Ford Recalls 2006 Rangers Due to Air Bag Inflator Explosion Risk
Ford is recalling 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger trucks because the passenger-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment, potentially causing serious injury or death.
NHTSA safety advisory
Do not drive this vehicle
NHTSA advises owners to stop driving this vehicle until the recall repair has been completed.
This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (air bag inflator) where the source text explicitly states the hazard could result in 'serious injury or death,' meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling 33,310 model year 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. The recall was initially announced on January 11, 2018, for 2,700 vehicles, and expanded on February 9, 2018, to include the full population of affected trucks. The defect involves the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator, which may experience excessive internal pressure upon deployment, causing the inflator to explode.
In the event of a crash that necessitates the deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the exploding inflator could release sharp metal fragments that strike vehicle occupants. This hazard poses a risk of serious injury or death. Ford has instructed owners not to drive these vehicles until they have been repaired.
Ford will notify owners to stop driving their vehicles. Dealers will replace the passenger-side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no charge to the owner. The recall for the original population began on January 16, 2018. Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- FORD RANGER
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Category
- Vehicle — Air Bag
- Affected units
- 33,310
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- RANGER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · FORD
- SevereFord Recalls 2026 Maverick, F-150, and Bronco Sport for Joint Issues
NHTSA · 2026-08-25
- SevereFord Recalls 2026 Vehicles for Engine Piston Dome Manufacturing Defect
NHTSA · 2026-08-25
- SevereFord Recalls 2024-2026 Mustangs for Wiring Harness Ground Fracture Risk
NHTSA · 2026-08-25
- HighFord F-650 SD Recall: Liftgate Platform Deck Pins May Break
NHTSA · 2026-08-20
- SevereFord Recalls 2026 Explorers Due to Engine Bearing Seizure Risk
NHTSA · 2026-08-13
Same manufacturer · Ford Motor Company
See all →- High
- HighFord Recalls 2023-2025 Mustang Mach E for Rear Window Trim Defect
NHTSA · 2026-07-28
- High
Same hazard · air bag inflator explosion
See all →- SevereBMW Recalls 3 Series Vehicles Due to Air Bag Inflator Defect
NHTSA · 2024-07-03
- SevereVolvo Recalls 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 for Air Bag Inflator Defect
NHTSA · 2021-10-14
- SevereBMW Recalls 3 Series Vehicles for Air Bag Inflator Defect
NHTSA · 2021-05-27
- SevereNissan Recalls 2002-2006 Sentra Vehicles for Takata Air Bag Defect
NHTSA · 2020-12-01
- SevereVolkswagen Recalls Diesel Vehicles for Air Bag Inflator Defect
NHTSA · 2019-12-04