Recall 21V765 affects 37,625 2020-2021 Ford Ranger trucks with child-seat anchor and head-restraint defects. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 37,625 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles because fixed rear head restraints can interfere with certain child seat installations, and the child seat can fail to attach properly to the lower rear anchors. An improperly attached child seat increases injury risk in a crash, and Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The rear child restraint anchorage system in the 2020-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab is the set of lower anchors and rear-seat structure used to secure compatible child seats. The lower anchors give the child seat fixed points to attach to, while the head restraint behind the seat should leave enough room for the child seat to sit correctly.
On affected trucks, the fixed, non-removable rear head restraints can interfere with installation of taller rigid-anchor-mounted child seats. On affected 2021 Rangers, the rear lower child restraint anchorages also were not monitored closely enough during production, leaving anchor points that are not straight and horizontal. Either condition can keep the child seat from attaching as intended.
The warning sign is difficult installation of a tall rigid-anchor-mounted car seat. If the child seat does not sit flat or does not attach cleanly to the lower anchors, that is the problem Ford identified in NHTSA campaign 21V765.
Who's affected?
The child-seat latch anchor and rear-seat assembly components both involve the rear seat lower anchorage bracket.
| 2021 Ford Ranger | Vehicle latch anchor |
|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Ranger | seat assembly |
| 2020 Ford Ranger | Vehicle latch anchor |
| 2020 Ford Ranger | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 37,625 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly attached child seat increases the risk of injury in a crash. If a tall rigid-anchor car seat is hard to install, stop using that rear seating position until the dealer checks the anchor alignment and head restraint. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Ford Ranger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free rear-lower child-restraint-anchor inspection and removable head-restraint replacement that fixes the child-seat fit and attachment issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, or reference recall number 21V765 when you call.
- Avoid using a child seat in the affected rear Super Cab seats until the dealer completes the repair.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and mention Ford recall 21C24.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the rear lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjusts them if needed. The dealer also replaces the fixed rear head restraints with removable head restraints. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because warranty coverage provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| September 30, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 15, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 15, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 17, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V765?
Recall 21V765 covers 37,625 2020-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles with rear seats that have fixed head restraints. The head restraints and rear lower child restraint anchorages can interfere with proper child seat installation. Ford dealers will inspect the anchorages and replace the fixed head restraints for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ranger is included in recall 21V765. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for recall 21C24 or 21V765. The dealer will inspect the rear lower child restraint anchorages, adjust them if needed, and replace the fixed rear head restraints for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy states that dealers will perform this repair free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
An improperly attached child seat increases the risk of injury in a crash. This recall focuses on rear seat child restraint fitment in certain Ranger Super Cab vehicles. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and head restraint replacement before relying on that rear seating position for a child seat.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Ford did not mail you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your Ranger is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 21V765 or Ford recall 21C24.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V765000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V765 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V765000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →