Ford’s rough year of recalls shows no signs of slowing down. The automaker has now issued another massive recall, this time targeting its popular midsize truck, the Ford Ranger. Every model built between 2024 and 2026, up until late July 2025, is part of this safety campaign. That means more than 100,000 trucks are headed back for repairs.
A Record-Breaking Year of Recalls for Ford
Ford already leads the auto industry in recalls for 2025, and the year isn’t even over. In fact, the number of recalls the company has announced in just the first six months of this year already broke the record for any full calendar year in history. For Ford, it has been a year marked by repeated quality-control issues and unexpected manufacturing problems.
This latest recall only adds to that troubling trend, and unfortunately, it involves a critical safety feature that drivers count on in serious crashes: the curtain airbags.
The Problem with the Ranger’s Curtain Airbags
The issue came to light during a safety audit of the 2025 Ford Ranger, carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Ranger passed its side-impact crash test, but just barely. When investigators took a closer look at the crashed vehicle, they found something alarming. A small slit, less than half an inch long, had formed in the curtain airbag.
At first glance, the cut might not seem like much, but in a crash scenario, even a tiny tear could mean the difference between full protection and a dangerous failure. The slit was large enough to let the airbag lose pressure too quickly, putting it right on the edge of failing federal safety standards. Check more photos
Further investigation revealed the cause: an inner reinforcement flange inside the vehicle could rub against the airbag and cause similar tears during deployment. If that happens, the side curtain airbag may not stay inflated long enough to protect passengers or prevent them from being ejected in a severe accident.
Which Trucks Are Affected?
Ford has now confirmed that every Ranger built from the start of production on December 9, 2022, through July 29, 2025, is part of the recall. In total, about 100,900 trucks will need to be brought in for repairs.
It’s worth noting that Rangers built after July 29, 2025, already have a fix in place and are not affected by this issue.
How Ford Plans to Fix the Problem
The good news for owners is that the airbags themselves won’t need to be replaced. Instead, Ford’s engineers have developed a shield that will be installed to protect the curtain airbags during deployment. This shield prevents the reinforcement flange from making contact with the airbag, eliminating the risk of a tear.
The bad news, however, is that the parts needed for this repair are not yet available. Ford expects that components will be ready by December, with customer notifications and repairs set to begin in the second half of that month.
What Owners Should Do Right Now
For now, Ford is not telling owners to stop driving their trucks. Unlike some recalls where vehicles are parked immediately for safety reasons, the company believes the Rangers are still safe to operate until repairs are made.
Owners of affected trucks should watch for official recall notices in the mail starting in December. In the meantime, they can also check Ford’s recall website or the NHTSA recall database to see if their vehicle identification number (VIN) is included in this campaign.
A Tough Year for the Blue Oval
This recall only adds to Ford’s long list of 2025 headaches. From electrical issues to software problems and now safety-related defects, the company has been dealing with one challenge after another. Each recall not only costs Ford money but also erodes customer trust, a sentiment that can be difficult to rebuild in the competitive truck market.
Still, Ford says it remains committed to safety and is moving quickly to make sure all affected vehicles are repaired. Whether that will be enough to turn around what has already been described as Ford’s “no good, very bad year” remains to be seen.
FAQs
Why is the 2024–2026 Ford Ranger being recalled?
Ford is recalling over 100,000 Ranger trucks because the curtain airbags may tear when they deploy in a crash. A small slit could cause the airbags to lose air too quickly, reducing protection for passengers.
How do I know if my Ford Ranger is part of the recall?
If your Ranger was built between December 9, 2022, and July 29, 2025, it is part of the recall. You can check by entering your VIN on the NHTSA recall website or Ford’s recall page.
Is it safe to drive my Ford Ranger before the recall repair?
Yes, Ford says the trucks are still safe to drive until the fix is available. The issue only shows up in rare crash situations, so owners are not being told to stop driving their vehicles.
What is the fix for the Ford Ranger airbag recall?
Ford will add a protective shield to stop the airbag from tearing when it deploys. The airbags themselves won’t be replaced, only protected. Repairs are expected to start in December 2025.
Do I have to pay for the Ford Ranger recall repair?
No, recall repairs are always free. Ford will cover the full cost of adding the protective shield once parts are available.
When will Ford Ranger recall repairs begin?
Ford expects to notify owners by mail starting in December 2025. Dealerships should have the parts by then to begin repairs.
How many Ford Rangers are affected by this recall?
About 100,900 Ford Rangers built between 2024 and 2026 are affected. Trucks built after July 29, 2025, already include the fix and are not part of the recall.
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