2020 Ford Ranger
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 266 |
| 2020 | 127 |
| 2021 | 114 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
38% of complaints: power train — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driveshaft.
Show complaint excerpts
I was traveling south on I-35 going up a long steep hill and my transmission started to hard shift and then I would lose power and when I would accelerate, I had no power it would just stall out so I merged to the right side in case I had to pull...
NHTSA ODI report, 20260811
The truck is currently at a certified ford dealer for diagnosis with a drive train fault. I suspect it is transmission-related, but was not given the history of all stored, pending and history of the codes.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260722
I previously submitted another complaint about a 2020 Ford Ranger I own (tracking number 11707667). I own a 2020 Ford Ranger and had to have the transmission replaced at 86k miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260713
13% of complaints: engine — 16 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Coolant intrusion defect that affects other 4 cyl ecoboost Ford engines occurred on this regularly serviced per Ford recommendations vehicle as well.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260729
Transmission replacement needed. Truck has been at dealership going on 3 months with continued delays. It was acknowledged cooperate was covering replacement now story changed that owner/myself having to pay $4000+. Cooperate covering $000 .
NHTSA ODI report, 20260714
The Ignition Coil and spark plug failed and caused the vehicle to misfire & lose power under load. The vehicle is available for inspection.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231101
9% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201121
Also filed under FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
6% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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.
Campaign 20V197000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V575000 — check if this car was fixed
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
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.
Remedy: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts.
Campaign 21V811000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21V765000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Bronco, 2023 Super Duty F-250, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles.
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.
Campaign 23V379000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 25V442000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 25V685000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (48 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V685000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V197000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V575000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V765000 (child seat, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V379000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V442000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Ranger have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.