Recall 25V678 covers 405 2025 Ford Ranger trucks because the dash cover can block passenger air bag deployment. Repair is free at franchised Ford dealers.
Ford is recalling 405 2025 Ranger vehicles because the instrument panel top cover interferes with intended passenger air bag deployment. This raises the risk of injury in a crash, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The instrument panel top cover on the 2025 Ford Ranger is the upper dashboard panel above the passenger air bag. In a crash, the passenger air bag must push through a planned opening in that panel. The underside of the panel is laser-scored, meaning a controlled cut pattern tells the panel where to split as the air bag inflates.
On affected Rangers, the supplier used an incorrect laser scoring process on the underside of the instrument panel top cover. The scoring pattern did not match Ford's design specification. Testing showed the passenger air bag cushion filled later in low-output deployments, and in cold-temperature static deployments the cushion did not fully exit the air bag canister and instrument panel surface. That keeps the air bag from deploying as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The dashboard can look normal, and Ford said it had no warranty, field, customer, accident, injury, or fire reports tied to this condition.
Who's affected?
The same instrument panel topper is tied to the dashboard structure and frontal air bag areas.
| 2025 Ford Ranger | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| Units affected | 405 |
| 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 your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the air bag does not deploy as intended, an occupant has a higher risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm the VIN and arrange the dealer repair when your vehicle is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Ford Ranger is included in this recall.
- Review the Ford owner letter mailed November 26, 2025, or call Ford customer service if you did not receive it.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask when the free instrument-panel assembly replacement can be performed, because the current panel top cover can block the passenger air bag from deploying as intended.
- Reference recall number 25V678 and Ford recall 25C54 when you call.
- Use the passenger seat with caution until the repair is complete, since the passenger air bag is part of this recall.
What happens at the repair
Once Ford opens the dealer repair, a Ford technician will replace the instrument panel assembly so the passenger air bag has the intended deployment path. The final dealer repair will be free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Ford used its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you've already paid out of pocket for a repair tied to the instrument panel assembly or passenger air bag deployment concern, contact Ford customer service or bring repair documentation to the dealer so they can route the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 9, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 14, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 14, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 24, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 26, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V678?
Recall 25V678 covers 405 2025 Ford Ranger vehicles with a defect involving the instrument panel top cover and passenger air bag deployment. If the passenger air bag does not deploy as designed, injury risk increases in a crash. Ford dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Ford Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Ranger is included in recall 25V678. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the instrument panel assembly replacement. Reference Ford recall number 25C54 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly free of charge. Use a franchised Ford dealer for the recall repair.
Is it safe to drive my 2025 Ford Ranger before the repair?
Ford has not issued a do-not-drive order for recall 25V678. The safety issue is crash protection: if the passenger air bag does not deploy as designed, injury risk increases in a crash. Check your VIN, schedule the free repair, and ask the dealer about any immediate guidance for your vehicle.
When were owners notified about the Ford Ranger air bag recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on November 26, 2025. VINs became searchable for this recall on October 14, 2025. If you bought the Ranger used or never received a letter, check your VIN and reference Ford recall number 25C54 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V678000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V678 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V678000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →