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.
2006 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 272 owner complaints about the 2006 Ford Ranger, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 12 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 October 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Harvey Bold, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Ford Ranger has problems
272 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
175Air bags10 crash/fire/injury
26Structure
20Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
12Engine
11Electrical system
9Fuel system, gasoline
7Engine and engine cooling
7Fuel/propulsion system
5Vehicle speed control
2810 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 175 | 10 |
| Structure | 26 | 0 |
| Suspension | 20 | 1 |
| Engine | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2 |
| 10 other systems | 28 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2006 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 8 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q2
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 explode with sharp 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 explode with sharp 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 · 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 · 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.
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION…
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?
83kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 air bags complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 39% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
1under 30k miles14under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2006 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
2006 Ford Ranger safety ratings
2006 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
In owners' words
What Ranger owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Ranger. Before purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle was involved in a crash and the driver's side air bag had deployed. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V787000 (Air Bags) and 17V788000 (Air Bags). In 2019, the vehicle was taken to the…
The contact owned a 2006 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while at a stop light, a crash occurred involving two other vehicles. During the crash, one of the other vehicles crashed into the contact’s vehicle, causing severe damages to the front-end of the vehicle; however, the air bags failed to…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, both driver and passenger front air bags deployed without impact. The contact lost control and the vehicle then crashed into…
Own a 2006 Ranger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.