The 2005 Ford Ranger has 8 recalls, all involving the frontal airbags: both the driver and passenger inflators can rupture in a crash, sending metal fragments into the cabin and raising the risk of serious injury or death.
Multiple recall filings address the same core danger from different angles, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected trucks. The driver and passenger airbag inflators can fail violently when deployed, driven by moisture intrusion and propellant degradation that builds excessive internal pressure. This is the Takata inflator defect, and it applies to both the original installed inflators and, in some cases, replacement inflators that were installed under earlier recall repairs. Two separate recalls also cover a scenario where replacement passenger inflators were installed incorrectly during prior repair work, meaning the bag may fail to inflate properly when needed in a crash rather than rupturing. Whether the danger is an inflator that explodes outward or one that simply does not deploy correctly, the result in a crash is an airbag that does not protect the occupant as intended. Owners who believe their truck has already been repaired under one of these campaigns should confirm the current repair status, as later filings supersede earlier ones and represent the final intended fix.
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.
