The 2008 Ford Ranger has 4 recalls, all centering on the same critical hazard: both the driver-side and passenger-side frontal airbag inflators can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, with the potential to cause serious injury or death.
Both the driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators are affected. Over time, exposure to heat and humidity causes the inflator propellant to degrade, and when the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture violently rather than inflate the bag in a controlled way. The result is metal shrapnel traveling through the cabin at high speed toward whoever is sitting in that seat. Because prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, multiple campaigns were filed over time targeting different portions of the Ranger population. Vehicles that were originally sold or have ever been registered in high-humidity states and territories, including Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Louisiana, and others, face elevated risk due to the climate conditions that accelerate propellant breakdown, though the defect is not limited to those regions.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode. This can happen when the propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with a new one 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 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 passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost. Ford will mail recall notices and notify owners when parts are available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
