2005 Ford Ranger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Ford Ranger ranks 6th worst out of 17 model years with a complaint index of 69 and a Caution verdict. Airbags dominate its 289 complaints (46% share), backed by nine recall campaigns, two of them do-not-drive airbag inflator recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 69/100
- #6 of 17 Ranger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 289
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 23
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 23
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
Top 2005 Ford Ranger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags132 (46%)
- Fuel System50 (17%)
- Structure & Body36 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (12%)
- Electrical System23 (8%)
- Engine23 (8%)
- Other21 (7%)
- Brakes11 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (3%)
- Steering5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in front-end and rollover crashes, sometimes leading to reported injuries.
- Fuel system inertia switches reportedly tripped during normal driving, cutting engine power on freeways.
- Owners report fuel tank corrosion and fires starting near the cab and bed after the engine stalled.
- A transmission was replaced after failure, followed by repeated unexplained engine shutdowns while driving.
- Engine stalling tied to the inertia switch was described as happening repeatedly and unpredictably.
2005 Ford Ranger recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V306000Apr 28, 2023Airbags231,942 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.
- NHTSA 23V125000Feb 24, 2023Airbags98,550 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.
- NHTSA 21V076000Feb 17, 2021Airbags144,340 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that 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.
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.
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.
2005 Ford Ranger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford Ranger reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 69 for the 2005 Ranger, ranking it 6th worst among 17 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Ranger years.
- What is the main problem with the 2005 Ford Ranger?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 46% of complaints (132 of 289), with a median failure mileage of 87,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Ford Ranger have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists nine recall campaigns for the 2005 Ranger, all related to airbags, including two do-not-drive recalls for driver and passenger frontal airbag inflators.
- How does the 2005 Ranger compare to other Ranger years?
- Its complaint index of 69 is higher than 2006 (50), 2007 (44), 2009 (63), and 2010 (31), but lower than 2008 (88) and 2011 (75), which are rated Avoid.