Ford Ranger - long term reliability

[D Fresh]

The ranger engine should last a long time. Definitely outlast most 1st owners. It's detuned from the Focus RS which is pushing 350 hp. Although the Ranger is heavier, the boost is pretty low. I think we need to get out of this cylinder count = reliability mindset. A lower stressed 4 cyl turbo with forged internals may last longer than a smaller displacement v6 that needs to rev out to make hp & torque. I think 99% of it is going to come down to which vehicle is maintained better and how its driven.

There are so many ecoboosts on the road now and outside of some freak issues like the bad headgaskets on Focus RS's, they have been very stout and reliable.

I also don't think the Tacoma v6 and auto trans is anything special or super reliable. Seems on par with most vehicles nowadays; if anything, it seems like the newer Tacomas are having a lot of reliability issues regarding the trans and engine. Just my 2 cents.

Just as point of clarification.

The RS did not suffer from any "bad" headgaskets. It was manufacturing mistake. Somehow the engine plant recieved Mustang EB headgaskets. The 2.3 in the FoRS had different coolant passages and the headgaskets blocked some. The gaskets deteriorated from there and failed.

Sponsored

 

[gfitzge2]

The ranger engine should last a long time. Definitely outlast most 1st owners. It's detuned from the Focus RS which is pushing 350 hp. Although the Ranger is heavier, the boost is pretty low. I think we need to get out of this cylinder count = reliability mindset. A lower stressed 4 cyl turbo with forged internals may last longer than a smaller displacement v6 that needs to rev out to make hp & torque. I think 99% of it is going to come down to which vehicle is maintained better and how its driven.

There are so many ecoboosts on the road now and outside of some freak issues like the bad headgaskets on Focus RS's, they have been very stout and reliable.

I also don't think the Tacoma v6 and auto trans is anything special or super reliable. Seems on par with most vehicles nowadays; if anything, it seems like the newer Tacomas are having a lot of reliability issues regarding the trans and engine. Just my 2 cents.

Also remember that the head gasket was a mistake at the factory. They put the wrong gaskets on some RS engines. They used the one that was made for the Mustang version and the cooling passages are different. Ford admitted and corrected the mistake. Mine got a new gasket and head.
Still running strong with 34K miles. I am not worried about reliability on the Ranger or the RS.
Like others have pointed out, maintenance is the key.

 

[codestp202]

Just as point of clarification.

The RS did not suffer from any "bad" headgaskets. It was manufacturing mistake. Somehow the engine plant recieved Mustang EB headgaskets. The 2.3 in the FoRS had different coolant passages and the headgaskets blocked some. The gaskets deteriorated from there and failed.

Also remember that the head gasket was a mistake at the factory. They put the wrong gaskets on some RS engines. They used the one that was made for the Mustang version and the cooling passages are different. Ford admitted and corrected the mistake. Mine got a new gasket and head.
Still running strong with 34K miles. I am not worried about reliability on the Ranger or the RS.
Like others have pointed out, maintenance is the key.

Yup, I'm aware that it was a manufacturer mistake of putting on the incorrect head gaskets - by "bad" I meant incorrect. Edited the post for clarity.

 

[codestp202]

Regular 87 gas or premium?

This is a good question. On my Fiesta ST I ran a catch can and ran CA 91 or an E85 blend for all 50k Miles I had it. It was also heavily tuned. I will say the catch can caught a significant amount of oil.

I'm not tuning or really modifying the engine of the Ranger as I'm just trying to keep the drive train stock but I am running 87 this time. WIth my time of tuning the fiesta, the ecu was so good at adding/reducing timing and boost to handle knock events so I'm not super concerned about running a lower octane in the truck.

 

[Rocketeer61]

Lets put it this way, I highly doubt we will get to 200k without having to replace the turbo or some other issues with the injectors considering it is a gas direct injection. Im also not away of any ‘known’ issues with tacoma engine/transmission other than being pretty lackluster. And the reason i steered clear of chevy is their KNOWN trans issue that resulted in a class action lawsuit. Who knows how the frontier will fair its too new.

It isn't just Chevy-GM in general will kick you to the curb for pretty much anything that might cost them money. After decades of buying their products I was caught up in the Saturn VTI disaster a few years back and GM's bad faith in pretending to make it right cost them any future business from me and mine and anyone else who will listen. They couldn't sell me a keychain now.

 

[VegasRanger]

whats the best way to recognize if a truck has this issue? I’m still waiting on my truck, but I’d like to make sure it doesn’t have this issue when it shows up prior to buying. Is it noticeable from a complete stop at city speeds only?

From a complete stop, accelerate and you’ll feel it. When you do accelerate, it has to

whats the best way to recognize if a truck has this issue? I’m still waiting on my truck, but I’d like to make sure it doesn’t have this issue when it shows up prior to buying. Is it noticeable from a complete stop at city speeds only?

From a complete stop, give it gas and feel for it. If it's there you'll notice it. It's has to be moderate gas or more. Light gas won't do it.

 

[Sniffy]

If I wanted a pick up truck for commuting, and I were a patient man, I'd wait until I could have a look at the new Maverick. 70 miles a day is going to be expensive in a Ranger, or any mid-size pickup for that matter.

 

[SAZ Ranger]

I was you about 2 years ago. Bought a Ranger Lariat, no regrets. The fact that you will be driving mostly hi way miles is also a plus. Here are some videos to watch so you get more than just my opinion.
Cut and paste the entire YouTube links below ending with .webloc into your browser to see the video.

Will it last
200,000 Mile F150 EcoBoost Review - YouTube.webloc

After a Lifetime of Tacomas, I Bought a New Ford Ranger? Dude, I Love (or Hate) My New Ride!
After a Lifetime of Tacomas, I Bought a New Ford Ranger? Dude, I Love (or Hate) My New Ride! - Y….webloc

Why I run Synthetic. I actually run Mobil 1 Synthetic rated for 10,000 miles but change it every 5,000 mile or so, good for the engine and the turbo. Watch the whole video.
Can Engine Oil Be Proven To Last 20,000 Miles? - YouTube.webloc

Are you interested in a 4WD, watch this one
2019 Ford Ranger Off-Road Test - Broken Arrow Trail Sedona, AZ - YouTube.webloc

Ford Motor Company - YouTube
Ford Motor Company - YouTube.webloc Scrolling down may be necessary

Things you probably don't know about the transmission yet. The same transmission is used in the F-150 and other vehicles. The F-150's are all 6 cylinder EcoBoost engines (with more power) or larger so it should be apiece of cake in the Ranger 4 cylinder EcoBoost.

Sorry the next videos on the Ford - youtube channel will need to be searched from the search field on their YouTube page. See Red oval below.

Cut and paste this text into the Ford search field>> A10 Transmission with Progressive Range Selection progressive range starts at 1 minute into the video.

While on the Ford YouTube channel you can also type Ranger in the search field to find more about the Ranger

********

If you run across any Scotty Kilmer videos take them with a grain of salt. He loves a car on one video and hates the same car on the next video. All he wants is catchy titles so he gets more views.

 

[bbuoni8]

I was you about 2 years ago. Bought a Ranger Lariat, no regrets. The fact that you will be driving mostly hi way miles is also a plus. Here are some videos to watch so you get more than just my opinion.
Cut and paste the entire YouTube links below ending with .webloc into your browser to see the video.

Will it last
200,000 Mile F150 EcoBoost Review - YouTube.webloc

After a Lifetime of Tacomas, I Bought a New Ford Ranger? Dude, I Love (or Hate) My New Ride!
After a Lifetime of Tacomas, I Bought a New Ford Ranger? Dude, I Love (or Hate) My New Ride! - Y….webloc

Why I run Synthetic. I actually run Mobil 1 Synthetic rated for 10,000 miles but change it every 5,000 mile or so, good for the engine and the turbo. Watch the whole video.
Can Engine Oil Be Proven To Last 20,000 Miles? - YouTube.webloc

Are you interested in a 4WD, watch this one
2019 Ford Ranger Off-Road Test - Broken Arrow Trail Sedona, AZ - YouTube.webloc

Ford Motor Company - YouTube
Ford Motor Company - YouTube.webloc Scrolling down may be necessary

Things you probably don't know about the transmission yet. The same transmission is used in the F-150 and other vehicles. The F-150's are all 6 cylinder EcoBoost engines (with more power) or larger so it should be apiece of cake in the Ranger 4 cylinder EcoBoost.

Sorry the next videos on the Ford - youtube channel will need to be searched from the search field on their YouTube page. See Red oval below.

Cut and paste this text into the Ford search field>> A10 Transmission with Progressive Range Selection progressive range starts at 1 minute into the video.

While on the Ford YouTube channel you can also type Ranger in the search field to find more about the Ranger

********

If you run across any Scotty Kilmer videos take them with a grain of salt. He loves a car on one video and hates the same car on the next video. All he wants is catchy titles so he gets more views.

Mark, this is great! Thank you for taking the time to send all of these. I have seen a couple of them, but there are some new ones as well. I will watch them. Much appreciated!!

 

[WNCblueridge]

From a driving perspective, I thought the Ranger was the most enjoyable, comfortable, and solid feeling. When I drove the Tacoma, it felt tight, and the visibility out wasn't great. The one i drove was used, and the asking price was almost $40K, and my thought was honestly that I think I would have major regrets if I were driving that 90 miles/day, jiggling and bouncing all over the road. I've always heard so much about reliability, but if you don't like the way it drives, and it is not comfortable, what's the point, right?

Drove the new Frontier, and thought it drove well, but the SV model was pushing nearly $40K. That's a lot of $ for a truck that is still unproven.

 

[DoctorsTARDIS]

If you run across any Scotty Kilmer videos take them with a grain of salt. He loves a car on one video and hates the same car on the next video. All he wants is catchy titles so he gets more views.

I didn't think anyone actually took Scotty Kilmer seriously. Honestly I can't stand the guy.

 

[HDA]

Everybody says they want a vehicle that will last "forever" and that reliability is important, but it seems to me that most Americans go through cars every 5-10 years. We love cars.

 

[HDA]

I didn't think anyone actually took Scotty Kilmer seriously. Honestly I can't stand the guy.

His million subscribers would differ

 

[tremorman]

Everybody says they want a vehicle that will last "forever" and that reliability is important, but it seems to me that most Americans go through cars every 5-10 years. We love cars.

Many of us keep the older ones though, and just build up a collection rather than swapping them out



At least that's my plan with my Tremor. It's a daily driver right now and all around workhorse (my only other vehicle right now is a classic t-bird which I rarely drive and never in the winter). But at some point the plan will be to phase it out as a daily driver and have it be a dedicated fun truck for off roading, hunting, fishing trips, etc. I'd like it to last me 10-15 years even if only 3-5 of those years are as a daily driver. Finances allowing, in 10 years I see myself having a fun modern sports car, super duty truck and the tremor, along with my classic(s)/projects.

You're right, we love cars

 

[SGT_Rock6]

Thank you for that... would really like to keep it as long as possible.

Reasonable question! I went all in for a 2020 Ranger Sport. (Im a long time Toyota guy). So far… 30,000 trouble free miles. I love driving it. It’s very comfortable. I treat it easy, with the exception of occasionally working the turbo. (I want longevity.)
Wife likes driving it too, and she likes that available turbo power, when climbing a long hill going to work.
I did a LOT of research before buying it.
Seems to me that the motor has been run for a few years in Australia or New Zealand? Anybody see some of that?

Sponsored