Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT ⢠Updated Ranger Technical Information to include images of a pass and fail airbag inflator inspection for 2007-2011 model years.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Ford Ranger airbags problems
critical 142 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
142
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
2injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 142 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Ford Ranger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 85% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 142 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Takata Airbag Safety Recalls 15S21, 17S42, 18S02, 19S01, and 21S12 may not have received the claimed repairs. The propellant in certain Takata airbag inflators can experience an alteration over time with exposure to certain climate conditions. A combination of time, high temperature fluctuations, and humidity contribute to the degradation of the propellant in the inflators. This degradation can cause the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗COMM-TRANS LUND: SOME 2009-2011 MODELS MAY HAVE THE AIR BAG INICATOR FLASHING WITH A STORED TROUBLE CODE. THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The overwhelming issue in these 142 complaints is the Takata passenger-side airbag recall that started in July 2016. Ford notified owners their inflators risked rupture during deployment, which could spray metal fragments at passengers. The fix: replace the airbag inflator. The problem: replacement parts were unavailable for years.
Owners repeatedly called dealers and Ford between mid-2016 and 2018. The universal answer: no parts in stock, no firm arrival date. Some dealers told owners to wait months or even three years. Ford sent follow-up letters (December 2017, April 2018) urging immediate repair but offering no timeline. When Takata filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2017, uncertainty deepened.
Throughout this period, Ford instructed owners not to let anyone sit in the passenger seat—making two-seat trucks unusable for their intended purpose. Owners expressed anger over being stuck with a one-seat vehicle they didn't buy, missing business transportation, and preventing family time. None reported an actual airbag rupture or crash deployment; the fear was the risk itself and the inability to get it fixed.
One narrative describes a different airbag failure: a driver-side airbag that didn't deploy during a 35 mph head-on crash at 50,000 miles. A faulty sensor was identified; the driver sustained back and neck injuries but the vehicle was destroyed.
Dealers consistently confirmed parts unavailability. Ford acknowledged the defect was genuine but could not resolve it within any reasonable timeframe.
Same Ford Ranger airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Passenger-Side Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
Passenger-side airbag inflator defect with risk of rupture during deployment, potentially causing metal fragment ejection and serious injury or death.
When: Recalled starting July 2016; multiple recalls issued through 2018 (NHTSA campaigns 14V154000, 16V384000, 17V024000, 18V046000)
Symptoms owners cite: Defective Takata airbag inflator on passenger side; Risk of inflator rupture in event of crash requiring airbag deployment; Potential metal fragments striking occupants
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 14V154000, NHTSA 16V384000, NHTSA 17V024000, NHTSA 18V046000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement passenger-side airbag inflator; however, remedy parts were consistently unavailable throughout 2016–2018. Owners reported dealers unable to obtain parts for months to years after recall initiation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued multiple recall letters (July 2016, December 2017, April 2018); advised owners not to place anyone in passenger seat pending repair; Takata filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2017; Ford stated it was waiting on parts and could not provide firm timelines for repair availability.
Driver-Side Airbag Non-Deployment in Frontal Crash
Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during head-on collision at 35 mph despite severe front-end damage, resulting in occupant injury. Diagnosis indicated faulty sensor.
When: At approximately 50,000 miles; crash occurred at 35 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy during head-on frontal collision at 35 mph; Severe front-end vehicle damage sustained; Driver sustained back and neck injuries
Codes mentioned: Faulty airbag sensor (identified at Firestone)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed in crash; diagnosis at Firestone indicated faulty sensor as cause of non-deployment; driver-side airbag had been replaced in 2010 after deer strike.
Synthesized from 142 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 18 most recent
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 contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called truck city Ford (15301 south interstate 35, buda, tx 78610) and maxwell Ford (5000 s ih…
Tl* 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. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that parts would become available for…
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Ford ranger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed head on into a second vehicle. The contact's vehicle sustained severe front end damage. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained back and neck injuries, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags). 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 manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v024000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (shults Ford Lincoln, 10401 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090, (724) 934-2388) stated that the parts would be…
Takata recall, Ford notified me about the air bags a long time ago. I will not drive my vehicle . Im too scared to drive it. Ive lost my job and im going to loose my vehicle cause I can not make payments. I putdown ten thousand cash for this vehilcle. They should fix my truck and pay for my loss of wages. This is so unfair. I am not willing to be killed driving it. *tr
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…
My vehicle is part of the air bag recall re: takata manufactured air bags. I have not received notification from Ford that a replacement part is available. It has been nearly 18 months since this recall. Where is my replacement passenger side air bag?!
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 contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Kissleback Ford (1118 13th st, st cloud, fl 34769 407-892-2141) was contacted and confirmed that the parts…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Ford ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v384000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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…
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 Ford Ranger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2009 Ford Ranger?
It's a serious issue. 142 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 36,500 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,500; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Ford/Ranger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.