While scrolling through the latest automotive headlines a few days ago, this update jumped out at me. Ford’s at it again, recalling yet another batch of its vehicles for fixes. And this time it’s the Ford Rangers. Apparently, at the end of August, Ford filed a formal notice with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcing a safety recall that affects more than 100,900 of its Ranger pickups. I’ve already written about Ford being the recall king of 2025, and this latest news only reinforces my point.
However, on a more serious note, for those of you who own Ford Rangers, this would be distressing news, particularly if you’ve never been through a recall before. So, I thought I’d break down what this recall was about, why it matters, and what you should do next if you own a Ford Ranger.
What’s Going On With the Ford Rangers?
Ford has recalled all its 2024–2026 Ranger models that were in production from December 9, 2022, onwards. The problem lies in one of its safety features, the side curtain airbags. These are meant to cushion passengers during a crash and prevent ejection from the vehicle. However, during a safety crash test in 2025, the NHTSA found that the Ford Ranger barely met the requisite Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for the side curtain airbags impact test. The crashed Ranger was then dismantled, and it was discovered that an external object had managed to tear a slit in the side curtain airbag, causing it to deflate and pose a risk to passenger safety.
Ford has acknowledged the issue and issued the recall through the NHTSA, which means it’s official and regulated.
Who Is Affected?
If you own one of the Rangers listed below, you’ll want to check this out:
- Model years: 2024, 2025, 2026
- Vehicle: Ford Ranger (those produced and sold in the U.S.)
Note: Rangers sold in other markets (Australia, etc.) are not impacted by this recall, because many of those use different parts or are built in different plants.
What Ford Is Doing About It
Ford dealerships are prepared to handle this recall free of charge. They’ll address it by adding a shield that protects the curtain airbag when it deploys, but will not require replacement of the airbags. Owners have already begun receiving letters from Ford informing them of the safety risk in the vehicles. Repairs are likely to begin in the second half of December. Once the fix is available, it will be performed for free at any Ford or Lincoln dealership, and you are likely to receive an intimation from the company about the sam,e probably in December.
How to Check If Your Ranger Is Affected
If you don’t want to sit around waiting for a letter from Ford, you can check for yourself. The process is straightforward:
- Find your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It’s usually on the lower left of your windshield or inside your driver-side door frame. Alternatively, use your license plate number.
- Go to the official NHTSA recall lookup tool.
- Enter the VIN, hit search, and you’ll know right away.
Why This Recall Shouldn’t Be Ignored
It’s tempting to brush off recalls, especially when your car seems fine. However, you need to bear in mind:
- Even though the risk seems low now with no injuries being reported, safety airbag systems are literally meant for emergencies. If they don’t work properly at that moment, the consequences can be serious.
- Recalls like this highlight how even new vehicles can have manufacturing or design flaws that slip through testing. Owners need to stay alert.
- Ford stepping up to fix it, even before any harm has been reported, is a positive indicator. It shows they’re taking responsibility rather than waiting for things to unfold.
FAQs
Letters to owners have possibly already begun going out since September 8, 2025.
1. When will Ford start sending notifications to owners?
Yes. Ford will cover the full repair at no cost to Ranger owners.
2. Will the repair be free?
Dealers will install a protective shield to stop the side curtain airbag from contacting the B-pillar reinforcement flange, preventing tears during deployment.
3. What does the repair involve?
No. Ford has stated that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to this issue.
4. Are there any reports of injury or accidents so far?
Full parts availability is expected by December 2025. Until then, dealers may have limited inventory.
5. How long until the fix is widely available?
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who relies on your Ford Ranger every day, either for work, trips, or just daily errands, reading about this recall can be worrisome. However, take comfort in the fact that Ford is already taking action and fixing things. If you own one of the affected Rangers, I recommend checking your status, making the appointment at your Ford dealership, and getting the repair done. Safety isn’t something any of us wants to gamble with.
For automotive news from across the world, tune in to Ask About Cars.
