Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Safety recall
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
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.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
68
Most reports here involve transmission slipping.
Read full complaint
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 safety hazard because an unexpected loss of power or unintended gear change can prevent the vehicle from accelerating when needed, such as when merging, passing, pulling into traffic, or avoiding a collision. The unpredictable behavior increases the risk of a crash and endangers both the driver and surrounding motorists. The vehicle was taken to Crossroads Ford of Indian Trail on 08/14/2026, where it was diagnosed with a failed or failing 10R80 automatic transmission. At the time, the vehicle had approximately 57,500 miles and was approximately 5 years and 7 months old, which is 7 months beyond the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty. I have maintained the vehicle according to Ford's recommended service schedule throughout my ownership. I am aware that Ford has issued prior service bulletins and customer satisfaction programs related to 10R80 transmission issues, including TSB 18-2274, 20-2339, 22-2139, 23-2250, and 24-2254, although I have not confirmed whether any of them directly apply to this VIN. I am filing this complaint because the symptoms I experienced—unexpected gear changes, hesitation, lurching, and sudden loss of power—present an immediate safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers on the road.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760265 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
19
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
Back up camera intermittently fails to operate giving a squiggly picture or a blank black screen. I have seen many articles involving the same issues with Ford Broncos and where recalls have been issued for those vehicles. When will the NTSB be calling for Ford to recall other vehicles models having the same issues?
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11727296 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
10
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11564662 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
7
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762237 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
7
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11715693 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
5
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
The Forward-Looking Camera located in the Rear View Mirror Assembly on a 2020 Ford Ranger has failed, and the replacement part is currently unavailable. Per Ford personnel, at least 96 Ford vehicles (as of 10/26/2021) are awaiting the replacement cameras, and Ford Service Personnel at the local Ford Dealership have indicated that "they have replaced a lot of these cameras". When this camera malfunctions, the vehicle LOSES 100% of FIVE (5) of its key Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): 1. Adaptive Cruise Control (there is NO cruise control whatsoever without this camera) 2. Forward Collision Warning 3. Automatic Emergency Braking 4. Lane Departure Warning 5. Lane Keeping Assistance This is a CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE with the vehicle. The ONLY safety features that work are the Blind Spot Detection in the Side Mirrors, and the Front and Rear Parking Sensors -- the latter of which are useless in high-speed highway driving. My camera failed on or about August 21, 2021, and I am still waiting for an update on when the part will be available. The car can be operated without the ADAS system, but its safety is significantly and materially degraded. The replacement of the camera is a simple operation, but the parts are not available, and no one at Ford knows when they will become available. There are two (2) warning alarms which are audible and visible on the dash when the camera fails. Both can be "accepted" via the "OK" button on the steering wheel. Each time the car is started, both alarms activate shortly after the car warms up.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11438288 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
11
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11733994 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 127 complaints on file, fewer than the 2019 (266) and more than the 2021 (114). Of the 9 model years of the Ford Ranger we cover, the 2019 has the most (266). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.