FordRanger2009Overview/ford/ranger/2009/base/

2009 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 2009 Ford Ranger is a midsize pickup built on the Ranger truck platform and equipped with a 4.0‑quart oil capacity that calls for 5W‑20 API‑rated oil. Across its production span the model registers 168 owner complaints for this year, with air‑bag systems emerging as the most frequent issue and nine recalls noted in its service record. When placed against the broader 1990‑2020 complaint timeline—peaking at 818 complaints in 1999 and dropping to a single report in 2014—the 2009 Ranger occupies a middle ground, suggesting a moderate reliability standing that researchers should weigh against its documented air‑bag concerns.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3069 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.50 sec207 hp4x4
2001Edge SuperCab 4.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec207 hp4x4
1998Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V68.90 sec16.80 sec160 hpRWD
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V69.80 sec17.30 sec160 hp4x4
1998XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V610.00 sec17.60 sec160 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.2 Pints, Rear
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug17.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.07 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number59

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)39
RPM39 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.988 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.964 in
Drum Discard at-or-over NoteSTAMPED ON DRUM

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 85 degrees SOHC33 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

1M12 bolts9 ft. lbs
2M12 bolts18 ft. lbs
3M8 bolts24 ft. lbs
4M12 bolts90 degrees
5M12 bolts90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
110 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5210 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 67-7525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Ford Ranger sits near the end of a generation that saw a clear downward trend in overall complaint volumes after a peak in the late 1990s. From 1998’s high of 656 complaints, the numbers generally declined, with 2009 recording just 168 complaints—the lowest in the dataset for any model year with significant sales. Recalls for 2009 (9) are slightly elevated compared to the immediately preceding years (6 in 2007, 7 in 2008) but remain below the generation’s worst spikes, and investigations dropped to zero. However, the complaint profile is heavily skewed: 142 of the 168 complaints are air-bag-related, a concentration not seen in earlier years, though the data does not specify root causes. This suggests that while the 2009 Ranger benefits from the generation’s overall maturation and reduced defect rates, a prospective buyer should confirm that all air-bag-related recalls have been addressed. On balance, the low total complaint count and absence of investigations make the 2009 model year a relatively strong choice, provided the air-bag system is verified as recall-compliant.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
168
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 168 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags142
Structure3
Service Brakes2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V158000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/03/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April…

21E013000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 16/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators… Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Ranger take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.