repaired · 2025 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2005 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 289 owner complaints about the 2005 Ford Ranger, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-125 the manufacturer reports only 0% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 4, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Ford Ranger has problems
289 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
132Air bags13 crash/fire/injury
34Structure2 crash/fire/injury
29Fuel system, gasoline5 crash/fire/injury
26Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
21Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
13Fuel/propulsion system
10Engine and engine cooling
8Fuel system, other
8Power train
4813 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 132 | 13 |
| Structure | 34 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 29 | 5 |
| Suspension | 26 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 2 |
| Fuel system, other | 8 | 1 |
| Power train | 8 | 3 |
| 13 other systems | 48 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2005 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
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…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
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…
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2019 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2017 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2017 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
84kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 26 air bags complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
0under 30k miles16under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Ranger year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score
11122735508973105132189232438321413411576755670515346243405289272270326169156235111272131119391999469
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Ford Ranger safety ratings
2005 Ford Ranger Supercab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 2 stars (30.6% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 18V-025
- BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVENo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-700
In owners' words
What Ranger owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by a driver who ran the stop sign. The impact caused the vehicle to flip over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered severe head trauma and PTSD from the…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact had taken the vehicle to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V125000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while the vehicle was having the air bag replaced, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side air bag had not been seated…
The contact owned a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle struck the rear of another vehicle causing a fender bender. The contact stated that the front air bags deployed, and a powdery substance and metal fragments flew out of the air bag and landed on…
Own a 2005 Ranger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.