1,899 of the 10,502 complaints filed about the Ford Ranger are about the airbag system — 18% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.
1,899
Complaints
18%
Share of all complaints
365
Crashes
7
Fires
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted on several occasions.
NHTSA complaint #11757887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #11756925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were unavailable for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that several attempts were made to have the recall repair performed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11755917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2007 Ford Ranger. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11753314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I have waited years to get the air bags repaired. My wife is scared to ride in the truck. Now the electronics have started messing up. Ford should have to pay me back some of what this vehicle cost because of poor quality workmanship.
NHTSA complaint #11752720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2007 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags); and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the recall repair was completed and the contact no longer owns the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11751615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the son was driving uphill at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a boat trailer, causing the vehicle to roll over and slide approximately 20 ft. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. Additionally, the contact stated that a 100-pound dog was occupying the front passenger's seat during the crash. The driver sustained a mild concussion and was examined by a nurse, who was a neighbor. A police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local storage lot and deemed destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (AIR BAGS), where the air bag warning light was illuminated after the recall remedy, and the dealer informed that it would un-illuminate after 50 miles. The failure mileage was 175,000.
NHTSA complaint #11748760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I received a letter from FORD identifying my Ranger as in need of an airbag replacement under recall, for free installation and parts. I called the only Ford dealer in town, Capitol Ford, Santa Fe, NM, and was told they were unable to replace my airbag because they did not have the parts for it and did not know when they would get the parts. That was about 4 years ago. Recently, I called the same FORD dealer and made an appointment via a text message to get the airbag replaced under recall. When I took my Ranger in for service at the time arranged, the dealer did not give me any paperwork or receipt or work order. The service dept. personnel just asked for my keys and agreed that I would wait in the lobby. After 2 hours I asked the service personnel whether my airbag had been replaced and a staff member informed me that I would need to leave it all day to get the airbag replaced. I was not prepared to wait all day for this, so I informed this person I needed to reschedule the air bag replacement appointment. He then told me he would not give me my Ranger until I agreed not to request Capitol Ford to replace my airbag, he said I had to agree to take it to another dealer for airbag replacement. I then said I was calling the police to report he stole my vehicle. Only then did he agree to return my Ranger to me. Then, I called the Ford manufacturer and recounted these events. The representative called Capitol Ford to make an appointment for me for the airbag replacement while I waited on the line. After waiting, the rep returned to the line and informed me the dealer refused to make an appointment for said airbag replacement and hung up. I have not heard back from the manufacturer and that was last week. I received no documentation, receipt, or work order from Capitol Ford when I dropped off my Ranger for service as described above.
NHTSA complaint #11744306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The Ford dealership completed repairs on my vehicle and returned it by parking it in front of my garage. I have a long driveway and additional parking and needed to park the vehicle somewhere else (maybe 20-30 feet away). I reversed the truck ~20 feet and when I tapped the gas lightly to turn the car left to pull into the parking space it accelerated rapidly. I pressed the brakes repeatedly and the car didn't stop and barely slowed down after noticing that continuing to turn the steering wheel to the left did nothing. I tried cutting the wheel and the tires seemed unresponsive and the vehicle didn't stop until it hit a small tree on the right side of the parking area. Upon trying to move the vehicle back to the original parking space the vehicle seemed to only allow steering to the right and hit a tree on the right passenger front door. The airbags, part of the service work previously completed from another recall, didn't deploy despite having an 85lb passenger in the vehicle. The dash flashed with many sensors when I initially tried to stop the vehicle when it was in drive. The vehicle is available for inspection. The safety of myself and my passenger were at risk. I was transported to the ER. The problem was not confirmed by anyone yet. The vehicle was inspected by police visually and damages documented in the police report. I have not spoken to the dealer as I'm now weary of their service center practices since this occurred the first time I drove the vehicle after they made the repairs for the passenger airbag and brake recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11741145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Became aware of open recalls circa 09.2025, and requested the parts be ordered at Ford Auto Nation (FAN) Panama City, FL. Was told by John, dealership would call when parts became available. Parts have not either been available and/or there have been no calls. Calling the dealer is ludicrous as all calls are answered by an incompetent call center. Dropped by the dealership today 04/25/2026, and Taylor could not book a service appointment, did not know if parts to fix recalls were available for my vehicle, and said I would need to speak with John whom was off today. It appears that Ford/FAN-PC is not interested in safety or repairing my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11733759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Restraints indicator lamp warning. Air bag warning is on due to a problem with the front passenger side airbag. The front passenger airbag may not function.
NHTSA complaint #11726607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #11723752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Hit a tree head-on going 30+mph. Impact point on the vehicle was next to the airbag sensor. Air bags did not deploy
NHTSA complaint #11715693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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. They will not fix my compromised airbags and I am not getting any support from Ford to get this resolved.
NHTSA complaint #11711896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway in rainy weather at 60 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road. The contact stated that she could not recount what happened moments after she drove off the road; she did recall that she pulled up to a stop sign and her air bags had deployed. The police arrived at the scene and assisted the contact with moving the vehicle out of the road; a police report was not filed. The contact did not seek medical attention but suffered burns to her right arm and chest. The contact also sustained bruising to her face. The vehicle was towed the next day to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was under recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V306000(Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.
NHTSA complaint #11700319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Why hasn't Ford found replacement parts for this airbag defect. I don't feel safe driving a car that may cause more injury to my person if I'm in an accident. This should fixed immediately. Or I would like to return my vehicle for full refund or get a new one with out safety issues.
NHTSA complaint #11684270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I'm looking to buy this truck from a private sale. If I do, and the recall has not been completed, will the manufacturer still fix it for free?
NHTSA complaint #11670841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11662752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2006 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while at a stop light, a crash occurred involving two other vehicles. During the crash, one of the other vehicles crashed into the contact’s vehicle, causing severe damages to the front-end of the vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The Fire Department was called to the scene and removed the front driver’s side door to free the contact from the vehicle. The contact sustained a neck injury and was later taken by her daughter to seek medical attention. A Police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V081000 (AIR BAGS). The contact was concerned that after the recall repair was performed, the air bag failed to deploy during the crash. The failure mileage was 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11651972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
There used to be no sufficient clearance between the drivers knee airbag and the brake pedal. I wear steel toe boots for work and my foot just barely fits between the brake pedal and the airbag box. Several times it’s gotten hung up and I had trouble getting to the brake. In a panic situation the could be disastrous. I’ve checked in other model trucks and there is plenty of clearance.
NHTSA complaint #11648697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.