Recall 23V125 covers 98,550 2004-2006 Ford Ranger vehicles with incorrectly installed passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 98,550 2004-2006 Ranger trucks under recall 23V125 because replacement front passenger air bag inflators installed under an earlier recall were installed incorrectly. An incorrect installation can keep the passenger air bag from inflating properly in a crash, increasing injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger air bag inflator kit in a 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is the metal inflator inside the passenger frontal air bag module. In a crash that calls for deployment, the inflator releases gas so the air bag cushion fills in front of the passenger. The kit has to sit in the correct orientation so the air bag module deploys as designed.
This recall covers Rangers that already received a replacement front passenger air bag inflator under an earlier recall. Ford says technicians who mis-installed the inflator did not review the service instructions before the repair. In affected trucks, the replacement inflator was installed in the wrong orientation instead of matching Ford's diagrams and repair procedure.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light is not described as a symptom for this recall, so the dashboard alone is not enough to confirm whether the repair was done correctly.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 Ranger model years, all tied to the same passenger front air bag inflator kit.
| 2005 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2004 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2006 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| Units affected | 98,550 |
Not every 2004-2006 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?
If the passenger air bag inflator was installed incorrectly, the passenger air bag can fail to inflate properly in a crash, increasing injury risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. 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 front passenger air bag inflator inspection and reinstall that fixes an incorrectly installed inflator.
- Tell the dealer to reference recall number 23V125, Ford recall 23S08, and the superseding recall 23V-306.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the dealer confirms the air bag inflator is correctly installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front passenger air bag inflator and reinstalls it correctly if the inspection shows it was installed incorrectly. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. This campaign has been superseded by recall 23V-306, so ask the Ford service desk to confirm the current campaign handling for your VIN. Ford's general reimbursement plan covered documented owner-paid recall remedies before the owner notice, with eligibility ending April 14, 2023. If you paid before that date, bring documentation to the service desk or contact Ford customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 24, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 1, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| March 1, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 27, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 5, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V125?
Recall 23V125 covers 98,550 2004-2006 Ford Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under an earlier recall. The inflator was installed incorrectly on affected trucks, which can keep the passenger air bag from inflating correctly in a crash and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 23V125. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer for the front passenger air bag inflator inspection and reinstallation. Reference Ford recall number 23S08 when you call, and ask the dealer to confirm the current repair path because this recall was superseded by 23V-306.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to complete the recall repair at no cost, and Ford says dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator as needed free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Ford dealer.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Ranger is included, then give the dealer recall number 23V125 and Ford recall number 23S08 when you schedule service.
When were owner letters mailed for this Ford Ranger recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on April 5, 2023. If you never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether your truck is included. Used vehicles, changed addresses, and older records can keep an owner notice from reaching the current driver.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V125000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V125 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V125000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →