Know Your Truck

2019–2023 Ford Ranger common problems and fixes

The 10-speed automatic's rough or jerky shifting is the top complaint, especially on 2019 trucks, which also had the most recalls; some 2019 owners report broken rear leaf springs.

What owners should know

Covers 2019–2023 · 2.3L EcoBoost four · Updated 2026-10-05

The Ranger returned to the US for 2019 with a 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic in every truck. It stayed the same until the redesign for 2024.

We counted 567 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2019–2023 Rangers (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once). None had a VIN belonging to another vehicle; 11 had no usable VIN. 2019, the first year, has the most (268), and complaints drop sharply after 2021. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • The transmission is the most reported problem: about 180 complaints.
  • 2019 trucks have the most complaints and the most recalls.
  • Some 2019 owners report broken rear leaf springs.

Transmission

About 180 complaints mention the transmission, and about 90 describe harsh, hard, jerky or clunky shifts. Ford's bulletin 19-2052 reprograms the engine computer on 2019 trucks built on or before February 11, 2019 for rough running and rough shifting when cold. On Ranger5G, some owners report it made a big difference, while others still have harsh shifts after updates and resets; a transmission that stays harsh needs diagnosing, not just software. Ford also recalled some 2019–2020 trucks whose shifter could be in a different gear than the transmission (19V366000 and 20V197000) and some 2019 trucks that could be shifted out of Park without the key (19V071000).

Rear leaf springs

22 complaints mention broken or cracked leaf springs, 16 of them from 2019 trucks, mostly at the front mounting eye, often found during other repairs. Ranger5G owners report both springs breaking at the same spot.

Engine

Timing chain and cam problems are rare in complaints (3 mention the timing chain, cam or tensioner). On Ranger5G, owners often trace a brief rattle after a cold start to the fuel pump or turbo wastegate, but a rattle that lasts, returns or gets worse should be diagnosed by a dealer.

Recalls to check

  • Rear light connectors that can make the tail lights work only some of the time on 2019 trucks (19V839000)
  • Heater blower motors that can short on 2019 trucks (19V726000, with replacement motors recalled under 20V137000)
  • Fuel line that may be loose on some 2022 trucks (22V685000)

Before you buy

  • Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN.
  • On the test drive, pay attention to shifts at low speed and when the truck is cold.
  • Look at the rear leaf springs where they mount at the front.
  • Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (13)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2019-2023 Ford Ranger. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Rough or jerky 10-speed shifting

    Dealer job

    Signs: Hard or clunky shifts, especially when cold or at low speed, late downshifts, or the truck lunging when slowing down and speeding back up.

    Fix: Have a Ford dealer check for transmission fault codes, the fluid level and condition, and the latest software. On 2019 trucks built on or before February 11, 2019, Ford's bulletin 19-2052 reprograms the engine computer for rough running and rough shifts when cold; the reprogram resets the transmission's learned shifts, so it can feel firmer for a few days. Software updates and resets don't fix every harsh shift: if it stays harsh, slips, flares or bangs into gear, the dealer needs to diagnose the transmission itself (for example the valve body or clutches).

  • Rear leaf spring broken at the front eye (mostly 2019)

    Moderate DIY

    Signs: Clunking or the rear sitting crooked; often found when the truck is lifted for other work. Some owners found both springs broken at the same spot.

    Fix: Have the rear suspension inspected; a broken leaf spring should be replaced before the truck is driven much (owners often replace both sides). Ask a Ford dealer first whether this VIN is still within warranty.

    Shop: Ranger rear leaf springShop: Ranger leaf spring bushing▶ How-to videos

  • Rattle after a cold start

    Dealer job

    Signs: A ticking or rattling sound right after starting.

    Fix: Don't assume it's normal. On Ranger5G, owners report the high-pressure fuel pump or the turbo wastegate as common sources of a brief cold-start noise, but a timing chain or tensioner problem can sound similar. If the rattle lasts more than a few seconds, comes back when warm, is getting worse, or comes with a check engine light, have a dealer diagnose it (codes, cam/crank timing data) before it gets worse.

  • Heater blower motor can short (2019)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Blower fan stops working, or a burning smell from the dash.

    Fix: Covered by Ford recalls; the replacement motors were later recalled too, so check the VIN.

    May be covered free by recall 19V726000 / 20V137000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →