Ford Ranger sales hit four-year low amid airbag recall

The Ford Ranger, Australia’s best-selling new vehicle for the past three years, posted its worst monthly sales result since the current-generation ute was launched in July 2022.

With 2440 deliveries in August, the Ranger – which topped Australia’s monthly sales charts in January, February and March this year – fell to fifth overall. Its key rival, the Toyota HiLux, finished third with 4833 deliveries, almost double the Ranger’s tally.

Before August, the Ranger averaged 4337 sales per month this year.

Ranger sales were also down 50.6 per cent compared with August 2025.

The result followed a recall of 13,907 Ranger double-cabs built between November 26, 2025 and July 10, 2026.

A manufacturing defect means the side curtain airbags may interact with the B-pillar trim during inflation and fail to deploy as intended. The B-pillar ramp may also detach and become a projectile.

Ford initially said it expected the required parts to become available from mid-September.

Affected vehicles already in dealer stock were placed under a temporary delivery and demonstration hold, preventing them from being handed over to customers until repaired.

“The hold prevented Ranger Double Cab vehicles in dealer stock from being delivered during August. As a result, Ford’s reported monthly volume was approximately 30 per cent lower than anticipated for the month,” Ford Australia said in a statement to CarExpert.

Ford said it had already begun carrying out the recall repairs, having taken “extraordinary steps to secure the parts required to get affected vehicles sorted as quickly as possible”.

“Affected vehicles in dealer stock will be eligible for delivery once the required repair has been completed,” it said.

Ford Australia expects Ranger sales to rebound in September as the recall repairs are completed and unaffected double-cabs arrive in local showrooms.

“The August figure primarily reflects the delayed timing of Ranger deliveries rather than a material change in customer demand,” the automaker said.

“Because of this effort, and new vehicle stock arriving, we anticipate a much-improved month in September.

“Vehicle safety and regulatory compliance are top priorities for Ford Australia. We are working closely with our dealers to complete the required repairs, support affected customers and resume deliveries as soon as possible.”

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