FORD RANGER · model year

2008 FORD RANGER

340 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008FORDRANGER carries 340 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 RANGER is air bags with 291 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and structure:body (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2008 RANGER, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

340
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

340 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS291
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
STRUCTURE:BODY6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ENGINE4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
STRUCTURE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
SUSPENSION2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
WHEELS2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1

Recalls (6)

16V38400031/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 register

21V08100016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

21E01300016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also i

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 TH

21V15800010/03/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

17V02400010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Marian

Recent Complaints

20230622CrashAIR BAGS

Car accident on 6/21/2023 - Richardson Texas Air bags never deployed. The truck hit a tree head on . The air bags were maintainced at the Ford dealership a couple of years ago when we got the recall notice Passanger air bag never deployed

20221006AIR BAGS

Several attempts have been made to attain an appointment to remedy this recall with a local dealership (Long-Lewis) in Corinth, MS. As of today, I have made six attempts to talk with service about this recall, no response has yet been offered. My concern is that I have been driving this vehicle since I purchased new in February 2008 with a potential grenade imitating an air bag and Ford Motor company and or their dealerships do not seem to take this concern seriously. Why is the Federal government (NHSTA) so passive about safety?

20220906AIR BAGS

Recently purchased this truck and apparetly the passeenger air bag was missing or had previosly failed by imploding. I do not now the history of vehicle. I Carried the truck to Rockwall Ford in Rockwall, Texas to have the air bag recall taken care off. After being there for a week the service manager called me and said Ford would not pay for this since passenger air bag was missing. Ford said I would need to pay for the service myself. I have a major problem with Ford now because they are obligated by law to repace the air bags regardless any of prior events. Priors are totally irrevelant and meaningless. End result I want Ford Motor Company to replace the 2 air bags a no cost to me the consumer. I will continue to pursue the above until there is a satisfactory resolution Please advise Sincerely Larry Kinsey Ph. 214 650 3301 kinseydallas@gmail.com 3951 Fm 550 Royse City, Tex. 75189 Rockwall Ford ph. 972-290-2200 or 972-290-2257

20220618STRUCTURE:BODY

The rear frame is rotted I am a retired ASA certified in 5 categories Mechanic and I have my ranger apart now but I need new rear frame where the spring hangers rotted out and the bracket that runs the top of the gas tank is rotted out that holds the 2 frame rails is rotted out. THESE PIECES CANNOT BE WELDED. Needs a new frame.

20211211AIR BAGS

This recall has been unresolved for over 2 years.

20210825SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that after lending the vehicle to a neighbor, the neighbor informed the contact that the vehicle was making an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the rear spring hangers had detached. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Invalid VIN.

Mileage: 80,000

20210805AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. Several dealers including AutoNation Ford Littleton (8252 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80122), Schomp Ford (150 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80012), O'Meara Ford (400 W 104th Ave, Northglenn, CO 80234), Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood (11595 W 6th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215) and Phil Long Ford (1114 Motor City Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80905) were contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

20210524AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to the recall was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20210102AIR BAGS

WE ARE STILL GETTING RECALL NOTICES EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. WE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECORD OF THE REPAIR BEING COMPLETED BUT WE NEED TO CONTACT DMV TO GET IT RECORDED.

20200821SEAT BELTS

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT TEARING IN HALF OVER PAST 2 YEARS

Mileage: 130,000

20200121STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR END OF TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY SPARE TIRE HOLDER BROKE WHILE DRIVING SPARE WAS HANGING DOWN HAD TO BE REMOVED LUCKILY IT STAYED ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK WITH THE CABLE AND DIDN'T HIT ANY VEHICLE'S THE BED IS EXTREMELY RUSTED IF I GET IN THE BACK OF THE BED IT CRACKS AND FEELS LIKE YOUR GOING TO FALL THROUGH BED IS BECOMING LOOSE AND LEANING TO ONE SIDE. ITS A 12 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SO I EXPECT SOME PROBLEMS BUT NOT THIS EXTENSIVE I FEEL LIKE ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A NEW BED ON IT

Mileage: 98,000

20200109STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 69,000

20191210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD RANGER THAT HAS ISSUES WITH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR HIGH BEAMS ENGAGING ALTHOUGH THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS OF YET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING . THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING SAME WITH HIGH BEAMS. I NOTIFIED AND ASKED FORD TODAY IF THIS WAS NORMAL .

Mileage: 182,500

20191210UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD RANGER THAT HAS ISSUES WITH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR HIGH BEAMS ENGAGING ALTHOUGH THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS OF YET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING . THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING SAME WITH HIGH BEAMS. I NOTIFIED AND ASKED FORD TODAY IF THIS WAS NORMAL .

Mileage: 182,500

20191210EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PURCHASED USED 2008 FORD RANGER THAT HAS ISSUES WITH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING OR HIGH BEAMS ENGAGING ALTHOUGH THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS OF YET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING . THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING SAME WITH HIGH BEAMS. I NOTIFIED AND ASKED FORD TODAY IF THIS WAS NORMAL .

Mileage: 182,500

20191010STRUCTURE

2008 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUST OVER FRAME OF VEHICLE WHICH ATTRIBUTED TO OUR PROBLEMS. *AS *JS

20191010STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

2008 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO RUST OVER FRAME OF VEHICLE WHICH ATTRIBUTED TO OUR PROBLEMS. *AS *JS

20190810AIR BAGS

I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. BUT AFTER REPAIR THE AIR BAG RATTLES. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED WE R GOING ON YEAR 3. WHEN I REACH OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR FAR TOO LONG

Mileage: 500,000

20190807STRUCTURE:BODY

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR SMALL REPAIR ON POWER STEERING HOSE. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE UNDERSIDE IS SO RUSTED IT ISN'T EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. RECOMMENDS JUNKING VEHICLE.

Mileage: 82,000

20190730STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUSTING ON THE BED. IT IS LOOSE AND WOBBLY AND MAY COME OFF. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. NOTICED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKING OVER MY SHOULDER TO PASS. SAW THE BED OF THE TRUCK MOVING ABOUT.

Mileage: 55,000

Compare 2008FORDRANGER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 FORD RANGER have?
The 2008 FORD RANGER has 340 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 FORD RANGER?
Yes, the 2008 FORD RANGER has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 FORD RANGER?
The most-complained component for the 2008 FORD RANGER is AIR BAGS with 291 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2008 FORD RANGER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.