2019 Ford Ranger: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jan 27, 2026 · Driver assistance, Transmission · CO

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.

Filed May 6, 2025 · SD

I started hearing a ticking sound under the dash on the driver's side. Then it would blow hot air on drivers side and cold air on passenger side whether it was on heat or air conditioning. We also smelt plastic once in awhile. I took it in and was told it was it was the actuator. They replaced that and that took care of the noise but not the 2 different air Temps. Took it back and now was told the distribution housing needs to be replaced. I have read on a recall for the HVAC system it could catch on fire so the melting plastic smell concerns me.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Seats · OH · fire · 1 injury

As I was driving down the road I began I started to smell something unusual - in a way it smelled like burning plastic and/or anti-freeze. I then began to feel quite a bit more heat than usual on my lower back, so much I knew something was wrong. I pulled my truck over, got out and as soon as I got out my heated seat started producing smoke where I believe the main heated seat coil is. Within seconds a flame burst out from the seat. I luckily had a drink in my cup holder that I reached over to grab & pour out on the flame. It kept smoking after I dumped the liquid on it. I then grabbed a water bottle from my back seat & was able to put the fire out completely. In conclusion, my 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Crew Cab heated seat caught fire while it was turned on, on 9/15/2022 at approx. 9:00a.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Electrical · OK · fire

On Jan 04,2022 while flat towing my truck behind my motorhome it caught fire and burned to the ground. It was too badly burned for the insurance to make a determination of the cause. However, it started in the engine compartment. I know it was not a bad tire because all tires were inflated until the fire popped them. I was able to get the truck disconnected from the RV and know that it remain in Neutral with nothing seized up like the transmission or brakes because the truck rolled on its own once it was disconnected and had to be chocked. I had followed all the proper procedures and my key was in acc position. I had towed this truck many hundred miles prior. That day I had towed it 5-6 hours prior to the fire. This incident took place in Alachua County Florida. Alachua County Fire Rescur case # ACFR22-0000462 Alachua Police Department case #22APD00014 State Farm Insurance Claim #36-29co-58s

Filed Feb 1, 2020 · Lights · 100 miles · WA

We bought a brand new 2019 ford ranger from epic ford and after purchasing the car our ford app said we had a recall. We asked the sales people about it and they said we needed to come back the next day to get it fixed and that it would take a few minutes. We then were told the part would be in the next day and that they would call us. Then we were told the part was on back order and that it would be a week. I called service to see if there was any update and we were told that the part would not be in for up to a month and that we could not take the truck to drive in the mean time because it could light on fire. (and this was after they let us leave the lot with the vehicle and drove it home with our two week old infant) the service told us they would keep us updated weekly. We went into ford a few days later to talk to the general manager so we could get some answers. I was lied to and talked to someone who told me they were the manager but after mentioning legalities he admitted to not being the manager. The general manager came in and he said there was nothing he could do but that he could pay our first bill and give us a loner and that he would contact me for updates. He then ignored my calls and emails about our first bill and would not give me an update. After a month I called service and asked for an update, she said that the general manager gave her specific instructions to not contact us at all. We continued to wait for the part and more than two months went by and we finally got the call we could come get our truck. They illegally sold us a new car with an active recall and lied to us the entire time, avoiding the truth and did the littlest possible for us to try and make it right.