Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2019 Ford Ranger: common problems and reliability
· 3rd generationOne of the weaker Ranger years.
267 owner complaints, most about power train. 11 recalls.
Should I buy a 2019 Ranger?The 2019 Ford Ranger has 267 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag 10-speed automatic transmission harsh: delayed, or jerky shifting, with valve body and cdf drum failures leading to rebuilds or replacement.
Safety record for the 2019 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Ford Ranger vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Ranger years only. How we score it
Is 2019 a good year for the Ranger?
Across the 25 Ranger model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 818 (1999). With 267 complaints, the 2019 Ranger sits about the same as the model's median of 243.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2019 Ranger
exterior lighting:tail lights
Campaign 19V839000Ford 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.
visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor
Campaign 20V137000Ford 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.
seat belts:front:webbing
Campaign 21V811000Ford 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."
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 19V071000Ford 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."
Show 7 more recalls
seat belts
Campaign 19V518000Ford 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.
visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor
Campaign 19V726000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may electrically short.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 19V366000Ford 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 23V379000Ford 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."
back over prevention:software
Campaign 25V442000Ford 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.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V572000Ford 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.
equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Campaign 25V685000Ford 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.
What owners report on the 3rd generation Ranger
Owner sentiment for this generation is split sharply by model year, because the 2011 trucks and the 2019-2022 trucks are different vehicles sharing a nameplate.
- Very frequent10-speed automatic transmission harsh
Delayed, or jerky shifting, with valve body and CDF drum failures leading to rebuilds or replacement.
- RecurrentUSB port connectivity problems in the front ports
Often resolved by cleaning, shorter data-capable cables, or replacement.
- Recurrent4.0L V6 timing chain tensioner failure leading to engine damage and clogged catalytic converters on 2011 trucks
- RecurrentCatalytic converter and heat shield rattle on 2011 trucks
- IsolatedElectrical and sensor faults including bad sensors causing engine surges, wiring harness failure, and alternator or battery issues
Owner insights for the 3rd generation Ranger. Read the full 3rd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Ranger listings typically run $18,998–$27,490.
Other Ranger model years
Compare every Ranger year side by side to see how 2019 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Ranger against its rivals
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