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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Ford RANGER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

326 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 293 of 326 complaints (89.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior72.1%
Steering behavior41.2%
Engine operation20.6%
Fuel system concerns20.6%
Electrical and battery issues10.3%

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.

Air Bags
293
Electrical System
7
Structure:Body
7
Unknown Or Other
5
Engine
4
Exterior Lighting
3
Air Bags:Frontal
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags293
Electrical System7
Structure:Body7
Unknown Or Other5
Engine4
Exterior Lighting3
Air Bags:Frontal2
Engine And Engine Cooling2

Air Bags: 293; Electrical System: 7; Structure:Body: 7; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
12
25,000 to 49,999
17
50,000 to 74,999
9
75,000 to 99,999
17
100,000 to 149,999
10
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00012
25,000 to 49,99917
50,000 to 74,9999
75,000 to 99,99917
100,000 to 149,99910
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 6

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 255 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.

2008
8
2010
4
2011
2
2012
2
2013
2
2014
2
2015
1
2016
23
2017
165
2018
96
2019
7
2020
3
2021
5
2022
3
2023
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20088
20104
20112
20122
20132
20142
20151
201623
2017165
201896
20197
20203
20215
20223
20231
20262

2008: 8; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 23; 2017: 165; 2018: 96; 2019: 7; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10223847 · 2008-04-09 (April 9, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER 235/75/R15 TIRES. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE OBSERVED THAT THE TIRES ARE FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES AND NOT FOR LIGHT PICK UP TRUCKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL PRICE FOR NEW TIRES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 8,000. UPDATED 5/13/08 *CN UPDATED 05/1…

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223847 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10229601 · 2008-06-02 (June 2, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE SIDE DOORS ARE DAMAGED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS DO NOT HAVE AN INTERNAL LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 06/23/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAN NO SEAT 3 PEOPLE IN THE FRONT BECAUSE THE CENTER SEAT'S FOOT SPACE IS FIILLED BY A PLASTIC TRY ON THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR HALF DOORS WERE DESOGNED TO NOT OPEN …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10229601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10230075 · 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)

THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY, 750-850 MILES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS , THE TRUCKS (RPMS) GOES UP, 1200 RPMS. IF THERE IS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I HAVE TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER SHIP (4) TIMES NOW. FORD HAS HAD THEIR ENGINEERS, COME OUT AND TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FORD HAS EVEN REPLACED THE DASH WIRE HARNESS, AND THE TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT THE TRUCK, CAN CAUSE A CRASH. THE FIRST TIME WAS 3-21-08 , SECOND TIME 4-07-08, THIRD TIME …

Owner-reported narrative. 751 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230075 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10231311 · 2008-06-17 (June 17, 2008)

FIRST, WITH THE NON-TILTING STEERING WHEEL LOCATED WHERE IT IS, WITH A TALLER PERSON IT IS DIFFICULT-TO- IMPOSSIBLE TO LIFT THE FOOT OFF OF THE GAS AND TRANSFER IT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE DRIVER'S KNEES ENDS UP IMPACTING THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS MAKES IT NECESSARY TO JUST DO A SORT OF HEEL-ON-THE-FLOOR-FOOT-TILT-OR-SLIDE TO GO FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE WITHOUT STEERING WHEEL/KNEE INTERFERENCE. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THE FORD'S WE HAVE WHICH HAVE TILT STEERING WHEELS SECOND, A VISUAL CHECK SHOWS THAT THE BRAKE AND GAS PED…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10231311 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10237052 · 2008-08-05 (August 5, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER CAREFUL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR MOVES AS IF IT IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR DURING THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 6,200.

Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237052 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10238891 · 2008-08-19 (August 19, 2008)

PURCHASED 2008 FORD RANGER--HAD TRUCK ABOUT 4 MOS.- TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE-TRUCK WAS DROVE WHEN PARKED MY HUSBAND SMELLED GAS-LOOKED UNDER TRUCK SAW GAS LEAKING ABOVE GAS TANK AREA-WENT INTO HOUSE-CHILDREN WENT OUTSIDE TO PLAY-YELLED A SAID TRUCK WAS ON FIRE-HUSBAND USED GARDEN HOSE TO PUT OUT FIRE-I CALLED 911 FIRE TRUCK WERE DISPATCHED THEY CONTINUED TO SPRAY WATER TO ENSURE FIRE WAS OUT-HAULED TO DEALER LOT ON 6/16/08 TRUCK STILL THERE-REQUESTED A BUY BACK FROM FORD-SINCE THEY HAVE MADE 2 GOODWILL OFFERS NEITHER OF WHICH WERE ACCEPTABLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238891 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10239764 · 2008-08-26 (August 26, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD RANGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROTATE THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS "CHOPPING" OR UNEVEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS A RESULT OF PULLING HIS TRAILER ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT USING THE TRAILER PULLING DEVICE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY BETWEEN 3,000-3,500 LBS. FORD REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRES, WHICH WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS INSTRUCTED BY FORD TO ADJUST THE TORSION BAR. THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED TO B…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239764 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10240145 · 2008-08-28 (August 28, 2008)

2008 FORD RANGER. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NOW (6) TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE RPM'S GO UP, THE TRUCK HAS NO POWER, AND STALLS. SOME TIMES WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I'M IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE RPM'S GO UP SO HIGH, THAT I HAVE TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME, TRYING TO GET THE THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 5949 MILES ON IT. THIS TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR (8) DAYS. FORD CALLED, AND SAID …

Owner-reported narrative. 749 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240145 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

11V352000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)

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 Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V024000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants 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 frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V158000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)

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. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: 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 replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

NHTSA campaign record ↗