Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger: known faults compared
The two utes most New Zealanders choose between for towing, work and weekends, both turbo-diesel dual-cabs in most of the examples for sale.
The catalogue documents 59 faults for the Toyota Hilux and 45 for the Ford Ranger. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Toyota Hilux | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 59 | 45 |
| Rated major or critical | 53 | 44 |
| Rated common or very common | 41 | 30 |
| Typical repair | $600–$2,500 | $550–$3,200 |
| Model years covered | 1984–2019 | 2006–2025 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | diesel, petrol | petrol, diesel |
| Service schedule on the model page | Yes | Yes |
Where the Toyota Hilux goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 1KZ-TE head gasket & head cracking (endemic)
- 1KD-FTV Cylinder Head Crack Between Combustion Chambers
- 1KD-FTV common rail injector cracking and fuel dilution
Most expensive to fix
Where the Ford Ranger goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 3.2L TDCi HPFP Metal Contamination of Fuel System
- P5AT 3.2 TDCi Water Pump Impeller Fracture
- Takata front airbag recall (PJ / PK Ranger, 2006-2011)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger differ
- Engine: 33 documented on the Toyota Hilux, 19 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Toyota Hilux is Cracked pistons on the Euro IV 3.0 1KD-FTV diesel (KUN16/KUN26 Hilux), at up to $16,000.
- Suspension: 9 documented on the Toyota Hilux, 4 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Toyota Hilux is Rear Leaf Spring Main Blade Fracture at Second Eye, at up to $2,200.
- Transmission: 3 documented on the Toyota Hilux, 7 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Ford Ranger is 6R80 Auto Torque Converter Clutch Shudder, at up to $6,500.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, suspension, transmission and cooling, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Toyota Hilux | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 19 |
| Suspension | 9 | 4 |
| Transmission | 3 | 7 |
| Cooling | 3 | 4 |
| Fluid Leaks | 4 | 2 |
| Body & Rust | 3 | 2 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 |
| Electrical | 1 | 3 |
| Interior | 0 | 3 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Toyota Hilux or the Ford Ranger?
The catalogue documents 59 faults for the Toyota Hilux and 45 for the Ford Ranger. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 53 on the Toyota Hilux and 44 on the Ford Ranger are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $600 to $2,500 on the Toyota Hilux and $550 to $3,200 on the Ford Ranger, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Toyota Hilux it is Cracked pistons on the Euro IV 3.0 1KD-FTV diesel (KUN16/KUN26 Hilux), documented at up to $16,000. On the Ford Ranger it is Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 EcoBoost petrol broken valve springs - misfire, possible engine replacement (Ford SSM 51979), documented at up to $25,000.