Recall 16V036 affects 361,692 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks for driver air bag inflator rupture risk. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 361,692 2004-2006 Ranger pickups because the driver-side frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. In a crash that triggers the air bag, metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The driver-side frontal air bag inflator in 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks is the metal cartridge inside the steering wheel air bag module. In a frontal crash, the inflator fills the air bag so it can cushion the driver instead of letting the driver hit the steering wheel directly.
This recall covers Rangers equipped with Takata SDI driver-side inflators. During air bag deployment, excessive internal pressure in the inflator creates a rupture risk inside the air bag module. Ford's filing says the exact root cause of the inflator rupture has not been determined.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect shows up only when the driver-side frontal air bag deploys, so a Ranger can look and drive normally before the inflator ruptures.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2004-2006 Ranger scope, all involving the driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2004 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2005 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| Units affected | 361,692 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. That creates a serious injury or death risk for occupants. If your VIN is included, schedule the air bag inflator replacement promptly and drive with care until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free driver air bag inflator replacement that addresses the rupture risk during driver frontal air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V036 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about recall number 16V036.
- Limit driving until the repair is complete if you are concerned about air bag deployment in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the affected air bag inflators in the Ranger, including the driver side frontal air bag inflator covered by recall 16V036. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford does not offer a separate reimbursement program for this campaign because the original warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the Ford service desk how the warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 25, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| January 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 26, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 7, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V036?
Recall 16V036 covers 361,692 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks with driver-side frontal air bag inflators that can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and create risk of serious injury or death. Ford dealers replace the air bag inflators for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ranger is included in recall 16V036. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the driver air bag inflator replacement. Reference Ford recall number 16S03 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the Ford Ranger air bag recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the air bag inflators free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V036?
The safety risk is an inflator rupture during driver frontal air bag deployment. In a crash where the air bag deploys, metal fragments can strike people inside the truck, creating risk of serious injury or death. Ford's free dealer repair replaces the affected inflator.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner, so a used 2004-2006 Ford Ranger can still qualify. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 16V036 or Ford recall number 16S03.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V036000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V036 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V036000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →