NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Ford Ranger Safety Ratings
The 2020 Ford Ranger scores 73 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 7 recalls, and 118 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Ford Ranger represents a meaningful 11-point climb in our Safety Index, achieving 73/100 and an Average rating. This improvement from the 2019 model's 62/100 is notable. While seven active recall campaigns temper the overall safety picture, the Ranger's crash protection and standard forward collision warning system add genuine safety value for occupants.
The 2020 Ford Ranger Super Crew 4WD holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 73/100 and a 5-star NHTSA side-impact rating, according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 105 Sedans from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Ford Ranger ranks 94 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 73 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 25.6% |
| Recalls on file | 7 |
| Owner complaints | 118 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 94 of 105 Sedans tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Ford Ranger?
The 2020 Ford Ranger Super Crew 4WD achieves a significant 11-point gain in its NHTSA Safety Index, rising to 73/100, which places it firmly in the Average safety band. This improvement over the 2019 model's 62/100 is largely due to strong crash protection ratings, which accounted for 57 of a possible 70 points. The truck earned a 5-star rating in side-impact protection. Its standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control contributed to an 8.5 out of 10 score for avoidance technology. However, the defect record, at 7.5 out of 20, pulls down the overall score. This reflects seven recall campaigns. The dynamic rollover test yielded a "No Tip" result, a positive indication. Despite this, the truck's 3-star rollover rating and 26 percent rollover risk highlight the inherent geometric challenges of a body-on-frame design. Of the seven recalls, issues with seat belt webbing and rear seat head restraints, both issued in 2021, specifically impact Super Cab configurations, not the Super Crew. NHTSA records show 118 unverified complaints, with the most recent reports filed well after the model year concluded, indicating ongoing owner concerns.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Ford Ranger perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Ford Ranger Super Crew 4WD received an overall 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its side impact protection is a highlight, earning a perfect 5 stars. Frontal crash protection also rated well at 4 stars. The lowest assessment came in rollover resistance, which scored 3 out of 5 stars, with a 26 percent rollover risk and a "No Tip" dynamic test result.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14940
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Seven recall campaigns cover the 2020 Ranger. Documented components include the engine block heater electrical circuit, back-over prevention software, tire and loading information labels, front passenger seat belt webbing on Super Cab variants, and rear seat mid and rear assembly head restraints on Super Cab trims. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is listed in the provided campaign data, but shoppers should verify remedy status by VIN at NHTSA.gov.
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: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
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY21V765000
Risk: An improperly attached child seat can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear-lower child restraint anchorages for correct alignment and adjust as necessary. Separately, dealers will replace the non-removable head restraints with removable head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 5, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866
Reported 2021-09-30
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V575000
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Reported 2020-09-23
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)20V197000
Risk: If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
Reported 2020-04-03
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has logged 118 unverified owner complaints for the 2020 Ranger. Alleged problem areas include Power Train (42 reports), Engine (14), Unknown or Other (13), Electrical System (11), Service Brakes (9), and Exterior Lighting (6). Reported allegations also include 6 crashes and 6 injuries. These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
118 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Ford Ranger?
Seven recall campaigns for the 2020 Ranger, addressing components from seat belts to software, underscore the importance of verifying recall completion before purchase. Individual remedy status varies, necessitating a VIN-specific search on NHTSA's recall lookup tool.
- The 2020 Ranger's Safety Index of 73/100 is 11 points higher than the 2019 model's 62/100, the largest year-over-year gain in the recent model history captured in this data set.
- Seven recall campaigns are attached to this model year, covering distinct safety systems including engine block heater wiring, back-over prevention software, and front seat belt webbing on Super Cab trims.
- The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars with a 26 percent rollover risk is the lowest individual NHTSA star score this truck received, a relevant data point for buyers who frequently carry passengers or load cargo at height.
- The defect record sub-score of 7.5 out of 20 is the weakest component in the Safety Index breakdown for this year, directly reflecting the recall and complaint burden specific to the 2020 model.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Ford Ranger places
The 2020 Ford Ranger qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Ford Ranger safety questions
Was the 2020 Ford Ranger crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Ford Ranger, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 73 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Ford Ranger crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Ford Ranger earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 25.6%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Ranger have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Ford Ranger. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ford Ranger?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 118 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Ford Ranger. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Ranger years
Rivals in Sedan (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RLX | 99/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Acura RLX Sport | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi S5 Sportback | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Infiniti Q50 | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14940), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Ranger 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 94 of 105 in the Sedan class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.