Applying brake truck will stop, after stoping you fill the paddle move downward in the direction of the floorboard, and the truck will start rolling until you apply more pressure to th paddle..acting like a bad master cylinder..2. Crash light will flash, but no braking..this happens about every time I drive..
2019 Ford Ranger brakes problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 14 brakes complaints filed for the 2019 Ford Ranger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Ford Ranger we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple owners report excessive brake pedal travel, soft pedal feel, and instances of unintended acceleration when the brake pedal is pushed to the floor—defects that resulted in actual collisions and near-misses. Dealers have been unable to duplicate the failures and, in several cases, claimed the behavior is normal, yet owners continue experiencing these issues across various mileages and driving conditions.
Owners of 2019 Ford Rangers consistently report brake system problems starting early in vehicle ownership. The dominant issue is excessive brake pedal travel—the pedal sinks far toward the floor before stopping the vehicle, sometimes sinking below the accelerator pedal. This creates a dangerous condition where the driver's foot can inadvertently press the accelerator while braking, leading to unintended acceleration. Two owners documented collisions directly resulting from this: one hit household appliances in a garage, another hit a store sign. A third owner narrowly missed a rear-end collision.
Several owners also describe the pedal fading downward even after the vehicle stops, particularly on hills, requiring continued pressure or re-pumping to hold the vehicle in place. Others report spongy, mushy pedal feel requiring repeated pumping—especially at low speeds where a single brake application may slow the truck only 20 percent. A handful of owners experienced complete brake failure while driving, with one activating the Forward Collision Avoidance system to prevent a crash.
Rear brake pad wear is persistently uneven, with inside pads wearing heavily while outside pads lag, suggesting caliper slide pin issues. One owner reported the problem recurring after an early 2022 service. Dealers have bled brakes without success, claimed the behavior is normal, and declined further repairs. Manufacturers notified have opened cases but no recall or service program has been offered.
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive brake pedal travel
Brake pedal travels far down toward the floor (sometimes past the gas pedal) before brakes engage, requiring excessive pedal depression to stop the vehicle.
When: Reported from 950 miles through 25,700 miles; one case at 19,500 miles; ongoing across multiple brake applications.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor or below gas pedal; Requires excessive pressure to stop vehicle; Pedal spongy or soft; Prolonged braking distance; Foot can accidentally engage accelerator when brake pedal travels too far
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed brake bleeding in at least one case with no improvement. Some owners replaced rotors and pads; dealers told owners this is normal wear and tear. Multiple visits to service without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has declined further repairs in some cases, stating brakes operate normally. No recall programs identified in narratives.
Unintended acceleration while braking
When brake pedal is fully depressed, driver's foot can engage the accelerator pedal simultaneously due to excessive pedal travel, causing unintended acceleration events.
When: Occurred within 2 days of delivery (first complaint); at 950 miles on new vehicle; multiple instances reported by individual owners.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges forward when brake pedal is fully depressed; Foot accidentally presses accelerator when trying to brake; Engine revs up while braking; Unintended acceleration events resulting in collisions or near-misses
Repairs/costs cited: One collision resulted in damage to household appliances and property; another collision with a store sign. No repairs explicitly documented as correcting this issue.
Brake pedal fading to floor while stopped
After vehicle comes to a stop, brake pedal slowly sinks toward the floor, requiring continuous pressure or re-application to keep vehicle stationary, especially on hills.
When: Recurring during normal driving; one case noted on hills.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks downward after initial brake application; Vehicle rolls forward on grades if pedal pressure is not maintained; Fade continues with moderate pressure; Acts like a bad master cylinder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer attempted brake bleeding without improvement and then refused further repairs.
Spongy brakes and mushy pedal feel
Brake pedal feels soft or mushy, requiring pumping action to develop proper braking force, particularly at lower speeds.
When: Reported at various mileages; described as recurring every time owner drives.
Symptoms owners cite: Soft or spongy brake pedal; Must pump brakes to achieve braking force; At low speeds, vehicle only slows about 20% with single brake application; At higher speeds (50+ mph), requires 2–3 brake pumps to stop properly
Brake failure during driving
Brakes fail or severely lose effectiveness while driving, requiring activation of Forward Collision Avoidance system to stop vehicle or causing extended stopping distances.
When: At 11,000 miles (repeated incidents); at 4,000 miles; at 50 mph; hours after vehicle ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to slow when brake pedal depressed; No warning light illuminated; Stopping distance greatly extended; Forward Collision Avoidance system activated to prevent crash
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics unable to duplicate failure at dealership on multiple attempts. One case involved brake pads and rotors replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases but no recall or service program identified.
Uneven brake pad wear (rear)
Rear brake pads wear unevenly, with inside pads showing heavy wear and outside pads not wearing evenly, indicating possible caliper slide pin or bolt issue.
When: Present from new vehicle; first noted in early 2022; recurring after repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Inside rear brake pads showing heavy wear; Outside brake pads not wearing evenly; Premature pad and rotor wear; Pitting on rotors causing accelerated wear
Repairs/costs cited: Rear axle rotors replaced at 25,700 miles due to pitting; all four rotors and pads replaced. Service performed at Kendall Ford in early 2022; issue recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Care stated this is normal wear and tear; no warranty programs available to address the issue.
Brake noise
Abnormal squealing sound when brake pedal is depressed.
When: At approximately 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal squealing sound during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced brake pads and brake discs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened a case; dealer did not diagnose or repair.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 Ford Ranger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2019 Ford Ranger?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 19,953 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Ford/Ranger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.