MYRModel Year Report

2008 Ford Ranger

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Ford Ranger
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
326
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

90% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 326 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 269 complaints 2020: 129 complaints 2021: 117 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 87 complaints 2025: 43 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1986 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 73 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 235 complaints 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2004: 404 complaints 2004 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 326 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 269 complaints 2020: 129 complaints 2020 2021: 117 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2023 2024: 87 complaints 2025: 43 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1985 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1987 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 73 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1997 1998: 576 complaints 1999: 755 complaints 1999 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2005 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 326 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2011 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 269 complaints 2019 2020: 129 complaints 2021: 117 complaints 2021 2022: 37 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2023 2024: 87 complaints 2025: 43 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints

2008: 326 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019269
2020129
2021117
202237
202318
202487
202543
20267

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

90% · 295 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my brother in laws truck and went to dodge a deer My airbag deployed and caused me to crash into a sign on the driveway leading to my house causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the property sign I was knocked out unconscious and...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-14

Also filed under Structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. While driving 65 MPH over black ice, the contact lost control of the vehicle under an overpass. As a result, the vehicle flipped over and landed on its passenger side. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-20

"Takata recall" While driving my 2008 Ford Ranger, my driver side air bag deployed. No known cause, no accident, just pulling out of a parking lot. I am unsure if I was completely stopped or just pulling out to turn right. City street.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-06

Structure

3% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASH

Electrical system

2% · 7 reports

Engine

1% · 4 reports

Exterior lighting

1% · 3 reports

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 326 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2008-10-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-09 Tire valve cracking
  3. R
    2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2018-02-02Air bags16V384000 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...

    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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2018-02-14Air bags17V024000 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,...

    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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21V081000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2021-03-17Air bags21E013000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair.

    Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2021-04-09Air bags21V158000 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 295 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16V384000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V024000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V081000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21E013000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V158000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Ford Ranger is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 90% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Ranger have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.