KnownCarProblems2005 Ford Ranger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Ranger, most often about the air bags (46% of complaints, typically around 83,500 miles). It is 6th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2005 Ford Ranger problems
Air bags
132 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
We were traveling north on highway 37 and a car traveling west pulled out from a stop sign in front of is we hit the front passenger side of our truck into the other vehicles left front and our truck continued over the top of the other vehicles front end.the airbags on our truck did not deploy.
I bought a new 2005 Ford Ranger edge off the lot from palms spring motor in california and in good faith belief that my hard money I gave them for the truck I trusted Ford with my life and for years I believe me and my passengers were safe but the truth of the matter is they lied and they new all this time they sold…
Fuel system
50 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
I was driving 65mph on the freeway (which was smooth) and my inertia switch went out. This shut off my power steering, my power brakes and I was almost killed by a semi truck because of this. It happened 10 times today, usually when coming to a stop. This has happened multiple times, and Ford has not yet issued a…
Driving east on I-10 near ontario, cal at 70 MPH 5/22/2010 9pm, truck died the inertia fuel switch was open . Had to drive with son holding down on the button to keep truck running to get off freeway at 4th st. Inertia switch is dead used a paper clip on wires to drive home. Also the wire connector to the inertia was…
Body and structure
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Under- bed mounted spare tire mounts rusted through causing tire to break free from vehicle at highway speeds. Upon further inspection it was noted vehicle has serious frame damage from rust, particularly the fuel tank support straps. The frame is falling apart at an alarming rate.
My husband t-boned a semi at 35 MPH. The truck spun around and the rear of the truck also hit the semi. The airbags did not deploy. He incurred multiple injuries, some of which could have been minimized had airbags deployed. The truck was totaled. There was a direct hit -- I.e. Front of truck hit side of semi and…
Suspension
26 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
My husband t-boned a semi at 35 MPH. The truck spun around and the rear of the truck also hit the semi. The airbags did not deploy. He incurred multiple injuries, some of which could have been minimized had airbags deployed. The truck was totaled. There was a direct hit -- I.e. Front of truck hit side of semi and…
Under- bed mounted spare tire mounts rusted through causing tire to break free from vehicle at highway speeds. Upon further inspection it was noted vehicle has serious frame damage from rust, particularly the fuel tank support straps. The frame is falling apart at an alarming rate.
Other or unspecified
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
The entire rear of my truck the rear bed liner and frame of my truck is all rusted out I was told that this is a known problem for these trucks and would like Ford to recall this as this is dangerous I live my truck but driving it is not safe
The repair shop informed me my leaf spring shackles could not be repaired due to severe rot of the frame in the rear.truck only has 59000 miles on it and was well taken care of.the rest of the truck is in very good shape. This should not happen is there a recall I dont no about? Thankyou
Electrical
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator.
My 19 year old son owns a 2005 Ford Ranger we purchased through a dealer last year. For the last month or so he had to reset the fuel pump inertia switch to get the vehicle started again. This is very dangerous since one time he was on the expressway going 65 and the truck turned off on him. It's happened to him about…
Driving on freeway approximately 30 to 40 minutes at 55-70 MPH and engine shuts down with no warning. Pull over wait a few minutes and engine starts. Drive another 30-40 minutes and engine shuts down. Pull over wait a few minutes engine starts.
Engine
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
My Ford Ranger (2005) lost power going down the freeway. After much investigation, time, safety issues (quitting at 55 + MPH) and money it turned out to be the inertia switch.
Engine begins to run very rough. Took to mechanic and was told my 3.0 v6 is suffering from well know (2004 - 2006) cylinder head failure - valve recession. New heads are needed to fix the problem. Cost of repair is approx, $2800. Head / valve failure / poor design of head is apparently well known by Ford. Fuel leakage…
Wheels and tires
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, sidewall, valve, temporary/emergency spare tire.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. While driving at an unknown speed, the low tire pressure monitoring system warning light illuminated. The contact discovered that all four tires were losing air. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician added air to the tires. The failure recurred multiple times. The…
A tire valve stem, # dill 414, was leaking air around the base. This valve stem came on a brand new 2005 Ford Ranger, purchased in july of 2005, which is prior to the present recall period.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Ford Ranger recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: 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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 15v322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed. Owners may contact ford
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: brake lights
Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Brake lights inoperative
Summary
This pe was opened based on technical service bulletin (tsb) #05-6-19 issued by ford motor company and service bulletin #09-008/5 issued by mazda motor corporation to address concerns of the center high mounted stop light (chmsl) wiring harness chaffing. The tsb's affected the ford super cab and mazda cab plus vehicles only.service technicians contacted the ford hotline because it was difficult for the technicians to diagnose and locate the cause of the inoperative brake lights.ford and mazda issued the tsb's to aid technicians in the identification and repair of the wire chafe condition.of all warranty claims submitted to ford for brake lamp failure, ford identified only 120 that were relat
Questions about the 2005 Ford Ranger
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Ranger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (132 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); fuel system (50 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); body and structure (34 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Ranger have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 28, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Ford Ranger?
- It is 6th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints, with 289 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.