Ranger (4th)
Verdict Buy on the ten-speed automatic; favor a 2021 to 2023 truck that shifts cleanly with all three transmission recalls closed, and be wary of an unaddressed 2019.
Data covers 5 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
TIVCT
2.3L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Ford Ranger Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The 2019-2023 Ranger's reliability story starts and ends with its transmission. Of 569 complaints across the generation, 222 name the ten-speed automatic, more than a third of everything owners reported, and Ford recalled the powertrain three separate times over the same span. This is the fourth-generation Ranger's defining weakness, and it sits in the one component a truck buyer most needs to trust.
The ten-speed unit, shared with the F-150, draws complaints for harsh and unpredictable shifts, and the recall record backs the pattern up. A 2019 campaign covered trucks whose ten-speed could behave unexpectedly, a second addressed shifter-cable-bracket fasteners, and a 2020 action reached both Ranger and F-150 with the same transmission family. When owner complaints and a manufacturer's own recalls point at the same component three times over, the signal is hard to argue with. The lone 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the only engine offered this generation, is not itself the trouble spot. It draws 71 engine complaints, well behind the gearbox it feeds, and returns the fuel economy and low-end torque that made it a sensible match for a midsize truck.
Below the transmission, the complaint spread thins out. Electrical issues account for 71 reports, brakes for 50, and the driver-assistance systems for 50, the ordinary background for a modern pickup. The wider recall list is busy at eighteen campaigns and touches rearview cameras three times, forward visibility three times, and seat belts twice. Seven fire reports and 121 injuries appear across the generation, the injury figure high enough to note even though no death is recorded against these trucks.
The 2019 launch year, marking the Ranger's return to the American market after nearly a decade away, carries the heaviest recall load, including two of the three transmission campaigns. That early-build concentration is a familiar pattern for a freshly reintroduced model, and the 2021 through 2023 trucks benefit from Ford's running changes, though the ten-speed's fundamental behavior spans the whole generation. A used shopper is better served hunting a later build with a documented service history than chasing the lowest-mileage 2019 on the lot.
The Ranger's lone engine is chained to a transmission owners complain about more than anything else on the truck. A buyer who finds a well-sorted example, one whose ten-speed shifts cleanly and whose powertrain recalls are closed, gets a capable midsize pickup. One who does not is buying straight into the generation's central grievance.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Ranger, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
There is one engine and one transmission across the 2019-2023 run, so the shopping decision comes down to individual truck condition and completed recalls, not powertrain choice. Be wary of unaddressed 2019 trucks in particular, since the launch year carries the bulk of the powertrain recalls. Confirm all three transmission-related campaigns were performed on any candidate.
Put every prospect through a thorough transmission test. Drive it long enough to reach highway speed and back several times, and feel for the harsh, hunting, or delayed shifts that dominate the complaint file on the ten-speed automatic. Confirm the rearview camera works after its recall fixes, check the seat-belt campaigns were closed, and watch for electrical faults during the drive. An inspection before buying that includes a transmission-fluid condition check is worth the money here.
The fourth-gen Ranger is a capable midsize pickup undercut by one weak system. A truck with a clean-shifting transmission and a closed recall record is a sound used buy; one with a slipping or clunking ten-speed is a repair bill waiting to land. Buy on the gearbox, and let the rest of the truck follow.
What to check on a used 2019-2023 Ford Ranger
On a used 2019-2023 Ford Ranger, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (222), the engine (73) and the electrical system (71). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 222 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 73 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 71 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger about the brakes.
Recalls (18)
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
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.
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."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The lug nuts on the driver's side wheels may have been improperly tightened.
Show 13 older recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, which could allow it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
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."
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."
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."
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles previously repaired under recall 19V-726. The service replacement Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor that was installed may have an improper clearance between an electrical terminal and the conductive base plate that may result in an resistive electrical short.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger trucks. The inline electrical connector terminals for the rear lights may be misaligned or not properly seated, potentially causing the rear lights to function intermittently or not at all.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may electrically short.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Ranger vehicles with a SuperCab body style. The front passenger seat belt may have been improperly assembled.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The fasteners that attach the transmission shifter cable bracket to the transmission may loosen allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. In some of these vehicles, the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without the key in the starting system and without depressing the brake pedal. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2023 Ford Ranger complaints?
Owners have filed 569 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 569 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger have?
NHTSA has 569 owner complaints on file for the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2019-2023 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls covering some 2019-2023 Ford Ranger vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Ranger?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Ranger?
The 2023 Ford Ranger received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 3 stars (25.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 569 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.