Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Ford Ranger problems

Owners filed 326 complaints about the 2008 Ford Ranger with NHTSA between Apr 2008 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (295).

Complaints
326
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags295
  2. Structure10
  3. Electrical system7
  4. Engine4
  5. Suspension3
  6. Exterior lighting3
  7. Tires3
  8. Wheels2
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  10. Engine and engine cooling2
  11. Fuel system, gasoline2
  12. Latches/locks/linkages2
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20088
20090
20104
20112
20122
20132
20142
20151
201623
2017165
201896
20197
20203
20215
20223
20231
20240
20250
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

295 reports8 crashes5 related recalls
“I was driving my brother in laws truck and went to dodge a deer My airbag deployed and caused me to crash into a sign on the driveway leading to my house causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the property sign I was knocked out unconscious and when I came to I got out and walked home and the next morning I had the truck towed to my house”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Air bags, Structure, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11756925

Structure

10 reports1 crash
“The rear frame is rotted I am a retired ASA certified in 5 categories Mechanic and I have my ranger apart now but I need new rear frame where the spring hangers rotted out and the bracket that runs the top of the gas tank is rotted out that holds the 2 frame rails is rotted out. THESE PIECES CANNOT BE WELDED. Needs a new frame.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2022StructureODI 11469894

Electrical system

7 reports
“PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD RANGER THAT HAS ISSUES WITH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR HIGH BEAMS ENGAGING ALTHOUGH THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS OF YET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING . THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING SAME WITH HIGH BEAMS. I NOTIFIED AND ASKED FORD TODAY IF THIS WAS NORMAL .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11288252

Engine

4 reports
“THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD BLINK INTERMEDIATELY AND IF THE TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF WHILE THAT IS HAPPENING, THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER WOULD ENGAGE AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. I DROVE THE TRUCK THIS WAY FOR A WHILE AND JUST LET IT RUN AND NOT SHUT IT OFF. FORD DIDN;T KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. EVENTUALLY I FOUND OUT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CAME TOGETHER IN A Y SHAPE, AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SECURELY TAPED ONLY HAD ONE STRAND OF TAPE WRAPPED AROUND THE WIRES. THE METAL, WHERE THE WIRES WENT THROUGH HAD RUBBED THROUGH THE ONE STRAND OF ELECTRICAL TAPE AND INTO ONE OF THE WIRES OCCASIONALLY SHORTING IT OUT, THUS SETTING OFF THE ENGINE IMMOBILIZER. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW SO IT HAD TO HAVE CAME FROM THE FACTORY THAT WAY. IT HAD LESS THAN 50 THOUSAND MILES WHEN IT STARTED AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WAS GOING TO DO IT, SITTING, DRIVING, CITY, HIGHWAY, BUT USUALLY ALWAYS RUNNING, UNLESS IT WAS SHUT OFF WHILE IT WAS DOING IT AND THEN TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN. IT WOULD NOT CRANK OVER , JUST LIKE THERE WAS NO BATTERY IN IT. IT WAS MY FIRST NEW VEHICLE AND WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. THE TRUCK WAS WIRED FOR FOG LIGHTS BUT NO LIGHTS THEMSELVES IN IT, JUST PLASTIC COVERS. THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 10913612

Suspension

3 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that after lending the vehicle to a neighbor, the neighbor informed the contact that the vehicle was making an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the rear spring hangers had detached. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Invalid VIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2021SuspensionODI 11430434

Exterior lighting

3 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V342000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2016Exterior lightingODI 10894879
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.