Many consumers don't have the budget to replace a vehicle every few years and need one that will last as long as possible. If you are considering a Ford Ranger and want to know how long this truck will last, we can help you. We researched this popular vehicle so that you will know what kind of longevity to expect from this pickup truck.
The Ford Ranger will last an average of 300,000 miles. Considering the typical U.S. driver puts 13,500 miles on their vehicle per year, this would make the Ranger last upwards of 20 years. Getting it to last this long will require proper care, routine maintenance, and resolving issues as soon as they present themselves.
Now that we know how long a Ford Ranger will last on average, we'll take a closer look at the ways we listed that will help you reach those mileage milestones. You might also be wondering if the Ford Ranger is reliable or if Ford Rangers are good at holding their value. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what we uncovered in our research.
Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Ford Ranger
With the expectation that your Ford Ranger will outlast many others in its class comes responsibilities that rest on your shoulders as the owner. Earlier in this post, we mentioned three key elements in helping maximize the life of your truck. Let's take a closer look at them below.
Proper Care And Driving Go A Long Way
How you care for your Ranger will help determine how long you'll be able to drive it. Be mindful of how you accelerate and brake, being careful to not mash down on either pedal. Don't drive at excessive speeds, and be especially careful when driving in inclement weather.
Keep your Ranger clean inside and out. Regular trips to the carwash help keep salts and other elements from building up and oxidizing the body, frame, and other exposed parts.
Routinely clean the inside of the Ranger. Keeping dust and dirt from accumulating will help your air filter. Avoid smoking in the cab, as this will not only shorten the life of the air filter but will also damage the electrical components of your Ranger.
Routine Maintenance Should Become A Habit
The single most important thing in keeping your Ranger on the road for many miles is to be sure that the routine maintenance is performed.
This is all outlined in your owner's manual. It will include obvious items like oil and oil filter changes and fluid flushes to periodic inspections of the suspension, exhaust, and timing chain.
Take note of what needs to be performed and at what mileage or time intervals they need to be completed. For items you don't feel comfortable tackling on your own, consult a trusted mechanic or take your Ranger to your local Ford dealership.
Address Problems As Soon As Possible
Depending on the issue, vehicles can be driven even though they are experiencing mechanical or electronic failures.
But not getting a failing part or system repaired or replaced immediately can result in small issues growing into bigger ones. And the bigger the issue, the more money and time it will likely cost you to fix it.
Should anything be malfunctioning, make an appointment to get the problem looked at. Don't delay, or your Ranger might develop more problems that you could have avoided.
Using your senses, pay attention to any sounds or smells that are unusual. An odd odor or a squeaking you've not heard might mean something is amiss. If you notice something, get it inspected by a mechanic you trust as soon as possible.
Is The Ford Ranger Reliable?
We know that with proper care and maintenance that the Ford Ranger can last upwards of 300,000 miles. But many consumers want reliability along the way, which means not having to worry about costly repairs.
This small pickup truck has a consistent track record of being one of the more reliable ones on the market. It rates an average of 85/100 from J.D. Power and Associates.
While the majority of model years for the Ranger are reliable, there have been several over the years that have been problematic. We'll address that ahead in this post. For now, know that this vehicle is very dependable overall and not expensive to maintain.
What Are The Best Years Of The Ford Ranger?
With a life that's spanned nearly 40 years, the Ford Ranger has had a lot of model years that have been tremendous buys.
From nearly the beginning, the first generation 1986 model was especially impressive. This year had a powerful engine, proven longevity, and great fuel economy. There are still some of these models on the road today.
The models from the years 2010 and 2011 are also ones to look for in the used vehicle market. Both years were rated higher than the average Ranger by both J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports.
Finally, the 2020 model year is one to consider if you want a reliable truck with a more modern interior. This particular Ranger also was rated a high 9.1/10.0 for safety.
Does The Ford Ranger Have Problems?
No matter how reputable a model vehicle is over the years, there will certainly be some exceptions. Though the Ford Ranger has had a consistent track record of being a safe and dependable truck that has minimal issues before reaching high mileage milestones, there have been some hiccups along the way.
The 2019 model year in particular has been plagued with problems. Though not the worst year on the list of Rangers to avoid, it's worth mentioning it first due to it being a recent release. It was the subject of seven recalls and earned a safety rating of only 1.0 out of 5.0.
The 1999 model year is rated the worst to own. Over 1,000 consumer complaints hung over this year's truck. It has terrible reliability ratings, safety ratings, and longevity. The major problems for this year occurred at an average of 51,000 miles.
Do Ford Rangers Hold Their Value?
Some consumers consider their vehicles as investments and wish to own ones that retain their value better than others. Aside from an investment, it's good to have minimal depreciation on the vehicles you drive to avoid being upside down in your loan.
The Ford Ranger thankfully holds its value well. It will lose only 13% of its original value after the first year and less than 39% after year five. After 10 years, the Ford Ranger will be worth an estimated 35% of its original value.
Of course, the overall value of your Ranger will depend on several factors other than its age. The number of miles you've driven it, aftermarket modifications you've made, interior and exterior condition, and accident history will weigh heavily on what the resale value of your Ford Ranger will be.
In Closing
The Ford Ranger has been a safe and reliable pickup truck for generations and counting. This small vehicle has the ability to reach upwards of 300,000 miles provided that it is properly cared for and maintained.
Take good care of your Ford Ranger and you'll be able to enjoy it for years to come. Drive safe!
If you found this post on the Ford Ranger pickup truck to be helpful, be sure to take a look at these other posts:
How Much Can You Tow With a Ford Ranger? [With or without a towing package]