CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2019 Ford Ranger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 268 safety complaints about the 2019 Ford Ranger with the US government. Of those, 13 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 11 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 92 complaints, 34% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 19,500 miles, the median across the 99 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

268 complaints on file

268

Complaints

13

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

6

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 92 · 34%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34 · 13%
ENGINE 27 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 19 · 7%
SUSPENSION 18 · 7%
VISIBILITY 16 · 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 14 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 3%
SEATS 9 · 3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 9 · 3%
0 38 77

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 268.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 58.

64 48 32 16
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Ford RANGER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test Super Cab PU/EC 4x2 Super Cab PU/EC 4x4 Super Crew PU/CC 2WD Super Crew PU/CC 4WD
Overall Not rated Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated Not rated
Side crash Not rated Not rated
Side barrier Not rated Not rated
Side pole Not rated Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 29.2% 25.6% 29.2% 25.6%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

11 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

25V685000 · October 10, 2025

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 Company · up to 59,006 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

25V572000 · September 4, 2025

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 Company · up to 1,456,417 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

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 Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

23V379000 · May 26, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles. The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk
An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.

Ford Motor Company · up to 29,607 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

21V811000 · October 15, 2021

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Ford Ranger Super Cab vehicles. The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The risk
A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C25.

Ford Motor Company · up to 47,683 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

20V137000 · March 9, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles previously repaired under recall 19V-726. The service replacement Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor that was installed may have an improper clearance between an electrical terminal and the conductive base plate that may result in an resistive electrical short.
The risk
A resistive electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the HVAC blower motor, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S12.

Ford Motor Company · up to 5,384 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

19V839000 · November 21, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger trucks. The inline electrical connector terminals for the rear lights may be misaligned or not properly seated, potentially causing the rear lights to function intermittently or not at all.
The risk
Intermittent or inoperative tail lamps can result in loss of stop, turn, rear position, and reverse lamp functions, which reduces the vehicle's visibility and may not fully alert other drivers that the vehicle is braking, turning, or reversing, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inline connector for loose terminals and replace the connectors, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2020. A renotification was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S43.

Ford Motor Company · up to 72,718 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

19V726000 · October 10, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may electrically short.
The risk
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HVAC blower motor production date, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S34.

Ford Motor Company · up to 17,965 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

19V518000 · July 10, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Ranger vehicles with a SuperCab body style. The front passenger seat belt may have been improperly assembled.
The risk
Improperly assembled seat belts may not adequately restrain occupants in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S23.

Ford Motor Company · up to 7,579 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

19V366000 · May 13, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The fasteners that attach the transmission shifter cable bracket to the transmission may loosen allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
The risk
If the gear shift lever position does not match the actual transmission gear, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of crash or injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the transmission shift cable bracket fasteners as necessary, and verify the proper transmission shift operation, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S15.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,534 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

19V071000 · February 1, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. In some of these vehicles, the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without the key in the starting system and without depressing the brake pedal. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
The risk
If the vehicle can be shifted out of Park without the brake applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move. Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the transmission floor shift selector interlock assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,992 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash

Airbags: passenger rear and front side airbags did not deploy after being struck on the passenger side by another vehicle. Seatbelts: were ineffective Vehicle was sold due to system failures and equipment issues. Safety: Head and body trauma due to non deployment. Inspection: Unknown No system messages before collision

NHTSA complaint 11723752. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

1 injured · fire

As I was driving down the road I began I started to smell something unusual - in a way it smelled like burning plastic and/or anti-freeze. I then began to feel quite a bit more heat than usual on my lower back, so much I knew something was wrong. I pulled my truck over, got out and as soon as I got out my heated seat started producing smoke where I believe the main heated seat coil is. Within seconds a flame burst out from the seat. I luckily had a drink in my cup holder that I reached over to grab & pour out on the flame. It kept smoking after I dumped the liquid on it. I then grabbed a water bottle from my back seat & was able to put the fire out completely. In conclusion, my 2019 Ford

NHTSA complaint 11484582, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · crash · 9,800 miles

LEASED THE RANGER IN OCTOBER OF 2019. FROM THEN UNTIL NOW THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 6 INSTANCES WHERE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER HAS BEEN PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE TRUCK HAS FREELY ROLLED AWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHILE PARKED ON A BUSY STREET, IN A CROWDED PARKING GARAGE IN DENVER, AND A COUPLE OF OTHER PLACES. I'VE BEEN LUCKY EACH TIME IT ROLLED AWAY IN AN AREA CROWDED WITH PEDESTRIANS OR TRAFFIC HEAVY BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND JUMP BACK IN AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WITHOUT SOMEONE GETTING RUN OVER. IN THE PARKING GARAGE A FRIEND OF MINE WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BETWEEN THE TRUCK AND A CONCRETE WALL IF SHE HAD BEEN JUST ONE SECOND SLOWER WALKING AROUND THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint 11320829, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

1 injured · 40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the heated seat overheated to the point where the contact received severe burns along the back down to the back of the legs. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA complaint 11492858. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
Defective heat/ac blend box assembly. No heat or, more importantly, windshield defroster. Appears to be a common issue on this vehicle model.

NHTSA complaint 11767201. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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 complaint 11766034. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 complaint 11762203. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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

NHTSA complaint 11761924, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11756686, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 complaint 11755076. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Ranger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 6 8 —
2025 42 13 —
2024 84 13 —
2023 18 4 —
2022 37 5 —
2021 116 6 —
2020 128 7 —
2011 235 5 —
2010 156 8 —

Other 2019 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst