Overview & Reviews

They say that in the event of Armageddon, the only thing to survive will be cockroaches. Well, there's a good chance you'd see some old Ford Rangers cruising around, too. This compact pickup truck soldiered on with relatively few revisions for nearly three decades. Of course, there were styling and interior overhauls over the decades, but the platform and most mechanicals underneath it all were practically Jurassic. Even those styling and interior updates dated back to the 1990s.

Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age. And given its wide choice of trim styles and lower pricing than comparable Japanese rivals, a well-maintained late-model Ford Ranger could be a good choice for a used pickup, provided you don't need a lot of passenger capacity or horsepower. But if you're looking for a relatively new used compact or midsize pickup, the Ford Ranger pales in comparison to other trucks with their more powerful engines, roomier crew-cab body styles and greater overall refinement.

Used Ford Ranger Models
The most recent generation of the Ford Ranger was produced from 2001 through 2011 and typically came in four different flavors: XL, XLT, Sport, and the off-road-oriented FX4. Depending on the year, there were also the monochromatic Edge, sporty STX and sound system-centered Tremor. Only standard and extended cab body styles were offered, as there was still no crew cab version.

Engine selection consisted of a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter V6 (until 2009) and a 4.0-liter V6. Output of the smaller engines varied slightly depending on year, with the 2.3 making 135-143 horsepower and the 3.0 making 148-154 hp. The 4.0 made 207 hp. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic for all engines, though initially the 4.0-liter V6 came only with the automatic.

Although nimble on- and off-road due to its true compact size, even this latest version of the Ranger was seriously dated in terms of features and available body styles. While its midsize rivals offered roomy crew-cab (four-door) models, more modern features and much more powerful V6 engines, the Ranger made do with standard and extended-cab configurations only, and relatively low-tech power plants.

The second generation of the Ranger ran from 1993 through 2000. Styling was less blocky than the first-gen truck and the cabin was likewise updated with less angular forms. Standard and extended cab body styles were offered, but they were joined by a stylish, flareside bed version dubbed the Splash. Under the hood was the expected choice of a four- or six-cylinder engine. Notable changes throughout this generation are the availability of four-wheel antilock brakes in 1995, a five-speed automatic transmission (versus four-speed) for V6 models in '97 and freshened styling for '98.

Introduced for 1983, the Ford Ranger started life as a standard-cab, four-cylinder compact pickup truck with a choice of two bed lengths. The mid-'80s saw the introduction of the extended-cab body style known as the "SuperCab," which offered jump seats that were best left to kids. The Ranger continued through the early '90s with minor upgrades to the powertrains and small cosmetic changes.

User Reviews:

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  Ford Sucks! - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By Suckerd 02 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This 3.0 L engine runs ruff... When you go to buy a truck take a GOOD LONG test drive. It gets worse with more millage! Its not too bad when the engine is brand new! Now it just shakes and dealer(s) say its NORMAL! Dont buy a ford, Crappy Quality Sadly... Now I got to either dump mine or suffer with it.

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  Horrible vehicle - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Ted Parks - October 10 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned eight Ford vehicles, but this 2002 Ranger had more problems than I could list here, and they were repeatedly worked on by the dealer and seldom resolved. The Company Customer Service was non-existent, and I will never, NEVER buy another Ford vehicle

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  Horribly disappointing. - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Moose - June 27 - 5:10 pm

  I bought my Ranger in hopes of getting a reliable truck that had decent fuel economy. What I got was a hulk of junk. I literally had problems from the second day I owned the truck. Over the 19 months I owned the truck, Ford replaced 2 thermostats, the radiator, the transmission, the radio, the gauge cluster, the back glass, and numerous third brake light seals. The truck left me stranded, without warning, 4 times - including last Thanksgiving Day. Fuel economy is not what they tell you, either. I drove 100 miles to work round trip every day doing 70 mph on the interstate, and the best gas mileage I ever got was 24 mpg - and its a 4 cylinder! I have since bought a Toyota, and couldnt be happier.

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  Buy Something else - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By ekarlw - January 19 - 2:34 am

  "Minimal at best". Most irritating is that for 2005/6 Ford removed the rear wheel well splash shields to save a buck and now on wet roads the wheels throw water, road oil, spilled chemicals etc. up through the seam under the lip of the bed rail and into the bed - with a shell on the back everything inside still gets wet. Once again Ford has found it acceptable to lower the overall quality to save about three dollars in plastic. I have to wonder what other corners were cut. I remember when car makers would make improvements every year. Shifting linkage is clunky and the 4 cylinder engine vibrates more than most. Also the bed does not fit the width of the 2 door cab and looks awkward.

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  If safety is not important - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By teresa - December 5 - 1:42 pm

  Ive taken my car in to have my seatbelts checked several times, starting in the first year - I never got any satisfaction and the seatbelts still release spontaneously while Im driving and Ive even had it come unfastened before I could even start my car. I wouldnt recommend it to drive your family in, especially if you love them. The side mirrors stink they are difficult to adjust and dont really give adequate coverage. The blind spot is pretty large when Im looking for cars in the mirror and checking out my window. I wouldnt buy another one and I especially would not count on Ford to follow-up on their "warranty", I guess you have to consider your new truck purchase to be "as is".

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  50000 miles and it stinks already - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By dont_buy_american - August 9 - 9:31 pm

  I bought this truck new, thinking I would get years of trouble-free service from it. I have only put 50K miles in 6 years, kept it garaged, regular oil changes. Yet it has developed annoying rattles. The MAF sensor went out on it last year. It runs mediocre and knocks on hills with regular gas. Currently it has another problem where it stalls on start and runs poorly with rough idle. Who only knows how much this will cost to fix. Save yourself some trouble and buy a Tacoma or Frontier. It will cost less in the long run.

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  Last Ford Ill Own - 1990 Ford Ranger
  By Allen Sackett - June 1 - 12:18 pm

  I purchased the Ranger XLT longbed new in 1990 and wish there had been a lemon law in place at that time (there is now). After a few thousand miles I had to have the dealer install a new rear axle as the old one was being worn in two! I purchased the Ford rust protection. At 270,000 miles it is now pile of rust in spite of regular waxes and washes (it was showing signs of rust at 150,000 miles)! At 133,000 miles: installed rebuilt engine: I have now put more miles into the rebuilt than the factor engine! The check engine light continues to come off in spite of having dealers look at it.

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  FX4 Fords worst truck built - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By hwbw - May 20 - 7:32 pm

  Since 2002 I have put in two master cylinders for the clutch. had the engine blow at 38,000 miles and got no help from Ford at 2,000 miles past warranty. Had poor performance and reliability. Replaced clutch pressure plate and slave cylinder at 43,000 miles due to the slave cylinder welding itself to spline. Also, I have had many problems with the electrical system. You are probably thinking that I beat on this truck and the answer is not at all. I drive less than 2 miles to work and 97% of drive time is on highways on trips around 500 miles. Unless you know how to work on cars plan on a lot of money in maintenance.Think about another brand!

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  repair problems - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By woody - January 1 - 11:49 am

  The truck has to many expensive repair problems. Brakes $950.00, Cluch & slave cylinder $935.00, poor performance engine repair $600. note truck all 3 times was down for 2 to 3 days.

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  2003 ranger - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By sawml - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Vibration, while driving, back to dealer several time to have repaired, they blamed continental tires, but would not replace with other brand. At least 12 different tire put on vehicle. Damaaged at dealers occured twice, requiring sheetmetal and paint work. Now with 12000 miles the transmission has to be rebuilt. Will not buy any other Ford products. This is the sixth ranger I have owned and the last.