The 2009 Ford Ranger has 8 safety recalls and 169 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (144 complaints).
Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints169filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA crash test
3 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Safety recalls
Air bagsMar 10, 2021
Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Recall 21V1580002,602,668 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Air bagsFeb 16, 2021
Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Recall 21V0810001,067 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem
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 bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal
Air bagsFeb 16, 2021
Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Recall 21E013000249 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module; Air bags › Frontal
Air bagsJan 11, 2018
Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Recall 18V046000327,796 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Air bagsJan 10, 2017
Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Recall 17V024000654,695 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Air bagsMay 31, 2016
Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Recall 16V3840001,892,343 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)
NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.
Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
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 VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Risk
NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD IS RECALLING 11,134 MY 2009 4X2 RANGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT WHEEL SPINDLES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CREATING THE RISK THAT A SPINDLE MAY FRACTURE DURING THE NORMAL USEFUL LIFE OF THE TRUCK.
Risk
IF A SPINDLE FRACTURES, THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SPINDLE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2009 Ford Ranger Supercab
OverallNot Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
26.7%
2009 Ford Ranger Regular Cab
OverallNot Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
26.7%
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Ranger Pickup 2WD
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Ranger Pickup 4WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
144
2
0
2
60,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
4
0
0
0
—
Steering
3
1
0
2
975 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine
3
0
0
0
—
StructureBody; Frame and members
3
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor
3
0
0
0
2,000 mi
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
34,500 mi
Engine
3
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags) and 21V158000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted on several occasions.
Aug 19, 2026
Air bags
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Feb 13, 2023
Air bags
2009 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-158.
Oct 26, 2022
Air bags
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mar 1, 2021
Air bags
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Oct 1, 2021
Air bags
RECALL NOT OCCURING IN A TIMELY MANNER This recall has the potential of severe injury in a crash I received notification of recall in April 2021 It is now 6 months later with no contact 6 months after notification Safety recall notice 21S12 / NHTSA Recall 21V158
Apr 1, 2021
Air bags
FORD DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO GET PARTS NEEDED TO FIX THE OPEN RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS.
Jan 28, 2019
Air bagsCrash1 injury
MY FATHER WAS KILLED IN DOWNTOWN MEADE KANSAS LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR HIT BY 2 SEMIS ON HIGHWAY 54. I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER AIRBAGS WERE INVOLVED IN HIS DEATH BUT I THOUGHT DRIVERS SIDE HAD BEEN REPLACED THEY HADN'T GOT DRIVERS SIDE LAST WEEK! HE WAS TURNING LEFT HAVE TRAFFIC REPORT BUT IN SOME PART OFFICER LIED ON REPORT, I TRIED TO GRT 3 ATTORNIES TO TAKE TO COURT BUT NONE WANTED TO CAUSE OF IMMUNITY.*DT*DT *DT
Jan 3, 2019 · 45,000 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
