Recall 18V023 affects 33,310 2006 Ford Ranger trucks for exploding driver air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
In a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive this Ranger, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 33,310 2006 Ranger trucks under recall 18V023 because the driver-side frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment. Do not drive the truck until the free Ford dealer repair is complete, since sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death.
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What's wrong?
The driver's frontal air bag inflator in a 2006 Ford Ranger is the metal device that fills the air bag during a crash. In a normal deployment, the inflator produces gas fast enough to cushion the driver as the air bag opens. That part has to stay contained while the bag inflates.
On affected Rangers, the Takata single-stage driver inflator uses PSAN propellant without a drying agent. During an air bag deployment, excessive internal pressure can build inside the inflator. Instead of staying sealed, the inflator can explode as the air bag opens. Ford's replacement inflator does not use ammonium nitrate as the gas generator.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem appears only during deployment, so if your VIN is included, do not drive the truck until the recall repair is complete.
Who's affected?
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 33,310 |
Not every 2006 Ford Ranger pickup truck is on the list. 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 explode and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive this Ranger, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006 Ford Ranger is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the truck until the free driver-side air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the truck has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free driver-side air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V023 and Ford recall 18S02 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the truck until the recall repair is complete. At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the front driver side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the Ford service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 12, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 12, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 13, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V023?
Recall 18V023 covers 33,310 2006 Ford Ranger trucks with a driver-side frontal air bag inflator that can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants. Do not drive the truck until a Ford dealer replaces the front driver-side air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2006 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Do not drive the truck if your VIN is included in recall 18V023. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about towing or mobile repair options. Reference recall number 18V023 and Ford recall number 18S02 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will replace the front driver-side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator free of charge.
What does "Do not drive" mean for this Ford Ranger recall?
Do not drive means the truck should stay parked until the recall repair is complete. Ford instructed owners not to drive because the driver-side frontal air bag inflator can explode in a crash and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.
What if I bought my 2006 Ford Ranger used?
The free recall repair still applies. A used truck is covered if its VIN is included in recall 18V023, regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 18V023.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V023000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V023 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V023000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →