Worst 2004 Ford Ranger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbags
Body Structure
Suspension Failures
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Ranger.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 186 | 22 | — | 90,638 mi | |
| Body Structure | 35 | — | — | 108,861 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 24 | 1 | — | 102,316 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | 1 | 87,174 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 14 | 3 | — | 49,378 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | 1 | 1 | 30,250 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | 1 | — | 42,930 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | 1 | 81,831 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 9 | 1 | — | 66,595 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | 108,055 mi | |
| Fuel System | 6 | — | — | 85,140 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 | 3 | — | 20,700 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | 77,568 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 67,500 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | 106,850 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 5 | 1 | — | 73,000 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 5 | — | — | 2,933 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | — | — | 63,000 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 3 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2004 Ford Ranger
9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,883,059 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Other Ford Ranger Years
2004 Ford Ranger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Ranger?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Ranger?
How safe is the 2004 Ford Ranger?
Does the 2004 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Ranger?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Ranger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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