2020 Ford Ranger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Ford Ranger has a complaint index of 56, ranking 8th out of 17 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 127 complaints, 7 recalls, and its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain at 38% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #8 of 17 Ranger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 127
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2020 Ford Ranger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the truck failing to brake or accelerating unexpectedly when the brake pedal is depressed, sometimes leading to rear-end crashes.
- Some drivers describe the pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking not activating or warning before a collision.
- Adaptive cruise control is reported to release the brakes too close to the car ahead, forcing a hard manual brake to avoid a crash.
- One owner reported gray smoke and flames coming from under the hood while the vehicle was parked in a driveway.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in at least one head-on crash into a tree.
- Windshields and rear windows are described as wavy, distorting the view of signs and traffic.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2020 Ranger has a complaint index of 56, ranking 8th out of 17 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Ranger years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Ranger?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 38% of reports, followed by Engine at 18% and Electrical System at 13%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2020 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns tied to the 2020 Ranger, covering areas including the transmission shift cable, rearview camera, seat belts, and rear head restraints.
- How does the 2020 Ranger compare to other Ranger years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 56 is lower than the 2019 (94), 2021 (81), and 2022 (100) model years, all of which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2020 a middle-of-the-pack year.
- 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.