Ford Ranger: FAQs

Generally, the Ford Ranger has a good record for reliability if used in normal conditions and regularly serviced.

There is some history of transmission problems in the early 3.2-litre turbo-diesel PX series and some owners report of overheating and limp-mode issues when Ford Rangers are used heavily laden and/or for towing. It is recommended that a transmission cooler be fitted to automatic models if heavy towing is a regular occurrence.

The factory tow pack for the Ford Ranger includes an automatic transmission cooler.

Like many vehicles, the Ford Ranger has been the subject of recalls. A number of recalls have been related to its transmission, the most recent of which was applicable to the high-tech 10-speed auto fitted in bi-turbo models.

Ford Ranger has a strong reputation for its refinement and overall ability and is routinely Australia’s top-selling 4x4 ute.

The Ford Ranger has plenty of fans, but few ute buyers are as partisan as the owners of the Toyota HiLux.

Indeed, they would have you believe that the well-proven and popular Toyota HiLux is, as the advertising says, unbreakable.

While the Toyota HiLux has a reputation for reliability, recent diesel particulate filter (DPF) and other issues have taken off some of the shine.

The Ford Ranger, meantime, is a popular choice for its blend of performance, reliability and excellent in-cabin comfort, connectivity and amenity.

In direct comparison testing, the Ford Ranger often beats the Toyota HiLux in terms of its driveability on and off road.

The appeal of the Ford Ranger has been boosted by Ford Australia’s regular addition of added-value models and limited editions.

The Ford Ranger has been a stalwart of the Ford Australia line-up since 2006, when it replaced the Courier, but it was Australia’s second-generation (T6) model – the first global Ranger and the first engineered Down Under – that took it to a new level in 2011.

In its most recent PX generation, the Ford Ranger has been offered in myriad configurations, the most popular dual-cab 4x4 models powered by a mix of 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

In 2018 Ford Australia released the Ford Ranger Raptor version of the popular 4x4 dual-cab with high-performance off-road suspension and a new 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine matched to a state-of-the-art 10-speed automatic transmission.

Many consider the 2018-model Ford Ranger Raptor the best Ranger yet sold in Australia.

Ford Australia has acknowledged some issues with the automatic transmissions fitted to its Ranger models.

Both the six- and 10-speed automatic transmissions used in Ford Rangers have been the subject of recalls and service bulletins.

In the main, however, Ford Rangers have a good reputation for reliability.

There is some history of transmission problems in the early 3.2-litre turbo-diesel PX series when Ford Rangers are used heavily laden and/or for towing. It is recommended that a transmission cooler be fitted to automatic models if heavy towing is a regular occurrence.

The latest Ford Ranger is among the cheapest in its class when it comes to capped-price servicing, thanks to 15,000km/12-month service intervals that – over the five-year new-vehicle factory warranty – will cost about $1675.

That’s much less than key rivals including the Toyota HiLux, which costs about double to service in part because it has shorter 10,000km/six-month service intervals.