“Hope It’s Not True”: SA Reacts As Ford Recalls More Than 2,000 Ranger Bakkies Over Airbag Issues
- Ford issued a recall affecting 2,275 Ranger Double Cab bakkies sold across South Africa between May and June 2026
- The National Consumer Commission warned that a faulty side-curtain airbag could fail to deploy or send B-pillar trim flying as a projectile
- South Africans took to social media to share their concerns, with rival bakkie owners quick to weigh in
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South Africans had a lot to say after Ford announced it was recalling thousands of Ranger Double Cab bakkies over a potentially dangerous airbag fault.
According to a report by Newsroom SA on 31 August 2026, Ford is recalling 2,275 Ranger Double Cab models built during the 2026 to 2027 production year. The affected vehicles were sold at Ford dealerships across South Africa between 22 May and 23 June 2026, with some also exported to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The airbag risk explained
According to the report, the National Consumer Commission identified a fault in the way the side-curtain airbags interact with the B-pillar trim during deployment. In a crash, the airbag may fail to inflate correctly because the trim panel interferes. Worse still, the B-pillar ramp could break loose and turn into a projectile inside the cabin, putting occupants at serious risk.
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Acting National Consumer Commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu called it a safety-critical issue and urged owners not to delay in taking their vehicles in for inspection. Ford will cover all costs linked to the recall, meaning affected owners will pay nothing for the inspection or any necessary repairs.
Owners who are unsure whether their bakkie falls within the affected production run are encouraged to contact Ford or their nearest authorised dealership for clarification.
See the full report on Facebook below:
Mzansi reacts to the Ford recall
The news spread quickly on social media, and South Africans did not hold back, with loyalists from competing car brands piling in.
@Obed Moatshe said:
“Hope it’s not true.”
@Hlabirwa Kgomo Thobejane wrote:
“There are more failures in Ford. They should recheck everything.”
@Db Dash added:
“Ford is problematic.”
@Junior Patji pushed back on the mockery:
“Toyota boys making fun of Ford as if Toyota doesn’t recall their vehicles.”
@Nelson Jossias took a jab from the Isuzu camp:
“‘Recall’ is the word Isuzu owners have never heard.”
@Matsobane Matsobane joked:
“Made in Mamelodi, I am not surprised.”
3 more articles about car recalls
- A small batch of older Hyundai models has been recalled in South Africa over a possible driver airbag fault, with free inspections and repairs offered to owners.
- Jaguar Land Rover recalls select SUVs due to driver airbag deployment risks.
- Over 400 Ford and Toyota vehicles were reportedly recalled due to critical safety defects.
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Source: Briefly News
