RoadVitals

2019 Ford Ranger

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
267
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
11
Latest Oct 10, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 267 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Ford Ranger, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 140 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

11 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Oct 10, 2025
59,006 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
The risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25SA4View on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Sep 3, 2025
1,456,417 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S89View on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Jun 27, 2025
200,237 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S72View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Sep 22, 2026

Driver side rear leaf spring cracked at front mount. This happened with low mileage 20k and no towing or off-road driving. In town driving only.

NHTSA ID
11766034
Incident
Sep 22, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2026

My 2019 Ford Ranger with 10 speed transmission has been harsh shifting and will not always find the right gears. It will sometimes Surge forward or at other time not respond to acceleration. It has 100,000 miles. Never used it for towing or hawling heavy items.

NHTSA ID
11762203
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 3, 2026

My 2019 Ford Ranger, VIN 1FTER4FH2KLA63893, experienced a major transmission failure at approximately 35,000 miles. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership for diagnosis and was advised that the transmission required major repair/replacement, with an estimated cost approaching $9,000. I also obtained an independent transmission repair estimate of approximately $6,700–$7,000. Given the extremely low mileage and the repair cost relative to the vehicle’s value, repairing the truck no longer made financial sense. The transmission failure substantially reduced its trade value and is forcing me to replace a vehicle that I otherwise intended to keep. I estimate the resulting loss of equity at approximately $7,000, in addition to the financial impact of prematurely taking on another vehicle and associated financing. After the failure, I learned of ongoing litigation involving Ford’s 10R80 10-speed transmission, including allegations involving 2019 and 2020 Ford Rangers. I am reporting my experience so this failure is formally documented and can be considered in connection with any investigation, litigation, warranty extension, recall, or other potential remedy involving the 10R80 transmission.

NHTSA ID
11761924
Incident
Aug 31, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2026

The cooling fan clutch control wire is supported by a "wire support hose" between the engine block and the fan clutch. the cooling fan clutch control freely rotates on a raceway on the drive shaft. The purpose of the support hose is to prevent the fan clutch control from freely rotating, but allows the control a limited range of movement as the drive shaft changes speed with engine RPM. The idea is that this hose prevents undue stress on the control wire. Hose is normally a consumable part that may need replaced with age, heat, etc. The hose is not sold as a replacement part and can only be obtained by purchasing a new fan clutch. When the hose fails, the control wraps around the drive shaft causing damage to the fan clutch control and wiring requiring replacement. The circuit on which the fan clutch control sits is integrated with no less than 6 other critical vehicle systems including oil pressure. When the incident occurs, all these systems generate errors that put the vehicle into limp mode until repair can be made. The fan clutch control wiring support hose should be a bracket with a different mechanical linkage solution to support wire while allowing the necessary limited movement. This low-tech hose solution causes outsized damage when it fails, effectively disabling the vehicle which creates a safety concern and undue hardship from an unnecessarily cascading damage effect. Ford acknowledges this defect by redesigning this feature for 6G Rangers but will not proactively correct through manufacturer recall 5G Rangers. If Ford will not correct, I believe the NHTSA should get involved and force Ford's hand at addressing this repair.

NHTSA ID
11756686
Incident
Jul 29, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 5, 2026

Auto transmission is failing to shift when taking off from a stop or hesitating to shift to next year causing traffic behind me to get close to rear bumper.

NHTSA ID
11755076
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 25, 2026

1st I reported to Ford that when my truck was in park and off, it started rolling down a hill. I jumped in and stopped it. Ford said they see nothing and everything looks fine. Since then I use the emergency break every time. 2nd, you feel the transmission shifting hard. Jerks truck. Also, if you drive around 25 mph, the truck starts jerking like it cant make up its mind what gear to be in.

NHTSA ID
11752783
Incident
Jul 23, 2026
Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2026

Weak steel from connection point of rear leaf springs failed, leaving the springs unconnected at front eye of connection point

NHTSA ID
11752638
Incident
Jul 1, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 1, 2026

I was driving the vehicle, when I started to fell a " Shuddering " sensation on acceleration. I let off the gas pedal and the Shuddering went away. A few miles down the road the check engine light came on and was flashing. I immediately pulled and shut the vehicle off. After sitting for 10 minutes I restarted the vehicle and the check engine light was no longer on, but the " Shuddering " sensation was still present. I took it to Dupratt Ford in Auburn,Ca. and they diagnosed it as a Cylinder 1 mis-fire. Upon further inspection they found water in the Cylinder 1 spark plug well. After doing some research I found out the Ford issued TSB 23-2011for this exact issue, but did not order a recall to fix the faulty windshield cowl which is the problem. I found thousands of complaints and numerous Ranger owners who have had the exact same issue and had to pay out of pocket to get the issue and damaged fixed. Meanwhile Ford knew about the issue and did absolutely nothing, did not even alert the owners of the issue. I was lucky and did not have to replace the cylinder head, but others have not been so lucky. I had to pay over $1800 to have the mis-fire issue fixed and had to do my own preventative measures to seal the windshield cowl. I contacted Ford and they were only willing to reimburse me $725 dollars of my repair bill which was 100% their fault.

NHTSA ID
11747696
Incident
May 23, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

26L01

ENGINE

Customer Satisfaction Program 26L01 Certain 2018-2024 Model Year Various Vehicles 2.0L Panther Diesel Engine Timing Belt and Tensioner Interval Change

TSB 26-2359

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0420 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.

25B51

ENGINE

Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement

25N15 S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

25N17

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Ranger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026680—
20254013060.7
20248313058.5
2023184058.5
2022375056.6
20211146064.1
20201277162.7
2019Viewing26711058.9
2018000—
2017100—
2016100—
2015000—
2014100—
2013000—
2012000—
20112356053.5
20101569053.2
20091698052.4
20083266158.9
20072706159.9
200627112052.1
200528911362.3
200440412365.5
20032435160.5
20023467056.0
20015159263.3
20006708056.3
199975510056.2
199857611161.4
19974117261.3
19964138055.9
19953217157.9
199443811161.3
199323210264.6
19921896163.9
19911326467.5
19901055366.3
1989733163.0
1988892266.4
1987505471.3
1986355775.0
1985273167.6
1984128169.0
1983117057.4
1979100—
1978100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.