2011 Ford Ranger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (188) · Structure:body (6) · Exterior Lighting (6)
🧭 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
66 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2021-03-10 · campaign 21V158000 · 2,602,668 vehicles
Defect: 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. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: 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 replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-16 · campaign 21E013000 · 249 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, an
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 dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 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:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-01-07 · campaign 19V001000 · 782,384 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang ve
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2016-05-31 · campaign 16V384000 · 1,892,343 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islan
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
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 (12)
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.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
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
Power Train 2019-05-10 · SSM 47976 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with motorcraft multi-purpose grease spray xl-5-a even if grease was not applied from the factory. also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the eng
Equipment 2018-03-30 · SSM 47201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacing the original equipment sync/navigation system with either an aftermarket sync/navigation kit or modifying original sync/navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any ford, mercury or lincoln vehicle. only approved genuine ford accessories or origin
Equipment:electrical:radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 2018-02-14 · SSM 47080 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with sync or sync 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the spotify app via applink. as of an update released on 1/15/2018 spotify will no longer be supporting their applink integration. no repair attempts should be attempted to correct this concern.
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-15 · 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 w…”
2025-07-02 · 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?…”
2024-10-07 · Visibility/Wiper · 110,000 mi“high beam lights failed on, the hi-lo beam switch in turn, hazard, wiper combo switch later overheated, burn up, smoke in cabin causing complete loss of lamps, wipers at night in rain. clearly a common issue based on web. if you are going to send full load current with no control relays force a higher standard on design margins and and mttf. you ha…”
2024-07-24 · Air Bags · 235,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2023-07-18 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:software · 161,484 mi“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 informe…”
2023-05-25 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“the airbags did not deploy during accident. i was injured. no, the problem was not reproduced or confirmed by dealer or independent service center yet. the vehicle was inspected by police. there were no prior warnings.…”
2023-02-20 · Air Bags“took my 2011 ford ranger to the local dealer for the mandatory airbag and knee plate replacement pick up the vehicle they gave me paperwork saying the parts have been replaced happened to be working under the dash yesterday and found that parts were not replaced bolts were missing whether or not they removed anything or not i would doubt it and hig…”
2023-02-06 · Air Bags“ my vehicle has a safety recall the dealership refuses to repair and the manufacturer has been no help. …”
2022-11-27 · Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire“the spare tire fell off the vehicle, including the hoist, while driving down the road. the frame crossmember holding the hoist is rotted through, with virtually no other rust anywhere else on the body and frame. yes, you can come see it at any time. i have not bothered taking it to a dealership. since no property damage occured, i did not call the …”
2022-10-13 · Air Bags“the faulty airbag is unable to be replaced due to ford not being able to get replacement parts. it puts me at risk every day that i drive it because if i got into an accident and the airbag deploys, it can project metal shards into my body which can be life threatening or even cause death.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.