The 2009 Ford Ranger lasts around 250,000 miles with only some minor engine and suspension vibrations. At $7,818 to $11,543, it’s a good value for a compact and efficient truck.
Is the 2009 Ford Ranger a Good Used Truck?
- Yes, 2009 is a good year for the Ranger. Owner reviews praise the compact size, dependable engines, and hauling capabilities.
- Interior quality is below average with a lot of cheap plastic and cloth used in the cabin, and the technology is very out of date for a truck from 2009.
- Reliability ratings are very good. Avoid models from 2006–2008 which have more serious mechanical issues and go with a 2009 or newer.
- Performance is okay from the 4-cylinder engine, and the V6 offers average power for a small truck.
- The 2009 Ranger is a reasonably safe truck, earning an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and only 3 stars in the rollover risk test.
- Fuel economy is good for a truck, averaging 23 MPG, which will get you about 440 miles of range out of the 19.5 gallon gas tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Ford Ranger?
- Consumer Reports says the 2009 Ranger is compact with a useful sized bed, and has average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Ranger a 4.4/5 and enjoys the off-road capabilities, but doesn’t like the long braking distances.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Ranger 4.4/5 and praise the overall durability, but owners don’t like the fairly low towing capacity.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Ford Ranger Have?
The most common problems found on the 2009 Ford Ranger include engine vibrations, a failing catalytic converter, and suspension noise in the front end. Overall, these are fairly common problems compared to other trucks on the market and repair costs are similar as well.
Engine vibrations with the 4-cylinder are the most widespread complaint from owners, showing up in the first 3,000 miles. It’s usually caused by the engine misfiring and not getting a spark to one or more cylinders. Replacing the spark plugs and wires usually helps with the problem for about $350.
Catalytic converter failures show up on some Ranger models at around 80,000 miles. The V6 engine is more prone to catalytic converter problems, and the only solution is to replace the entire unit, which costs around $1,000.
Suspension noises in the front end of the truck are also mentioned by owners at around 35,000 miles. Blown shocks or struts cause the suspension to bottom out on small bumps, and replacing the components costs about $600.
There are 9 recalls, which is worse than average for a truck from 2009. The most serious recall is for the front wheel spindle, which can separate and cause a crash. Many of the other recalls are for air bag inflators, and are not a concern once they’ve been replaced.
How Long Will the 2009 Ford Ranger Last?
A well-maintained 2009 Ford Ranger should be able to last around 250,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than competitors like the Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are a bit higher than average, according to Repair Pal, at $592 per year.
Most 2009 Ranger models will have over 100,000 miles, so buyers should be prepared to replace items including the heater core for $1,000, the intake manifold gasket costing $475, and the purge valve which costs $220.
Not at this time. I just had tires checked and rotated, and the oil changed. The a/c and heater are both in good working condition. I had the front brakes replaced about 6 months ago.
It absolutely has no problems. The transmission and engine are in great working order. Had brand new tires.
How Much Is the 2009 Ford Ranger Worth?
Blue book values range from $7,818 to $11,543, which makes it thousands of dollars cheaper than a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier. When new, the price range was $16,395 to $25,805. Depreciation is similar to average, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Ford Ranger?
There are four models of the 2009 Ford Ranger available, and it’s offered with a regular and extended-cab. The third generation was introduced for the 1998 model year, and discontinued after 2011 due to declining sales. The Ranger model was reintroduced in 2019.
XL is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Bench Seating
- AM/FM Stereo With 4 Speakers
XLT is a step up, adding:
- Cloth Seating
- Air Conditioning
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
Sport is next in the lineup and adds:
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Color-Keyed Grille Surrounds
- Body Colored Bumpers
- Satellite Radio
FX4 Off-Road is at the top of the group and has:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 2-Tone Paint Job
- Limited Slip Rear Differential
- Keyless Entry
- Off-Road Suspension
- Cruise Control
What Engines Come In the Ford Ranger?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 2.3L 4-cylinder that makes 143 horsepower and gets up to 23 MPG combined. With the 4-cylinder it’s capable of towing up to 1,600 pounds.
- A step up is the average 4.0L V6 engine which produces 207 horsepower and gets up to 18 MPG combined. The towing capacity is improved at up to 3,100 pounds.
What Colors Does the Ford Ranger Come In?
How Big Is the Ford Ranger?
The 2009 Ford Ranger is a compact truck similar in size to the Nissan Frontier and Chevrolet Colorado. It comes as either a 2-door standard cab, or a 2.5-door extended cab version. Passenger room is good in the front seats, but the backseats are extremely cramped.
There are two bed lengths available including a 6-foot standard bed and 7-foot long bed. The 7-foot bed is longer than other compact trucks from 2009.
How Does the Ford Ranger Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Ranger is average compared to other compact pickup trucks from 2009, there are only a few small trucks on the market, and the decision usually comes down to personal brand preference.
The Toyota Tacoma is a popular competitor which costs about $2,200 more. Off-road performance and reliability ratings are both better in the Toyota Tacoma, but the long bed in the Ford Ranger is better for hauling materials. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since it lasts longer and is more affordable to own.
The Ford F-150 is another rival, which costs about $3,000 more. Passenger room and towing performance are both better in the Ford F-150, but the Ford Ranger fits better in large cities where parking is limited. We recommend the Ford F-150 since it’s has more room, but both are good choices.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Ranger?
Yes it is. It is dependable, easy to drive and rides well. It is easy to haul furniture and other small items from one place to another.
Yes it is very dependable. It is a five speed good on gas. Cleans up easy. I have a spray on bedliner. Does not use oil. No leaks. 4 cylinder.