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera screen was either blank, frozen, or reversed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V442000 (Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact was informed about a possible diagnostic test and repair cost. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MA

Several warning lights, which included: ABS failure, Parking Assist Failure, Lane Avoidance Failure, Traction Control Failure, as well as having steering difficulty. ( mileage 24500 ). The problem was found by dealer to be an eletrical connector underneath the vehicle at the mid point, with their belief that it was corrosion, which I believe to be a defective component and design. I contacted Ford but they were not interested in retrevale of the connector, so as to diagnose the failure. ( I am keeping the connector )

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Driver assistance · 55,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention system failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the message to “See the Dealer for Repair” was displayed. The back over prevention camera system had displayed a black screen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear-aide back-over camera. The contact was informed that the back over prevention camera system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · NY · crash · fire

2021 Ford Ranger Transmission slipping during driving . causes vehicle to jerk during shifting in gear 3, 4, 7, which causes the vehicle to jerk also during down shifting it shifts very hard. i looked online and apparently ford will not issue a recall because they will lose money on all the repairs they must do. if they changed the rings in the 2022 transmission they are aware of the issue obviously but refuse to address the problem. for us 2021 owners we are fucked. 9000$ repair for us.

Filed Nov 17, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WA

Wiring for back up camera failed and short circuited - will attempt to retain the components for inspection needs. Safety concern - when wire short circuited, it burned the wire at the control module in the dash board, causing the control module to also fail - according the the ford service advisor at my dealership. Issue was diagnosed and inspected by Titus Will Ford service center at 11503 Pacific Hwy SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 - phone # (253) 753-1253. No warning lamps/messages/symptoms.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 19,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the messages “Pre-collision Assist Not Available" and "Cruise Control Not Available" were displayed. Additionally, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Driver assistance · 11,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the Pre- Collision warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would abruptly decelerated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that during the failure, there were no objects or vehicles nearby. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions and the ECM and PCM were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 11,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

The backup camera on my truck washes out at night when the lights are turned on and backing up, rendering it useless. The washout is not as severe with just putting in reverse without lights, but still dangerous. The local Ford dealer states this is inherent in all Rangers, Broncos and other vehicles.

Filed May 16, 2023 · Airbags, Driver assistance · OH · crash · fire

On Monday 15th of May the ford ranger was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy and the engine compartment caught fire. I was un able to open door and other doors would not unlock from inside switch. Finally able to kick door open will the truck filled with smoke and people put out fire.

Questions about the 2021 Ford Ranger driver assistance

Does the 2021 Ford Ranger have driver assistance problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2021 Ford Ranger, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Ford Ranger driver assistance problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 19,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford Ranger driver assistance?

Yes, 2 recalls: 25V442000, 21V982000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Ranger have the most driver assistance problems?

The Ford Ranger model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2019 (16 complaints), 2021 (13 complaints) and 2020 (11 complaints).

Other 2021 Ford Ranger problems

Transmission 60Engine 16Brakes 15Acceleration 8Electrical 8Fuel system 8Body 7Airbags 2Seats 2Steering 2Suspension 2Tires 2Wheels 2Lights 1

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