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2020 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 94 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2025
EngineService Brakes

On more than one occasion but still infrequently, I have been coming to a stop and while braking, the engine revs and lurches forward while I'm attempting to stop. It is rare that it happens but it is very scary when it does happen. No warning lights appear. I have submitted a request to the dealer who sold us the truck. But it …

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On more than one occasion but still infrequently, I have been coming to a stop and while braking, the engine revs and lurches forward while I'm attempting to stop. It is rare that it happens but it is very scary when it does happen. No warning lights appear. I have submitted a request to the dealer who sold us the truck. But it happens to infrequently that it would be difficult to reproduced by a dealer. It has happened approximately 5 times since purchasing the vehicle in December 2020. Approximate date of most recent event below.

NHTSA ODI #11675521

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Service Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI #11564662

38,000 miles · Jun 9, 2022
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 peda…

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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 contact sustained depression and emotional trauma as he was confused, ridiculed, and verbally abused by bystanders who thought he intentionally caused the accident. The contact was also detained by a police patrol and released after an hour. The contact did not seek medical assistance. Two occupants of the two vehicles the contact crashed into sustained unknown injuries. There was no further information provided. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard where it was totaled. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11468410

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2021
Service BrakesCrashInjury

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 I…

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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 STILL DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE NOR SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE ISSUE. ALSO MY FRONT DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AUTO BODY MANAGER SAID WHEN I ASKED AS TO WHY; THAT THE SENSOR PERHAPS WAS NOT HIT STRAIGHT ON TO MAKE IT DEPLOY. I WILL FOLLW UP ON AN ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT ON THE AIR BAG ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11431344

1,242 miles · Jul 13, 2021
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, he had to depress the brake pedal to the floor to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he had experienced the failure on two different occasions. The contact called the local dealer and the dealer wa…

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, he had to depress the brake pedal to the floor to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he had experienced the failure on two different occasions. The contact called the local dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,242.

NHTSA ODI #11424628

1,400 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD UNINTENDEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM CONTINUING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO J…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD UNINTENDEDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM CONTINUING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO JACK KAIN FORD INC. (3405 LEXINGTON RD, VERSAILLES, KY 403830) THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,400.

NHTSA ODI #11390045

23 miles · Dec 24, 2020
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS LONG, SOFT AND INCONSISTENT. FEELS LIKE AS IF THERE IS AIR IN THE LINE.

NHTSA ODI #11384831

2,250 miles · Nov 21, 2020
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash

OUR NEW 2020 FORD RANGER XLT LISTED A FEATURE CALL PRE-COLLISION ASSIST W/AEB. THE TRUCK DID NOT GIVE A WARNING NOR DID IT APPLY THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY. NOTHING OCCURRED BEFORE WE RAN INTO THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN-FRONT OF US. THE CAR AHEAD WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WE RAN INTO THE REAR END AT ABOUT 20 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11375688

63 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Service Brakes

THE ADAPTIVE CURISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK LIKE OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE IT KEEPS THE PROPER DISTANCE BETWEEN CARS UNTIL THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN AND THEN WHEN THERE IS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IT RELEASES THE BRAKES MAKING YOU HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT. MY OTHER VEHICLES S…

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THE ADAPTIVE CURISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK LIKE OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE IT KEEPS THE PROPER DISTANCE BETWEEN CARS UNTIL THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN AND THEN WHEN THERE IS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IT RELEASES THE BRAKES MAKING YOU HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT. MY OTHER VEHICLES STOP AND KEEP THE PROPER DISTANCE. FORD DEALER FIRST SAID THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD WORK BUT AFTER TALKING TO FORD THEY SAY THATS THE WAY IT WORKS. SEEMS LIKE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE I ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION THE FIRST DAY I GOT THE TRUCK

NHTSA ODI #11363226

Official recalls

7

25V685000 · Equipment:electrical:engine Block Heater

Oct 10, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:software

Jun 27, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

23V379000 · Equipment:other:labels

May 26, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

21V811000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Oct 15, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

21V765000 · Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor; Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Sep 30, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor

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."

Consequence: 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.

Seats:mid/rear Assembly

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."

Consequence: 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.

20V575000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 23, 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V197000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Apr 3, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ21002 · Rearview Camera Fmvss 111 Noncompliance

Opened Aug 3, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

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.