Motor Almanac

Ford / Ranger / 2005

2005 Ford Ranger

Family: Ranger · filed with NHTSA as RANGER

Summary

  • Of the 279 complaints that name a component, 47% concern Airbags (132).
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Not enough history to compare this year with the rest of its generation.
  • 11 recalls filed for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
  • 3 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
289
Recalls
11
Investigations
3
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
15–23
Annual fuel cost
$2,700–$4,150
Median mileage at complaint
58,000 mi (n = 155)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
23 / 5 / 23 / 0

What owners report

Airbags

132 complaints · 47% of complaints that name a component · median 87,000 mi (n = 27)

Owner report 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. The contact suffered severe head trauma and PTSD from the accident. It was unknown if…
Owner report The contact owns a 2005 Ford Ranger. The contact had taken the vehicle to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V125000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while the vehicle was having the air bag replaced, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side air bag had not been seated correctly. The contact asked …

Fuel & Propulsion

50 complaints · 18% of complaints that name a component · median 48,199 mi (n = 43)

Owner report I WOULD BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHOLE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES JUST GOING AT 25 TO 35 MPH. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS A CLOGGED FUEL LINE SINCE IT WOULD SOMEHOW RESET ITSELF AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC SO I REPLACED THE FILTER EVEN THOUGH I COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG. WH…
Owner report ENGINE STALLED OSTENSIBLY FOR LACK OF FUEL. FIRST ENGINE STALL EPISODE OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFTWARD INTO DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 2 MPH AND AT APPROX 5 DEGREE ANGLE OF INCLINATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM WHERE IT CAME TO REST TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE DIAGNOSIS WAS FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF T…

Body & Structure

34 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 65,000 mi (n = 29)

Owner report THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY AND THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAUSING THE BED OF THE TRUCK TO FALL ONTO THE BUSTED SHACKLE. THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT IS RUSTED SO BAD THAT WE REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE TO AVOID LOOSING THE SPARE WHILE DRIVING. THE REAR BUMPER SEEMS UNSTABLE AS…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DOING A ROUTINE CHECK UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF …

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1998–2011)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 167.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
1998582324most complaints
1999760393most complaints
2000677325most complaints
2001527167
2002346127
200324395fewest complaints
200440578fewest complaints
200528931not compared
200627216not compared
200727017not compared
200832612not compared
200916911not compared
201015610not compared
20112359not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

23V306000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2023-04-28 · 231,942 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.

23V125000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2023-02-24 · 98,550 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.

21V076000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2021-02-17 · 144,340 vehicles

Defect: 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 long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

21V081000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2021-02-16 · 1,067 vehicles

Defect: 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. These vehicles 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 long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

17V788000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2017-12-11 · 328,213 vehicles Do not drive

Defect: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42.

17V787000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2017-12-11 · 328,213 vehicles Do not drive

Defect: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-036 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.

16V036000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2016-01-25 · 361,692 vehicles

Defect: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Note: This recall supersedes 14V-343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.

15V322000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2015-05-28 · 362,327 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.

11V352000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Filed 2011-07-13 · 26,715 vehicles

Defect: 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 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

09E025000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2009-05-11 · 42,540 vehicles

Defect: 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E065000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-07-17 · 3,593 vehicles

Defect: 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
EA15001AIR BAGS2015-02-24open14V668
PE14016AIR BAGS2014-06-112015-03-0213V172000
PE05066EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS2005-12-052006-03-24

EA15001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture

PE14016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture

PE05066: BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Ranger Pickup 2WD2.3L 4cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive192421$2950
Ranger Pickup 2WD2.3L 4cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive212723$2700
Ranger Pickup 2WD3.0L 6cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive162118$3450
Ranger Pickup 2WD3.0L 6cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive162118$3450
Ranger Pickup 2WD4.0L 6cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive152117$3650
Ranger Pickup 2WD4.0L 6cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive162118$3450
Ranger Pickup 4WD3.0L 6cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive151916$3900
Ranger Pickup 4WD3.0L 6cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive151917$3650
Ranger Pickup 4WD4.0L 6cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive141816$3900
Ranger Pickup 4WD4.0L 6cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive141715$4150

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2005 Ford Ranger SupercabNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated★★☆☆☆
2005 Ford Ranger Regular CabNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated★★☆☆☆

Service bulletins

Ford issued 30 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about power train.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2023-07-27AIR BAGSCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • …
2022-03-28AIR BAGSCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that…
2016-09-21ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLYThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate …
2014-10-22AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULEFORD: 2005-2006 FORD GT, 2005-2008 MUSTANG, AND 2004-2005 RANGER VEHICLES OPERATED IN FLORIDA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO, OR THE U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE IN NEED OF AN AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT. 06/11/15 *TA.
2006-01-01TRAILER HITCHESNEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT
2006-01-01POWER TRAINNEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT
2006-01-01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEPOSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT
2005-06-07POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLYLIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/1/2005. *TT
2005-05-27POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONIMPROPERLY FORMULATED TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B22. 5R55S/E & 5R44E TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT SUPP…
2005-04-01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNO START/HARD START/ROUGH RUNNING DURING COLD WEATHER - INCORRECT SEASONAL FUEL BLEND. *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Ranger, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Ranger model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.