The 2007 Ford Ranger is stiff and uncomfortable with shoddy interior trim and few creature comforts. It’s not a daily driver. It’s a famously dependable, capable work truck that will get the job done without the immense ownership costs of a full-size, and it’s one of the most affordable options on the market, starting at around $6,500.
Is the 2007 Ford Ranger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A hardcore work truck that’s built from the ground up for farm, ranch, contractor, and construction duty. It’s easy to see why drivers are so loyal to the nameplate, and why they don’t mind the cramped interior.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – All seven of these points are for the Ranger’s impressive payload capacity and full-size bed options. The interior feels like you’re riding in a shopping cart.
- Reliability 8/10 – Drivers love to brag about the high mileage on their Ford Rangers. With excellent care there’s no reason you can’t pass a quarter million miles on the original transmission.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test ratings are mediocre, but anti-lock brakes are included as a standard feature.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – The i4 model averages 24/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, which is pretty good for a pickup truck in any size class.
- Value 8/10 – A Toyota Tacoma is the better truck, on paper. But, it’s not three thousand dollars better than the Ranger by a longshot.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Ford Ranger?
Consumer Reports state that the “ungainly and stiff-riding” Ranger falls short of what you might expect from a 2007 pickup. They found the ride rough, the engine noisy and inefficient, the cabin cramped, and the interior finish crude. They had some praise for the large bed and agile dimensions, but that was about it.
Kelley Blue Book were far kinder in their assessment, praising the Ranger’s low cost of ownership, tough workhorse performance specs, and wide range of configuration options. They note that the Ranger is no replacement for a mid or full-size if you have some major towing to do, however.
Edmunds report that the Ranger is a solid off-roader, especailly with the FX4 package equipped, and the 4.0L V6 engine punches well above its weight class. But, the cramped interior, rough ride, wide handling, slow braking, and lack of modern convenience features may be a turnoff for more drivers than not.
What Common Problems Does the 2007 Ford Ranger Have?
The 2007 Ford Ranger has generated a total of 267 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Airbags take up a massive majority of these, with 233 complaints on file. Drivers report difficulty in getting their airbags repairs taken care of after receiving up to 5 recall notices.
Structure complaints take a distant second place at 13 reports. A handful of drivers have seen excessive rust in the frame. This issue is easy to prevent with a coating of anti-rust spray, but once the corrosion settles in, repairing it may be more expensive than buying another truck.
There have been a few electrical complaints with drivers reporting failing lights and wipers after just a few years on the road.
There are 6 recalls on file for the 2007 Ranger, which is well within the median for a pickup this old.
How Long Will the 2007 Ford Ranger Last?
Drivers regularly report their Ford Rangers lasting 300,000 miles and more. But, that says more about the people driving these trucks than the truck itself. Ranger fans love these trucks and take excellent care of them. In a used model, expect a maximum lifespan of 250,000 miles.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $485. Most common repairs are pretty cheap, coming in at under $500 each, but new heater cores can go for around $1,009 to $1,203 with installation.
No I have never had any problems with it at all. There was a recall on the airbag, but it got taken care of without any cost or hassle for me.
Well the plastic clips are one of my main problems they are always breaking. The recall of my airbag system which I have yet to go fix is also a problem.
It is reliable. No problems with the motor. It gets me where I need to go. 4 wheel drive works. But, I will not buy another one.
It is reliable. The problems I have with this truck is the radio and CD player quit working, and the air conditioning doesn't work anymore.
Yes it is very reliable. I have not had any problems at all. It has never been in a shop for anything but regular maintenance.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2007 Ford Ranger is really, really basic. Some models don’t even come with a CD player stereo. Higher trim levels include MP3 players, but you’re probably going to be listening to music on your phone rather than the bare-bones sound system.
Safety technology in the 2007 Ford Ranger is solid. Anti-lock brakes come standard, and you’ve got dual stage airbags in all trims.
Is the 2007 Ford Ranger a Good Value?
A 2007 Ford Ranger is a really good value if you’re buying it for the right reasons. A base STX will typically list for around $6,496, with a high-end XLT going for around $7,537. These are fair prices for a dedicated work truck with at least another 100,000 miles to go on the odometer.
If you’re looking for a daily driver, you’re better off with a compact car or a small SUV. The Ranger is fuel-efficient for a pickup, but it’s still a pickup, so it chugs its share of fuel. Furthermore, you don’t want to put undue wear and tear on the powertrain with daily grocery trips.
What are the Different Models of the 2007 Ford Ranger?
The 2007 Ford Ranger is available in six trim levels total, from the base XL to the high-end Sport, plus two off-road editions, being the FX4 and FX4 Level 2.
With the base XL you’re getting:
- Vinyl seating
- AM/FM stereo
- SecuriLock anti-theft
- Anti-lock brakes
Next up is the STX, adding:
- Cloth seating
- Driver lumbar support
- Fog lights
The high-end XLT features:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
With the Sport edition you add:
- Textured vinyl floor covering
- MP3 player
- Audio input jack
The FX4 Level 1 adds:
- Remote keyless entry
- HD gas shock absorbers
- Skid plates
- Towing equipment
Finally, with the FX4 Level 2 you get:
- Bilstein shock absorbers 15″ painted
- Alcoa Forged aluminum wheels
What Engines Come In the 2007 Ford Ranger?
- The base engine in the 2007 Ford Ranger is a 2.3L inline-four delivering 143 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 24/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and it can tow up to 2,260 pounds.
- Next up is a 3.0L V6 delivering 148 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at around 18/23 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and should be able to tow up to 2,640 pounds.
- At the top of the line you’ve got a 4.0L V6 delivering 207 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque at 16/20 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive (or full-time “Ford-by-Four” in the FX4 models), and can tow up to 5,980 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2007 Ford Ranger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2007 Ford Ranger?
Don’t buy the Ranger if you’re expecting comfort. This truck is rigid and rough-riding. The interior trim feels cheap, convenience features are scarce, and even the larger cabs are cramped. In fact, “cabin” may be too cozy of a word for it. Call it a cockpit, because the interior is strictly functional.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Ford Ranger Have?
The 2007 Ford Ranger can compete with any truck on the market for overall cargo space. The truck is available with 6′ and 7′ beds, at 54 inches across and 16 inches deep. Payload capacity taps out at 1,834 in the most powerful models, not even a full thousand pounds shy of a comparable F-150.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2007 was the 10th model year in the Ford Ranger’s long-running 3rd Generation, which would go all the way from 1998 to 2011.
2004: The big change for 2004 was a suspension overhaul with new shocks, springs and bushings improving the truck’s off-road performance.
2005: Flareside bed styles were dropped for 2005.
2006: The Edge trim was rebranded as the Sport edition in 2006. New headlights and grilles were added across all trims.
2007: SecuriLock was standard for 2007.
2008: X4 models received a new set of Rancho twin-tube gas shocks for 2008, along with some hefty Class III trailer packages.
2009: Ford dropped the 3.0L V6 engine from the lineup in 2009.
How Does the 2007 Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
The Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma are like Coke and Pepsi, each commanding a loyal fanbase that wants nothing to do with the competing brand. On paper, the Ranger is more affordable by a margin of around $3,000 from trim to trim, while the Tacoma is slightly more powerful, towing a few hundred extra pounds.
If the Ranger and the Tacoma are the Coke and Pepsi of smaller trucks, the Chevy Colorado is the RC Cola, typically selling for anywhere from $500 to $1,000 cheaper than the Ranger, but saddled with a weird inline-five engine that sacrifices too much power for not enough fuel economy.
Objectively speaking, the Tacoma is the best of the smaller work trucks for this model year. But, do you really want to spend ten thousand bucks on a truck that’s old enough to get its drivers license? Probably not. For the price, the 2007 Ranger is unbeatable.
Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Ford Ranger?
Yes, I bought it new in 2007 and have not had any problems with it at all. I love my truck, it is dependable and it is cute.
Yes this vehicle is good for my uses. I use it as a work truck and as my daily transportation. It is 4x4 so I can take it in the snow or off roading. It is able to haul stuff which is nice. Plus the compact size works for my lack of neighborhood parking.
It is ok, but the electronics in the dashboard no longer work (radio, CD player,etc.) And when it rains the doors fill up with water (had to pull the plugs on the bottom of the doors) running boards are rusting. The air conditioning no longer works.
Yes, only minor problems every now and then. Just had to buy new tires. And, had to buy a new battery.
Yes, it is one of the best trucks I have ever owned. I have had it since it was new and I have never had any problems with it.
