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2005 Ford Ranger recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 9 US recalls for the 2005 Ford Ranger, including 2 urgent (do not drive or park outside), and 5 in Canada. Owners filed 289 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags.

9US recalls
2urgent recalls
289owner complaints
–overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (9)

Do not drive

Air bags: frontal, driver side

2017-12-11 · campaign 17V787000 · 328,213 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

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. 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 previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.

Do not drive

Air bags: frontal, passenger side

2017-12-11 · campaign 17V788000 · 328,213 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

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. 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 previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side

2023-04-28 · campaign 23V306000 · 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side

2023-02-24 · campaign 23V125000 · 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side

2021-02-17 · campaign 21V076000 · 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.

Risk and remedy

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

2021-02-16 · campaign 21V081000 · 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. 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 and remedy

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, driver side

2016-01-25 · campaign 16V036000 · 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.

Risk and remedy

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.

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. 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

2015-05-28 · campaign 15V322000 · 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.

Risk and remedy

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.

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. 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

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 and remedy

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.

Canadian recalls (5)

Show 5 Canadian recalls

Airbag

2024-02-11 · campaign 2024-100

Issue: On certain vehicles, the front passenger airbag may have been installed incorrectly during a previous recall repair. As a result, the airbag may not inflate properly in a crash. Note: This recall affects vehicles repaired by a Ford dealer during recalls 17S42 (Transport Canada recall 2017-633) or 18S02 (Transport Canada recall 2018-024). Safety Risk: An airbag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Ford will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, reinstall the front passenger airbag inflator correctly.

Airbag

2021-02-19 · campaign 2021-077

Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the driver-front and/or passenger-front airbag inflator replaced after a collision or theft. An obsolete airbag may have been installed. On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a Ford dealer to inspect the driver and/or passenger airbag inflator or module and replace it, if necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Airbag

2017-12-15 · campaign 2017-633

On certain vehicles, the driver and/or passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. This recall supersedes recall 2015-231 (Ford recall 15S22) and recall 2016-033 (Ford recall 16S03) for these same vehicles and inflators. The recall remedy parts for those recalls were an interim repair and must be replaced with final repair inflators. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger airbag inflator with a new design inflator.

Airbag

2016-01-25 · campaign 2016-033

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2017633. Please see recall 2017633 for more information. <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2017633">Click here for more information</a>

Airbag

2015-05-28 · campaign 2015-231

On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the passenger airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace airbag inflators. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2017633. Please see recall 2017633 for more information. <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2017633">Click here for more information</a>

Owner complaints (289)

Owners filed 289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Ranger (23 crashes, 5 fires, 23 injuries reported). Among 42 model years of this model, it ranks #12 for the most complaints (median 156).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Air bags132
Structure34
Fuel system, gasoline29
Suspension26
Unknown or other21
Electrical system21
Fuel/propulsion system13
Engine and engine cooling10

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Ford Ranger.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Ford Ranger Regular Cab–––2★
2005 Ford Ranger Supercab–––2★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2005 Ford Ranger version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Ranger Pickup 2WD 2.3 L Automatic 5-spd192421$3,200
Ranger Pickup 2WD 2.3 L Manual 5-spd212723$2,900
Ranger Pickup 2WD 3.0 L Automatic 5-spd162118$3,700
Ranger Pickup 2WD 3.0 L Manual 5-spd162118$3,700
Ranger Pickup 2WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd152117$3,950
Ranger Pickup 2WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd162118$3,700
Ranger Pickup 4WD 3.0 L Automatic 5-spd151916$4,200
Ranger Pickup 4WD 3.0 L Manual 5-spd151917$3,950
Ranger Pickup 4WD 4.0 L Automatic 5-spd141816$4,200
Ranger Pickup 4WD 4.0 L Manual 5-spd141715$4,450
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.