2005 Ford Ranger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (127) · Fuel System, Gasoline (23) · Suspension (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Ranger model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
152 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (9)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2023-04-28 · campaign 23V306000 · 231,942 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2023-02-24 · campaign 23V125000 · 98,550 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-17 · campaign 21V076000 · 144,340 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-16 · campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles
Defect: 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. These vehicles 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2017-12-11 · campaign 17V787000 · 328,213 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-036 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previo
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-12-11 · campaign 17V788000 · 328,213 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previ
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-01-25 · campaign 16V036000 · 361,692 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 16S03. Note: This recall supersedes 14V-343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-05-28 · campaign 15V322000 · 362,327 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 15S22. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2011-07-13 · campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles
Defect: 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, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQU
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (30)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2023-07-27 · 22B05 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2005-2014 mustang, 2005-2006 gt, 2004-2011 ranger, 2006-2012 fusion and mkz/zephyr, 2006-2011 milan, and 2007-2010 edge & mkx vehicles driver & passenger airbag module quality control inspection reason for this supplement ã¢â⢠updated ranger technical information to include images of a
Air Bags 2022-03-28 · 22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2005-2014 mustang, 2005-2006 gt, 2004-2011 ranger, 2006-2012 fusion & mkz/zephyr, 2006-2011 milan, and 2007-2010 edge & mkx vehicles driver & passenger airbag module quality control inspection: ford motor company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under takata a
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2014-10-22 · 14B04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: 2005-2006 ford gt, 2005-2008 mustang, and 2004-2005 ranger vehicles operated in florida, hawaii, puerto rico, or the u.s virgin islands are in need of an airbag inflator replacement. 06/11/15 *ta.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-02-27 · 06166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. *kb
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service tip. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 30 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-02-04 · Power Train · 223,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. the contact stated that upon arriving to the residence and applying the parking brake and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll backwards. the contact stated that the vehicle came to a complete stop after rolling across the street and through the neighbor’s fence. no warning lights were illuminated. t…”
2024-05-29 · Air Bags · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2005 ford ranger. the contact stated while driving at 50 mph, the vehicle was rear-ended by a driver who ran the stop sign. the impact caused the vehicle to flip over multiple times. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact suffered severe head trauma and ptsd from the accident. it was unknown if the other driver sustained an…”
2024-04-29 · Air Bags“see attached document for complaint…”
2023-10-24 · Air Bags · 228,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. the contact had taken the vehicle to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 23v125000 (air bags). the contact stated that while the vehicle was having the air bag replaced, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side air bag had not been seated correctly. the contact asked the service manager to return …”
2023-09-12 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2005 ford ranger. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v306000 (air bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. the local dealer was contacted. the manufacturer was not contacted.…”
2023-06-12 · Air Bags · 205,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2005 ford ranger. the contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle causing a fender bender. the contact stated that the front air bags deployed, and a powdery substance and metal fragments flew out of the air bag and landed on the contact. no injuries were sustained. no medica…”
2023-04-12 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was in an accident and the airbags did not inflate. i was going 30-35 mph, there was a patch of ice, and i hit a tree. the truck was totaled. i smashed my face on the steering wheel, fracturing a bone. some weeks later i received a letter in the mail from ford motor company with regards to a passenger side airbag recall. i am afraid that this cou…”
2023-04-10 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2005 ford ranger. the contact stated while driving 40 mph during rain weather conditions, the contact lost control of the vehicle while going around a curve, causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch. no air bags deployed. the contact suffered a head injury and several other unknown injuries due to the seat belt. the paramedic h…”
2023-02-13 · Vehicle Speed Control“at 200k miles i got an air bag light on my guage cluster. the blinking code corresponded to a bad connection at the clockspring. i also noticed my cruise control and horn were also inoperable, also an indicator of a bad clockspring. ford part number 1l5z-14a664-ab is the replacement part and is currently unavailable, for the last 6 months. this p…”
2022-01-29 · Unknown Or Other“my daughter called me screaming when her 2005 ford ranger fx4 level 2 had unexplained runaway throttle while driving back to college in january 2022. the vehicle had the cruise control on for a couple hours and without warning, began to accelerate to the point that it was at the rev limiter, traveling at 90 miles an hour. she called me hysterical…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.