VehicleVerdict

2010 Ford Ranger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2010 Ford Ranger sits mid-pack among Ranger years: 170 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 159, with 9 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 75% of all reports (127 of 170), far ahead of body & structure at 6.

170

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Ranger years?

See all Ranger years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Ford Ranger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags12775%
Body & Structure64%
Engine53%
Brakes53%
Fuel System42%
Speed Control42%
Tires & Wheels32%
Transmission32%
Lighting21%
Electrical System21%
Seats21%
Suspension21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Latches & Locks11%
Other11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%

Does the 2010 Ford Ranger have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V158000AirbagsMarch 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 units

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.

Consequence

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 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.

21V081000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 1,067 units

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.

Consequence

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.

21E013000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2021 · 249 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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 dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

19V001000AirbagsJanuary 7, 2019 · 782,384 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

18V046000AirbagsJanuary 11, 2018 · 327,796 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V384000AirbagsMay 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

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.

Consequence

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

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.

11V126000Fuel SystemFebruary 21, 2011 · 23,688 units

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.

Consequence

A SUFFICIENT FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

10V202000BrakesMay 11, 2010 · 2,934 units

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.

Consequence

A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE PARKED IN NEUTRAL WITHOUT A FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 18, 2016 · crash

ON 9/11/2010 WE WERE SOLD A FORD RANGER THAT HAD AN OUTSTANDING TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND ALSO HAD A RUSTED THROUGH FRAME AND BODY. WE TOOK PICTURES AND RETURNED THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER ON 9/14/2010. THE DEALER WILL NOT ACCEPT THE TRUCK BACK AND WILL NOT RECALL THE LOAN EVEN THOUGH WE WERE NOT MADE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 11, 2010

BRAKE CALIPERS, I HAVE 60000 MILES AND HAVE COMPLETELY REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS 4 TIMES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ROTORS WERE FIRST TURNED AT 10000 MILES(WARRANTEE) ,PADS REPLACED ALSO,( PAID FOR), LASTED 5000 MILES, ROTORS DESTROYED SAME EVERY TIME

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS COVERED WITH FUEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO MCFARLAND FORD SALES INC (151 PORTSMOUTH AVE, EXETER, NH 03833, [PHONE]) BUT WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 24, 2009

2010 Ford Ranger — common questions

Is the 2010 Ford Ranger reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ranger: 170 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2010 Ranger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (127 complaints), body & structure (6 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 2010 Ford Ranger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Ford Ranger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Ranger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ranger years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 1998, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1994, 2004, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2019, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2007, 1993, 2011, 2020. The cleanest record among Ranger years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.