Recall 21V076 affects 144,340 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks for replacement frontal air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 144,340 2004-2006 Ranger trucks with driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators installed as replacement service parts. If the air bag deploys in a crash, an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into occupants, causing 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 frontal air bag module in a 2004-2006 Ford Ranger sits in the steering wheel or passenger-side dash. In a crash, the inflator inside that module burns propellant to fill the air bag fast enough to cushion the driver or passenger. The inflator has to build pressure, but its metal housing has to stay intact.
On these Rangers, the concern is an obsolete Takata replacement service part that was still available after Ford had permanent repair parts. That older inflator used non-desiccated phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate, a propellant that degrades after long exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature swings. When a degraded inflator deploys, it can explode instead of inflating the air bag normally, sending metal fragments into the cabin.
There is no warning sign before failure. The truck can look and drive normally because the defect is inside the inflator and shows up only when the air bag deploys.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Ranger model years, with front air bag components listed for the driver side, passenger side, and frontal module.
| 2005 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2005 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2005 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2004 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2004 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2004 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| Units affected | 144,340 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific pickup truck.
What's the safety risk?
If the frontal air bag deploys in a crash, the inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall repair. 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 your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free frontal air bag module inspection.
- Ask the dealer to replace the affected air bag module or inflator if the inspection finds the replacement service part covered by this recall.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. Reference recall number 21V076 and Ford recall 21S05 when you call.
- Keep passengers out of the front seats until the dealer confirms whether the driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator is covered and repaired.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the driver and passenger frontal air bag modules. If the inspection shows a covered replacement part is installed, the technician replaces the affected module or inflator. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. If you already paid for a related air bag module or inflator repair before the recall notice, Ford has a general reimbursement plan on file. Bring documentation for the prior repair and ask the service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 17, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| February 17, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 8, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 8, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 17, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V076?
Recall 21V076 covers 144,340 2004-2006 Ford Ranger vehicles with replacement driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long-term heat, humidity, and temperature cycling. Ford dealers will inspect the air bag modules and replace the module or inflator for free when needed.
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 21V076. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the air bag inspection and repair. Reference recall number 21V076 and Ford recall number 21S05 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford says dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag modules and replace the affected module or inflator free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants during a crash that deploys the frontal air bag. NHTSA lists the consequence as serious injury or death. The fix is a free dealer inspection and replacement of the affected air bag module or inflator.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2004-2006 Ranger is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 21V076.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V076000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V076 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V076000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →