FordRanger2011Overview/ford/ranger/2011/base/

2011 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 2011 Ford Ranger is a TRUCK that uses a 4.0‑qt oil capacity and 5W‑20 API viscosity. It logged 235 owner complaints and six recalls, with air bags topping the complaint list, situating its volume near the lower end of the model’s 1990‑2020 complaint record, which peaked at 818 complaints in 1999 and reached a low of one complaint in 2014. This placement reflects a period of relative reliability for the Ranger, though air‑bag concerns remain the primary issue to monitor. Overall, the 2011 model sits in a phase of improved durability within the vehicle’s long‑term history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3069 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.50 sec207 hp4x4
2001Edge SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec207 hp4x4
1998Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec160 hpRWD
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V69.80 sec17.30 sec160 hp4x4
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V610.00 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75-2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00-6.25 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure15 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs / 50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.964 in / 0.708 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
141 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC41 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1M12 bolts9 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts18 ft. lbs
3M8 bolts24 ft. lbs
4M12 bolts90 degrees
5M12 bolts90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Ford Ranger sits near the low‑point of a decade‑long decline in federal complaints, with 235 complaints and only six recalls, compared to 818 complaints in 1999 and 508 in 1994. Its recall count is also modest, matching the trend of falling recalls from 13 in 1998 to 6 in 2011. The vehicle’s most common complaint area is air‑bag related (191 reports), a spike that is not reflected in the overall complaint total, indicating a specific but isolated issue. Crash complaints (9) and fire complaints (1) are minimal relative to earlier years, suggesting improved safety performance. Overall, the 2011 model year is positioned well below the peak of the 1990s, implying a comparatively reliable option; however, the air‑bag complaint density warrants a careful inspection before purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
12
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
235
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 235 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags191
Structure6
Exterior Lighting5
Power Train4
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting2
Unknown Or Other2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

16V384000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/05/2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 12 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
SSM 479762019-05-10Power TrainOn vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Ranger take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.