Ford Ranger Recall: Airbag Defect Prompts Action on Over 100,000 Trucks
Ford is facing a challenging year with recalls, exceeding previous records in the first half of 2025 alone. The latest issue involves a significant recall of 2024-2026 Ford Ranger models due to a potential defect in the side curtain airbags. These airbags, critical for passenger safety during side-impact collisions, are designed to provide cushioning and prevent ejection.
The problem surfaced during routine safety evaluations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A 2025 Ford Ranger, while ultimately passing a side-impact test, did so with minimal margin. Subsequent investigation by Ford and a third-party lab revealed a small tear in the curtain airbag, seemingly caused by an external component during deployment. The tear, though only 15/32 of an inch, was sufficient to cause deflation and borderline compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Further investigation by Ford identified the inner reinforcement flange as a potential source of similar tears, leading to premature pressure loss in the airbags.
As a result, Ford is recalling approximately 100,900 current-generation Rangers manufactured from December 9, 2022, through July 29, 2025. Vehicles produced after this date incorporate a design fix and are not affected. The remedy involves installing a protective shield to prevent airbag damage during deployment. The airbags themselves will not be replaced.
The necessary parts are currently unavailable, and Ford anticipates notifying owners and initiating repairs in the latter half of December. In the meantime, owners of affected Rangers are not being advised to refrain from driving their vehicles.
