Most common 2008 Ford Ranger problems
Share of the 326 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Ranger complaints by model year
Best Ranger years: 2023, 2022, 2020. Years to avoid: 2019, 1999, 2000, 1998, 1996. Compare all years →
2008 Ford Ranger recalls (5)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Ford Ranger:
Tire valve cracking
On October 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international…
What 2008 Ford Ranger owners say
Air bags all 295 →
I was driving my brother in laws truck and went to dodge a deer My airbag deployed and caused me to crash into a sign on the driveway leading to my house causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the property sign I was knocked out unconscious and when I came to I got out and walked home and the next morning I had the truck towed to my house
Car accident on 6/21/2023 - Richardson Texas Air bags never deployed. The truck hit a tree head on . The air bags were maintainced at the Ford dealership a couple of years ago when we got the recall notice Passanger air bag never deployed
Body & structure
I was driving my brother in laws truck and went to dodge a deer My airbag deployed and caused me to crash into a sign on the driveway leading to my house causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the property sign I was knocked out unconscious and when I came to I got out and walked home and the next morning I had the truck towed to my house
The rear frame is rotted I am a retired ASA certified in 5 categories Mechanic and I have my ranger apart now but I need new rear frame where the spring hangers rotted out and the bracket that runs the top of the gas tank is rotted out that holds the 2 frame rails is rotted out. THESE PIECES CANNOT BE WELDED. Needs a new frame.
Electrical system
Purchased used 2008 Ford Ranger that has issues with multifunction switch malfunctioning on several occasions with the windshield wipers not working or high beams engaging although the turn signals are not affected as of yet. This happens when vehicle is stationary as well as moving . The windshield wipers will just quit working while driving same with high beams. I notified and asked Ford today if this was normal .
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the entire instrument panel illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. Ma 08/13/15 updated 10/25/2017
2008 Ford Ranger engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Ford Ranger a good car?
Based on 326 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Ranger rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ranger at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford Ranger?
The air bags — 295 complaints, 90% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the body & structure (10) and electrical system (7).
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Ranger have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2008 Ford Ranger, the most recent from March 10, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Ranger?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2022 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 1999, 2000, 1998 and 1996. See the full Ford Ranger years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Ranger problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.