Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We research rather than test, and commissions never change our rankings. This site is reader-supported: those commissions pay for hosting, research and keeping every guide up to date, so if a guide helped you, buying through our links is an easy way to support it. How we rank · Full disclosure
Your rig: · this is your owner hub.
The modern US Ranger comes in two generations: the 2019–2023 truck, sold as a SuperCab or SuperCrew, and the redesigned 2024-on truck, sold only as a SuperCrew. XL, XLT and Lariat 4x4s use a part-time two-speed transfer case with an optional locking rear differential, while the Raptor gets an automatic on-demand case with front and rear lockers. For 2026, towing tops out at 7,500 lb. The largest Ranger-only recall, NHTSA 26V238, covers 140,201 trucks for headliner wiring that can cause a fire.
At a Glance
| If your Ranger is a… | What its 4x4 does | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–2023 4x4 | Part-time 4WD with low range; rear locker if equipped | Trails, snow, towing up to 7,500 lb |
| 2024-on XL, XLT or Lariat 4x4 | Part-time 4WD with low range; rear locker optional | Daily driving plus moderate trails |
| 2024-on Raptor | Automatic 4WD mode, front and rear lockers, 405 hp | Fast desert roads and rough trails |
Generations and Model Years
IIHS records that the Ranger SuperCrew was introduced for the 2019 model year, with ratings for that truck applying to 2019–2023, and that the Ranger had last been sold in the US as a 2011 model in regular and extended cab form. IIHS then notes a redesign for the 2024 model year, with ratings covering 2024–2026. Ford's 2023 towing guide lists the earlier truck in SuperCab and SuperCrew bodies with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder. The 2024-on truck is built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, and Ford's 2026 specifications list it only as a SuperCrew with a 4.97-foot box, in XL, XLT, Lariat and Raptor trims. Ford brought the Ranger Raptor to the US with the 2024 model.
4WD System by Trim
| Truck | Transfer case | Lockers | Factory tire |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2023 4x4 | Shift-on-the-fly 4x4 with high and low range | Electronic-locking rear available | Varies by trim and package |
| 2024-on XL, XLT | Electronic shift-on-the-fly, 2.72:1 low | Open rear; electronic-locking rear optional | 255/70R17 all-terrain (LT255/70R17 with FX4 on XLT) |
| 2024-on Lariat | Electronic shift-on-the-fly, 2.72:1 low | Open rear; electronic-locking rear optional | 255/65R18 all-terrain |
| 2024-on Raptor | Advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement, 3.06:1 low | Front and rear locking differentials | LT285/70R17 all-terrain |
Ford's off-road how-to for the Ranger describes the modes as 2H, 4A (automatic, on trucks that have it), 4H and 4L, and explains that the electronic-locking rear forces both rear wheels to turn at the same speed for mud, rocks, sand and other low-traction ground. The Raptor's on-demand case gives it a maximum crawl ratio of 67.88:1; Ford does not publish a crawl ratio for the part-time case. The Raptor also swaps the leaf-sprung Hotchkiss rear axle of other trims for coil springs, trailing arms and a Watts link, with FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve internal-bypass shocks, and adds Baja and Rock Crawl among its seven drive modes.
Engines, Towing and Payload (2026)
| Engine | Output | Max towing | Max 4x4 payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 | 270 hp, 310 lb-ft | 7,500 lb | 1,763 lb |
| 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 315 hp, 400 lb-ft | 7,500 lb | 1,513 lb |
| 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (Raptor) | 405 hp, 430 lb-ft | 5,510 lb | 1,373 lb |
All three use a 10-speed automatic. The Raptor engine's ratings assume 91-octane premium. On the 2019–2023 truck, Ford's 2023 towing guide rates both cabs at 3,500 lb, or 7,500 lb with the Trailer Tow Package (53R), and caps bumper-only towing at 3,500 lb. Ground clearance is 9.3 inches on 2026 4x2 and 4x4 trucks and 10.7 inches on the Raptor, whose approach angle is 33.0° against 30.2° for other trims.
Cab, Bed and Generation Fitment
The 2024-on truck's 128.7-inch wheelbase, 4.97-foot box (59.6 inches long at the floor, 48.2 inches between the wheelhouses) and SuperCrew-only cab set the fit for tonneau covers, bed racks and liners. The 2019–2023 truck came as a SuperCab or SuperCrew, so its bed and interior parts depend on cab as well as generation. The two generations do not share body panels, so bumpers, grilles and tonneau covers are listed by model-year range. The Raptor's track is 67.3 inches against 63.8 inches for other 2026 Rangers, and its body is 79.8 inches wide without mirrors (75.5 inches on other trims), so Raptor flares, bumpers and wheels are separate fitments.
Recall History (NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall database returns 41 vehicle campaigns for 2019–2026 Rangers as of September 2026. The biggest ones that are Ranger-only or Ranger-and-Bronco:
| NHTSA campaign | Filed | Model years | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V268 | Apr 2026 | 2024–2026 Ranger and Bronco | Front seat height-adjust pivot bolt can loosen or fall out | 179,698 |
| 26V238 | Apr 2026 | 2024–2026 | Sun-visor or headliner wiring can be damaged and short, causing a fire in the A-pillar | 140,201 |
| 25V541 | Aug 2025 | 2024–2026 | Side curtain air bags can tear on the B-pillar during deployment | 100,900 |
| 19V839 | Nov 2019 | 2019 | Tail-light connector terminals can make the rear lights work intermittently | 72,718 |
| 22V451 | Jun 2022 | 2022 Ranger and Bronco | Windshield may not be properly bonded and could detach in a crash | 63,294 |
| 21V811 | Oct 2021 | 2019–2021 | Front passenger seat belt may be misrouted | 47,683 |
NHTSA 25V685 (October 2025), the block-heater recall, covers 2019–2024 Rangers alongside Bronco, Bronco Sport, Escape, Explorer, Maverick and several Lincolns, 59,006 vehicles in all: the heater can crack, leak coolant and short when plugged in, and owners are told not to plug it in until it is repaired. For towing, 26V104 adds 2024–2026 Rangers to a 4,381,878-vehicle campaign in which the integrated trailer module can drop trailer lights or brakes. Run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup for a specific truck.
Ranger Owner Pages
- Ford ranger 4wd switch
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Tonneau Covers
- Best Lift Kits
- Best Leveling Kits
- Best Front Bumpers
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- Ford accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Ford — 2026 Ranger Technical Specifications — SuperCrew-only body, trims, Michigan assembly, transfer cases and low-range ratios, Raptor crawl ratio, electronic-locking rear availability, engines and outputs, towing and payload, suspension, dimensions, box size, ground clearance, approach angles, tire sizes.
- Ford — Coming to America: The All-New 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor — Ranger Raptor's US launch for 2024, front and rear locking differentials, FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve shocks, seven drive modes including Baja and Rock Crawl.
- Ford — Ford Ranger Off-Road: Take On Your Terrain — Ranger 4x4 modes (2H, 4A, 4H, 4L), FX4 Off-Road Package, what the electronic-locking rear differential does.
- Ford — 2023 RV & Trailer Towing Guide — 2019–2023 Ranger SuperCab and SuperCrew, 2.3L EcoBoost, 3,500 lb or 7,500 lb with the Trailer Tow Package, 3,500 lb bumper-only limit.
- IIHS — 2019 Ford Ranger crew cab pickup ratings — Ranger SuperCrew introduced for 2019; ratings apply to 2019–2023; last previously sold in the US as a 2011 model.
- IIHS — 2024 Ford Ranger crew cab pickup ratings — The Ranger was redesigned for the 2024 model year; ratings apply to 2024–2026.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V268 — 2024–2026 Ranger and Bronco front seat pivot bolt, 179,698 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V238 — 2024–2026 Ranger sun-visor/headliner wiring short and A-pillar fire risk, 140,201 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V541 — 2024–2026 Ranger side curtain air bag tearing, 100,900 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 19V839 — 2019 Ranger tail-light connectors, 72,718 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 22V451 — 2022 Ranger and Bronco windshield bonding, 63,294 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 21V811 — 2019–2021 Ranger passenger seat belt routing, 47,683 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V685 — Engine block heater crack and short; includes 2019–2024 Ranger; 59,006 units; do-not-plug-in advisory.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V104 — Integrated trailer module communication loss including 2024–2026 Ranger, 4,381,878 units.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Recall campaign counts by model year and each campaign's reported number of potentially affected units, retrieved September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.