Ford Ranger recall issued for side curtain airbag issue

Ford Australia has recalled 13,907 examples of the 2026 and 2026.5 Ford Ranger Double Cab after identifying a potential issue with the interaction between the side curtain airbags and B-pillar trim during a crash. The recall affects vehicles built between 26 November 2025 and 10 July 2026, with a free repair program expected to begin from mid-September.

Ford Australia says part of the B-pillar trim in affected Ranger Double Cab models will need to be replaced following the discovery of a potential safety issue during routine vehicle testing.

Ford released a press statement reading: "In the event of a crash, it may be possible that the side curtain airbags interact with the B-pillar trim during inflation and not deploy as intended."

Ford says this interaction could cause the B-pillar ramp to detach during airbag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.

The carmaker says the issue was identified through internal testing rather than customer complaints.

"Ford Australia identified the issue through routine vehicle testing and is not aware of any incidents in customer vehicles associated with this condition," the company said.

Of the 13,907 affected vehicles, approximately 8000 have already been delivered to customers. Those vehicles will be prioritised once the repair campaign begins.

The remaining affected vehicles are currently in dealer stock and subject to a temporary delivery and demonstration hold.

Ford has emphasised that owners can continue driving their Rangers while awaiting the repair.

"Customers can continue to use their vehicles and all other airbags, including the front driver airbag, front passenger airbag, centre airbag, knee airbags and side thorax airbags, continue to operate as designed," Ford Australia said.

The repair will be carried out free of charge by authorised Ford dealers once parts become available.

Ford says affected owners will be contacted directly and provided with further instructions.

Ford currently expects the recall remedy to be available from mid-September. In the meantime, owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN on Ford Australia's recall website, or by contacting an authorised Ford dealer or Ford Australia's Customer Relationship Centre on 13 36 73.

The recall is the latest issue to affect the Ranger and related Everest range. In June 2026, Ford identified a manufacturing defect involving a leaking turbocharger oil return line on certain V6-powered Ranger and Everest models.

That followed a May 2025 recall affecting 13,490 Ranger and Everest V6 vehicles over a sprocket manufacturing defect that could potentially lead to engine stalling.

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