The 2006 Ford Ranger has 11 recalls, all centered on the front airbag inflators, which can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death. A stop-drive advisory is in effect for this vehicle.
Both the driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators are affected. When either airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture under excessive pressure, scattering sharp metal fragments toward occupants instead of providing protection. This defect has been the subject of multiple repair attempts over the years, and some vehicles that received replacement passenger-side inflators under earlier repairs had those replacements installed incorrectly, meaning the airbag may not inflate properly in a crash either. The current recalls include what are described as final repair campaigns intended to fully resolve the issue for both the driver and passenger sides.