The Used Car Index

2006 Ford Ranger problems

NHTSA lists 271 complaints for the 2006 Ford Ranger, 14 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 9 complaints mention an injury, with 10 injuries and 4 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD RANGER.

At a glance

Complaints
271
With crash
14
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
9
Injuries
10
Deaths
4
Recalls
12
Do not drive recalls
4
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
362,327
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
15

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS17464.2%
STRUCTURE269.6%
SUSPENSION207.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER165.9%
ENGINE124.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM114.1%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE93.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING72.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM72.6%
STEERING51.8%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY20
STRUCTUREFRAME AND MEMBERS5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE3
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER3
AIR BAGSFRONTAL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMIGNITION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY2
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

12 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 12.

23V306000

Date: 2023-04-28. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V125000

Date: 2023-02-24. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V076000

Date: 2021-02-17. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V081000

Date: 2021-02-16. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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-ter (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V023000

Date: 2018-01-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 33,3 (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S02. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

18V022000

Date: 2018-01-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 vehicl (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S02. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

17V788000

Date: 2017-12-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V32 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

17V787000

Date: 2017-12-11. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-036 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

16V036000

Date: 2016-01-25. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S03. Note: This recall supersedes 14V-343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V322000

Date: 2015-05-28. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S22. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

15 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
AIR BAGS3
POWER TRAIN2
ENGINE1
EQUIPMENT1
SEAT BELTS1
TIRES1
TRAILER HITCHES1

10240415

Date: 2023-07-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT A A?A A A A? Updated Ranger Technical Information to include images

10209374

Date: 2022-03-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Takata A

10138526

Date: 2018-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Please check FSA Vin Lists for vehicles involved in 18S02. Contact owners affected immediately to schedule an appointment.

10140325

Date: 2018-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Please check FSA Vin Lists for vehicles involved in 18S02. Contact owners affected immediately to schedule an appointment.

10109070

Date: 2016-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to

10018934

Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.

NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT

10019028

Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY.

LIMITED OR RESTRICTED INWARD MOVEMENT OF EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR GLASS. *TT

10019947

Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT

10020173

Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT

10014138

Date: 2005-06-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
RANGER271

Same model, other years

All model years | All Ford models

Other Ford models, 2006

Sources

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