2008 Ford Ranger: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Ford Ranger: 5 recalls, 326 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #11V352000 · 2011 · 26,715 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V384000 · 2016 · 1,892,343 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V024000 · 2017 · 654,695 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford ranger, edge, fusion and mustang, Lincoln mkx, mkz and zephyr and Mercury milan 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,…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1,…
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V081000 · 2021 · 1,067 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V158000 · 2021 · 2,602,668 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags, Airbags Equipment recall #21E013000 · 2021 · 249 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (295): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (30), warning light on (5).
- Body & structure (10): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (8).
- Electrical (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (2).
- Other / unknown (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 Ford Ranger has 326 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 33 Ranger model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 248). Complaints peaked in 2017 (165 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 62,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (270 complaints, 5 recalls), 2009 (169 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Ford Ranger.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Ford Ranger, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Ranger problems?
Owners have filed 326 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (295), body & structure (10), electrical (7).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Ranger get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Ford Ranger repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.