FORD RANGER · model year

2009 FORD RANGER

178 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009FORDRANGER carries 178 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 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 2009 RANGER is air bags with 143 filings, followed by steering (3) and service brakes (3). 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 8 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 2009 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.

178
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

178 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS143
STEERING3
SERVICE BRAKES3
ENGINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
POWER TRAIN2
WHEELS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
TIRES1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1

Recalls (8)

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

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

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

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

18V04600011/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Vir

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

09V04000003/02/2009

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

FORD IS RECALLING 11,134 MY 2009 4X2 RANGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT WHEEL SPINDLES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CREATING THE RISK THAT A SPINDLE MAY FRACTURE DURING THE NORMAL USEFUL LIFE OF THE TRUCK.

Recent Complaints

20230214AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20221026AIR BAGS

2009 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-158.

20220323AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the recall. 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.

20211029AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 are not available.

20211005AIR BAGS

RECALL NOT OCCURING IN A TIMELY MANNER This recall has the potential of severe injury in a crash I received notification of recall in April 2021 It is now 6 months later with no contact 6 months after notification Safety recall notice 21S12 / NHTSA Recall 21V158

20210510AIR BAGS

FORD DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO GET PARTS NEEDED TO FIX THE OPEN RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS.

20210507CrashFatalAIR BAGS

MY FATHER WAS KILLED IN DOWNTOWN MEADE KANSAS LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR HIT BY 2 SEMIS ON HIGHWAY 54. I HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER AIRBAGS WERE INVOLVED IN HIS DEATH BUT I THOUGHT DRIVERS SIDE HAD BEEN REPLACED THEY HADN'T GOT DRIVERS SIDE LAST WEEK! HE WAS TURNING LEFT HAVE TRAFFIC REPORT BUT IN SOME PART OFFICER LIED ON REPORT, I TRIED TO GRT 3 ATTORNIES TO TAKE TO COURT BUT NONE WANTED TO CAUSE OF IMMUNITY.*DT*DT *DT

Mileage: 45,000

20210419SERVICE BRAKES

MY PARENTS 2009 FORD RANGER HAS HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. THEY INSTALLED IT AND IT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM! ON DAY TWO, THEY CAME UP WITH A NEW DIAGNOSIS THAT THE TONE/EXCITER RING WAS DAMAGED BY A PREVIOUS MECHANIC/BRAKE JOB. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. THEY WANTED ANOTHER $400 TO REPLACE THE TONE RING. I DECLINED BECAUSE IT WAS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY AFTER PAYING $300 FOR THE SENSOR. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T WARRANTY THEIR WORK, AFTERWARDS, I BEGAN TO RESEARCH FORD BRAKE ISSUES, AND SPECIFICALLY ABS & TONE RING ISSUES. IT TURNS OUT, THAT AFTER LOOKING AT VARIOUS YOUTUBE VIDEOS, FORD FORUMNS, ARTICLES, ETC. I LEARNED THAT FORD HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT ABS ISSUES ESPECIALLY IN 2008 AND 2009. EVEN MORE INTERESTING WAS THE FACT THAT MANY MODELS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS (FOCUS AND ESCAPE) AND HAVE MAY HAVE BEEN RECALLED. NOT 100% SURE, BUT THE RANGER HAS NOT. BA

Mileage: 34,500

20201007ENGINE

EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 11V126000. ENGINE SHROUD PENETRATED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE, WITH FUEL SPRAYING OUT OF LINE. CANNOT BELIEVE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. OUR 2009 FORD RANGER VIN # NOT COVERED BY RECALL - IT SHOULD BE. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR COVER THE REPAIR FOR OUR VIN #. PART # REFERENCE [XXX]. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE - CASE # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 110,875

20201007FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 11V126000. ENGINE SHROUD PENETRATED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE, WITH FUEL SPRAYING OUT OF LINE. CANNOT BELIEVE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. OUR 2009 FORD RANGER VIN # NOT COVERED BY RECALL - IT SHOULD BE. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR COVER THE REPAIR FOR OUR VIN #. PART # REFERENCE [XXX]. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE - CASE # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 110,875

20190822AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20190318AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS AIR BAG REPLACED. THIS IS SAFETY RECALL NOTICE19S01 / NHTSA RECALL 19V-010. IT IS ON A 2009 FORD RANGER PICKUP. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS SENSE I WENT IN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, BEEN BACK IN 2 MORE TIMES T SEE WHAT THE HOLD UP IS & I GET THE RUN AROUND. I JUST CALLED FORD MOTORS AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I GO TO A DEALER 30 MILES AWAY. MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IS LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY. THAT IS FOX MOTORS OF CADILLAC, MICHIGAN, THEIR PHONE NUMBER IS 231-775-3448. MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20181210AIR BAGS

I HAVE RECEIVED THREE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL NOTICES 18S01 WITH HONE NUMBER 866-436-7332 & 866-436-7332 BUT WHEN I CALL THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE RECALL NUMBER SO AM NOT ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. MY SECOND PROBLEM IS I LIVE IN ALASKA ON AN ISLAND THE NEAREST FORD DEALER IS 300 MILES BY FERRY IT TAKES ABOUT 14 HOURS ONE WAY TO GET TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. EVEN IF I GET APPROVAL IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $1000. FOR FERRY TICKET FOR THE CAR AND DRIVER, HOTEL, FOOD TO GET TO JUNEAU. I WOULD APPRICATE A REPLY ON THE RAECALL ISSUE FROM YOU.

20181120AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL, I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF WORK ,GOING TO BE WITHOUT MY TRUCK UNTIL YOU BIG COMPANYS MAKING LOTS OF MONEY OFF US CAN CHANGE THERE MISTAKE AND I GET TO BE INCOVIENCED.

20181031AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V046000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER JESS FORD RAM DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP OF OMAK (707 OKOMA DR, OMAK, WA 98841. 509-826-2000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180824AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V046000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STORMS FORD (721 COUNTY ROAD 39A, SOUTHAMPTON, NY 11968, (631) 283-0790) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180716AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER (PACKEY WEBB FORD, 1815 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, 630-598-4700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180710AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (AUTOSAVER FORD, 11125 NY-22, COMSTOCK, NY 12821, (888) 769-6225) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20180605AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED ALLAN VIGIL FORD AT (678-364-3673 (LOCATED AT 6790 MT. ZION BLVD, MORROW, GA 30260) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB

Compare 2009FORDRANGER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 FORD RANGER have?
The 2009 FORD RANGER has 178 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 FORD RANGER?
Yes, the 2009 FORD RANGER has 8 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 2009 FORD RANGER?
The most-complained component for the 2009 FORD RANGER is AIR BAGS with 143 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2009 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.