2019 Ford Ranger: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 237 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 237
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes reported
- 12
- 3 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Ford Ranger: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Ranger is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 Ford Ranger. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 22–23 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Ranger that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Climate housing, defroster failure
26,662–46,000 miles
Transmission hard shifting, slipping
50,000–75,570 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Ford Ranger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission763 crashes
The 10-speed transmission shifts hard, slips, hesitates, or skips second gear, sometimes cutting power while crossing traffic. Most reports begin between 50,000 and 75,570 miles, often just past the 60,000-mile warranty. Dealer software reflashes often fail, and some trucks need a full transmission replacement. Fuel also seeps into the engine oil and pushes the dipstick level up within the first 9,000 miles. Other reports describe rainwater soaking the ignition coils and stalling the engine at highway speed, and trucks rolling away while in Park. Three of the 76 complaints involve crashes.
Electrical321 crash
The climate system fails most often here. A blend door or actuator stops working, so the driver side blows hot air while the passenger side runs cold. Ticking behind the dash comes first. Dealers often say the truck is not covered by a recall and quote a full HVAC housing replacement. A loose rear connector can kill the rear lights, backup camera, parking sensors, and fuel pump all at once, which stalls the engine. Some infotainment screens freeze, and one truck burned while being flat towed.
Brakes132 crashes
The brake pedal travels too far, sinks toward the floor at a stop, or drops below the accelerator. Drivers end up pressing both pedals, and the truck lunges forward. Two crashes into walls and signs came from this, some in trucks with very few miles. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problem or call it normal. Some drivers have to pump a spongy pedal, and a few say only automatic emergency braking stopped the truck. Rear pads also wear unevenly, and rotors pit early.
Exterior lights11No crashes
Most of these complaints involve recall 19V-839, which covers a faulty connector that can knock out the brake lights, taillights, and rear turn signals. The repair parts were back-ordered for weeks, so many owners waited with an unrepaired truck. Some trucks passed the recall inspection and then lost every rear light at night. Other owners had the same symptoms but were told their VIN was not included. Intermittent rear blinker failure after 30 to 60 minutes of driving also shows up.
Engine11No crashes
Rainwater gets into the spark plug wells and cylinders and stalls the engine at highway speed, sometimes while towing. Several reports blame the missing upper engine cover. Dealers replace plugs, boots, and coils and then sell the cover separately. Oil leaking from the timing cover can foul the crank position sensor and shut the engine off at 65 mph. Power steering and braking aids go with it. Other complaints mention a gas smell after parking, stalling when shifting out of Park, and a check engine light that reprogramming does not cure.
Wipers and visibility11No crashes
The climate control housing fails, and the defroster stops clearing the windshield. Drivers hear clicking, popping, or a loud crack under the dash, and then the vents blow the wrong temperature or no heat at all. Failures cluster between 26,662 and 46,000 miles. Some drivers lost heat in freezing weather and had to wipe the glass by hand. Dealers typically diagnose a failed actuator, blend door, or distribution box, and many owners are told their VIN is not part of any recall.
Suspension10No crashes
The rear leaf springs crack and break at the front eye where the spring mounts to the frame. Sometimes both sides break. Many drivers notice nothing until a mechanic finds the break during an oil change, tire repair, or state inspection. Others hear a clunk or see the rear sit lower on one side. Failures occur with an empty bed and no towing, as early as about 21,000 miles. Owners are told there is no recall.
Seats8No crashes
Heated seats overheat, short circuit, and melt the cover and foam. One seat caught fire while the truck was moving, and another left the driver with severe burns. The rear seatback latch also fails to lock or takes extreme force to close. An unlatched seatback swings forward under hard braking. Owners cite a service bulletin and a redesigned latch part, with repairs quoted at several hundred dollars.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Ranger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I had expressed transmission issues with the service center for over a year. Paid for transmission servicing, reprogramming, and kept all maintenance up to date. All regular maintenance has been performed, and the truck has about 80% highway miles, and been cared for and never abused. Now, Ford is telling me, the entire transmission needs to be replaced, at a high cost, and the truck has about 80k miles on it.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
The transmission is shifting hard, delay in shifting, and slipping gears. All of this started when my vehicle reached 50,000 miles. Ford has issued a TSB for the issue, but refuses to cover the cost of repairs. Ford is reporting this issue in all 10R80 transmissions installed in several of their models.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
Vehicle presented a blind spot system fault warning and a cross traffic system fault. Immediately after this warning appears the vehicle ac/ heater shutdown, passengers seat belts light came up and radio got frozen. None of the ac/ heater controls worked. Blinkers appears to be advising that the were not working properly. Vehicle rums but everything else regarding de console stopped working.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
My tail lights just stopped working. I didn't know that they were out until someone behind me told me that they were out. I didn't have any collision, nothing like that. I called the Ford Dealership and they told me to bring it in so that they can see what the problem is. They have been having issues with tail lights just going out.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
The brake pedal at times goes almost to the floor. One time it traveled past the gas pedal and my foot engaged it causing it to lunge forward. Had there been a vehicle in the parking spot ahead of me, I would have hit it. I've taken it to the dealer but they claim this is a "normal characteristic for this vehicle". This is both an accident waiting to happen and a problem in need of a solution/recall.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2021
When applying brake you have to pump brakes, if going at a low speed you’ll only slow down about 20% if going 50mph or higher you have to pump brakes 2-3 times to get the mushyness to go away and start braking properly
Filed with NHTSA, September 2021
How the 2019 compares with other Ranger years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 7 Ranger years we cover, about 4.7 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission7618
- Electrical325
- Brakes135
- Exterior lights111
- Engine113
- Wipers and visibility111
Where the 2019 fits in the Ranger's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the Ranger's fourth generation (2019–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Ford fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (11)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V685000EquipmentOct 2025
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. 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 February 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.
25V572000Backup cameraSep 2025
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.
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.
Fix: 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 May 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.
25V442000Backup cameraJun 2025
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
23V379000EquipmentMay 2023
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.".
Risk: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
21V811000Seat beltsOct 2021
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.".
Risk: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
20V137000Wipers and visibilityMar 2020
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.
Risk: A resistive electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
19V839000Exterior lightsNov 2019
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
19V726000Wipers and visibilityOct 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may electrically short.
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
19V518000Seat beltsJul 2019
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.
Risk: Improperly assembled seat belts may not adequately restrain occupants in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
19V366000TransmissionMay 2019
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
19V071000TransmissionFeb 2019
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.".
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.
Fix: 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.
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