What 27 owners told NHTSA about the 2025 Ford Ranger

While driving at highway speeds vehicle changes the drive mode at random. Even attempting to go into 4 low at high speeds. If the vehicle is able to change into 4 low at high speeds this could send the vehicle into uncontrollable lock down to the drive train and potently creating uncontrollable spin out. Car has been at the dealership for this issue, but they cannot find any problems or able to replicate the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11744966

On 6-7 separate occasions, my 2025 Ranger had a sudden and complete loss of accelerator response while slowing down to make a left turn. This also happens on occasion at traffic lights when the light turns and I attempt to turn left. The duration of loss of power has increased with each incident and is very frightening when it occurs. When attempting to accelerate across the road, there was no response or power from the engine to get me through traffic. On each occasions, the safety of everyone in my vehicle as well members of the public were at great risk. It is only by good luck that these engine failure incidents did not cause a serious crash. The local Ford dealer has been unable to identify the problem. Until and unless the Ford Dealer can replicate the problem, I am unable to get the problem resolved. In the meantime, I feel that I my life is at risk every time I drive my truck. There were no warnings from the vehicle about this loss of power and the randomness of this causes great fear when driving. The incident appears to be the same as Recall 26V343000, Loss of Drive Power from Engine Failure, which does not include my specific VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11744742

Purchased this truck new and took on a trip over the weekend. Put on just under 800 miles no issues. This morning while driving to get my wondows tinted I noticed my truck flashing to apply brakes as it was trying to shift itself into 4wd low setting. Sure enough i looked over and the truck was switching drive modes when no one had touched it. Nothing in my cupholder either that could have accidentally bunped it either. I quickly pulled over and pressed the 2 wheel drive button and restarted the truck. I did a quick google search and found that others are having this issue too. I cant even imagine what damage it would have done to the vehicle or myself if it fully shifted over while driving at highway speeds.

NHTSA ODI 11744564

Complete power loss from transmission. Yes available for inspection. Power loss was experienced on at least 4 separate occasions. This occurred during either slowing down or stopping to make a left hand turn while yielding to oncoming traffic. When re-engaging the accelerator to get across oncoming traffic zero power transfer occurred putting my self, my passengers, and the oncoming vehicles and passengers at risk for a head on or Tbone collision. The loss of power has not been replicated but a ford dealership did note high pitched transmission whine and hard shifting when during deceleration during inspection. Inspected by authorized ford dealer. No lights or warnings present, prior to, during, or after incidents.

NHTSA ODI 11736073

My 2025 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 has experienced sudden and complete loss of accelerator pedal response while driving at low speed on at least 4 to 6 separate occasions. The engine continues to run normally, but pressing the accelerator produces no power and no vehicle response. The condition has consistently occurred while pulling into my subdivision, which has an inclined entrance. The truck also feels noticeably sluggish nearly every time I make this turn, even when full dropout does not occur. No warning lights, check engine light, or messages in the instrument cluster illuminate during these events. No diagnostic trouble codes have been stored that I am aware of. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The symptoms closely match two active Ford recalls — 26S10 (EGR valve failure causing unexpected loss of drive power, stated by Ford to be most likely at speeds under 13 mph) and 25V-239 (PCM reset causing temporary loss of acceleration). My vehicle is not currently listed as included in either recall per Ford’s VIN lookup. Numerous owner reports on public Ford Ranger forums describe identical symptoms on 2024 and 2025 Ranger trucks, many of which are also not covered by the existing recalls and for which dealers have been unable to find stored codes. A sudden, unannounced loss of drive power at low speed on an incline or while turning into traffic represents a clear crash risk. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the affected vehicle population should be expanded.

NHTSA ODI 11733498

Vehicle failed to accelerate multiple times. Reduced engine power (limp mode) activated. It is available for inspection. This is a a safety risk as merging and suddenly not able to accelerate puts lives in danger. The problem was reproduced by the dealership and after the dealership thought they fixed the issue with knock sensors and fresh fuel. The only symptom prior to to system failure was a "popping" noise from the front of the vehicle. The problem started at 1500 miles. This was a new purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11693990

This truck looses power whenever someone changes lanes in front of your car. This happens even if adaptive cruise control and emergency braking is off. When someone changes lanes in front of you, even if they are going the same speed or faster, your car loses all power for 2-3 seconds, even if you apply additional throttle input. If I am on a road trip with standard cruise control on, it will cut power dozes of times per hour. If I am in the right lane with a major exit comming up, my truck will cut power every time someone changes lanes in front of me. I have had 18 wheelers lay on their horn because they do not understand why I am slowing down when there is no reason to slow down. I cannot properly explain how dangerous this vehicle behavior is. I have brought the truck to the dealer two times and they are unable to resolve it.

NHTSA ODI 11687823