Most common 2009 Ford Ranger problems
Share of the 169 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 →
2009 Ford Ranger recalls (7)
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 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.
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 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.
Show 1 more recall
Suspension › Multiple axle
Ford is recalling 11,134 my 2009 4x2 ranger vehicles. Some front wheel spindles were improperly manufactured creating the risk that a spindle May fracture during the normal useful life of the truck.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front spindle if necessary free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2009. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What 2009 Ford Ranger owners say
Air bags all 144 →
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Engine & cooling
Exact same problem as NHTSA campaign id 11V126000. Engine shroud penetrated high pressure fuel line, with fuel spraying out of line. Cannot believe vehicle did not catch on fire. Our 2009 Ford Ranger VIN # not covered by recall - it should be. Ford refuses to acknowledge the problem or cover the repair for our VIN #. Part # reference [redacted]. We filed a complaint with Ford customer service - case # [redacted]
Takata recall. I went to the nearest Ford dealer to see if they would fix my truck. They said that they did not have the parts to replace the air bags and that Ford would call me when they had the parts and that was back in April of 2017. I also received a card stating that they had file for chapter 11. I have done several calls to the Ford dealer in rsm to check if they have received the parts with no luck. Never received a call about the problem with the transition. On 2/28/18 I sent a letter explaining what had happen when I called Ford. As of today I have not received response to my letter. I did received another document stating that I should not have an passengers on the truck because it May cause serious injury. Ford has not even tried to contact us and let us know what they plan to do to solve this problem. So only one person can use the truck at this time.. …
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. While driving at 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to wobble. While depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the rotors of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rotors were changed; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Immediately after purchasing 2009 Ranger xlt, noticed excessive dirt on front wheel rims. Complained about it to dealer first time I took the truck in for an oil change, also complained that I wasn't getting mileage expected. Was told it was just brake dust, it would easily come off with tire cleaner & hose, & truck needed to be broken in for mileage improvement. I kept complaining that brake dust seemed excessive to me, never had problem before. Installed ceramic brake pads, didn't help. Within first year noticed steering wheel vibrating & dealer said I had to have new pads & rotors $400. I complained again that something else must be wrong with brakes. I don't drive dusty roads, don't ride the break, don't drive excessive miles (72,000 in 5 yrs.). Within 6 months noticed steering wheel vibrating when stopping, soon needed pads & rotors again. …
2009 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 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Ford Ranger a good car?
Based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Ranger rates average: 35% 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 2009 Ford Ranger?
The air bags — 144 complaints, 85% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and brakes (6).
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Ranger have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Ford Ranger problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 61% 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.