2022 FORD RANGER

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Sudden metallic knocking or rod knock at idle or under load, Low oil pressure warning with adequate oil level, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Complete engine seizure in worst cases

Fix: This is the big one: connecting rod bearing failure leads to piston and crankshaft damage. Short block replacement is minimum; often requires full long block or engine replacement. 18-25 labor hours for engine R&R, plus teardown/diagnosis time if you attempt rebuild. Many techs won't rebuild these due to underlying oiling system design issues.

Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000

Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle (pink/red fluid), Overheating transmission, especially when towing, Delayed or harsh shifting after cooler begins leaking, Check engine light with transmission temperature codes

Fix: The 10R80 transmission cooler lines and external cooler fail prematurely, often from corrosion or vibration-induced cracking. Requires cooler replacement, line replacement, fluid flush, and leak testing. 4-6 labor hours depending on cooler location accessibility.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible transmission sag or movement when engine is rocked, Drivetrain shudder during acceleration

Fix: The rubber in the rear transmission mount deteriorates faster than expected, likely due to heat from the exhaust routing. Replacement is straightforward: support transmission, unbolt old mount, install new. 1.5-2.5 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Typical onset: 20,000-60,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, especially when cold, Intermittent stalling or rough idle, Loss of power under acceleration or at highway speeds, Check engine light with fuel trim or fuel pressure codes

Fix: Some Rangers have debris in the fuel tank from manufacturing or inadequate tank cleaning. Fuel filter (integrated with pump module on some configs) clogs early. Requires tank drop, cleaning, pump/filter module replacement, fuel line inspection. 3-5 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Symptoms: Horizontal cracks appearing at windshield base without impact, Cloudiness or haziness between glass layers, Cracks radiating from lower corners, Occurs in both hot and cold climates

Fix: Windshield manufacturing defect causes spontaneous cracking and delamination. This is part of NHTSA recall tracking but coverage varies. Windshield replacement required; ensure OEM glass if you have ADAS features (calibration required). 2-3 labor hours including recalibration.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: External oil seepage from cylinder head mating surface, Sweet smell or visible coolant residue at head/block junction, Slow coolant loss with no visible external leaks elsewhere, White exhaust smoke on cold starts if internal breach occurs

Fix: While not as common as lower-end issues, the EcoBoost can develop head gasket leaks, especially if the engine has been overheated. Head removal, resurfacing, new gasket, timing chain verification. 12-16 labor hours for both heads if you're already in there.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500