2019 Ford Ranger Safety Report
2019 Ford Ranger: Strong crash ratings, but numerous recalls and significant powertrain and suspension complaints raise long-term safety concerns.
AI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Ford Ranger
Reliability Score
The 2019 Ford Ranger receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2019 Ford Ranger
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Ford Ranger:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Failure/Erratic Shifting Frequent complaints of harsh, delayed, or erratic gear shifts, transmission slipping, getting stuck in gear, and complete transmission failure, often linked to the 10-speed automatic transmission. |
High | Common | 30000-131000 miles |
| Rear Leaf Spring Breakage/Corrosion Reports of rear leaf springs corroding and breaking at the front eye mounts, a critical component for axle stability, posing a significant safety risk. |
High | Occasional | 50000-75000 miles |
| Hvac Blower Motor Electrical Short/Fire Risk Multiple recalls (19V-726, 20V-031) for the HVAC blower motor electrically shorting, increasing the risk of a fire. |
High | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Rearview Camera Malfunction Recalls (19V-578, 23V-442) address rearview cameras displaying inverted, distorted, or blank images, reducing driver visibility and increasing crash risk. |
Medium | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Engine Block Heater Electrical Short/Fire Risk Recall (22V-826) for an electrical short circuit in the engine block heater, increasing the risk of a fire. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Front Passenger Seat Belt Misassembly Recalls (19V-615, 19V-633) for improperly assembled or misrouted front passenger outboard seat belts, which may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Ford Ranger:
The most frequently reported issue, with 66 complaints, detailing transmission failures, harsh shifting, slipping, and loss of power.
16 complaints, including issues related to engine misfires due to water in spark plug wells and general electrical malfunctions.
12 complaints, primarily concerning broken or corroded rear leaf springs.
11 complaints related to braking system performance.
10 complaints, including issues with tail lights and overly bright headlights.
10 complaints, including misfires and loss of power.
10 complaints, often related to HVAC system failures affecting defrosting and rearview camera issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Ford Ranger
Is the 2019 Ford Ranger safe?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 Ford Ranger received a 4-star overall safety rating, with excellent 5-star side crash protection. However, it has 11 recalls addressing significant safety concerns like fire risks, seat belt malfunctions, and rearview camera failures. There are also 247 consumer complaints, with 13 crashes and 6 injuries reported, primarily related to powertrain and suspension issues.
What are common problems with the 2019 Ford Ranger?
The most reported issues for the 2019 Ford Ranger are related to the POWER TRAIN (66 complaints), including transmission failures and erratic shifting. Other common problems include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues (16 complaints), SUSPENSION problems like broken leaf springs (12 complaints), and SERVICE BRAKES (11 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Ranger have?
The 2019 Ford Ranger has 11 recalls issued by NHTSA. These recalls cover a range of issues from potential fire hazards due to electrical shorts in the engine block heater and HVAC blower motor, to critical safety components like seat belts and rearview cameras.
Are there any fire risks with the 2019 Ford Ranger?
Yes, there are documented fire risks. The 2019 Ford Ranger has been subject to recalls (22V-826, 19V-726, 20V-031) concerning electrical shorts in the engine block heater and the HVAC blower motor, both of which can increase the risk of a fire. Two actual fires have been reported in the NHTSA complaint data.
What are the crash test ratings for the 2019 Ford Ranger?
The 2019 Ford Ranger received an Overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. It scored 4 stars for Frontal crash protection, an excellent 5 stars for Side crash protection, and 3 stars for Rollover resistance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Given the numerous recalls and significant powertrain and suspension complaints, prospective buyers should ensure all recalls have been addressed and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission and rear leaf springs.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Ford Ranger
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Ford Ranger. The data includes 247 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 11 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 13 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Ford Ranger an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.