2005 Ford Ranger
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 50 |
| 1988 | 89 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 105 |
| 1991 | 132 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 232 |
| 1994 | 438 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 324 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 260 |
| 2020 | 119 |
| 2021 | 105 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
45% of complaints: air bags — 131 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by a driver who ran the stop sign. The impact caused the vehicle to flip over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240529
NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. HAVE NOT OWNED IN AT LEAST 2 YEARS. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND TOTALED. PLEASE STOP SENDING RECALL NOTICES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190319
MY VEHICLE (FORD RANGER) T-BONES ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MAKES LEFT TURN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE MAKES DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX 45 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120902
8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
REPAIRED CAR IN SHOP THREE TIMES FOR A SAFETY FUEL SWITCH WHICH KEPT GOING OFF. SWITCH SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY AND CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE DIVIDER. *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20051109
8% of complaints: structure — 23 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
HIT A PARKED VAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130116
8% of complaints: suspension — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
HIT A PARKED VAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130116
7% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON MAY 6,2005 OUR TRUCK JUST DIED, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE INERTIA NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE SWITCH WAS SENSITIVE AND WENT OFF. USUALLY INERTIA SWITCHES ARE TO PREVENT FUEL FROM GETTING TO THE ENGINE WHEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20051110
SAFETY TIMELINE
BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006.
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.
Campaign 15V322000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 16V036000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 17V788000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 17V787000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
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.
Campaign 21V076000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21V081000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 23V125000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 23V306000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (131 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V322000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V036000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V788000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V787000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V076000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V125000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V306000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Ford Ranger is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Ranger have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.