2006 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls

I BOUGHT MY TRUCK BRAND NEW LAST MONTH ON APRIL 18TH I HAVE JUST OVER 1000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN THE FIRST 400 MILES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH STARTING THE TRUCK, WHEN I TURN THE KEY MOST OF THE TIME IT STARTS, BUT OCCASIONALLY IF I LET GO OF THE KEY ABOUT THE TIME IT NORMALLY STARTS THE ENGINE DIES AND ONCE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN I HEARD THE STARTER MAKE THE NOISE LIKE IT DOES IF YOU TURN THE KEY AND THE ENGINE IS ALREADY RUNNING. ALSO MY TRANSMISSION WILL OCCASIONALLY JERK WHEN IT SHIFTS GEARS. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER WHE…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157908 at NHTSA ↗

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T MAINTAIN ENOUGH PRESSURE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE GAS IS NEED TO REBUILD THE PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP THE ROLLING ACTION. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159138 at NHTSA ↗

NO.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161347 at NHTSA ↗

ON JUNE 13, 2006 APPROX. 3:00 PM MY FATHER WAS CRITICALLY INJURED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT JUST OUTSIDE OF MOSES LAKE WASHINGTON. MY FATHER STILL REMAINS HOSPTALIZED AFTER HAVING TO HAVE AN EAR REATTACHED, SEVERE HEAD LACERATIONS, A BROKEN EYE SOCKET, AND BROKEN BREAST BONE, AND HAVING THE SKIN TORN OFF HIS LEFT HAND. THE WASHINGTON STATE PATROL SAYS ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THAT HIS TRUCK FLIPPED 3-4 TIMES CAUSING TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE TRUCK. AT NO TIME DURING THE ROLLOVER AND DESTRUCTION OF THE TRUCKS FRONTEND DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THIS WAS…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161899 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD RANGER XLT WHEN I LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED THE VEHICLE 4 - 5 TIMES. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS, BUT THE AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE DEPLOYED, EVEN THOUGHT THE FRONT END AND CAB WAS DESTROYED. THE TRUCK WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AND I AM NOW FACED WITH REHAB FOR UP TO FOUR WEEKS FOR SPRAINS AND TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT SHOULDER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10166431 at NHTSA ↗

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 2006 FORD RANGER THE PASSENGER KICKED THE EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A COVER OVER THE SWITCH BECAUSE THE SWITCH COULD BE EASILY KICKED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF INSTANTLY, LOSING ALL POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181106 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE DAY AFTER A SNOWSTORM IN OUR AREA. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I ASKED THE SERVICE PEOPLE AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT ICE PROBABLY ACCUMULATED IN THE VENT IN FRONT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND I SHOULD POUR HOT WATER INTO THE VENT TO THAW THE ICE. I CAN'T DO THIS WHENEVER IT SNOWS AND I'M ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183035 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IN MY 2006 FORD RANGER WITH APPROXIMATELY 3500 MILES ON IT WHEN ENGINE SPUTTERED AND STOPPED AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE GAS TANK WAS NEAR FULL AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER I COASTED ACROSS A LANE OF MOVING TRAFFIC ONTO THE MEDIAN. HAVING EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN MY 1986 RANGER, I CALLED THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TO ASK WHERE THE FUEL SAFETY SHUT OFF SWITCH WAS LOCATED. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT THE SWITCH COULD NOT BE THE PROBLEM UNLESS I HAD BEEN IN A COLLISION OR HIT A VERY LARGE POT-HOLE, I …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10183920 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-11-09 (November 9, 2005)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

Reported: 2011-07-13 (July 13, 2011)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2016-01-25 (January 25, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-12-11 (December 11, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-12-11 (December 11, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators. As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with passenger-side air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S02.

Reported: 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks. Ford is requesting owners NOT TO DRIVE these vehicles until they have been repaired. On January 11, 2018, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 2,700 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles built with driver-side air bag inflators . As of February 9, 2018, Ford is expanding the recall to a total of 33,310 model year 2006 Ranger vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

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

Remedy: Ford will notify owners instructing them to not drive their vehicles, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall for the original population began on January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S02.

Reported: 2021-02-17 (February 17, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-02-24 (February 24, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2023-04-28 (April 28, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.