2020 Ford Ranger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
45/100
#7 most-complained of 12 Ranger years
The 2020 Ford Ranger has a Complaint Index of 45 and ranks 7th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Ranger years. It has 127 complaints, 7 recalls, and NHTSA lists Transmission & Powertrain as the top problem area with 48 complaints.
- Complaints
- 127
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 24 hwy
Top 2020 Ford Ranger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (38%)
- Engine23 (18%)
- Electrical System16 (13%)
- Other13 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (9%)
- Brakes9 (7%)
- Seat Belts6 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners describe unintended acceleration where the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the truck, sometimes requiring the driver to shift into park to halt it.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal feeling like it had air in the line, resulting in rear-end collisions after the brakes failed to respond in time.
- Owners report the pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking did not warn or apply brakes before a low-speed rear-end crash.
- One owner reported gray smoke and flames coming from under the hood while the vehicle was parked in a driveway.
- Owners describe the adaptive cruise control releasing brakes too early behind a slowing car, forcing hard braking to avoid a collision.
- One owner reported wavy windshield and rear window glass that blurred objects and made signs hard to read.
2020 Ford Ranger recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 23V379000May 26, 2023Other29,607 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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."
Risk: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
2020 Ford Ranger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Compared to other Ranger model years, the 2020 has a Complaint Index of 45 and ranks 7th worst out of 12 years tracked, giving it a Good verdict relative to other years of the same model.
- What problems does the 2020 Ford Ranger have?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead with 48 reports (38% share), followed by Engine issues with 23 complaints and Electrical System issues with 16 complaints.
- Does the 2020 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2020 Ranger, including a transmission shift cable issue, a rearview camera electrical connection problem, and a rear seat head restraint interference recall.
- How does the 2020 Ranger compare to other years like 2019 or 2022?
- The 2020 Ranger's Complaint Index of 45 is lower than the 2019 (91, Avoid) and 2022 (100, Avoid) model years, making 2020 a comparatively better choice among Ranger years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Ranger?
- EPA rates the 2020 Ranger at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.