Model year
2005 Ford Ranger
NHTSA lists 9 recalls and 289 complaints for the 2005 Ford Ranger (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 2 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (131), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (24), STRUCTURE:BODY (23). NHTSA lists 3 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,900–$4,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 670 complaints
- 2001 515 complaints
- 2002 346 complaints
- 2003 243 complaints
- 2004 405 complaints
- 2005 289 complaints
- 2006 272 complaints
- 2007 270 complaints
- 2008 326 complaints
- 2009 169 complaints
- 2010 156 complaints
- 2011 235 complaints
- 2019 270 complaints
- 2020 130 complaints
- 2021 118 complaints
- 2022 37 complaints
- 2023 18 complaints
- 2024 94 complaints
- 2025 44 complaints
- 2026 7 complaints
Recalls
23V306000 · Apr 28, 2023
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
23V125000 · Feb 24, 2023
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
21V076000 · Feb 17, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
21V081000 · Feb 16, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
17V788000 · Dec 11, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
17V787000 · Dec 11, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
16V036000 · Jan 25, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
15V322000 · May 28, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
11V352000 · Jul 13, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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…
Complaints
289 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 23, fire flag on 5, injury field 23, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05066 | BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | Dec 5, 2005 | Mar 24, 2006 |
| PE14016 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | Jun 11, 2014 | Mar 2, 2015 |
| EA15001 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | Feb 24, 2015 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 3L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD · 4L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Ford Ranger at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.