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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2010 Ford Ranger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

156

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Ford Ranger have filed 156 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2010 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 128 of them (82%). The typical failure was reported at 52,350 miles, the median across the 47 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V158000 · March 10, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,602,668 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

21V081000 · February 16, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,067 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V001000 · January 7, 2019

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 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. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Ford Motor Company · up to 782,384 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V046000 · January 11, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Ford Motor Company · up to 327,796 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V384000 · May 31, 2016

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,892,343 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

11V352000 · July 13, 2011

The defect
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.
The risk
NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 26,715 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

11V126000 · February 21, 2011

The defect
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FORD RANGER TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009, THROUGH MAY19, 2010. THE ENGINE FUEL LINE IN THE AREA OF THE THROTTLE BODY SHIELD MAY NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE (COVER) PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF THE PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE ON THE FUEL LINE IS NOT ASSEMBLED IN THE PROPER POSITION, THE EDGE OF THE SHIELD MAY CONTACT THE FUEL LINE. OVER TIME THIS CONTACT MAY CHAFE THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN A FUEL ODOR AND A POTENTIAL FUEL LEAK.
The risk
A SUFFICIENT FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL TRIM THE THROTTLE BODY SHIELD AWAY FROM THE FUEL LINE AND INSPECT THE FUEL LINE FOR WEAR, AND REPLACE THE LINE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 23,688 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR

10V202000 · May 11, 2010

The defect
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 RANGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 8, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE RIGHT REAR ACTUATOR DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS MAY OCCUR WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED IF WET PARKING BRAKE SHOES HAVE FROZEN IN THE APPLIED POSITION. IF THE RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, THE PEDAL WILL HAVE EXTENDED TRAVEL AND MAY NOT FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
The risk
A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE PARKED IN NEUTRAL WITHOUT A FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR TO PREVENT CABLE DISCONNECTION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 2,934 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 156.

AIR BAGS 128 82%
STRUCTURE 6 4%
ENGINE 4 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 3%
PARKING BRAKE 3 2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 1%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2 1%
SEATS 2 1%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 1%
SUSPENSION 2 1%
WHEELS 2 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 60.

2010 2017 2026
2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 118,537 miles

TAKATA RECALL THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CARE CRASH THAT LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND WENT AIRBORNE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBAKMENT HEAD ON. AIR BAGS INFLATED PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO LEFT WRIST BROKEN SEVERE LACERATION ON LEFT HAND BROKEN RIGHT RING FINGER, BROKEN RIB LEFT SIDE AND BACK. COMPRESSED FRACTURES OF THE VERTIBRA WIHICH REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION. ACCIDENT HAPPENED 08-18-16 DRIVER WAS ALSO INJURED.

NHTSA complaint 10954250. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 175,000 miles

The contact owned a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the son was driving uphill at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a boat trailer, causing the vehicle to roll over and slide approximately 20 ft. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. Additionally, the contact stated that a 100-pound dog was occupying the front passenger's seat during the crash. The driver sustained a mild concussion and was examined by a nurse, who was a neighbor. A police report was filed at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local storage lot and deemed destroyed. The cause of the failure was not

NHTSA complaint 11748760, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 114,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN FROM THE SCENE BY AMBULANCE AND TAKEN TO A NEARBY EMERGENCY FACILITY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND STRAINED MUSCLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE NECK AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA complaint 10747623. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 88,000 miles

DRIVING ON INT 10 SAN BERNARDINO CALIF, SLAMMED INTO VEHICLE BARELY MOVING AND I WAS DOING ABOUT 60MPH. HORRIBLE IMPACT AND DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SEVERE RT HAND TRAUMA INCLUDING BROKEN INDEX FINGER.

NHTSA complaint 10874394. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

65,952 miles

The contact’s husband owns a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt was retracted and damaged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the seat belt was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,952.

NHTSA complaint 11583266. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

towed · 55,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the undercarriage was rusted. The contact stated that the fuel tank brackets had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The mechanic suggested that the subframe be rebuilt. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA complaint 11499332. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION:SUBFRAME/MOUNTING BRACKET
2010 ford ranger rust of frame spare tire mount fell off, rear leaf springs mounting rusted off. rust hole in right frame. dealer: family ford, marietta,oh, and ford consumer service all give me the run around and say nothing can be done. the rusted frame is a serious safety hazzard. they won't fix it and won't tell who to get to fix it.

NHTSA complaint 11495608. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 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 local dealer was 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.

NHTSA complaint 11462428. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2010 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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11454134. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Ranger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 34 13 —
2024 69 13 —
2023 18 4 —
2022 37 5 —
2021 112 6 —
2020 125 7 —
2019 264 11 —
2011 235 5 —

Other 2010 Ford models

Fusion 5,126 Escape 2,068 F-150 842 Edge 673 Fusion Hybrid 507 Focus 287 Mustang 260 Taurus 204

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst