Ford Ranger Complaints (2020)

130 consumer complaints on file.

#11724318March 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Truck shifts from 1st to 3rd, hard shifting in 4th through 10th gears.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715693February 4, 2026
AIR BAGS
Hit a tree head-on going 30+mph. Impact point on the vehicle was next to the airbag sensor. Air bags did not deploy
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710888January 14, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 10 speed 10r80 transmission is failing and dangerous. Besides slipping bucking and delaying shifting it now revs up without moving. I've almost been hit more than 6 times. My ford dealer changed the fluid road tested and normal all that I'm complaining about is normal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708536January 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Purchased used in 2024 with 44,000 miles. Transmission issues began at 79,000 miles. Hard shifting, slipping and then lurching when it goes in gear. Diagnosed after transmission service ($600) as a factory defect in the 10 speed transmission. Ford has issued Service Bulletins defining and outlining the issue but has offered no assistance in rectifying and repairing. Since so many vehicles are affected there should be a recall. I understand that in Canada a class action lawsuit has been initiated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707667December 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I bought my 2020 Ford Ranger preowned with around 64k miles on it. After having owned it for about 6 months or so, I started to notice lots of problems with the transmission. After first noticing it, the problems persisted for a couple more months until I finally decided to address it. The problems were very characteristic of transmission slippage, and they got progressively worse week by week, which it what ultimately prompted me to address it. When accelerating and shifting through the lower gears (15-30 MPHs, approximately), the shift would be delayed and lag a couple seconds. This would often cause stalling in the acceleration, particularly when going from a stop to a start, such as through traffic lights. There were also very rough and aggressive shifts at higher gears when driving on the highway. It would feel like rough jolts that would rock the truck a little. Also transitioning the truck into reverse often caused serious jolts as the transmission shifted very aggressively. Eventually, I took my truck into an AMCO transmission shop for inspection. They confirmed that my transmission was damaged and needed replaced. This was at about 86k miles. I took the truck into a Ford dealership to get a second opinion and they also confirmed my transmission needed replaced. I went ahead and had the transmission replaced at that point. The replacement was done with the truck at 86k miles. The Ford dealership replaced the 10R80 transmission with a re-manufactured 10R80. It has now been about 8k miles and 9 months since the transmission was replaced, and the re-manufactured transmission is starting to experience similar problems. Mostly with a lag when shifting in lower gears and hard jolts when placing it in reverse. The problems are not as bad as the original transmission before I had it replaced, but some still remain. There were no warning lamps or messages with this problem. Ford's 10R80 transmission is notorious for failing and being a safety problem to the public.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706732December 23, 2025
SUSPENSION
Brought the vehicle to the dealer for standard 40,000 mile service. When it was raised on their lift, the rear end dropped out because both driver and passenger side leaf springs had broken at the mount bushings. The springs had been broken for some time, as there was significant rust at the broken points. The truck drove normally. This was only discovered once the truck was on a service lift. The weight of the truck was resting on the intact part of the springs, but may have completely disconnected if I had hit a large enough bump while the springs were broken. This would certainly have caused a loss of control, and likely resulted in a crash. The dealer confirmed that this was a manufacturer defect. Despite being past the warranty period, Ford agreed that this is a defect. They used the "Ford ESP" extended service plan to with the cost to perform the repair, though I did not have an extended service contract. I searched the internet, because this should not be possible on a vehicle with this age and mileage. I discovered many reports of similar occurrences on the 2019-2022 Rangers. [XXX] [XXX] I found similar reports on Reddit and other sites. This is dangerous and appears to be a common defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704830December 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN
When starting to accelerate, the automatic transmission shifts hart into second or third gear, and sometime has no power, like it is idling for 5 to 7 seconds before engaging. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by Quirk Ford of Augusta, Maine who said I must have had a faulty transmission from the factory. The safety issue is hesitation from the occasional loss of power during the hard shift which could put one in danger of being rear ended. The were no warning indicators except the sudden jarring during hard shift. Other than the problem being diagnosed by the dealer, it has not been inspected. Hard shift first appeared around 75,000 miles. Dealer flushed and Changed fluid. Reappeared with loss of power during around 130,000 miles. Transmission being replaced 12/15/25 at $9200. Ford basically said it was my problem. I have had two ford rangers before that I drove for over 230;000 miles each without any transmission issues. Clearly the 10 speed transmission is flawed and needs a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699272November 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
2020 Ford Ranger with transmission and engine (EGR cooler) issues resulting in hard shifting and surges makes it dangerous to drive. Happened on vehicle that was properly cared for and maintained. Issues present on truck that has less than 70k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694912October 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN
all of these issues: Shuddering at the point of acceleration Inability to reach desired speed Gear lockout Failure to start Shifter “lockout” or being “stuck in park” Hesitation from a stopped position Sluggish performance, including during towing “Check engine” light “Juddering,” which involves shaking of the vehicle during normal operation Loss of power or failure to engage
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695059October 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear view camera screen freezes, has distortion and is sometimes blank. This has been an issue for several months and I keep seeing articles regarding this problem and that Ford is recalling various vehicles for the same issue but have not been notified of a recall for my vehicle model and year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693049October 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought the 4x4 Ford Ranger specifically to be towed behind my motor home and followed the directions on how to set up the Flat-tow feature that allows the Ranger to be towed behind my motorhome. I had traveled to a number of Good Same Rallys without any trouble with the Ranger. I use it also as my main vehicle at home to go to store, church etc. On my last trip to Branson, MO while coming home there was a noise that sounded like my brakes on the Ranger were locked up. I took my foot off the gas pedal and it stopped, I proceeded on home when it did this several times. Each time it would stop. I got home disconnected the Ranger and it started fine, I drove it almost 200 miles when I began to notice a jerking from the transmission and took it to my dealer. They proceeded to check it out and told me that the transmission and universal were bad and needed to be replaced at a 17k price. According to the computer readout my battery had failed 2 times. HOW CAN A BATTERY FAIL TWO TIME??? Apparently this caused my flat tow in nuetral tow to go into normal range and at that time made my truck act like it was in normal range, towing a dead truck. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE A BAD ACCIDENT, END UP IN A DITCH. The shop checked and the batter was low but ok. The computer on board did this to my truck and lied on the readout. Three (3) other Rangers had this happen to them and one blew up. I am sure other Ranger owners have had this happen to them too. This can cause a serious accident. I have filed a complaint to our attorney General in my state.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690039September 26, 2025
POWER TRAIN
My transmission start to skip about two years ago, l took to Ford Dealership, they check the code, everything was good, we check the 3 months ago, everything okay, but it still kept skipping, so l change the fluid, and filter, still skips, for wanted over $600.00 to see what the problem, said l had no warranty, I’m a 71 year old disabled Senior on a fixed income, , didn’t have the money, l don’t know what to do
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689153September 23, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Backup camera isn't working a recall on some 2020 rangers has been issued but not mine. Parking collision warning isn't as loud as it used to be. Took it t ford garage but they wanted to charge me to do diagnostics. Warning onbackup camera call your service department
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689037September 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Automatic transmission Available for request Accelerating and stoping proves to be a safety issue on the roadways Confirmed by anyone that drives the vehicle Not inspected, out of warranty and can not afford replacement No lamps
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688593September 20, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Internal component failure of the 10R80 transmission. While driving one evening on a highway the vehicle while in cruise began bucking, surging and reduced gears. The vehicle began spraying transmission fluid on vehicles behind me and what was once a 10 speed transmission became a 7 speed transmission. Prior to failure there was zero indication of an issue. Nearly getting into an accident I had to make my way to the side of the road where there wasn’t much of a flat shoulder. Not only could my sudden decline in speed have caused an accident but the transmission fluid spraying on vehicles behind me could have reduced others visibility. Dealership near the incident area has confirmed internal failure which is extremely common for these transmissions. Vehicle is currently awaiting a replacement transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683335August 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Rough shift and jerkings around 35 to 40 mph
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682178August 21, 2025
SUSPENSION
The dri er side leaf spring broke at the fro t bushing attachment. The bushing is completely rusted and cracked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675521July 23, 2025
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
On more than one occasion but still infrequently, I have been coming to a stop and while braking, the engine revs and lurches forward while I'm attempting to stop. It is rare that it happens but it is very scary when it does happen. No warning lights appear. I have submitted a request to the dealer who sold us the truck. But it happens to infrequently that it would be difficult to reproduced by a dealer. It has happened approximately 5 times since purchasing the vehicle in December 2020. Approximate date of most recent event below.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674752July 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN
When accelerating from a stop, there is a lag in the engine shifting into gear, it causes the RPM's to climb before eventually shifting gears and once it does that the whole vehicle jolts forwards. There is also a noticeable lag when the vehicle is shifting from 1st and second, as well as a jolt when it does shift but not as much of a jolt as the initial 1st to 2nd. Once the vehicle is up to 3/4th gear, it does not appear to have the same issue shifting. This poses a safety issue in numerous situations. One example being, when stopped at an intersection and trying to make a left hand turn, I have to be extremely cautious that I have plenty of space as to account for the potential lag and not being able to accelerate quickly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11673167July 13, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Repeated problems with the 10 SPD automatic transmission in my 2020 Ford Ranger. Transmission skips between gears, shakes, jerks, feels like I’m driving over rumble strips. You name it, the transmission is doing it. Took it to the Ford dealership last year and they “cannot reproduce the issue”. That’s because it doesn’t happen all the time. I guess I need to take a technician on a road trip with me to identify the issue. Fast forward to now…warranty is gone and problem still persists. Only 28,000 on the truck. Waiting on a recall to replace the transmission. I mean, these issues are all over the internet. Super common issue. The transmissions are obviously faulty and Ford refuses to resolve the issue. I am beyond irritated at this point
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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