Ford Ranger Airbag Problems

Owners have filed 1,880 complaints about air bags problems with the Ford Ranger — 27% of all Ranger complaints. The worst model years are 2008 (295), 2007 (236) and 2011 (196). Problems typically start around 72,000 miles. 16 related recalls have been issued.

1,880complaints
2008worst year
72ktypical miles
16related recalls
352crashes
7fires

Airbag complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261825223279676237251891321752362951441281964321242
Airbag complaints per model year, Ford Ranger.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202525%—
202444%50,000 miles
2023211%2,000 miles
202213%17,000 miles
202122%19,000 miles
202032%2,000 miles
201941%54,000 miles
201119683%50,000 miles
201012882%66,000 miles
200914485%70,000 miles
200829590%80,000 miles
200723687%75,000 miles
200617564%89,000 miles
200513246%87,000 miles
200418947%89,000 miles
20032510%47,000 miles
20023711%44,000 miles
20016212%59,000 miles
20006710%69,000 miles
19997910%110,000 miles
1998326%40,000 miles
1997225%53,000 miles
1996256%97,000 miles
1995186%226,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Frontal
    229
  • Frontal › Sensor/control module
    14
  • Side/window
    14
  • On-off switch assembly
    6
  • Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
    2
  • Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
    2
  • Air bag/restraint control module › Software
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    4913%
  • 25k–50k
    7820%
  • 50k–75k
    8021%
  • 75k–100k
    6116%
  • 100k–150k
    6718%
  • 150k+
    4612%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH and making a U-turn, the vehicle experienced a total loss of motive power. The Service Emergency Brake and Trailer Brake Assist warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnosis details were unavailable. Additionally, during rainy weather, water intruded into the cabin and accumulated, leaving the seats wet and causing mold growth. The local dealer was contacted on several occasions regarding the water intrusion. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V238000 (Structure, Electrical System) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V541000 (Air Bags), suspecting that improper completion of a prior recall repair contributed to the failure. …

2024 Ranger · 50,000 miles · Jun 2026

I received a letter several months ago for: Manufacturer Recall Number25C41 NHTSA Recall Number25V541 I called the Ford dealership to schedule the recall repair and they told me parts were not available. I explained to them I had a recall letter stating parts were now available and to schedule the repair. The dealer said they had the parts on order and they have not received any yet. I asked them if I could get put on their schedule for when parts came in and they agreed. They said they would call me as soon as they had parts to make the repair. Meanwhile, I received another recall letting from Ford saying parts are available, please schedule the repairs. I have been calling Ford recall hotline and the Ford dealership for over two months trying to get the safety recall repairs completed. …

2024 Ranger · Oct 2025

Truck continues to have airbag lights on even after repairs at ford dealership. The first time it happened it would only come on when cold and would go off after 30-45 minutes. When airbag light was on gauges, heat and air and stereo would not work. That was November 2020. The dealership replaced Body Control Module and other electrical components. June 2021 the airbag light is on again. The code it's giving is short in passenger airbag circuit. The truck is also saying that rear driver door is open when shut and continually tries to lock and unlock doors. Interior lights stay on because the truck thinks the door is open. Dealership keeps putting off seeing truck for diagnosing. Will not answer if the truck is safe to drive or if airbags will function if the truck is involved in an accident.

2020 Ranger · Jul 2021

We were heading east on a city street when we came to an intersection. The light was green so we continued through the intersection. There was another car heading west on the same street and turned left directly in front of us at the intersection. We were traveling between 40-45 MPH. We could not avoid the car that turned in front of us. We hit the side of the second vehicle (the one turning south) head on with our vehicle. The airbags in our vehicle did not deploy. Both the fireman and sheriff on the seen commented on the fact that our airbags should have deployed. Also after our vehicle was towed back to the dealership, the head mechanic was shocked that the airbags did not deploy. Our vehicle has a bent frame on both sides and has been totaled.

2020 Ranger · 2,000 miles · Sep 2020 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owned a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a cow. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and severe front-end damage had occurred but no airbags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 54,000. Vehicle has been totaled State Farm with Claim number [redacted]. "

2019 Ranger · 54,000 miles · Feb 2022 · crash

Airbags: passenger rear and front side airbags did not deploy after being struck on the passenger side by another vehicle. Seatbelts: were ineffective Vehicle was sold due to system failures and equipment issues. Safety: Head and body trauma due to non deployment. Inspection: Unknown No system messages before collision

2019 Ranger · Mar 2024 · crash · 3 injuries

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer wanted to charge the contact to complete the repair because the air bag was deployed. The contact stated that prior to the recall appointment, he had a crash with a deer which deployed the driver's side front air bag. The contact stated that he was driving at approximately 20 MPH during the impact. The contact stated that the deer crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle and only cracked the passenger side front headlight. The contact stated that the dealer was unwilling to complete the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

2011 Ranger · 235,000 miles · Jul 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the system needed to be reset. While driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 161,484.

2011 Ranger · Air bag/restraint control module › Software · 161,000 miles · Oct 2021

Related recalls (16)

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain

NHTSA recall 25V-541 · Aug 22, 2025 · 100,900 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger vehicles. The side curtain air bags may contact the B-Pillar inner reinforcements and tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C41.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 23V-306 · Apr 28, 2023 · 231,942 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 23V-125 · Feb 24, 2023 · 98,550 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-158 · Mar 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 vehicles

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 › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-076 · Feb 17, 2021 · 144,340 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

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.

Show 11 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 21V-081 · Feb 16, 2021 · 1,067 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 19V-001 · Jan 7, 2019 · 782,384 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 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 › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-023 · Jan 11, 2018 · 33,310 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with driver-side air bag inflators .

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-022 · Jan 11, 2018 · 33,310 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-046 · Jan 11, 2018 · 327,796 vehiclesDo not drive

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 › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-787 · Dec 11, 2017 · 328,213 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-788 · Dec 11, 2017 · 328,213 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

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's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-024 · Jan 10, 2017 · 654,695 vehiclesDo not drive

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

NHTSA recall 16V-384 · May 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 vehiclesDo not drive

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-036 · Jan 25, 2016 · 361,692 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-322 · May 28, 2015 · 362,327 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA investigations

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V-172

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V-668

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Ranger years have airbag problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (295), 2007 (236), 2011 (196), 2004 (189) and 2006 (175) model years. Airbag complaints make up 90% of all complaints for the 2008.

Is there a recall for Ford Ranger airbag problems?

Yes — 16 recalls, including 25V-541 (curtain, Aug 22, 2025); 23V-306 (inflator module, Apr 28, 2023); 23V-125 (inflator module, Feb 24, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Ford Ranger airbag problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the frontal (229 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (14).

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.