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 ↗2020 Ford Ranger engine problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Ford Ranger have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine 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 →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ranger | 16 |
| 2020 Ranger (this page) | 11 |
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My truck(2020 Ford ranger) has fuel contamination in the engine oil. I changed the oil for the first time when the truck had 860 miles on it. The oil reeked of gasoline when I changed it. I sent the oil into blackstone for analysis and the results showed a 4.3% fuel dilution of the oil, which according to the company is a cautionary level. They also stated the oil viscosity was low and probably…
When I start the car, it makes a rattle noise and when the engine warms up, it goes away, but every time I accelerate, you can hear the rattle again and when I remove my foot from the acceleration pedal, the rattle goes away and like that every time I accelerate. I took the car to the dealer and explained them about the noise and later that day, they called and told that in the 2019 and 2020…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2020 Ford Ranger?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 33,125 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 $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.