2009 Ford Ranger
This year had at least 30% fewer 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
- 168
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2009
None on file
85% of complaints
Complaints per year
2009: 168 complaints
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 | 271 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
85% · 143 reportsShow complaint excerpts
My father was killed in downtown meade Kansas less than 20 miles per hour hit by 2 semis on highway 54. I have no idea whether airbags were involved in his death but I thought drivers side had been replaced they hadn't got drivers side last week!
NHTSA ODI report, 2021-05-07
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Ford Ranger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed head on into a second vehicle. The contact's vehicle sustained severe front end damage. The driver's side air bag did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-27
I received a letter from Ford in July 2016 informing me that my vehicle was included in the Takata recall. I have heard nothing since then.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-28
Service brakes
4% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
I brought my 2009 Ranger to the dealer for a safety inspection and oil change and during the inspection it was noted that the front brake rotors had substantial pitting and scoring on the in-board side of the rotor.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-08
Power train
2% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).
Steering
2% · 3 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Traveling home from a trip out of town, we experienced a slight pull to the right, which only happened once at the beginning of our trip. We were thinking it may be time for an alignment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-15
Also filed under Suspension
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact discovered rust on the motor mounts and the steering pump of his vehicle. The dealer called the manufacturer and was informed that they would not replace the parts until they failed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-08-04
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle vibrates excessively. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that it was a normal characteristic of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-05-21
Engine
2% · 3 reportsSafety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2009-02-27Suspension09V040000 Ford is recalling 11,134 my 2009 4X2 Ranger vehicles. Some front wheel spindles were improperly manufactured creating the risk that a spindle may fracture during the normal useful life of the truck.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front spindle if necessary free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2018-05-21Air bags18V046000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the...
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2009 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 143 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09V040000 · Suspension
- Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 16V384000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V024000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V046000 · Air bags
- Recall 21E013000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V081000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V158000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2009 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 85% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Ranger have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.