2008 Ford Ranger

Do not drive

Owners filed 326 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
65,000 milesMedian miles at failure

70 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags292
605
Electrical System6
000
Structure › Body5
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Suspension2
101
Structure2
000
Air Bags › Frontal2
202
Wheels1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Tires1
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V158000
Filed Mar 10, 20212,602,668 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Remedy. 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 Module21V081000
Filed Feb 16, 20211,067 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

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. 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 Module21E013000
Filed Feb 16, 2021249 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts 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.

Remedy. 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 Module17V024000Do not drive
Filed Jan 10, 2017654,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V384000Do not drive
Filed May 31, 20161,892,343 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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 Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. 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 Lights11V352000
Filed Jul 13, 201126,715 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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 EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash
Filed Aug 14, 2026CA

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

Air Bags
Filed Aug 10, 2026MD

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.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 22, 2023TX

Car accident on 6/21/2023 - Richardson Texas Air bags never deployed. The truck hit a tree head on . The air bags were maintainced at the Ford dealership a couple of years ago when we got the recall notice Passanger air bag never deployed

Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 2022MS

Several attempts have been made to attain an appointment to remedy this recall with a local dealership (Long-Lewis) in Corinth, MS. As of today, I have made six attempts to talk with service about this recall, no response has yet been offered. My concern is that I have been driving this vehicle since I purchased new in February 2008 with a potential grenade imitating an air bag and Ford Motor company and or their dealerships do not seem to take this concern seriously. Why is the Federal government (NHSTA) so passive about safety?

Air Bags
Filed Sep 6, 2022TX

Recently purchased this truck and apparetly the passeenger air bag was missing or had previosly failed by imploding. I do not now the history of vehicle. I Carried the truck to Rockwall Ford in Rockwall, Texas to have the air bag recall taken care off. After being there for a week the service manager called me and said Ford would not pay for this since passenger air bag was missing. Ford said I would need to pay for the service myself. I have a major problem with Ford now because they are obligated by law to repace the air bags regardless any of prior events. Priors are totally irrevelant and meaningless. End result I want Ford Motor Company to replace the 2 air bags a no cost to me the consumer. I will continue to pursue the above until there is a satisfactory resolution Please advise Sincerely Larry Kinsey Ph. 214 650 3301 [email protected] 3951 Fm 550 Royse City, Tex. 75189 Rockwall Ford ph. 972-290-2200 or 972-290-2257

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 18, 2022NH

The rear frame is rotted I am a retired ASA certified in 5 categories Mechanic and I have my ranger apart now but I need new rear frame where the spring hangers rotted out and the bracket that runs the top of the gas tank is rotted out that holds the 2 frame rails is rotted out. THESE PIECES CANNOT BE WELDED. Needs a new frame.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 11, 2021NY

This recall has been unresolved for over 2 years.

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Aug 25, 202180,000 milesKY

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that after lending the vehicle to a neighbor, the neighbor informed the contact that the vehicle was making an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the rear spring hangers had detached. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Invalid VIN.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 5, 2021CO

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. Several dealers including AutoNation Ford Littleton (8252 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80122), Schomp Ford (150 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80012), O'Meara Ford (400 W 104th Ave, Northglenn, CO 80234), Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood (11595 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215) and Phil Long Ford (1114 Motor City Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80905) were contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. 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.

Air Bags
Filed May 24, 2021NV

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. 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 not available.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 2, 2021AK

WE ARE STILL GETTING RECALL NOTICES EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECORD OF THE REPAIR BEING COMPLETED BUT WE NEED TO CONTACT DMV TO GET IT RECORDED.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 21, 2020130,000 milesCA

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT TEARING IN HALF OVER PAST 2 YEARS

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 21, 202098,000 milesOH

REAR END OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY SPARE TIRE HOLDER BROKE WHILE DRIVING SPARE WAS HANGING DOWN HAD TO BE REMOVED LUCKILY IT STAYED ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK WITH THE CABLE AND DIDN'T HIT ANY VEHICLE'S THE BED IS EXTREMELY RUSTED IF I GET IN THE BACK OF THE BED IT CRACKS AND FEELS LIKE YOUR GOING TO FALL THROUGH BED IS BECOMING LOOSE AND LEANING TO ONE SIDE. ITS A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SO I EXPECT SOME PROBLEMS BUT NOT THIS EXTENSIVE I FEEL LIKE ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A NEW BED ON IT

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 9, 202069,000 milesTN

FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 2019182,500 milesVA

PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD RANGER THAT HAS ISSUES WITH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR HIGH BEAMS ENGAGING ALTHOUGH THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS OF YET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING . THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING SAME WITH HIGH BEAMS. I NOTIFIED AND ASKED FORD TODAY IF THIS WAS NORMAL .

Structure
Filed Oct 10, 2019FL

2008 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUST OVER FRAME OF VEHICLE WHICH ATTRIBUTED TO OUR PROBLEMS. *AS *JS

Air Bags
Filed Aug 10, 2019500,000 milesAZ

I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. BUT AFTER REPAIR THE AIR BAG RATTLES. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED WE R GOING ON YEAR 3. WHEN I REACH OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FAR TOO LONG

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 7, 201982,000 milesCT

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SMALL REPAIR ON POWER STEERING HOSE. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE UNDERSIDE IS SO RUSTED IT ISN'T EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. RECOMMENDS JUNKING VEHICLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 30, 201955,000 milesWI

FRAME RUSTING ON THE BED. IT IS LOOSE AND WOBBLY AND MAY COME OFF. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKING OVER MY SHOULDER TO PASS. SAW THE BED OF THE TRUCK MOVING ABOUT.

Air Bags
Filed May 10, 2019TN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CLEVELAND FORD (2496 S LEE HWY, CLEVELAND, TN 37311 (423) 472-5454) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20 of 326 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266700Routine
2025391300Routine
2024791300Routine
202318410Do not drive
202237500Routine
2021114630Routine
2020127710Routine
20192661120Above average
20171000Routine
20161000Routine
20141000Routine
2011235610Do not drive
2010156900Do not drive
2009169801Do not drive
2008 — this page326611Do not drive
2007270610Do not drive
20062711224Do not drive
20052891150Do not drive
20044041232Do not drive
20032435111Fatalities reported
20023467122Fatalities reported
2001515994Fatalities reported
20006708122Fatalities reported
199975510140High concern
199857611297Fatalities reported
1997411781Fatalities reported
199641381810Fatalities reported
1995321791Fatalities reported
199443811151Fatalities reported
199323210152Fatalities reported
19921896320High concern
19911326210High concern
19901055152Fatalities reported

Compare every Ranger year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 10, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.