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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

What owners actually said

127 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

I jumped in the truck to run an errand, started the engine, rolled down the windows and got a faint whiff of gasoline. Checked the back seat to see if I had thrown rag or something, didn't see anything and started to pull down my driveway (about 250ft - gravel - rural area). The gas smell quickly became very strong. I stopped…

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I jumped in the truck to run an errand, started the engine, rolled down the windows and got a faint whiff of gasoline. Checked the back seat to see if I had thrown rag or something, didn't see anything and started to pull down my driveway (about 250ft - gravel - rural area). The gas smell quickly became very strong. I stopped at the end of the driveway, got out of the truck to inspect what the issue might be. It was RAINING gasoline under my truck. Quickly turned off ignition (which stopped the gas pouring out). Had it towed to the dealer to get it fixed. Diagnosis was that a rodent (squirrel) had chewed through the gas line somewhere. Lucky for me it was a hot summer day (open window), otherwise I may have driven down the road until a fireball erupted. Kind of stunned that the fuel line is so insanely VULNERABLE. What would it cost to harden the gas line (a metal casing) - an extra $50 per vehicle. This needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI #11478004

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 · May 12, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed ControlCrash

On two separate instances the truck accelerated on it own and the brakes were used but didn't stop the vehicle had to turn the key off and the second of these two incidences the truck hit a wall and kept accelerating digging the ground up

NHTSA ODI #11464340

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2022
Electrical System

There was a alert saying my trailer was hooked my trailer was unhooked.on displace screen.when in fact my trailer was never hook to my truck.loss of power

NHTSA ODI #11448702

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2021
Seat Belts

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V811000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…

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The contact owns a 2020 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V811000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA ODI #11440517

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I checked oil level on Nov 9 2021. Oil level was clearly past the "Full" mark on dip stick and smelled of un burnt fuel. Took to dealer same day. Got truck back on Nov 12 2021. Dealer says no fuel in oil bit couldn't explain why the oil level had risen past "full" mark. Clearly they lied. I had dealer do an oil change. Will send…

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I checked oil level on Nov 9 2021. Oil level was clearly past the "Full" mark on dip stick and smelled of un burnt fuel. Took to dealer same day. Got truck back on Nov 12 2021. Dealer says no fuel in oil bit couldn't explain why the oil level had risen past "full" mark. Clearly they lied. I had dealer do an oil change. Will send sample out next time. Checked today, Nov 15 2021. Smells like fuel still. Cause: unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11440467

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Unknown Or Other

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 t…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11438288

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I was in the driveway of my home. My family had entered and closed the front passenger door and opened the rear driver door. I opened and then closed the driver front door which caused the rear window with the glass sider to completely shatter. The vehicle had at the time 9,686 miles on it. It had no damage visible prior to this…

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I was in the driveway of my home. My family had entered and closed the front passenger door and opened the rear driver door. I opened and then closed the driver front door which caused the rear window with the glass sider to completely shatter. The vehicle had at the time 9,686 miles on it. It had no damage visible prior to this and there were no signs of any vandalism or other activity that would have caused this situation to occur. No vehicle alarm was activated either that would have indicated forced entry. In addition to our personal security system on our property providing no indication of such. This window should not have shattered. The cost to replace this window is $985 plus installation by a glass repair company. I contacted Ford Customer Care and was referred to a dealership service center to get the vehicle inspected, file a claim and then be referred to a glass shop. After contacting a couple of dealerships, was able to clear away glass to safely drive this vehicle to a third dealership to complete this process. Shattered, tempered glass from a rear window is difficult to clear and sharp. I then learned I was denied the claim of coverage under warranty because there are no other complaints regarding glass breakage. I am lodging this complaint with a relevant third party to ensure this is not true and if others have this issue of a defective window, they are not denied a true and substantial claim as I was. I will be attempting to use the coverage the dealership I bought the vehicle from to cover the cost of this repair. I don't believe this is an insurance claim. It is defective equipment from Ford on a new vehicle. It's a statement on how Ford backs the quality of their vehicles. I will be considering my vehicle purchases going forward.

NHTSA ODI #11433806

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other

On several occasions in the last three weeks, I've felt severe shaking--almost as if the truck was heaving at virtually any speed. This has occurred on surface streets and freeways. Over the weekend, it occurred so frequently that my wife and I abandoned an out of town trip for fear the transmission was about to fail completely.…

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On several occasions in the last three weeks, I've felt severe shaking--almost as if the truck was heaving at virtually any speed. This has occurred on surface streets and freeways. Over the weekend, it occurred so frequently that my wife and I abandoned an out of town trip for fear the transmission was about to fail completely.

NHTSA ODI #11427712

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.