The 2005 Ford Ranger is one of those trucks that commands a loyal fan base despite its failings. It’s uncomfortable, the suspension is rigid, and even the SuperCab models are a tight fit. But if you want workhorse power in a reliable, long-lasting pickup, the Ranger is hard to beat.
Is the 2005 Ford Ranger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – One of the best work trucks ever made, and certainly the best 2005 compact pickup for the price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – All seven of these points are for the spacious beds and solid towing capacity. The interior will leave your legs numb on long trips.
- Reliability 8/10 – Drivers report passing 300,000 miles with no major repairs.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety tech is adequate for a 2005 pickup and the truck is built like a suit of armor, but don’t look for advanced gear like rearview cameras and lane-keep assist.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 –The 2.3L i4 engine does a respectable 24/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway, but you really want the 4.0L V6, which averages a mediocre 16/20.
- Value 9/10 – The 2005 Ranger is arguably the very best deal in its class. The Tacoma might be the better value overall, but it’s technically a mid-size, and the sticker price will run you an extra $2,500.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Ford Ranger?
Consumer Reports found the 2005 Ford Ranger disappointing on the whole. They noted the stiff ride, rough, noisy engine, cramped cabin, and crude finish. They did like the large beds attached to a compact-sized truck, however.
Kelley Blue Books users give the Ranger a very strong 93% recommendation, praising the range of engine options, the smooth highway driving, and the reliable powertrain. Premature rust, rigid suspension, and underpowered V6 engines earned the truck a few knocks.
Edmunds gave praise to the Ranger’s wide range of trim levels and options, the functional interior, and the affordable price. They found the platfrom dated overall, the ride stiff, and the onboard features lacking.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Ford Ranger Have?
Airbag complaints make up nearly half of the 2005 Ranger’s total 281 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports. Airbags have been recalled 6 times, with some drivers waiting so long for repairs that the parts are out of date by the time they receive them.
There are 34 structure complaints on file with the NHTSA, with drivers reporting significant corrosion in the undercarriage. One driver even states that the leaf spring shackle fell right off of the frame while driving in the city. The issue is easily prevented with anti-rust spray, but almost impossible to fix.
Engine and powertrain complaints are incredibly scarce, numbering just 7 in each category. A few drivers have reported the truck rolling down inclines when in park, so make sure to use your parking brake when you get out of the truck.
The 2005 Ford Ranger has just 9 recalls on file with the NHTSA, with 6 being for airbags, and 3 for exterior lighting issues.
How Long Will the 2005 Ford Ranger Last?
Drivers have reported Ford Rangers lasting well past 300,000 miles with excellent maintenance. If you’re buying a used model in good condition at around 150,000 miles, you should expect to reach 250,000 before the more expensive repairs start to pile up.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $615, which is roughly average for a smaller 2005 pickup. The most expensive common repairs include new rack and pinion systems starting at $1,124 and engine coolant temperature sensor replacements at around $405.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2005 Ford Ranger is pretty basic, even for 2005. The entry-level model comes packed with an AM/FM stereo, and you can upgrade that to a CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers. That’s about as fancy as it gets here.
Safety technology in the 2005 Ford Ranger is adequate for the model year. You have anti-lock brakes as a standard feature, and that’s pretty much it.
Is the 2005 Ford Ranger a Good Value?
The 2005 Ford Ranger is a very good deal. Entry level models typically list for around $4,966 with just 140,000 miles on the odometer, and the high-end Edge model goes for around $6,029. If you’re after a devoted work truck, these are decent prices for a vehicle that might last another five, ten years.
A 2005 Ranger can do almost anything a larger truck can do, but with a much lower cost of ownership. But, the Ranger is only worth the cost if you’re after a devoted work truck. If you want a daily driver, you can probably find a better deal on a compact car or a crossover SUV.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Ford Ranger?
The 2005 Ford Ranger is available in 6 trim levels, from the entry-level XL to the high-end Edge, and two FX4 off-road models.
The base XL features:
- AM/FM radio
- Anti-lock brakes
- Vinyl seating
Next up is the STX, adding:
- Cloth seating
- Fog lights
- Driver lumbar support
The mid-range XLT adds:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
- 2 extra speakers
With the high-end Edge you’re adding:
- MP3 player
With an FX4 Off-Road model you’re getting:
- Remote keyless entry
- Four wheel drive
- Premium gas shock absorbers
- Front stabilizer bar Skid plates
Finally, the FX4 Level II adds:
- Bilstein shock absorbers
What Engines Come In the 2005 Ford Ranger?
- Available in the XL and XLT is a 2.3L inline-four engine delivering 143 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque. The i4 can tow up to 2,260 pounds, and it averages 24/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway. It’s paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive.
- The base engine in the STX and the Edge is a 3.0L V6 engine delivering 148 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at 18/23 miles to the gallon. The 3.0L is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive, and it can tow up to 2,640 pounds.
- Finally, you’ve got a 4.0L available in all trim levels, delivering 207 horsepower and 238 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 16/20 miles to the gallon, and towing up to 5,980 pounds. The 4.0L is paired to a 5-speed automatic, and configured in rear/four wheel drive in all models but the FX4s, where it’s full-time “Ford-by-Four .”
What Colors Does the 2005 Ford Ranger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Ford Ranger?
The 2005 Ford Ranger is very uncomfortable. Even the SuperCab feels cramped, with the Regular feeling downright claustrophobic. The suspension is rigid, and the seating ranges from cheap and sticky in the vinyl-upholstered XL to cheap-and-itchy in the cloth-upholstered trims.
If you think of it like a piece of farm or construction equipment, you won’t have any complaints. It’s as comfortable as you need it to be to haul a load of 2x4s or a few bales of hay. If you’re looking for a daily driver or something to take on long road trips, you couldn’t find a less suitable vehicle if you tried.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Ford Ranger Have?
The Ranger is available with 6′ and 7′ beds, with either one being 54.3″ across and 16.6″ deep. Payload capacity ranges from 1,294 pounds to 1,834 pounds, depending on your options. An F-150 ranges from 1,294 to 2,749 pounds of carrying capacity, so the Ranger really can do almost anything its big brother can do.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2005 was the 8th model year for the Ford Ranger’s 3rd Generation, which ran from 1998 to 2011.
2002: SecuriLock and optional MP3 players were new for 2002.
2003: The biggest differences in 2003 were a vanity mirror for the XLT, and a step bar in the other trim levels.
2004: Suspension got an overhaul in 2004 with brand new shocks, springs, and bushings.
2005: Ford dropped the Flareside beds in 2005.
2006: The Edge trim was renamed the Ranger Sport in 2006, and all models got new grille inserts, fender flares, badges, and headlights.
2007: SecuriLock was made standard in 2007, and all trim levels got a tire pressure monitor in the instrument cluster.
How Does the 2005 Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
The 2005 Ford Ranger has a lot in common with the 2005 Toyota Tacoma. Both are smaller, fan-favorite trucks that are revered for their longevity and work-horse capability. The biggest differences between the two are that the Tacoma is a little bigger, a little more powerful, and around $2,500 more expensive.
2005 Chevrolet Colorado prices are in the same ballpark as the Ranger’s, and so are most of the performance specs, except for towing capacity, where the stronger Rangers have about two thousand pounds of power over the stronger Colorados.
Overall, the Tacoma may be the best option on the used market if you’re after a smaller 2005 work truck, but the Ranger is by far the best thing going for the price.
