Home · 2019 Ford Ranger · Complaints

What 260 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Ford Ranger

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (260)Crash / fire / injury (16)Transmission & drivetrain (88)Electrical system (39)Engine (26)Visibility & wipers (23)Brakes (19)Suspension (16)Lights (14)Speed control (12)Fuel system (9)Seats (9)

Newest first · 260 complaints · page 1 of 11

Jul 1, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The Ford 10R60 and 10R80 transmission has become a hazard on the road. Please see TSB 23-2250. My Ranger only has 43,000 miles on it and is dangerous to drive because of the stuttering and lunging of the transmission. Ford is perfectly aware of this situation but won't fix vehicles that are out of the 5 year warranty at no cost to the owner. No transmission should be faulty after only 43,000 miles. I am requesting that you please investigate this situation as I believe it should be a recall. - Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11747616

Jul 1, 2026Electrical systemEngine

I was driving the vehicle, when I started to fell a " Shuddering " sensation on acceleration. I let off the gas pedal and the Shuddering went away. A few miles down the road the check engine light came on and was flashing. I immediately pulled and shut the vehicle off. After sitting for 10 minutes I restarted the vehicle and the check engine light was no longer on, but the " Shuddering " sensation was still present. I took it to Dupratt Ford in Auburn,Ca. and they diagnosed it as a Cylinder 1 mis-fire. Upon further inspection they found water in the Cylinder 1 spark plug well. After doing some research I found out the Ford issued TSB 23-2011for this exact issue, but did not order a recall to fix the faulty windshield cowl which is the problem. I found thousands of complaints and numerous Ranger owners who have had the exact same issue and had to pay out of pocket to get the issue and damaged fixed. Meanwhile Ford knew about the issue and did absolutely nothing, did not even alert the owners of the issue. I was lucky and did not have to replace the cylinder head, but others have not been so lucky. I had to pay over $1800 to have the mis-fire issue fixed and had to do my own preventative measures to seal the windshield cowl. I contacted Ford and they were only willing to reimburse me $725 dollars of my repair bill which was 100% their fault.

NHTSA ODI 11747696

Jun 26, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission has issues not shifting gears and having loss of power when pulling out into intersections that are getting worse with time.

NHTSA ODI 11746830

Jun 22, 2026Suspension

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2019 Ford Ranger because I discovered what I believe to be a serious safety defect involving the rear leaf spring mounting system. My vehicle has approximately 55,000 miles and has been used primarily as a commuter vehicle for driving to and from work in the city. The truck is originally from Virginia and has very minimal rust exposure. While replacing my rear brake pads, I noticed that the area where the rear leaf spring connects to the body/frame of the truck had broken away and was no longer properly attached. This was completely unexpected. A critical suspension component such as the leaf spring mounting point should not fail on a relatively low-mileage vehicle with only 55,000 miles, especially one that has not been subjected to severe corrosion or extreme use. Had I not been performing brake maintenance myself, I likely would not have discovered this defect. I fear that many other Ford Ranger owners may be driving their vehicles unaware that they could be experiencing the same dangerous condition. A failure involving the leaf spring mounting system has the potential to affect vehicle stability, handling, braking, and overall control. This creates a significant safety risk not only for the driver and passengers of the affected vehicle, but also for everyone sharing the roadway. I respectfully urge your agency to investigate this issue and determine whether a broader defect exists involving the rear leaf spring mounting components on 2019 Ford Rangers. If warranted, I ask that Ford be required to issue a recall to inspect and repair affected vehicles before a catastrophic failure results in serious injury or loss of life. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your efforts to protect the safety of the driving public.

NHTSA ODI 11745640

Jun 10, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Hash Shifting and at times kicks into gear hard at a stop light nearly hitting vehicle in front of me

NHTSA ODI 11743330

May 18, 2026Tires

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger equipped with Dunlop Tires. Tire Line: AT2O, Tire Size : 265/65R17 110HI, DOT number DAAH D31R. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the passenger-side rear tire blew out. The thread separated and was on the roadway. The contact was able to continue to drive. The contact called a tire center, but they failed to respond. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The tire mileage was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738570

May 7, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

My 2019 Ford Ranger is equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission that experiences hard/erratic shifting (as if it can't decide what gear it wants to be in), jerking/lunging especially in 1-2 gear when making a brief stop-and-go (stop sign or a crosswalk). The first couple time it happened, it felt like I got rearended or hit a curb.

NHTSA ODI 11736221

May 2, 2026BrakesEngine

The brakes failed within hours of owning the Certified, WARRANTIED VEHICLE. ALMOST had an accident. Within <5 weeks of owning this warrantied certified vehicle, was stranded on Rine Ridge Indian Reservation and on the highway. Engine jerk so bad feels like I a derby car. Then just stalls. The dont comply with their own 172 point certified inspection. They claim two keys for specified vehicle. They gave me two 1 starts the vehicle the other errors no key in ignition when you insert into ignition. NOW I have to pay bills to get a warrantied certified vehicle repaired plus loaner car because Ford McKie k owing sold an Unsafe vehicle under deceptive pretense. Multiple engine and brake failures which was supposedly certified inspected.

NHTSA ODI 11735236

Apr 27, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Mileage is at 86980. I have been having issues for a good 10k miles that are slowly getting worse. Transmission is slamming into reverse from park. Shifting is slow from 1st to 2nd gear. Has begun revving engine but not engaging. I have had the transmission fluid changed 3x and flushed and changed the last time. No leakage or overheating. I do not drive her hard, off road or tow. She always gets warmed up before driving. My mechanic believes it is the PCM.

NHTSA ODI 11734116

Apr 26, 2026Suspension

Rear rear leaf spring broken/cracked completely and disconnected from vehicle. The vehicle was unsafe to drive as the axle was not not connected to the vehicle on one side. The defective component was inspected by Firestone Auto and submitted and approved by SilverRock automotive for warranty replacement and is currently at a Ford Dealership completing repairs because Firestone Auto failed to complete the repair properly. There were no warning lamps or messages and it the problem was only noticeable when the vehicle was on a lift or floor jack. The incident is unknown and it the broken part was poor design/materials.

NHTSA ODI 11733822

Apr 20, 2026Suspension

JULY 2024 THE RIGHT SIDE BACK LEAF SPRING WAS BROKEN. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. APRIL 2026 THE LEFT SIDE BACK LEAF SPRING IS BROKE. WAITING TO HEAR FROM FORD IF IT WILL BE COVERED OR NOT. LEAF SPRINGS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING. I DO NOT HAUL THINGS OR EVEN GO OFF ROAD WITH MY 2019 RANGER. IT HAS 74012.10 MILES ON IT NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11732372

Apr 17, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated, and the transmission was shifting hard. Additionally, the vehicle vibrated abnormally while shifting from 1st to 3rd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the TCM was reprogrammed, and various fluids were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 951.

NHTSA ODI 11731902

Apr 2, 2026SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

On friday, march 27th, 2026. My 2019 ford ranger began shaking before the engine stalled. Warning lights for an engine check came on and my vehicle would not go above 20 mph after restarting. When pressing on the accelerator the engine would rev but the vehicle would not accelerate. I took the 2019 ford Ranger to a local Ford Dealership service center and they diagnosed the following problems (listed in full below).The cooling fan was at issue and multiple wires connecting my engine to the rest of the vehicle were melted off. The ford dealership said that this issue is extremely rare and they have never seen it before. After receiving this information from the dealership I discovered that the 2019 ford ranger has had several recalls with the areas at issue in my vehicle. The recalls are under number 25V685000 (Engine block heater), and 20V137000 (Fan). Here is the full diagnosis from the ford dealership attached below: VERIFIED CUSTOMER CONCERN FOUND VEHICLE TO HAVE CEL LIGHT ON, AND MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS PERFORMED DIAG AND FOUND SHORT CIRCUIT PRESENT. TRACED SHORT FOUND COOLING FAN CLUTCH FAILED AND HARNESS RUBBING IN CLUCH ASSEMBLY FOR COOLING FAN The fan lowers the temperature of the engine. The cooling fan motor is an electric motor that turns the fan blades. When the vehicle is in traffic or under heavy load, the engine relies on the fan to cool itself. Some vehicles may use multiple electric fans for better control of the cooling system. For the most part, electric cooling fans are controlled by the same computer that controls the engine. However, in some engines, the fans are turned on and off by a temperature-sensitive switch mounted in either the radiator or elsewhere in the cooling system. Spark Plug Replacement 4 Cylinder: 4 Cyl Tune Up The platinum spark plug is a type of spark plug. The platinum is a precious metal that is used in the composition of the spark plug. The center electrode is made of platinum.

NHTSA ODI 11728932

Mar 24, 2026Electrical systemAirbagsSeat belts

Restraints indicator lamp warning. Air bag warning is on due to a problem with the front passenger side airbag. The front passenger airbag may not function.

NHTSA ODI 11726607

Mar 23, 2026Suspension

both rear springs broken at the front eye mounts. the rear leaf springs hold the rear axle in place need I EXPLAIN MORE? I have not had the truck inspected, I have been in the automotive industry for over forty years. I first heard a noise from the springs when entering a parking lot and drove over a curb. No electronics attached to the springs.

NHTSA ODI 11726465

Mar 17, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission failed prematurely (my point-of-view) at around 115,000 miles. A Ford dealer diagnosed and determined the transmission needed replaced. The vehicle was a 2019 Ford Ranger XL with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The transmission would get stuck in 2 gear, sometimes upshifting and sometimes downshifting. Driving highway speeds the speed needle would also drop to zero even though I was moving. They noted that solenoids were bad but replacement was needed. I had the transmission replaced with a new warrantied transmission but it was very expensive at 9,650. It did come with a 2-year warranty. That is half the value of the truck! This is the fourth Ford truck I have owned. I do use it as a truck and haul a few things around as projects dictate but do little towing, drive it reasonably, and do not take it off-roading. I have never had a transmission fail before. The Ford dealer, and three area shops, noted they see "a lot of 10-speeds" come in for transmission rebuild or replacement. As a now review many Ford forums I see many people with issues surrounding the durability of the 10-speed transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11724978

Mar 14, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

Since owning the vehicle, I have experienced a range of serious transmission issues. These include harsh or delayed gear shifts, inconsistent downshifts, and transmission slipping. The vehicle also frequently jerks or lurches during gear changes. Of particular concern is the vehicle’s behavior during downshifting. At times, the transmission downshifts abruptly and causes the vehicle to lunge forward unexpectedly. This unpredictable behavior presents a significant safety concern, particularly in traffic situations where smooth and predictable vehicle response is essential. These transmission issues negatively affect the safety, drivability, and reliability of the vehicle and are not consistent with normal operation.

NHTSA ODI 11724320

Mar 13, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

My transmission has failed at 131,000 miles on my vehicle. It roughly shifts into reverse and harshly shifts while in drive and the vehicle is in motion. My truck shakes while the transmission searches for gears and shifts slowly requiring extra power to move in normal operating conditions.

NHTSA ODI 11724035

Mar 12, 2026AirbagsSeat beltsCrash3 injuries

Airbags: passenger rear and front side airbags did not deploy after being struck on the passenger side by another vehicle. Seatbelts: were ineffective Vehicle was sold due to system failures and equipment issues. Safety: Head and body trauma due to non deployment. Inspection: Unknown No system messages before collision

NHTSA ODI 11723752

Mar 10, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

10th gear, gear ratio incorrect. CDF drum failure. Rough shifts from 3-4 struggles to shifts into park and reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11723225

Mar 9, 2026Suspension

Vehicle has around 50K miles and driver rear leaf spring corroded and broke, review of right rear leaf spring also showed corrosion and metal thinning. Truck has no off road time nor heavy loads in bed. I had to replce both springs at my cost even though Ford is aware of the 2019-2020 Ranger spring issues and refused to replace the springs. This is a serious safety issue that places the occupants and other drivers at risk. The mechanic said he’s replaced over a dozen broken leaf springs on model years 2019 and 2020. The manufacturer is being intentionally negligent and even the dealer parts counter agreed the springs are faulty, saying they sell quite a few regularly.

NHTSA ODI 11723121

Feb 24, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngine

My truck experienced a P0302 misfire on the freeway, which caused it to shake immediately and made it very difficult to drive. I had it towed to the dealership, and they told me there was water in the spark‑plug wells, which was surprising since I live in Las Vegas, NV, where it rarely rains. My spark plugs were rusted as well as the cylinder head. After looking into it online, I discovered that Ford issued TSB‑23‑2011 for the Ford Ranger due to a windshield cowl leak that allows water to drip directly onto the engine. Their proposed fix is to install an engine cover, but that clearly doesn’t solve the issue since my truck already has the engine cover installed. Now I’m stuck paying for repairs caused by a design flaw that Ford never properly addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11720076

Feb 23, 2026

he 2019 Ford Ranger the VIN [XXX] , the driver’s side AC only blows hot due to the climate control issue addressed in Fords service bulletin SSM 51313. This is a known issue with the early production model of the Ranger, hence the service bulletin SSM 51313. It is my belief that faulty parts were used on the early model Rangers and instead of a recall or extending the warranty on this issue only issued a service bulletin was put out. I am writing to have the Ford MOCO issue the proper recall or cover repairs under and extended warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11719853

Jan 27, 2026Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistance

The vehicle is experiencing a severe power train failure involving erratic and violent gear selection. The transmission unexpectedly jumps from 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear directly up to 7th or 8th gear, resulting in a total loss of acceleration. This is immediately followed by the transmission "slamming" down into lower gears, usually 1st or 2nd gear without driver input. This behavior is accompanied by a strong burning smell and a dashboard "wrench" warning light. The symptoms match the manufacturing defect documented in Ford TSB 24-2101 (CDF clutch drum). Diagnosis & Manufacturer Response: The issue began in October 2025 with a noticeable transmission shudder. I paid for two transmission flushes at Big O Tires to attempt to resolve the issue, but the mechanical failure has since escalated. When the "wrench" light appeared, an independent diagnostic computer was unable to retrieve an error code, as the light is a proprietary Ford powertrain indicator. Furthermore, the wrench light clears upon restarting the vehicle, despite the violent shifting and burning smell remaining. Ford Corporate agents claim there are "no known issues" and have refused to assist with towing, despite an active NHTSA Engineering Analysis (PE 24-001) regarding this exact 10R80 transmission. Safety Risk: This defect creates an extreme safety hazard. Violent downshifting into low gears at highway speeds can cause a loss of vehicle control or a rear-end collision. The burning smell indicates internal friction and fluid oxidation, posing an immediate fire risk or the potential for a catastrophic mechanical lock-up.

NHTSA ODI 11713793

Jan 9, 2026Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission stutters at sustained modest speed (25-45 mph). It was taken to the dealer, who determined it was affected by tsb 25-2134. This is a widely known issue and the dealer refused any servicing without payment. This should have been a recall, since hundreds of known issues in and out of warranty have occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11709896

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Working with the data? Download all 260 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Ford Ranger verdict →