For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Ford Ranger engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Ford Ranger have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 44,825 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ranger (this page) | 16 |
| 2020 Ranger | 11 |
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Ford Ranger we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles not equipped with an engine appearance cover may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to water build up in the spark plug well(s) which can lead to signs of corrosion on ignition system components. To prevent reoccurrence, an engine appearance cover must be installed on the vehicle. Currently, the engine cover (SPN: L1MZ-6A949-A) is not available to order and a new engine cover kit is being released. Repair the vehicle by replacing suspect ignition system components and schedule an appointment with
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2019-2022 Ranger vehicles (equipped without an engine appearance cover) may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 and/or P0316 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to water build up in the spark plug well(s) which can lead to signs of corrosion on ignition system components. To prevent reoccurrence, an engine appearance cover must be installed on the vehicle. Currently, the engine cover (SPN: L1MZ-6A949-A) is not available to order and a new engine cover kit is being released. Repair the vehicle by replacing suspect ignition system components and schedule an appointment wit
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019-2021 Ranger and 2020-2021 Explorer with 2.3L EcoBoost engines and customer concern of increased engine oil level and/or fuel smell in oil. This may occur when operating conditions do not regularly allow the oil to reach full operating temperature such as: frequent short trips, long periods of idling or driving in stop and go traffic, and/or prolonged driving in cold climates. This condition is normal and will not affect engine durability due to increased oil level or fuel content in the oil. Advise customers concerned about their engine to regularly operate the vehicle in a manner to allow the oil to reach a normal, warm operating temperature which vaporizes the fuel, and follow Intelli
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2019-2021 Ranger vehicles built on or before 09-Aug-2021 and 2021 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine may experience reduced engine power in freezing temperatures with an illuminated malfunction indication lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction indicator (wrench) lamp with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, P2112, and/or P2119. This may be due to water or ice buildup in the intake manifold behind the throttle body. If suspected, remove the throttle body and inspect for water or ice in the base of the intake manifold. If water or ice is found, replace the intake manifold with part number KB3Z-9424-B and crankcase vent oil separator hose, part number LB5Z-6A664-D. Refer to Wo
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Ford Rangers report engine troubles concentrated in two problem areas: water intrusion and sensor/electrical failures. The most common complaint is water pooling in spark plug wells, causing misfires, stalling at highway speeds (50–70 mph), and illuminated check engine lights. Owners note this occurs as early as 28,000 miles. Several discovered the issue only at routine maintenance; others lost power while driving. One owner had rainwater invade cylinders twice, including after repair. A dealer noted the higher-trim Rangers came with an upper engine cover from the factory to prevent this, but lower trims lacked it—suggesting a design gap. Owners cite Technical Service Bulletin 23-2011 as Ford's known response.
A second major issue involves crank position sensor failures linked to oil seepage from a front timing cover. One owner experienced three complete engine shutdowns at highway speed over months, losing all power, steering, brakes, and safety systems with zero limp mode. Dealers attributed it to oil permeating the sensor and requested $2,200 for repairs after an earlier $1,500 fix.
Other reported troubles include failing head gaskets with coolant leaking into cylinders (one case persisted through two replacement attempts), transmission failures (hard shifts, jerking, fluid leaks, metal debris in transmission after drum failure), and EGR failure at high mileage. One owner reported a strong fuel smell in the garage after driving.
Failure modes owners describe
Water intrusion into spark plug wells
Rainwater pools in spark plug wells and corrodes electrical components, causing misfires, stalling, and power loss at highway speeds. Occurs on lower-trim 2019 Rangers lacking upper engine cover that higher trims received from factory.
When: 28,000 to 81,000 miles; early failures reported at 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire; Check engine light flashing or illuminated; Loss of power at highway speed (50–70 mph); Engine stalling while driving; Vehicle deceleration; Corrosion on electrical components
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfire, implied by dealer diagnosis and check engine light)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs, spark plug boots, coil packs, and boot covers replaced; dealer recommended or installed upper engine cover. One case required engine replacement due to coolant intrusion severity.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 23-2011 issued; Extended Warranty coverage offered on some VINs; Ford referred owners to NHTSA; one owner denied warranty coverage
Crank position sensor failure / oil seepage from timing cover
Oil permeates from front timing cover onto crank position sensor, causing sensor malfunction and complete engine shutdown with no limp mode at highway speeds. All vehicle systems (steering, brakes, ABS, adaptive cruise, radar) fail simultaneously.
When: Multiple incidents over several months; first incident around 65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown at highway speed (65 mph); Loss of power steering; Loss of anti-lock brakes; Loss of traction control; Loss of adaptive cruise control; Loss of forward-facing radar; No limp mode; complete loss of all systems
Codes mentioned: Crank position sensor fault (implied; dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: First repair cost $1,500; second repair attempt quoted at $2,200. Oil seepage on sensor attributed to leak in front timing cover design.
Failing head gasket with coolant intrusion
Head gasket failure allows coolant into cylinders and engine oil into spark plugs. One case persisted after two head gasket replacements and transmission replacement, with dealer unable to duplicate or resolve failure.
When: Approximately 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle deceleration from 65 mph to 35 mph; Check engine light briefly illuminated; Coolant entering cylinders; Engine oil entering spark plugs; Engine failure
Codes mentioned: Head gasket fault (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replaced twice; transmission also replaced (transmission failure diagnosed concurrently). Failure persisted; vehicle not fully repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened case and extended transmission warranty; referred owner to NHTSA
Transmission failure / hard shifts and slipping
Transmission slips gears, shifts hard, jerks abnormally, and develops fluid leaks. One case involved CDF drum breakage at 68k miles, just past 5-year warranty, scattering metal debris in transmission and requiring full transmission replacement.
When: 65,000 to 68,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gear skipping; Gear slipping; Hard shifting; Abnormal jerking when shifting into park on incline; Transmission fluid leak; Vehicle attempting to shift into first and second at 80 mph
Codes mentioned: Transmission failure (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced in multiple cases. One case involved CDF drum failure with metal debris circulation in transmission, requiring full transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer extended transmission warranty in one case
EGR failure
Exhaust Gas Recirculation system failure causes loss of motive power at highway speeds.
When: Approximately 185,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power at 65 mph; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: EGR failure (dealer diagnosis)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened; related to Customer Satisfaction Program 21M03
Check engine light with undiagnosed cause
Check engine light illuminates continuously; dealer reprogrammed computer system but failure persisted and cause remained undetermined.
When: 426 miles (extremely early failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light continuously illuminated
Codes mentioned: Unknown (computer reprogramming attempted but did not resolve)
Repairs/costs cited: Computer system reprogrammed; vehicle not repaired as root cause undetermined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Engine bucking and speed loss at highway speeds
Vehicle bucks and loses speed momentarily while cruising at highway speed, then resumes normal operation. Repeated twice.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle bucking at highway speed; Loss of speed (temporary)
Fuel smell in garage after driving
Strong fuel odor in garage appears after driving truck, lingers 2–3 days if parked. Occurs 3–4 times over ownership period.
When: Multiple occasions; not mileage-dependent
Symptoms owners cite: Strong fuel smell in garage after driving; Odor persists 2–3 days when parked
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had appointment scheduled at Ford dealer
Transmission whining noise during acceleration
Long whining noise precedes every transmission shift during acceleration. Occurs both at stop lights and when slowing before accelerating again. Owner confirmed same model loaner did not exhibit the noise.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining noise before transmission shift; Occurs every time during acceleration
Engine stalling on shift from park
Engine shuts off when attempting to shift from park to forward or reverse. Vehicle stalls several times during normal driving operation. Dealer unable to identify cause after weeks of diagnosis.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling when shifting from park to forward or reverse; Engine attempting to stall during normal driving; Multiple stall events
Repairs/costs cited: Unresolved after weeks at dealership; cause unidentified
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2019 Ford Ranger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 28,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 44,825. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.