Ford Ranger Ranked Third In 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study

The previous-generation Ford Ranger may be gone – replaced by an all-new, redesigned mid-size pickup – but it continues to rack up accolades, regardless. Those include landing on Consumer Reports‘ list of the most reliable used vehicles and most reliable three-year-old models, after which the Ranger secured the top spot in its segment on the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). Now, the Ford Ranger has another feather to add to its proverbial cap, as that particular model ranked third in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) in a year that both Ford and Lincoln ranked below the segment average, while the Ford Super Duty topped the heavy-duty truck segment, too.

In the latest version of J.D. Power’s VDS, the Ford Ranger ranked third in the mid-size pickup segment, falling behind two of its rivals – the Toyota Tacoma, as well as the Chevy Colorado. It is worth pointing out that these rankings apply to the 2021 model year, which is notable given the fact that the Colorado was redesigned for the 2023 model year, while both the Ranger and Tacoma are all-new for 2024.

The 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is based on the responses of 30,595 owners of 2021 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership, and was conducted between August and November, 2023. The VDS focuses on 184 specific problem areas across nine categories – climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats. This year’s study found that overall, nearly two-thirds of all automotive brands suffered a decline in dependability year-over-year, with the average PP100 increasing by four versus 2023.

“Historically, VDS model results mirror the results of the respective model year in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, so a deterioration of vehicle dependability is unusual,” Hanley said. “This can likely be attributed to the tumultuous time during which these vehicles were built, and owners are keeping their vehicles for much longer. In fact, the average age of vehicles on American roads today is approximately 12 years, which underscores the importance of building a vehicle designed to stand the test of time. Automakers must ensure new vehicle technology introduced today will still meet the customer’s needs years down the road.”

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