2020 Ford Ranger: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 109 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.
2020- Owner complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 6
- 6 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 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 hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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 2020 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.
Soft, sinking brake pedal
1,242–11,000 miles
Unintended acceleration while braking
1,400–5,000 miles
Spark plug water intrusion misfires
20,000–50,000 miles
Transmission hard shifts and slipping
28,000–79,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Ford Ranger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission37No crashes
Hard, jarring shifts, slipping and delayed engagement in the 10-speed 10R80 automatic make up most of these reports. The truck hesitates for several seconds when pulling away from a stop, lurches when the gear finally catches, and sometimes revs without moving. Most reports put the onset between about 28,000 and 79,000 miles, and the problem gets worse over time. Dealers often call the behavior normal or change the fluid without fixing it. One dealer quoted over $7000 for a full replacement. Losing power while pulling into traffic creates a real risk of being rear-ended.
Electrical9No crashes
Electronic modules and warning messages fail in many different ways. Reported failures include a blank rearview camera screen, a failed APIM that blocks software updates, and an audio control module fault that leaves the interior lights on, drains the battery and cuts electrical power. Other reports describe a pre-collision sensor message that switches off cruise control, false trailer and door-ajar alerts, and a driver headlight that cuts in and out because of a faulty wiring harness. Several module failures appear between about 13,000 and 20,000 miles. Many of these cases were never repaired.
Brakes82 crashes
A soft, sinking brake pedal is the main complaint. Drivers describe long, inconsistent pedal travel that feels like air in the lines, with the pedal dropping close to the floor, often within the first few thousand miles. One dealer prescribed an ABS bleed procedure. Of 8 complaints, 2 involve crashes and 1 involves an injury. One crash was a rear-end collision after the pedal went soft. In the other, automatic emergency braking gave no warning. Other reports describe the engine revving or lurching forward during braking, and adaptive cruise releasing the brakes too close to slowing traffic.
Engine8No crashes
Misfires and sudden loss of power under load are the most common problems. Dealers trace them to water from rain or car washes getting into the spark plug wells because no engine cover was installed, which damages the coils and plugs. A service bulletin covers the fix: install the cover and replace the damaged parts. Owners report Ford only pays for it under warranty. These failures appear around 20,000 to 38,000 miles. Other complaints describe gasoline in the engine oil, a loss of power in cold weather with reduced-power warnings, and a rattle on acceleration that dealers call normal.
One of the 2 complaints is a fire. Smoke and then flames came from under the hood of a truck parked in a driveway, and it burned from front to rear before firefighters put it out. The other complaint describes repeated stalling with the check engine light on at about 50,000 miles. The dealer found coolant getting into the engine and damaging the spark plugs, and said an engine appearance shield needed to be installed. This matches the missing engine cover problem in other reports.
Acceleration and cruise control52 crashes
Unintended acceleration at low speed is the most serious pattern. Drivers report the truck surging forward at around 5 to 10 mph while the brakes fail to stop it, forcing them to switch off the engine or shift into park. Two of the 5 complaints involve crashes, with 3 injuries, including a truck that kept accelerating after hitting other vehicles. Separate reports describe a total loss of throttle response in cold weather, and cruise control that switches off without warning 15 to 45 seconds after being set.
Exterior lights5No crashes
Dead rear lights are the main problem. The driver-side taillight or both rear brake lights stop working while the high-mount brake light still works, and one driver was pulled over by police for having no working rear lights. Owners link the problem to a 2019 Ranger recall that named connector C442 as the cause, and one owner got the lights working again by reconnecting it. Parts stores say the taillight uses an electronic unit, not a simple bulb, and call it very expensive. Other reports cite headlights that dazzle oncoming drivers and a rear door that reads ajar and drains the battery.
Wipers and visibility5No crashes
Most of these reports are about heating and defrost failures. A failing blend door actuator clicks, sends air to the wrong vents, and keeps the cabin from holding a set temperature. When the heat fails, the defroster cannot clear the windshield, and drivers in severe cold report pulling over to scrape ice. Ford addressed the issue with special service messages rather than a recall, though owners note the 2019 model was recalled. One replacement actuator failed again within 1,000 miles. Another owner waited 3 months for a repair, and one dealer quoted $3500.
Seat belts5No crashes
Belts that will not fully retract are a recurring complaint, and dealers say Ford has no fix. Other reports describe a rear seat latch that lets the seatback fold forward under braking, which would make the belts and child seats useless. In another case, a front belt pulled free because the webbing was never threaded through its anchor. One belt retracted suddenly and wrapped around a child's neck. Some owners are also stuck waiting on recall 21V811000 because dealers cannot get the parts.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Ranger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Transmission jerking, lunging forward, hesitating, loss of power. Has been verified by Ford of Sioux City IA. Ford states they do not make parts for the transmission. They can only replace the entire transmission at a cost of over $7000.00. This truck has 28,000 miles on it. This all started after an automatic software update was done on the truck. This is dangerous as it could easily cause an accident including upto death.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
At about 40,000 miles truck started jumping and hesitating under 30mph and has now gotten worse and jumping and hesitating at 65mph had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find the problem they came up with driveshaft and pinion flange. It came from Detroit and I believe it is a problem with the transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
Exactly what is described in TSB 22-2025 and 21-2147. Ford did not put an engine cover on my truck, and water has intruded into the spark plug wells and corroded the equipment. Ford is refusing to fix the issue, as the NHTSA didn't include my VIN in the two previously issues TSBs about this.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
Rearview camera malfunction. Screen on rearview mirror goes from blue color to blank. The vehicle's air conditioning does not blow cold air. Stays at warm temperature. Cannot hear pump kick on for A/C.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Vehicle has 11000 miles on it When stopping brakes are soft and pedal can go lower than gas pedal. Have talked to other drivers w same problem w ford rangers. It will b $150 expense Ford dealer says abs bleed procedure will correct. To me this is a safety issue as my foot could I have the gas pedal when braking
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
How the 2020 compares with other Ranger years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks second for owner complaints among 7 Ranger years, about 1.5 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission3724
- Electrical99
- Brakes86
- Engine84
- Acceleration and cruise control52
- Exterior lights52
Where the 2020 fits in the Ranger's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the second model year of the Ranger's fourth generation (2019–2023).
Recalls to confirm (7)
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.
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.
21V765000SeatsSep 2021
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.".
Risk: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
20V575000Backup cameraSep 2020
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.".
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
20V197000TransmissionApr 2020
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
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2020 owner complaints, side by side
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