The Ford Ranger was equipped with the 5R55E, 5R44E or 4R44E transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Ford Ranger transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Ford Ranger Transmission Models
Ford Ranger: 5R55E / 5R44E / 4R44E Transmission
Ford Ranger Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
Replacement 5R55E / 5R44E / 4R44E Transmission:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| 5R55S/N/W/E | 2203 |
What are the DTC codes related to Ford Ranger transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0705 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0731 | Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0733 | Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0735 | Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0745 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' |
| P0775 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' |
| P0795 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' |
| P0797 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' Stuck On |
| P0798 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' Electrical |
Ford Ranger Transmission Recalls
None Found
Ford Ranger Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
TSB 02-08-03 – Transmission fluid leak at servo cover
2001 – 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac – 2001 – 2002 Ford Explorer Sport – 2001 – 2002 Ford Ranger
Problem – On vehicles equipped with the 2.3L, 3.0L or 4.0L engine with the 5R55E transmission, operating in cold climates may cause a transmission fluid leak at the servo cover.
Solution – Install updated servo cover(s).
TSB 02-13-8 – Low line pressure at wide open throttle (WOT), slipping and or delayed gear engagement
1995 – 2001 Ford Explorer – 1999 – 2002 Ford Explorer Sport – 2001 – 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac – 1995 – 2002 Ford Ranger – 1997 – 2001 Mercury Mountaineer
Problem – Vehicles built prior to 12/1/2001 may experience a number of transmission problems including; no 2nd gear, no 3rd gear, no engine braking when in manual 1st, slipping and/or delayed gear engagements, DTC’s P0732, P0733 and/or P1762
Solution – Modify or install updated valve body
Common Problems with the Ford Ranger Transmission
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Ford Ranger can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Ford Ranger transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Ford Ranger transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Ford Ranger transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Ford Ranger transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Ford Ranger transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Ford Ranger transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Ford Ranger transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed. Once it is in place, for the 6L80, the vehicle PCM will have to be reprogrammed / reflashed to accept the new transmission using the latest GM subscription.
Recommendations for Ford Ranger transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Ford Ranger transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Ford Ranger Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Ford Ranger Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Ford Ranger Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Ford Ranger Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Ford Ranger Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
I have a 2007 ford ranger with a4.0.
I have only had for 2 weeks and it seems to be in Limp mode.There are nocodes buti can’t get out of this mode. Could it be my transmission range sensor
Laboring to move with o/d button disengaged. Shifting into all gears when o/d IS engaged but hard shifts and feels like torque converter disengages upon approach to red lights when lifting off throttle.
2011 6cyc ranger that carmax mechanic said torque convertor was failing, no shudders, stalling, etc
2005 Ford ranger 3.0 shift solenoid keeps dislodging bending bracket I changed the solenoid but it keeps dislodging and bending the bracket stalls on drive and reverse
5r 55e shift solenoid keeps dislodging bending bracket don’t know why change it out but it’s doing the same thing truck stops and reverse and drive
2007 Ranger with 5r55E auto, occasionally will not shift into drive or any other gear, just acts as if it is in neutral. Putting in into park and restarting usually fixes it, no codes
1998 ford ranger 3.0 v6, 2WD automatic. Shifts into drive, feels like its stuck in low gear. Column shifter isnt connected. What could it be?
Drives fine but if o go over 50-60 mph the o/d light flashes and shifts hard I can’t figure out what to do to fix it so I’m not spending money I’ll never have and I’ve checked all dues none blown just shifts hard frost to second what can I do
2002 4.0L 4×4 Ranger 250K + miles.
Transfer case bearing howl, transmission O/D malfunction light comes on with reduced transmission response, “jumps” when shifting 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Filled with Lucas Transmission Fix temporarily relieves symptoms. OBD codes were only from a general tester, so no transmission codes given.
Will the gears on a 95 4.0 ford Ranger be the same on a 2003 ford Ranger 3.0
My 2000 ford ranger with automatic tranny starts and shifts but only has neutral no reverse or drive only neutral would it be my solenoid pack
Put it in any gear will not move until it runs for a long time does not slip
91 ranger. Auto trans will not move forward in any gear. Will move backwards on reverse
91 ford ranger had trouble getting in gear. Now will not go forward in any gear but will go in reverse & move backeards
Flashing od light, abs light on. Found rear diff. Speed sensor no Bueno. R/R the sensor. Abs light goes out, abs happy.
Issue the OD light use to take 5 -20min to come on and truck wouldn’t shift correctly. Now after installing the sensor the OD light comes on right away. Odd thing is the tranny is using OD with the light on. I assume that replacing the sensor repaired one of the issues with the system. With the speedo, abs, and OD being on the same fuse. Now despite what the OD light says, the tranny is going into OD
.. I need to know what terminals to jump to to check the codes for the tranny and engine
Last thing. Since the sensor replacement the charger engine light is on
Any thoughts?
Goes into Rev no problem have to rev it up to engage drive .once in shifts no problem .
Have an 05 ranger edge model 3.0 v6 2wd auto. O/D light flashes and blows #25 fuse also shifts hard into 1st 2nd and sometimes 3rd.
That is your transmission components sending a code. It is like a check engine light for the transmission I had the same problem with my 01 XLT 3.0 change the transmission stop for a while and then torque converter started going out and it started sending the OD off light flashing again
When you are driving is the vehicle okay and then when the od off light starts flashing again the vehicle will start shifting hard? If so I guarantee you that is it in the way to get it to stop doing that it’s just turn the vehicle off and back on
I have a 99 ranger 3.0 with 194 thousand miles on it when I shift into drive its slow to engage and it whines from 1st to 2nd gear once it’s in 2nd gear it doesn’t have any problems
I had my automatic transmission serviced today and they found a slight amount of grayish color in the fluid and the magnetic strip was dirty and dark ,they said that the clutches were slipping and it needed to be rebuilt
I have a ’93 Ford Ranger, manual transmission, 4 wd, V6 engine. When I come to a stop it will not shift into 1st or second gear. Typically I will need to move shifter into 4th or 3rd gear a few times and than it will go into 1st or 2nd gear. I have checked the clutch and it is disengaging . Once I get the truck into first gear it drives normally. The truck has approximately 135,000 miles on it.
It’s a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT. When it cools down it will go into drive 2 and when driving I could shift into Drive and go. But I never change the transmission filter.
What is it when transmission cools down it goes in gears? Will it be the filter that needs to be replaced?