Recall 23V306 affects 231,942 2004-2006 Ford Ranger vehicles with incorrectly installed passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 231,942 2004-2006 Ranger trucks that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under an earlier recall. If the inflator was installed incorrectly, the passenger air bag can fail to inflate properly in a crash, increasing injury risk; Ford dealers will inspect and repair it free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger airbag inflator kit in the 2004-2006 Ford Ranger is the gas-generating part inside the front passenger air bag module. When a crash triggers the passenger air bag, the inflator fills the bag so it opens in the right shape and position for the person in that seat.
These Rangers had a replacement passenger inflator installed during an earlier recall repair. Ford found that some replacement inflators were installed in the wrong orientation because technicians did not review the service instructions before doing the work. The repair for this recall is to install the Passenger Airbag Inflator Kit in the correct orientation, so the module is assembled the way Ford specifies.
There is no warning sign before failure. An incorrectly installed inflator is hidden inside the air bag module, so an owner should not expect a dash light, sound, smell, or change in how the truck drives.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Ranger model years, all tied to the passenger-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 | 231,942 |
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?
The passenger air bag relies on the inflator to fill the bag during a crash. If the inflator was installed incorrectly, the passenger air bag can fail to inflate properly, increasing injury risk in a crash. Schedule the inspection and repair 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 passenger air bag inflator inspection and reinstall, the repair that corrects an incorrectly installed replacement inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V306 and Ford recall 23S08 when you call.
- Ask Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for help if your Ranger had previous recall 23V-125 work and you need dealer records confirmed.
- Limit front passenger use until the dealer completes the inspection and repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front passenger air bag inflator and reinstalls it if the earlier replacement was installed incorrectly. The inspection and any needed repair are free under recall 23V306. Ford's general reimbursement plan covers eligible documented repair costs paid by owners before notification of the safety recall. The listed reimbursement eligibility ending date was June 9, 2023. If you already paid for a related front passenger air bag inflator repair, bring the repair order and payment documentation to Ford customer service or the dealer.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 28, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 3, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| May 3, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 22, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 22, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V306?
Recall 23V306 covers 231,942 2004-2006 Ford Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under an earlier recall. Ford says those inflators were installed incorrectly. Dealers will inspect and reinstall the inflator when needed 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 23V306. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag inflator inspection and reinstall. Reference recall 23V306 or Ford recall number 23S08 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Ford says dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator when needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is passenger air bag underinflation during a crash. If the front passenger inflator was installed incorrectly, the air bag can fail to inflate properly, increasing injury risk for the passenger. The free dealer inspection is the repair path.
What if I bought my Ford Ranger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Ford mailed owner notification letters on May 22, 2023, but a used owner can miss that letter, so check your VIN and call a Ford dealer if your truck is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V306000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V306 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V306000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →