The vehicle is experiencing a severe power train failure involving erratic and violent gear selection. The transmission unexpectedly jumps from 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear directly up to 7th or 8th gear, resulting in a total loss of acceleration. This is immediately followed by the transmission "slamming" down into lower gears, usually 1st or 2nd gear without driver input. This behavior is accompanied by a strong burning smell and a dashboard "wrench" warning light. The symptoms match the manufacturing defect documented in Ford TSB 24-2101 (CDF clutch drum). Diagnosis & Manufacturer Response: The issue began in October 2025 with a noticeable transmission shudder. I paid for two transmission flushes at Big O Tires to attempt to resolve the issue, but the mechanical failure has since escalated. When the "wrench" light appeared, an independent diagnostic computer was unable to retrieve an error code, as the light is a proprietary Ford powertrain indicator. Furthermore, the wrench light clears upon restarting the vehicle, despite the violent shifting and burning smell remaining. Ford Corporate agents claim there are "no known issues" and have refused to assist with towing, despite an active the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis (PE 24-001) regarding this exact 10R80 transmission. Safety Risk: This defect creates an extreme safety hazard. Violent downshifting into low gears at highway speeds can cause a loss of vehicle control or a rear-end collision. The burning smell indicates internal friction and fluid oxidation, posing an immediate fire risk or the potential for a catastrophic mechanical lock-up.
2019 Ford Ranger driver assistance problems
16 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 23,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 23,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Blind spot detection4
- Warnings3
- Sensing system: camera2
- Rearview system braking2
- Automatic emergency braking2
- Warning1
- Adaptive cruise control1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Ranger driver assistance problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Ford Ranger driver assistance
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- 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 the federal safety agency recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning September 8, 2025.
Recall number 25V572000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- 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.
Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details
What 2019 Ford Ranger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the backup camera initially projected three lines at the bottom of the screen, distorting the driver’s vision. The contact stated that over time, the camera displayed a blank or distorted image, and the message "Camera Not Accessible" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the backup camera was reset. The reset initially repaired the failure; however, the failure returned soon after the reset. The contact made two attempts to reach the manufacturer, but the call was disconnected each time. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
While backing up out of a parking space, my BLIS system did not give me a warning letting me know there was a pole to my left side...finally, it beeped just once as I backed into the pole...no other warning. Estimate of repair is $4900. My neighbor was with me and can confirm everything
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure had obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the visibility, and the contact was prevented from safely operating the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or inspected. The vehicle was not repaired because the VIN was not under recall. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V442000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
My tail lights just stopped working. I didn't know that they were out until someone behind me told me that they were out. I didn't have any collision, nothing like that. I called the Ford Dealership and they told me to bring it in so that they can see what the problem is. They have been having issues with tail lights just going out.
This is in relation to an existing recall on the 2019 Ford Ranger, the federal safety agency Recall no. 19V‑839 This recall was for improperly connected inline electrical connectors from the Ford factory causing issues with rear brake lamps. I have recently had a fault with the same connector, which Ford technicians discovered was not properly connected. This connector failed due to the loose connection, causing all electrical connections in the rear frame (fuel pump, rear view camera, cross traffic warning, parking sensors) to fail. Upon discovering recall 19V‑839, I contacted Ford support. I was informed that my truck was built in the same factory as the recalled vehicles, but was completed three days after the impacted period ( JUN 04, 2018 - AUG 16, 2019). Therefor Ford will not consider my issue part of the recall. Ford has advised me to bring this up to the federal safety agency to broaden the scope of the recall. I It seems clear to me that this issue was the same as the recall, and likely the original dates were too narrow. I hope you will investigate this issue.
Once the "Maintenace Required" message is displayed on the "multi-information display" (shortly prior to standard maintenance intervals), it is permanently displayed . Once the message is displayed, "meter control switches" no longer function (until reset by dealer maintenance). Enabling any ADAS feature (if not enabled) is impossible as this requires using the "meter control switches." While stopped (or not), resetting the "message indicating maintenance" procedure in the user manual does not work (page 447 in [XXX] ) as it requires functional "meter control switches": â Resetting the message indicating maintenance is required After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance schedule, please reset the reminder light or message. To reset the reminder light or message, follow the procedure described below: 1 Press or of the meter control switches and select on the multi-information display. 2 Press or of the meter control switches and select âVehicle Settingsâ. Then press and hold . 3 Press or of the meter control switches and select âScheduled Maintenanceâ. Then press . 4 Select âYesâ and press . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle presented a blind spot system fault warning and a cross traffic system fault. Immediately after this warning appears the vehicle ac/ heater shutdown, passengers seat belts light came up and radio got frozen. None of the ac/ heater controls worked. Blinkers appears to be advising that the were not working properly. Vehicle rums but everything else regarding de console stopped working.
The blindspot sensor on my truck appears to have gotten very hot. It melted the tail light and the wiring harness.
Questions about the 2019 Ford Ranger driver assistance
Does the 2019 Ford Ranger have driver assistance problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2019 Ford Ranger, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2019 Ford Ranger driver assistance problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 23,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2019 Ford Ranger driver assistance?
Yes, 2 recalls: 25V572000, 25V442000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Ranger have the most driver assistance problems?
The Ford Ranger model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2019 (16 complaints), 2021 (13 complaints) and 2020 (11 complaints).
Other 2019 Ford Ranger problems
Transmission 92Electrical 41Engine 31Visibility 24Suspension 21Brakes 20Lights 14Acceleration 12Fuel system 9Seats 9Seat belts 7Steering 5Airbags 4Wheels 4Body 3Tires 2
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