The Lemon Index
2011
20204th generation
90 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Toyota Tacoma 592019 Chevrolet Colorado 632019 Nissan Frontier 13
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2019 Ford Ranger
- Rough or hard shifting25 complaintsmostly at 65,000–77,000 miles (105,000–124,000 km)
- Engine stalling21 complaintsmostly at 700–36,000 miles (1,100–58,000 km)
- Transmission failure15 complaints
Specific parts named in the 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Ranger (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 840 and 14,000 miles (1,400–23,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 90 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V685000 (equipment), 25V572000 (back over prevention) and 25V442000 (back over prevention) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Ford sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2017-2019 F-150, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 90 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 14K miles (1K to 23K km) on the car (52 of all 90 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The horn does not always sound when you press the horn switch on the steering wheel. It is especially not likely to sound if you try to sound the horn in an emergency
2019 Ford Ranger owner · NHTSA complaint 11376007
More owner reports
Tail light recall: took vehicle to grapevine Ford in grapevine tx and they said they had done the work. Looking at the database it still shows no repaired. Unsure what to do about it.
NHTSA complaint 11289952
Transmission clunk jerky and sifting not right. 10r80 transmission just like the f150. Took to ford dealer twice still with same issues. Driving is not safe for roads with traffic and I know others feel the same too
NHTSA complaint 11494570
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 48.1M views · 2019–2023 Ford Ranger
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service638K views
SHOP FAILED! 2019 Ford Ranger 2.3L Ecoboost Engine Died @104K Miles With TERRIBLE Maintenance!I Do Cars · 587K views · 2 videos - Starter, alternator & belts212K views
Wet Belt SNAPPED At Just 56,000 Miles 😱 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack Engine Repair - The Car EditionThe Car Edition Ltd · 212K views - Transmission & shifter183K views
2023 Ford Ranger: Have they fixed the 10R80 10sp transmission? | Auto Expert John CadoganAuto Expert John Cadogan · 183K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical75K views
2019 - 2023 Ford Ranger No Key Detected - How to Start With Dead, Bad, Broken Smart Key FobPYR Automotive · 75K views
Show 1 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door50K views
2019 - 2023 Ford Ranger How to replace the cabin air filter / 2020 2021 2022Oil Light Reset · 50K views
Before you buy, watch
2020 Ford Ranger Raptor reviewDrive.com.au · 1.2M views
2019 Ford Ranger - Review & Road TestKelley Blue Book · 582K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2019 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 140 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2017-2019 F-150, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped…
- Shudder/vibration when accelerating from a stop
- Poor and/or no temperature
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Equipment · recall issued 2025
The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
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.
Show all 11 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The Tire and Loading Information (TREAD) label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The front passenger outboard seat belt may not have been assembled properly, allowing the seat belt to be misrouted.
- Visibility · recall issued 2020
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 r…
- Lights · recall issued 2019
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 · recall issued 2019
The Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower motor may electrically short.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2019
The front passenger seat belt may have been improperly assembled.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Crew PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 4x2 | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford Ranger Super Cab PU/EC 4x4 | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Ford Ranger year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 6 older years (1998–2004, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 14 Ford Ranger years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-ranger/?y=2019" title="Ford Ranger reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="468" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-ranger/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Ford Ranger reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Ford Ranger reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 106; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Ranger year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2019 Ford Ranger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (18%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and brakes (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Ranger have?
11 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Ford Ranger get?
18 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Ford Ranger safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Ford Ranger problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 840 and 14,000 miles (1,400–23,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 90 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2019 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2019 Ford Ranger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Ford Ranger cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Ford Ranger have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Ford Ranger year is better than the 2019?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works