Free used car buyer guide / T6 global platform / 2013-2016
Ford Ranger common problems and best years
By BYBA Research - how we score cars
Updated 2026-06-12
BYBA Buy Score
5.5/10
3 walk-away risks, 5 serious faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: 3.2 oil pump drain-back / low oil pressure after service. Score methodology.
The 2013-2016 Ranger is the global T6 pickup, not the old US compact Ranger. It is strong when serviced, but diesel emissions, cooling, automatic transmission and hard-use damage decide the buy. The main traps are 3.2 Duratorq oil-pump priming/low-oil-pressure after service, EGR cooler leaks, injector/HPFP contamination, turbo hose/intercooler leaks, 6R80/MT82 driveline faults, 4x4 transfer/diff abuse, cracked leaf springs/chassis corrosion, and Takata/airbag recall status. Best buy is a documented 3.2 or 2.2 with clean cold start, no coolant loss, correct oil-service procedure, smooth transmission and unmodified 4x4 hardware.
Faults covered
8
Highest risk
3.2 oil pump drain-back /
Best years
2014-2016
Best buys
- Stock 3.2 with full service history, no towing abuse, and clean cooling/EGR system.
- 2.2 diesel for lower running costs if performance is enough and DPF/EGR data is clean.
Inspect hard
- Any automatic for hot shift flare and towing history.
- Modified/off-road trucks for suspension, chassis and driveline damage.
Avoid
- Engine with low oil pressure after service, coolant loss, injector knock, or contaminated fuel history.
- Tuned/deleted diesel without inspection/legal clarity.
Next checks
Before you contact the seller
Check the car's history first. Then bring the right tools if it still looks worth viewing.
Primary next step
Check history, title, and recall status
The faults above matter more if the car also has accident history, finance flags, missing service records, or open safety recalls.
Viewing kit
Bring the right tools
Four cheap tools catch most of the faults on this page at a Ford Ranger viewing.
Printable workflow
Take the inspection pack
The PDF is the ordered checklist for the viewing: documents, walk-around, test drive, and scan.
Open PDF optionSome links here are partner links. If you buy through one, BYBA earns a commission. The price you pay does not change. How we make money.
Engines and trims
Which Ford Ranger should you buy?
On most used cars, the engine and trim choice changes the risk more than the mileage does. Narrow this down before you start viewing cars.
2.2 Duratorq TDCi
2013-2016
SENSIBLE IF NOT OVERWORKED
Cheaper and adequate, but EGR/DPF/turbo and injector issues still need checking.
3.2 Duratorq five-cylinder
2013-2016
BEST TOWING ENGINE WITH STRICT SERVICE
Strong torque, but oil-pump priming after oil change and cooling/EGR faults are expensive if mishandled.
Ford Ranger market/trim variant 3
2013-2016
VERIFY EXACT SPEC
Catalogue coverage is market-sensitive, so confirm the engine, gearbox, drivetrain and recall population by VIN before applying the fault rows.
Year notes
Year-by-year buyer advice
Use this to narrow the search before you spend time travelling to view a car.
2013
Early T6 years in many markets.
Buyer: Inspect for hard commercial use and early service gaps.
Owner: Use correct oil-drain/refill procedure on 3.2.
2014
Range continues with 2.2/3.2 diesels.
Buyer: DPF/EGR and towing history matter more than trim.
Owner: Keep fuel-filter and coolant records.
2015
Pre-facelift/facelift transition by market.
Buyer: Verify exact spec and recall status.
Owner: Do not ignore turbo hose oil mist or coolant loss.
2016
Facelifted T6 widely available.
Buyer: Strong year if unmodified and serviced.
Owner: Preserve recall and timing/service records.
Common problems
Faults to check before buying
What fails, what it looks like, what it costs, and the quick checks you can do at the viewing - ranked by how badly each one can hurt you.
Fault 1
3.2 oil pump drain-back / low oil pressure after service
Affects
3.2 Duratorq five-cylinder.
Symptoms
Oil pressure warning after oil change, engine noise, turbo damage, bearing damage.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 diagnosis/reprime; USD 5,000-10,000+ engine/turbo if run dry.
Codes / scan clues
Oil pressure/turbo faults; many failures are mechanical before codes.
Root cause: Variable-displacement oil pump can lose prime if oil is drained too long or refill procedure is wrong.
Quick check
- Ask who services it and whether they know the 3.2 oil-change time limit/priming issue.
- Cold start and verify oil light goes out immediately.
- Listen for turbo/engine noise after service.
- Avoid trucks with recent oil-change warning story.
Fault 2
EGR cooler leak and diesel intake contamination
Affects
2.2 and 3.2 diesels.
Symptoms
Coolant loss, white smoke, rough idle, limp mode, EGR/boost codes.
Typical repair cost
USD 500-1,500 EGR cooler/valve; USD 2,000+ if intake/DPF damage follows.
Codes / scan clues
P0401, P0402, P0299, coolant/boost plausibility codes.
Root cause: EGR cooler/valve leaks or sticks, mixing soot and coolant/oil contamination.
Quick check
- Check coolant level cold and after road test.
- Inspect EGR/intake area for wet soot.
- Scan diesel modules for EGR/boost history.
- Reject deleted systems unless local rules and tune quality are clear.
Fault 3
Injector, fuel-filter, or high-pressure pump contamination
Affects
2.2/3.2 common-rail diesels.
Symptoms
Hard start, injector knock, limp mode, metal in fuel, rough idle.
Typical repair cost
USD 600-1,500 injector diagnosis; USD 3,000-8,000 fuel system if contaminated.
Codes / scan clues
Rail pressure, injector balance, P0087/P0093-style codes.
Root cause: Water/dirty fuel, missed filter service, or pump wear contaminates injectors/rail.
Quick check
- Review fuel-filter change history.
- Scan injector balance and rail-pressure data.
- Listen cold for sharp diesel knock beyond normal.
- Inspect fuel sample/filter housing if possible.
Fault 4
Turbo/intercooler hose split and underboost
Affects
2.2/3.2 diesels.
Symptoms
Hissing, black smoke, limp mode, oil mist on hoses, poor towing power.
Typical repair cost
USD 150-500 hose; USD 1,200-3,000 turbo/intercooler if damaged.
Codes / scan clues
P0299, boost pressure/MAF/MAP codes.
Root cause: Charge-air hoses soften/split; turbo actuator or intercooler leaks reduce boost.
Quick check
- Inspect all boost hoses for oil mist, swelling and splits.
- Accelerate uphill and watch for limp mode/smoke.
- Scan boost requested vs actual.
- Check for aftermarket tunes stressing boost system.
Fault 5
6R80 automatic harsh shifts or torque-converter shudder
Affects
Automatic T6 Ranger.
Symptoms
Harsh 2-3/3-4, flare, delayed engagement, converter shudder when towing.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 service/software; USD 2,500-5,000 rebuild/converter.
Codes / scan clues
Ratio, pressure-control, converter-clutch codes.
Root cause: Heat, towing, old ATF, valve-body/solenoid or converter clutch wear.
Quick check
- Test cold and hot shifts through all gears.
- Drive steady 40-60 mph for converter shudder.
- Check towing/modification history.
- Scan TCM for slip/adaptation codes.
Fault 6
4x4 transfer case, front hubs/CVs, and rear diff abuse
Affects
4x4 Rangers used off-road/towing.
Symptoms
Clunks, vibration, 4x4 light, no low range, diff whine, torn CV boots.
Typical repair cost
USD 300-900 CV/service; USD 1,500-4,000 transfer/diff repair.
Codes / scan clues
Transfer case motor/switch and ABS wheel-speed codes.
Root cause: Off-road impacts, water ingress, mismatched tyres, neglected driveline oils.
Quick check
- Engage 4H and 4L on loose surface.
- Inspect CV boots, diff breathers, underbody dents and water lines.
- Listen for diff whine on/off throttle.
- Check all tyres match size and wear.
Fault 7
Chassis, tray, leaf spring and towbar fatigue/corrosion
Affects
Work trucks, tow vehicles, salt/coastal markets.
Symptoms
Cracked leaves, sagging rear, rusty chassis, bent towbar mounts, uneven tyre wear.
Typical repair cost
USD 400-1,200 springs/bushes; USD 3,000+ structural chassis repair.
Codes / scan clues
None.
Root cause: Overload, towing, corrosion, and off-road impacts fatigue chassis/suspension.
Quick check
- Inspect chassis rails, crossmembers, spring hangers and towbar mounts.
- Check tray/bed alignment and cab-to-bed gaps.
- Look for overload airbags/heavy towing accessories.
- Walk away from cracked or badly repaired chassis.
Fault 8
Airbag/Takata and safety recall completion
Affects
T6 Ranger recall populations vary by market/year.
Symptoms
Open airbag recall, SRS light, replaced steering wheel/module, import with unclear recall history.
Typical repair cost
USD 0 recall; USD 500-1,500 SRS repairs outside campaign.
Codes / scan clues
SRS/clock spring/pretensioner codes.
Root cause: Takata inflator and other safety campaigns require VIN-specific verification, especially on imports.
Quick check
- Run VIN through Ford and national recall databases.
- Confirm SRS light proves out and goes off.
- Scan SRS module.
- Verify import paperwork if not originally sold in your market.
Inspection pack
Printable checklist for the viewing
The free page helps you decide whether the car is worth seeing. The paid guide is the ordered, printable checklist you use at the car.
- VIN recall check for Ford Ranger 2013-2016.
- Service invoices matching the engine/drivetrain and mileage, not only stamped history.
- Inspect tyres, leaks, accident repair and water entry before the test drive.
- Look specifically for evidence related to 3.2 oil pump drain-back / low oil pressure after service.
- Check every warning light, infotainment function, climate mode, camera/sensor warning and battery condition before moving.
- Cold start, full warm-up, low-speed manoeuvres and motorway-speed pull for Ford Ranger.
- Recheck for smells, warning lights, harsh shifts, vibration or coolant/oil leaks after the drive.
- Scan engine, transmission, ABS/body and driver-assist modules where fitted.
- Treat cleared codes or incomplete readiness monitors as negotiation or walk-away evidence.
Bottom line
Buy: Stock 3.2 with full service history, no towing abuse, and clean cooling/EGR system. 2.2 diesel for lower running costs if performance is enough and DPF/EGR data is clean.
Avoid: Engine with low oil pressure after service, coolant loss, injector knock, or contaminated fuel history. Tuned/deleted diesel without inspection/legal clarity.
Quick answers
Ford Ranger buyer questions
The short versions of what this page answers in full.
What are the most common Ford Ranger 2013-2016 problems?
The highest-impact documented faults are: 3.2 oil pump drain-back / low oil pressure after service; EGR cooler leak and diesel intake contamination; Injector, fuel-filter, or high-pressure pump contamination. This guide covers 8 faults in total, each with symptoms, typical repair costs, and checks you can do at a viewing.
Which Ford Ranger years are the best to buy?
2014-2016 stand out in this generation. Stock 3.2 with full service history, no towing abuse, and clean cooling/EGR system. 2.2 diesel for lower running costs if performance is enough and DPF/EGR data is clean.
Which Ford Ranger should I avoid?
Engine with low oil pressure after service, coolant loss, injector knock, or contaminated fuel history. Tuned/deleted diesel without inspection/legal clarity.
Is the Ford Ranger 2013-2016 a reliable used buy?
BYBA scores it 5.5/10 (cautious buy). 3 walk-away risks, 5 serious faults documented for this generation, weighted by severity and repair cost. Biggest factor: 3.2 oil pump drain-back / low oil pressure after service.
Get updates when this guide changes
Recalls get added, repair costs shift, and new fault patterns show up in the data. Leave an email and we'll tell you when the Ford Ranger guide gets a meaningful revision. Nothing else, no selling your address.