The 2005 Ford Ranger has 8 recalls, all centered on the frontal airbags: both the driver and passenger inflators can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a serious injury risk to occupants.
All eight recalls address the same family of airbag inflator problems. The core danger is that the inflators, particularly after years of exposure to heat and humidity, can explode with excessive force rather than deploy normally, scattering sharp metal fragments. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, and superseding recalls were filed to implement more complete fixes. There is also a concern specific to vehicles that already received a replacement passenger-side inflator under an earlier recall: those replacement parts may have been installed incorrectly and can fail to inflate the airbag properly in a crash, leaving the passenger without effective protection.
At a glance
What can fail
Front passenger air bag inflators installed during a previous recall may not have been positioned correctly in certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the inflator installation and reinstall it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The replacement front passenger air bag inflator in your vehicle may have been installed incorrectly during a previous recall repair.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front passenger air bag inflator and reinstall it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag modules and replace the module or inflator if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver or passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air bag module and replace the module or inflator if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver side frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment, causing it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side frontal air bag inflator may develop excessive internal pressure during deployment, causing it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-side front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag inflators at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can enter the passenger side front air bag inflator, which may cause it to rupture over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
