2009 Ford RANGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
169 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
36,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 144 of 169 complaints (85.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 144 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Air Bags: 144; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 131 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 89 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 10; 2017: 89; 2018: 38; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10314900 · 2010-02-27 (February 27, 2010)
THE ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE SPEED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. IDLE SPEED 825RPM HOT 2000RPM COLD 1200RPM WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ROLLING THIS EVENT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE (MORE SO ON SLIPPERY ROADS) CONSTANT AND EXCESSIVE USE OF THE BRAKES.. I HAVE TOLD THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION, THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE CHECKED INTO THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10314900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386070 · 2011-03-01 (March 1, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE TURNED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND BUBBLING THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE STEERING FAILURE BUT ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND COOLANT FAILURE WAS NORMAL AND DID NOT NEED REPAIRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1500.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279297 · 2009-08-04 (August 4, 2009)
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. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JULY 18, 2009, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO DRIVE IT BACK HOME; HOWEVER, THEY STILL REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 975 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,075.
Owner-reported narrative. 975 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11093761 · 2018-05-14 (May 14, 2018)
THE FRAME ON MY TRUCK HAS RUST HOLES THROUGHOUT THE SPARE TIRE SECTION ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER SORROUNDING THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. THE RADIATOR SUPPORT AND BATTERY SUPPORT ARE HOLDING ON BY RUST AS WELL. THE BED FRAME HAS SUPPORTS THAT HOLD FENDERS ON AND THEY'RE RUSTED OUT. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. MY TRUCK CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE RUSTING THIS BAD THIS QUICK! IT'S VERY UNUSUAL. VA STATE POLICE WEREN'T ANY HELP OTHER THAN TELLING ME IT'S A CIVIL SUIT BETWEEN ME AND THE SELLER. I THINK IT'S MORE THAN THAT.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11204908 · 2019-05-01 (May 1, 2019)
THE RADIO HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE DASHBOARD DIMS OFF AND ON AND ILLUMINATES THE BATTERY LIGHT OFF AND ON. THE HEADLIGHTS AND BLINKERS AND BREAK LIGHTS COME IN AND OUT AND DON'T ALWAYS WORK. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES REPEATEDLY FOR YEARS AND NONE OF THE SERVICE TECHS CAN TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11204908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430218 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CLUTCH ENGAGED PREMATURELY, WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM SHIFTING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AS A TEMPORARY FIX. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430218 at NHTSA ↗