NHTSA Complaint #11704505 — 2019 FORD RANGER

The climate control system on my 2019 Ford Ranger has a recurring failure that prevents the vehicle from properly adjusting temperature or directing air through the vents. The failure causes a constant clicking/snapping noise behind the dashboard, and the blend door does not move when the temperature is changed. This malfunction matches Ford’s published SSM 49264, which identifies a known defect in 2019–2020 Rangers built on or before 7/30/2020 and states that the entire HVAC housing assembly must be replaced. This issue creates a safety hazard because the truck cannot reliably defrost the windshield in cold or wet weather. Loss of defrosting capability severely limits visibility and makes safe operation of the vehicle difficult. The issue is reproducible every time the temperature is adjusted. The problem began when the vehicle was still within the original mileage window of the factory warranty, but the dealership did not repair it. Ford has confirmed the malfunction is caused by the blend door system, yet they have refused goodwill coverage for a repair that requires full dash removal and replacement of a known defective part. There were no warning lights, but the clicking noise and loss of temperature control began well before the warranty expired. The vehicle continues to experience the defect, and it poses an ongoing visibility and safety risk. Ford has acknowledged this exact failure mode in writing (SSM 49264), but has not issued a recall or safety campaign.