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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2020 Ford Ranger

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

Owners have filed 128 safety complaints about the 2020 Ford Ranger with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 48 complaints, 38% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 20,000 miles, the median across the 33 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

128 complaints on file

128

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

1

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.

Complaints rose 36% year on year: 30 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 22 in the twelve before.

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. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 48 · 38%
ENGINE 16 · 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 · 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 7 · 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 · 5%
SEAT BELTS 6 · 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 · 5%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 5 · 4%
STRUCTURE 5 · 4%
SUSPENSION 5 · 4%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 128.

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 32.

36 27 18 9
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 2020 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 2020 Ford RANGER, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test Super Cab PU/EC 2WD Super Cab PU/EC 4WD 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

7 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: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

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

21V765000 · September 30, 2021

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Ranger Super Cab vehicles equipped with rear seats containing fixed head restraints. The fixed head restraints may interfere with proper installation of certain types of child seats. Additionally, the child seat may not attach properly to the lower-rear anchors. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
The risk
An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C24.

Ford Motor Company · up to 37,625 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

20V575000 · September 23, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

Ford Motor Company · up to 620,246 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

20V197000 · April 3, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
The risk
If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.

Ford Motor Company · up to 55,158 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

RQ21002

Still open recall query · opened August 3, 2021

back-over prevention

On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with NHTSA to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V-575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov: 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 injured · crash · towed · 38,000 miles

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at 5-10 MPH downhill onto a leveled road and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal but it failed to respond. The vehicle crashed into two vehicles. However, the vehicle continued to accelerate unintendedly. The contact then purposely crashed into a tree on the side of the road in other to stop the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a Split lip, soreness all over the body, swollen eye, and a swollen face. Additionally, the

NHTSA complaint 11468410, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 2,400 miles

WE WERE HEADING EAST ON A CITY STREET WHEN WE CAME TO AN INTERSECTION. THE LIGHT WAS GREEN SO WE CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR HEADING WEST ON THE SAME STREET AND TURNED LEFT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US AT THE INTERSECTION. WE WERE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. WE COULD NOT AVOID THE CAR THAT TURNED IN FRONT OF US. WE HIT THE SIDE OF THE SECOND VEHICLE (THE ONE TURNING SOUTH) HEAD ON WITH OUR VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE FIREMAN AND SHERIFF ON THE SEEN COMMENTED ON THE FACT THAT OUR AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. ALSO AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE HEAD MECHANIC WAS SHOCKED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OUR

NHTSA complaint 11360875, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash

On 04-07-2021 I was traveling West on Florida S.R. 60 / US 301; WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS STOPPING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND FAILED TO STOP IN TIME; HITTING THE REAR END OF THE AUTO IN FRONT OF ME. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY TO STOP. I FEEL (FELT) LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN APPLIED FELT LIKE AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE PETAL ALMOST WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEIR WAS ONLY ABOUT 3130 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS INVIDENT. I STILL FEEL THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AND HAD THEM CHECKED BY THE DEALER ON 08-20-2021 WHERE THEY PERFORMED A BRAKE INSPECTION AND THE PADS AND ROTOR WERE MEASURED. UPON THE FILING OF THIS REPORT I

NHTSA complaint 11431344, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

fire · towed · 24,500 miles

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that his wife had parked the vehicle in the residence driveway and was bringing purchases into the residence when she returned to the vehicle she observed that gray smoke was being emitted from under the hood. The contact came out to the driveway, observed the smoke, and saw that flames were coming from the driver's and passenger side of the hood. The contact stated that the fire department was called but when they arrived the vehicle was engulfed from the front to the rear. The contact stated that the fire department extinguished the flames using water and chemicals. The contact stated that the fire department had written an incident

NHTSA complaint 11649542, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
I own a 2020 Ford Ranger equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, with approximately 50,000 miles. The HVAC system has developed a failure that prevents the driver’s side from producing adequate heat. When both temperature controls are set to maximum heat and MAX defrost is selected, the driver’s side produces cold air with significantly reduced airflow compared with the passenger side, which produces hot air with strong airflow. I have tested the dashboard vents, floor vents and windshield defroster. The driver’s side consistently produces colder air and reduced airflow in all three modes. Previously, I heard repeated clicking or knocking noises from behind the dashboard. The

NHTSA complaint 11767561, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Left rear leaf spring broke at the axel. When left the house truck was acting funny. Crossed a RR track and the truck became eratic/hard to steer. Pulled into shop across the street. They inspected the truck and found the broken spring. No rust, just a clean break.

NHTSA complaint 11762237. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
While driving my 2020 Ford Ranger, the transmission has repeatedly exhibited unexpected and unintended gear changes, including sudden downshifts or gear changes without driver input, hesitation, and abrupt loss of power during acceleration. These problems have occurred during highway merging, pulling into traffic, and city driving. On 08/14/2026, while accelerating to pull into traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power, creating a hazardous situation as vehicles approached from behind. I have also experienced instances in which the transmission unexpectedly shifted or hesitated without warning, causing the vehicle to lurch or slow unpredictably in traffic. This condition creates a serious

NHTSA complaint 11760265, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I was traveling south on I-35 going up a long steep hill and my transmission started to hard shift and then I would lose power and when I would accelerate, I had no power it would just stall out so I merged to the right side in case I had to pull over because I thought the engine had died. When I reached my destination, I looked under my truck to discover fluid on the under carriage at that point I knew the transmission had blown a seal or a high-pressure hose. So, I left the truck there and the next day had it towed back to my house. There were times I had slowed down so much that traffic almost hit me.

NHTSA complaint 11756209. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
1. Transmission is going out dealership never said a word about the 6 recalls on it one being transmission 2. Front seat belts are in backwards and the child safety hook in back seat has a recall on it that the 3 of the 6 I know of Ford had told alm to replace the entire transmission before they ever sold it they did not do that they didn't take care of any of the recalls

NHTSA complaint 11756331. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Coolant intrusion defect that affects other 4 cyl ecoboost Ford engines occurred on this regularly serviced per Ford recommendations vehicle as well. Engine failure at highway speeds could cause a severe accident as the engine can seize when coolant mixes with the oil. The vehicle has been inspected by a Ford dealership. The only warning sign that there was a problem was a coolant temperature threshold exceeded warning.

NHTSA complaint 11753512. 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 —
2019 268 11 —
2011 235 5 —
2010 156 8 —

Other 2020 Ford models

Escape 1,602 Explorer 1,223 F-150 730 Expedition 417 Ecosport 398 Edge 318 Escape Hybrid 288 F-250 SD 263

Complaints on file, same model year.

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