KnownCarProblems2008 Ford Ranger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 326 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Ranger, most often about the air bags (91% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 5th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints and has 5 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 2008 Ford Ranger problems
Air bags
295 complaints · 91%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Takata recall, it has been a year and five months since there was a "safety" recall issued for this vehicle, yet " Ford motor company understands that the vehicles involved in the recent takata recall are safe to drive while you are waiting for replacement parts." this is unacceptable. Either this is a safety issue or…
Takata recall today, I just received from Ford motor company "safety recall notice 17s01/NHTSA recall 17v-024", yet when I went to the website safercar.gov, it said "0 recalls". The other website found on the notice, owner.Ford.com/takata did acknowledge this recall. Why is this?
Body and structure
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 78,000.
Took truck in for small repair on power steering hose. Mechanic told me the underside is so rusted it isn't even safe to drive home. Recommends junking vehicle.
Electrical
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the entire instrument panel illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. Ma 08/13/15 updated 10/25/2017
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the anti theft system engaged without warning. The contact mentioned that instrument panel went completely blank and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that there was moisture and corrosion on the wire…
Engine
6 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
Monday 6/3/13 went to start car and nothing happened. You hear clicking in the fuse box on the passenger side and in the engine compartment. Put key to just before start or accessories and the lights come on and radio turns on but if you touch the breaks it all shorts out. Turn the key to start and it all shorts out…
Whilst driving with cruise control on I approached a large hill. I depressed the clutch to down shift & drive up the hill to drive up the hil in a lower gear and without cruise control on. When the clutch was depressed the throttle stuck down/the cruise control clutch disconnect switch failed causing a spike in engine…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger pickup. The contact stated that the wheels were rusted due to a collection of rain. The contact was concerned that the tires would not provide adequate traction when driving in inclement weather. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but did not assist the…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While attempting to rotate the tires, the contact noticed that the tire tread was "chopping" or uneven. The dealer stated that the tire wear was a result of pulling his trailer on the rear of the vehicle without using the trailer pulling device. The owner's manual stated that the…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 2%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…
Suspension
3 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: rear.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While attempting to rotate the tires, the contact noticed that the tire tread was "chopping" or uneven. The dealer stated that the tire wear was a result of pulling his trailer on the rear of the vehicle without using the trailer pulling device. The owner's manual stated that the…
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the driver sneezed and crashed into the curb which caused the contact to bounce onto the passengers side of the vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his neck, shoulder and a minor concussion. The police were notified of the…
Lights
3 complaints · 1%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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Ford Ranger recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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 replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on april 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and november 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s12.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 ranger, 2006-2012 fusion, lincoln zephyr, lincoln mkz, 2006-2011 mercury milan, 2007-2010 ford edge, and lincoln mkx vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high 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: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing march 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s01.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2012 ford fusion and mustang and lincoln zephyr and mkz vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, ford is recalling certain 2009 ford ranger, edge, fusion and mustang, lincoln mkx, mkz and zephyr and mercury milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia and west virginia, or "zone b." additionally, unless included in "zone a" or "zone b" above, ford is recalli
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on july 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s01.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 ford ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 ford fusion, mercury milan and lincoln zephyr/mkz vehicles, 2007-2010 ford edge, lincoln mkx vehicles, 2005-2006 ford gt vehicles, and 2005-2011 ford mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 ford ranger, edge and lincoln mkx vehicles, 2006-2008 ford fusion, mercury milan and lincoln zephyr/mkz vehicles, 2005-2006 ford gt vehicles and 2005-2008 ford mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana,
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
Tire valve cracking
Summary
On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls both involved inadequate resistance to ozone cracking due to issues with the supply of anti-ozonant ch
Questions about the 2008 Ford Ranger
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Ranger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (295 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); body and structure (10 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles); electrical (7 complaints, typically around 57,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Ranger have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 10, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Ford Ranger?
- It is 5th of 23 Ranger model years by number of complaints, with 326 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.