2020 Ford RANGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
127 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 127 complaints (37.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 37.0% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 16.5% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 11.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 47 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
Power Train: 47; Engine: 16; Unknown Or Other: 13; Electrical System: 11; Service Brakes: 9; Exterior Lighting: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 5; Seat Belts: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 94 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2020: 9; 2021: 14; 2022: 9; 2023: 16; 2024: 26; 2025: 32; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11309067 · 2020-02-13 (February 13, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395011 · 2021-02-06 (February 6, 2021)
WHEN YOU MAKE THE CHANGES OR YOU'RE STOPPING, YOU HIT THE TRANSMISSION. TALK TO OTHER OWNERS. THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11395011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363226 · 2020-10-07 (October 7, 2020)
THE ADAPTIVE CURISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK LIKE OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE IT KEEPS THE PROPER DISTANCE BETWEEN CARS UNTIL THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN AND THEN WHEN THERE IS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS IT RELEASES THE BRAKES MAKING YOU HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT. MY OTHER VEHICLES STOP AND KEEP THE PROPER DISTANCE. FORD DEALER FIRST SAID THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD WORK BUT AFTER TALKING TO FORD THEY SAY THATS THE WAY IT WORKS. SEEMS LIKE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE I ALMOST HAD A REAR END COLLISION THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 63 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448702 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
There was a alert saying my trailer was hooked my trailer was unhooked.on displace screen.when in fact my trailer was never hook to my truck.loss of power
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492939 · 2022-11-09 (November 9, 2022)
Since purchase I have been experiencing problems due due a poorly built transmission. The 10R80 transmission has been the opposite of what I expected when purchasing a new vehicle. I have experienced extremely harsh up-shifting and downshifting, as well as slipping gears while in motion which causes a loss of power while the vehicle is in motion. The most concerning of these is when the gear seems to slip while driving and when the accelerator is depressed the engine will only rev for a few seconds and then harshly clunk into a gear which will …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395113 · 2021-02-07 (February 7, 2021)
REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE. MY SEVEN YEAR OLD CAN'T OPEN IT WITHOUT HELP ON THAT SIDE. WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS CLOSED. AFTER PARKING THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE REAR TAILGATE TO STAY ON TO DRAIN BATTERY BECAUSE TRUCK REGISTERS THE DOOR AS AJAR. HAVE TO SLAM AND RELOCK SEVERAL TIMES TO GET WARNING AND LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. WHEN AN OBJECT IS IN THAT DOOR'S POCKET THE PROBLEM IS WORSE AND IT MAY MAKE THE ALARM GO OFF HOURS AFTER PARKING. OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 24 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423070 · 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)
Truck continues to have airbag lights on even after repairs at ford dealership. The first time it happened it would only come on when cold and would go off after 30-45 minutes. When airbag light was on gauges, heat and air and stereo would not work. That was November 2020. The dealership replaced Body Control Module and other electrical components. June 2021 the airbag light is on again. The code it’s giving is short in passenger airbag circuit. The truck is also saying that rear driver door is open when shut and continually tries to lock and …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438288 · 2021-10-26 (October 26, 2021)
The Forward-Looking Camera located in the Rear View Mirror Assembly on a 2020 Ford Ranger has failed, and the replacement part is currently unavailable. Per Ford personnel, at least 96 Ford vehicles (as of 10/26/2021) are awaiting the replacement cameras, and Ford Service Personnel at the local Ford Dealership have indicated that "they have replaced a lot of these cameras". When this camera malfunctions, the vehicle LOSES 100% of FIVE (5) of its key Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): 1. Adaptive Cruise Control (there is NO cruise co…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11565694 · 2024-01-16 (January 16, 2024)
I just purchased a vehicle from Autex Mazda of Keene. (1/2/24) A 2020 Ford Ranger with 36K miles and extended warranty. When driving on the highway at 60MPH my steering wheel started shimming very bad as I was passing a school bus that I felt I might of hit because it startled me and never felt a steering wheel shimmy so bad like that. Called dealer and they balanced the tires and leaving to return home the shimmy was back almost out of the lot. Are there any recalls on this issue and my backup camera is barely visible. I feel I was taking adv…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11565694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478004 · 2022-08-07 (August 7, 2022)
I jumped in the truck to run an errand, started the engine, rolled down the windows and got a faint whiff of gasoline. Checked the back seat to see if I had thrown rag or something, didn't see anything and started to pull down my driveway (about 250ft - gravel - rural area). The gas smell quickly became very strong. I stopped at the end of the driveway, got out of the truck to inspect what the issue might be. It was RAINING gasoline under my truck. Quickly turned off ignition (which stopped the gas pouring out). Had it towed to the dealer…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478004 at NHTSA ↗