How Long Do Ford Rangers Last? (7 Important Facts)

The Ford Ranger is a midsize truck that offers comfortable seats, sufficient legroom for passengers, and a spacious cargo compartment.

For those who are mostly concerned with the functionality and practicality of a vehicle, the Ranger is the perfect truck.

How long do Ford Rangers last?

The Ford Ranger can last up to 20 years with no major faults. Even though the truck is overshadowed by the F-150, the Ranger is solidly built and will push the 300k-mile threshold with little trouble.

How Many Miles do Ford Rangers Last?

According to reviews, a Ford Ranger can last for over 300,000 miles.

However, to enjoy the vehicle for that long, take proper care of your Ranger.

By ‘proper care,’ we don’t mean to completely baby it or not use it often. The Ford Ranger is built for tough driving and rough roads, so a little nudging won’t hurt it.

Instead, you can extend the service life of your vehicle by regular inspection, thorough body washes, and adequate servicing. Once you do this, your truck will last as long as 300,000 miles.

Take, for instance, a 1994 Ford Ranger owner, Hank. Hank’s truck has lasted 325,000 miles.

Yet, the only major fault he has encountered since purchase is transmission failures.

How Soon to Expect Rust on your Vehicle

The first signs of rust appear on Ford Rangers 2 to 10 years after production.

For Rangers with manufacturing defects, rust may even begin as early as 2 months after the release of the vehicle. Common starting points of rust are the chassis and suspension, frame, and surface of the vehicle.

Reports also show that Ford Rangers are more likely to rust in winter.

You can delay rust by spraying your truck with Film fluid.

This method can also reduce the rate at which existent rust spreads across the Ranger.

How Long Does the Ford Ranger Last Compared to Similar Vehicles?

Compared to similar pickup trucks, the Ford Ranger is very durable.

The Ranger offers desirable features like spacious interiors, excellent off-roading capability, and powerful engines. A few pickup trucks also boast some or all of the above features.

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that any of them will last longer than the Ford Ranger.

Ford Ranger vs. Chevrolet Colorado

The Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado share characteristics like powerful turbo engines and spacious interiors.

Both cars are likely to break down at the same time.

Just like the Ford Ranger, the Chevrolet Colorado can last for over 300,000 miles.

Ford Ranger vs. Toyota Tundra

Powerful turbo engines are what these trucks have in common.

At the same time, they offer similar levels of durability. The average length of miles the Toyota Tundra can last is 300,000 miles.

Also, past Ford Ranger owners claim that their cars fell apart around the 300,000-mile range.

Ford Ranger vs. Nissan Frontier

Just like the Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier has a tough V-6 engine in its build.

However, Ford Rangers often last longer than Nissan Frontiers.

Whereas a Ranger will probably last for over 300,000 miles, Nissan Frontiers may break down after they’ve exceeded 200,000 miles.

Are Ford Raptors Reliable?

Yes, but only barely. For example, J.D. Power rates the 2019 Ranger a mere 3 out of 5.

You can count on the vehicle for superb handling and impressive gas mileage.

Notwithstanding this, several Ford Ranger owners have reported faults in the vehicle. Most of these reports were about transmission failures.

Users reported that their transmissions broke down around 120,000 miles, and they had to replace them.

Minor complaints involved steering wheels and engine problems.

Look into our article which reads about common Ford Ranger problems.

The Best and Worst Model Years of the Ford Ranger

The worst model year for the Ford Ranger is 2002.

This year generated severe complaints, such as the gear shifting without the driver’s prompting and incessant flickering of the overdrive signal.

The problem of the gear slipping independent of the driver’s input can disrupt his control of the vehicle and cause a crash.

If you intend to buy a used Ford Ranger, steer clear of the 2002 model year.

Meanwhile, 2020 is the best year yet for the Ford Ranger. It comes with a slew of upgraded features, a more powerful engine, comfy interiors, and improved gas mileage.

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Ranger has been recalled 67 times.

Ford recalled some 2002 Ford Ranger models to fix the Speed Control Deactivation Switch (SCDS).

This problem can lead to overheating or burning of the SCDS and put passengers at risk of a fire.

Certain 2020 Ford Rangers were also recalled on account of their faulty transmission.

The gear would shift freely without the driver’s action. If the driver is caught unawares by the shift, he may lose control of the vehicle and cause a car crash.

Below is a table showing the recall actions of the Ranger according to the model year:

Ford Ranger Model Year List

The Ford Ranger was introduced in 1983 but was discontinued in 2011.

Later, the Ford Motor Company revived the model in 2019.

As a result, there are two generations of the Ford Ranger:

First Generation:

• 1983 Ford Ranger
• 1984 Ford Ranger
• 1985 Ford Ranger
• 1986 Ford Ranger
• 1987 Ford Ranger
• 1988 Ford Ranger
• 1989 Ford Ranger
• 1990 Ford Ranger
• 1991 Ford Ranger
• 1992 Ford Ranger
• 1993 Ford Ranger
• 1994 Ford Ranger
• 1995 Ford Ranger
• 1996 Ford Ranger
• 1997 Ford Ranger
• 1998 Ford Ranger
• 1999 Ford Ranger
• 2000 Ford Ranger
• 2001 Ford Ranger
• 2002 Ford Ranger
• 2003 Ford Ranger
• 2004 Ford Ranger
• 2005 Ford Ranger
• 2006 Ford Ranger
• 2007 Ford Ranger
• 2008 Ford Ranger
• 2009 Ford Ranger
• 2010 Ford Ranger
• 2011 Ford Ranger
• 2012 Ford Ranger

Second Generation:

• 2019 Ford Ranger
• 2020 Ford Ranger

Are Ford Rangers Expensive to Maintain?

No, they are not.

Given that the vehicle itself is not really expensive, it is no surprise that maintenance costs for the Ranger are cheap.

While most Ford truck models often require about $775 for annual maintenance, $648 is sufficient to maintain a Ranger per year.

How Long Do Brakes Last?

Regular visits to the technician can earn your brakes a service life of 20,000-60,000 miles.

If you want your brakes to last as long as 60,000 miles, you need to avoid stomping on them as much as possible.

The price for new Ford Ranger brakes ranges between $441-$628.

How Long Do Batteries Last?

The service life of Ford Ranger batteries is about 100,000 miles.

Since the Ranger is built for towing loads, ferrying large luggage will have little effect on the truck’s battery life.

Instead, you can make your battery last longer by ensuring you start the vehicle every day, whether or not you intend to drive.

Depending on your budget, a new Ford battery will go for $147-$155.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Usually, original Ford Ranger tires last for 30,000-50,000 miles.

If you rotate your tires every month, they should last for 50,000 miles.

At some point, your tires will have to be replaced.

Ford Ranger owners recommend tires like the General Tire Grabber and the Cooper Discoverer as suitable replacements.

How Long Do Transmissions Last?

If you maintain your truck properly, Ford Ranger transmissions will probably last for 200,000 miles.

Users say regular fluid changes will stretch the durability of your transmissions.

New Ford Ranger transmissions cost about $1800-$3400.

How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?

Ford Ranger spark plugs often last for 60,000 miles.

If you notice that your truck is dragging, it might be time to get new plugs.

What Is the Insurance Cost of Ford Rangers?

On average, it costs $1,254 to insure a Ford Ranger.

Factors like your age, location, and mileage of your vehicle may mean you would pay more or less for your insurance.

Tips to Prolong the Life of your Ford Ranger:

Here are ways to extend the service life of your Ford Ranger:

• Keep your truck clean. Washing your Ranger regularly will keep off foreign materials that may make your truck rust faster.
• Park your truck indoors, especially during the winter. This will also delay rust on your vehicle.
• Immediately after you purchase your truck, spray it with undercoating and wax.
• Inspect and refill engine and transmission fluids regularly
• Rotate your tires every month and keep them inflated.
• Avoid excessive stomping on your brakes. Your brake pads may overheat.
• Don’t go bumping into difficult terrain just because the Ranger is built for tough conditions. In the long run, harsh driving will make the vehicle fall apart faster.
• Take your truck for repair as soon as it develops faults. Procrastinating on repairs might translate to a shorter life for the vehicle.

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