NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Ford Ranger
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Ford Ranger is a mid-size pickup truck aimed at buyers who want truck capability without the bulk of a full-size rig. Competing in one of the most hotly contested segments in the American market, the Ranger targets active lifestyle buyers, small-business owners, and weekend adventurers who need a practical, maneuverable workhorse. Across model years 2019 through 2025, its safety profile has been a genuine mixed bag worth examining closely before you buy.
The 2019 Ford Ranger earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 62 out of 100, an below average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. It has 11 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the Ford Ranger as a capable, well-rounded mid-size pickup that balances everyday usability with off-road credibility. Most professional assessments praise its driving dynamics and feature set for the segment, while noting that the Ranger faces stiff competition. Reviewers tend to acknowledge the improvements made in more recent model years as meaningful refinements over the original generation.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14075
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V572000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identificatio
Reported 2025-09-04
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS23V379000
Risk: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail a new TREAD label to install over the existing label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the new label installed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C18.
Reported 2023-05-26
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING21V811000
Risk: A misrouted seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will provide owners with instructions to perform a preliminary inspection of their front seat belts. Owners that detect an issue with the driver's seat belt, are unsure of the results, or do not want to perform an inspection, should not drive their vehicles and contact a Ford dealership. Dealers will inspect the front row outboard seat belts and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Int
Reported 2021-10-15
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR20V137000
Risk: A resistive electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the HVAC blower motor, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S12.
Reported 2020-03-09
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS19V839000
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.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2019-11-21
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR19V726000
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HVAC blower motor production date, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S34.
Reported 2019-10-10
SEAT BELTS19V518000
Risk: Improperly assembled seat belts may not adequately restrain occupants in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the right front seat belt assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 29, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S23.
Reported 2019-07-10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT19V366000
Risk: If the gear shift lever position does not match the actual transmission gear, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of crash or injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the transmission shift cable bracket fasteners as necessary, and verify the proper transmission shift operation, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S15.
Reported 2019-05-13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19V071000
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted out of Park without the brake applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move. Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the transmission floor shift selector interlock assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C02.
Reported 2019-02-01
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
258 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.