Supply chain issues and delays have plagued the release of the 2024 Ford Ranger. Despite being announced in the US last May, the vehicles did not reach dealer lots until April of this year. One of the main issues encountered was a cosmetic problem with the hood, which made it appear as though there was a dent. The launch team quickly worked to address this issue by making design changes and adding handling aids to support the hood during the manufacturing process.
However, it seems that the problems with the 2024 Ranger Raptor are far from over. According to a dealer bulletin reported by Cars Direct, order banks for the Ranger Raptor will be closing soon. The bulletin states that new retail orders for the 2024 Ranger Raptor will not be accepted after July 31st, 2024. This suggests that Ford may not be able to fulfill dealer allocations for the Ranger Raptor due to parts supply shortages.
The situation is not limited to the Ranger Raptor alone. Customers who custom ordered other Ranger models, such as the XLT and Lariat, have also faced significant delays. A thread on the Ranger6G forum called “Order Tracker Status” has received numerous replies from frustrated customers who have been waiting for their trucks for months or even a year. Some customers have even canceled their orders and purchased trucks from dealer inventory instead.
The shortage of Ranger Raptors is particularly noticeable, with only 500 units available out of roughly 8,000 Ranger trucks in inventory. This scarcity of supply is impacting Ford’s ability to fulfill customer orders. In the bulletin, Ford explains that the shortage of Ranger Raptors is playing a significant role in their ability to schedule customer orders.
Despite these challenges, the order banks for the 2024 Ranger XL, XLT, and Lariat will remain open. However, customers should be prepared for potential delays in delivery. It may be best to remain flexible with the expected delivery date and consider purchasing a Ranger from dealer inventory if time is a concern.
Overall, the release of the 2024 Ford Ranger has been marred by production issues and supply chain challenges. Ford is working to address these problems, but it is clear that there are still significant hurdles to overcome. Customers who have already placed orders may need to exercise patience or explore alternative options, such as purchasing from dealer inventory.