One problem related to engine exhaust system has been reported for the 2005 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Ranger based on all problems reported for the 2005 Ranger.
I was coming down off 57 in rush traffic when the car died unexpectedly. Completely shut off, no warning, and would not start again. Several tries, more gas, more shut offs,screaming horns and I got it to the gas station off the highway. It went to garage. Its exhaust valve, wires and plugs were changed. Died on drive off the garage. Went in, had more repairs. Died in parking lot. Had computer diagnostics. 172 and 174 were diagnosed-failure of computer in exhaust system and mass air valve control. Basically, the exhaust system failed and shut off the engine. One of the heads is also suspicious. Exhaust leaks are bad for the engine. All this, over $1,000 repairs, on top of transmission leak, two sets of brake pads and two sets of tires, in a truck between 39,000 - that is when it started- and 50,000 miles. In case you don't know this, right after the factory warranty expired, the truck fell apart. I found out that one person died of such failure in washington state and 2 were injured in oregon. All in Ranger truck. Truck is well serviced, tires are not worn at all, have less than 12,000 and it is a killer truck. Ford is not responsive to the fact that their truck is a lemon. Their service center: I brought it to yorba linda Ford dealer at 39,000 because the idle was rough, was told it was in my head and 12,000 later the idle is still dying, killing the engine.