NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When plugged in, the leaked coolant may cause an electrical short circuit.
This page covers 9 recalls, 116 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Ford Ranger.
22 mpg combined
10.7 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain complaints dominate reports for the 2020 Ranger, with transmission behavior being the most consistent theme. Owners frequently describe hard shifting during both upshifts and downshifts, sudden jerking, loss of power, and the transmission entering limp mode, in several cases leading to full transmission replacement. Engine complaints come up less often but follow a recognizable pattern: a cylinder ignition coil failure, typically on cylinder one, where owners report the check engine light activating alongside noticeable vibration at highway speeds. Brake complaints round out the next tier, though the specific symptoms reported there are less uniform across the filings. A handful of owners also mention an intermittent backup camera producing a distorted or blank image, and at least one report describes a clicking noise from under the dash tied to the blend door with intermittent defrost dropout.
116
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Ford Ranger has 9 recalls, the most serious being a transmission shift cable that can detach or fail to seat properly, leaving the truck in a different gear than the shifter shows and allowing it to roll away unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.
Two child seat recalls affect Super Cab models: the rear seat anchor points may not be positioned correctly, and the fixed head restraints can block proper installation of taller child or booster seats with rigid connectors, meaning the seat may not hold in a crash. Also on Super Cab models, the front passenger seatbelt may have been misrouted during assembly and could fail to restrain an occupant properly. The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant, which may cause a short circuit and fire when the heater is plugged in. Rearview camera issues appear in two forms: a software fault can cause the camera to show a blank image, and a loose electrical connection can produce a blank or distorted image intermittently, both reducing visibility when reversing. There is also a label recall: the tire and loading information label on certain vehicles states an incorrect load capacity, which can lead to an overloaded truck.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine block heater can crack and leak coolant. When plugged in, the leaked coolant may cause an electrical short circuit.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the block heater at no cost, or install a blanking plug and remove the heater cord.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Tire and Loading Information label on your vehicle shows an incorrect weight limit, which could lead to overloading the vehicle.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you a replacement label to cover the old one, or you can visit a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have it installed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt may not be properly assembled, causing it to be routed incorrectly and potentially fail to protect occupants in a crash.
What the fix does
Ford will send inspection instructions. Dealers will inspect and replace front seat belts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lower anchor points for child car seats may be incorrectly positioned on the rear seat, and rear head restraints may block proper installation of taller child seats with rigid connectors.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace rear head restraints and inspect and repair the lower anchor system as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fixed head restraints may block proper child seat installation, and the lower rear anchors may not align correctly, preventing secure attachment of certain child seats.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and adjust the rear lower anchors for correct alignment, then replace the fixed head restraints with removable ones at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A poor electrical connection can cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image intermittently, limiting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shift cable may come loose, preventing the transmission from shifting when you move the gear shifter. This means the actual gear could differ from what the shifter shows, risking unexpected vehicle movement if you exit without the parking brake applied.
What the fix does
A Ford or Lincoln dealer will inspect and re-seat the shift cable locking clip as needed. Always apply the parking brake when parked until this repair is completed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, causing the transmission to operate in a different gear than what the driver selected.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
