2008 Ford Ranger
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 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 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 264 |
| 2020 | 126 |
| 2021 | 112 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
90% of complaints: air bags — 295 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20260814
Also filed under STRUCTURE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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, 20180420
"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, 20180306
3% of complaints: structure — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.
CRASH2% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
1% of complaints: engine — 4 distinct reports on file.
1% of complaints: exterior lighting — 3 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
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
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.
Campaign 16V384000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V024000 — 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 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.
Campaign 21E013000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V158000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (295 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V384000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21E013000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V158000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.