175 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Ranger cite air bags, 64% of all 272 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 10 recalls on this component.
“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 dealer for the recall repairs; however, the dealer only completed repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags). The contact was informed that the driver's side air bag was missing. The vehicle was then taken to a Collision Center, which installed the front driver's side air bag and seat belt from a salvage yard and cleared the SRS System warning light. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V787000 (Air Bags), and the contact was informed that the recall was closed. The dealer recently repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V125000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer had reported that aftermarket driver's side air bag parts were installed. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Oct 8, 2026·Air bagsODI 11769825
“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 deploy. The Fire Department was called to the scene and removed the front driver’s side door to free the contact from the vehicle. The contact sustained a neck injury and was later taken by her daughter to seek medical attention. A Police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V081000 (AIR BAGS). The contact was concerned that after the recall repair was performed, the air bag failed to deploy during the crash. The failure mileage was 98,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Apr 1, 2025·Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11651972
“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 the rear of another vehicle. The contact received shoulder and neck injuries, medical attention was needed. The second vehicle occupant also sustained a back injury and medical attention was sought. A police report was filed but the information was not available. The contact cut the air bags out with a pocket knife and the vehicle was taken to the resident. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the dealer refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle under the recall until the SRS system and passenger seat belt were repaired since it was locked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was transferred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 220,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 11, 2025·Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11647594
“My truck has been to the dealer on a number of occasions. The dealership (Access Ford, Corpus Christi, Texas) claims that the air bag was replaced. I brought the truck to the dealership in for the airbag issue in January 2017. When I kept receiving notices about the recall and checking the data bases (data bases noted the recall as not completed) I brought the truck back to the dealership in April 2023. Again a check of the recall data bases noted that the recall was not completed. During the April 2023 visit the dealership stated that it was a documentation issue and would recheck the air bag part and ID number and reenter it into the system. Checked the data bases recently and found that the recall was still in effect. Called Ford corporate customer service and they referred me to the dealership. Spoke to a service writer [XXX] at the dealership on June 20,2023 and she stated that there was some issues with their warranty person and would look into the issue and try and get my recall data updated accordingly. As of today (June 26, 2023) checked the data bases and the airbag recall has not been completed. My insurance company is believes that failure to prove…”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jun 26, 2023·Air bagsODI 11528851
“2006 FORD RANGER- Consumer states "2021 I was driving and my air bag deployed as I slightly turned my wheel while driving. It’s hard to remember but The airbag total incapacitated me causing me to hit a tree head on. I am now disabled suffering a traumatic brain injury, and multiple injuries, I am now disabled unable to work and had to leave college. I talked to ford and they ignored me. This isn’t a legal request, it’s not for a law suit, I didn’t file against takata, but my 3 year old son was with me , he wasn’t hurt but it greatly effected him, and my ability to be a father. I need all reports and data involving accidents caused by the takata air bag deploying while driving, I specifically only want reports involving the 2004-2006 ford ranger with the air bag defect. Is that something you can help me with? This is so important. I know there has been deaths and vehicle was a ford ranger, and rangers have been in countless accidents due to air bag. This research is for myself, and I’ve been trying but I can’t find the reports, specially only ones involving ford rangers. "”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jun 23, 2023·Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11528523
“Takata Recall. The contact was a Florida Highway Patrolman who was filing a complaint on behalf of the deceased owner of a 2006 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was involved in a minor traffic collision; however, the driver suffered fatal injuries due to the driver's side air bag deployment. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The caller related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V023000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jul 19, 2022·Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11474675
Showing 6 of 175 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that 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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators. As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired.
On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with driver-side air bag inflators . As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles.
Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.