2010 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 7, 2026 · 156 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Ranger years
Fewer complaints than other years 18th of 28 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Ford Ranger. That ranks 18th out of 28 Ranger model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (128 complaints, 82%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 5 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Ford Ranger
Ford_Ranger_Raptor_(P703) in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2010 Ford Ranger problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags128 · ~66,000 mi
Structure6 · ~44,000 mi
Engine4 · ~38,790 mi
Vehicle Speed Control4 · ~2,500 mi
Parking Brake3 · ~45,000 mi
Electrical System2 · ~28,250 mi
Exterior Lighting2 · ~141,500 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline2 · ~89,150 mi
Seats2 · ~400 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~12,250 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems12882%66,000“takata air bags” (36%)—
Structure64%44,000——
Engine43%38,790——
Vehicle Speed Control43%2,500——
Parking Brake32%45,000——
Electrical System21%28,250——
Exterior Lighting21%141,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%89,150——
Seats21%400——
Service Brakes21%12,250——
Suspension21%1,600——
Wheels21%27,415——
Engine and Engine Cooling11%1,600——
Equipment11%———
Fuel/propulsion System11%39,500——
Latches/locks/linkages11%———
Power Train11%1,600——
Seat Belts11%65,952——
Steering11%2,600——
Tires11%10,830——
Visibility11%54,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 60 complaints
2010: 7201072011: 2201122012: 1201212013: 2201322014: 4201442015: 3201532016: 132016132017: 602017602018: 452018452019: 4201942021: 6202162022: 6202262024: 2202422026: 120261

n = 156 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2010 Ford Ranger recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleMar 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V158000 · 2,602,668 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module; air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 16, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 7, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V001000 · 782,384 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 11, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V046000 · 327,796 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveMay 31, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V384000 · 1,892,343 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

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 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.

Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lightsJul 13, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 21, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V126000 · 23,688 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A sufficient fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Parking brake:driveline:hydraulic:actuatorMay 11, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V202000 · 2,934 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A manual transmission vehicle parked in neutral without a fully applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owned a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while the son was driving uphill at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of a boat trailer, causing the vehicle to roll over and slide approximately 20 ft. During the crash, the front of the vehicle was…

Air Bags · received Jul 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11748760

I don't have an incident yet, am looking for someone to address my issue with the local Ford dealer I have received several notifications that the airbag in my 2010 Ford ranger needs to be replaced. I have called their number over & over, they dont answer, the # [redacted]. The letters I get say…

Air Bags · received Jun 10, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11593478

The contact’s husband owns a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt was retracted and damaged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The contact stated…

Seat Belts · received Apr 16, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11583266

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the undercarriage was rusted. The contact stated that the fuel tank brackets had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was leaking fuel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the vehicle was…

Structure · received Dec 29, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11499332

2010 ford ranger rust of frame spare tire mount fell off, rear leaf springs mounting rusted off. rust hole in right frame. dealer: family ford, marietta,oh, and ford consumer service all give me the run around and say nothing can be done. the rusted frame is a serious safety hazzard. they won't fix…

Suspension · received Dec 1, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11495608

Other Ford Ranger years

← 2009 Ranger · 2011 Ranger →

See all Ford Ranger problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

Similar Ford models

Embed this 2010 Ford Ranger badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Ford Ranger?

Owners most often report air bags, structure, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 128 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Ford Ranger?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2010 Ford Ranger a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Ranger model years, the 2010 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.