Credov's researched list of the 11 faults the Ford Ranger PX II is known for (2015–2018), 10 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Look at both front brake hoses with the wheels on full lock for twists, kinks, cracks or weeping at the ends.
Why it matters: Brake hose failure on a truck that has been off-road is a total loss of a front circuit.
What to look for: Look through the front wheels at both brake callipers for cracks or leaking fluid, and check the brake warning light is off.
Why it matters: A cracked calliper is fluid loss and a longer stop; the recall replaces the calliper.
What to look for: Feel for free play or a clunk when rocking the steering wheel at rest, and ask for the steering shaft recall record.
Why it matters: Loss of steering.
What to look for: Check the cold coolant level, look for white sweet-smelling exhaust smoke that won't clear, and milky gunk under the oil cap.
Why it matters: A split EGR cooler can take out the head gasket, bend rods or crack the head; the repair escalates from a cooler to an engine.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Listen at cold start for a loud diesel knock that doesn't settle, and watch for a surging idle in Drive.
Why it matters: A leaking injector can melt or hole a piston; injector replacement on the 3.2 is a five-injector job.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Drive for 20 minutes including a long hill or highway pull, and feel for sudden power loss that a restart fixes.
Why it matters: A sticking injector-pump piston is a high-pressure pump replacement; a kinked return line is cheap. The two need to be told apart before pricing.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Feel for pulsing through the clutch pedal, shudder when pulling away, and a hard shift from first to second.
Why it matters: Clutch plus DMF on a Ranger is a major job; towing history multiplies the risk.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Look underneath with a torch along the gear cables for rubbing on the driveshaft, and check every gear including reverse selects cleanly.
Why it matters: Cable contact with a spinning driveshaft can cut the cables and stop gear selection on the road.
What to look for: Look underneath with a torch for packed grass, scorch marks and the recall heat shield around the exhaust.
Why it matters: Fire under the vehicle, which on a farm ute is a total-loss and liability event.
What to look for: Ask for a Ford dealer VIN check on the side airbag recall, and check the airbag light comes on then goes out.
Why it matters: Side airbags that do not deploy in a crash.
What to look for: Check the oil warning light goes out within five seconds of a cold start, and switch off at once if it doesn't.
Why it matters: Running a 3.2 with an unprimed oil pump risks bearing damage on the very first start after a service.
Sources: 1
Got a question about a Ford Ranger PX II? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.