Is the 2019 Ford RANGER reliable?

The 2019 Ford RANGER has 340 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Ford RANGER?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (88 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (39 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (33 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Ford RANGER?

Yes, there are 11 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Ford RANGER?

The 2019 Ford RANGER gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Ford RANGER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Ford RANGER is approximately $1,673/year (truck-small class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Ford RANGER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Ford RANGER has 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 146. The most common issue is transmission problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall- i was recently in a car accident with my 2019 ford ranger and when i pressed the brake the would not apply so i continued to pump the brake and would not apply as i approached the other vehicle the precollison assist turned on and still nothing as i held the brakes down causing an acc. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 18 crash reports 6 injuries

340

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

88 complaints

26%

• TAKATA RECALL- I WAS RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 2019 FORD RANGER AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE WOULD NOT APPLY SO I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND WOULD NOT APPLY AS I APPROACHED THE OTHER VEHICLE THE PRECOLLISON ASSIST TURNED ON AND STILL NOTHING AS I HELD THE BRAKES DOWN CAUSING AN ACC
• I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TWICE OF A RECALL BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE IN THE GEAR INDICATED. CONTACTED THE DEALER TWICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE NOT DOING RECALL WORK FOR 2 TO 3 MONTH'S. SO IN THE MEANTIME MY TRUCK CAN ROLL AND INJURE MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE OR DAMAGE PROPERTY.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD RANGER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ANGELA KRAUSE FORD (1575 MANSELL RD, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (770) 649-5100) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND MADE AWARE OF

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“TAKATA RECALL- I WAS RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 2019 FORD RANGER AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE WOULD NOT APPLY SO I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND WOULD NOT APPLY AS I APPROACHED THE OTHER VEHICLE THE PRECOLLISON ASSIST TURNED ON AND STILL NOTHING AS I HELD THE BRAKES DOWN CAUSING AN ACC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Ford RANGER

Based on 125 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 150 mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS21/11/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger trucks. 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.

Risk: Intermittent or inoperative tail lamps can result in loss of stop, turn, rear position, and reverse lamp functions, which reduces the vehicle's visibility and may not fully alert other drivers that the vehicle is braking, turning, or reversing, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inline connector for loose terminals and replace the connectors, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2020. A renotification was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S43.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Ford RANGER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Ford RANGER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,673

Full coverage / month

$139

Liability only / year

$617

vs US avg

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (truck-small)1.02x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1673

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford RANGER Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2019 RANGER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 340 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TAKATA RECALL- I WAS RECENTLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH MY 2019 FORD RANGER AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE WOULD NOT APPLY SO I CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND WOULD NOT APPLY AS I APPROACHED THE OTHER VEHICLE THE PRECOLLISON ASSIST TURNED ON AND STILL NOTHING AS I HELD THE BRAKES DOWN CAUSING AN ACC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND TRYING TO STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE SYSTEM INDICATED COLLISION DETECTION WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP AND THERE WAS A WRECK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND TRYING TO STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE SYSTEM INDICATED COLLISION DETECTION WAS ENGAGED; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP AND THERE WAS A WRECK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RC LACY FORD LINCOLN SUBARU (25 MAPLE AVE, CATSKILL, NY 12414) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)