—  Model hub

Ford Ranger: History, Generations and Owner Guides

Explore the Ford Ranger through its generations, pickup capability, maintenance topics and used-truck buying advice.

—  Generations

Generations at a glance

1983–1992

—  1st generation (North America)

The original compact Ranger

Ford introduced the Ranger as a compact pickup for the 1983 model year in North America.

1993–1997

—  2nd generation

Rounded styling and refinements

A redesign brought a more rounded exterior and updates to the compact pickup.

1998–2011

—  3rd generation

A long-running compact pickup

The North American compact Ranger continued with changes to styling, equipment and engines over time.

2019–present

—  Modern North American Ranger

Midsize Ranger returns

The Ranger returned to North America for 2019; a new generation arrived for the 2024 model year.

—  Articles

Latest Ranger articles

—  Owner help

Common problems and maintenance

01

—  Problems

Research model-year issues, powertrains, suspension wear and service history before buying.

02

—  Maintenance

Check the official service schedule for your Ranger model year, engine and driving conditions.

03

—  Buying

Compare condition, maintenance records, payload needs and signs of off-road or towing use.

—  Workshop manuals

Working on your Ranger?

Find repair information and verify compatibility with your exact Ranger model year, market and engine.

—  FAQ

Ranger questions answered

Review maintenance records, inspect the chassis and suspension, check for damage and confirm recall status for the model year.

No. Ranger model lines and generation timelines differ by market. Confirm the vehicle’s country, model year and specification.

Follow the owner manual and maintenance schedule for your specific model year, engine and driving conditions.