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2004 Ford Ranger problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Ford Ranger is airbags, typically around 89,000 miles. It has 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Ranger model year.

Typical year1.7x the typical complaints
Year score
49/100
Owner complaints
405
Recalls
10
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
15-23mpg

The worst 2004 Ford Ranger problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford Ranger

No deployment 15Airbag light 11Check engine light 10Fuel pump 8Loss of power 7Stalling 6Sudden acceleration 6Tire blowout 6Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Wipers 5

Recalls 10

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported April 28, 2023 · 231,942 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V‑125.

Recall number 23V306000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported February 24, 2023 · 98,550 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V‑306.

Recall number 23V125000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported February 17, 2021 · 144,340 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Recall number 21V076000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 16, 2021 · 1,067 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Recall number 21V081000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported December 11, 2017 · 328,213 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V‑036 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.

Recall number 17V787000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported December 11, 2017 · 328,213 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42.

Recall number 17V788000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 25, 2016 · 361,692 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S03. Note: This recall supersedes 14V‑343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.

Recall number 16V036000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 362,327 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S22. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V‑787.

Recall number 15V322000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lightsReported July 13, 2011 · 26,715 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 11V352000 · Recall details

Structure: frame and members: underbody shieldsReported July 14, 2004 · 1,395 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain pickup trucks, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not formed properly.
Risk
In the event of a side impact crash, the frame rail scould puncture the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the frame to determine whether the frame was incorrectly manufactured. If there is a problem, the vehicle will not be repaired. Ford and the dealer will replace the vehicle. The recall began on july 19, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.

Recall number 04V331000 · Recall details

See all 10 recalls for the 2004 Ford Ranger

Defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened February 24, 2015, still open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

EA15001

Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened June 11, 2014, closed March 2, 2015

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

PE14016

Brake lights inoperativeOpened December 5, 2005, closed March 24, 2006

This pe was opened based on technical service bulletin (tsb) #05-6-19 issued by ford motor company and service bulletin #09-008/5 issued by mazda motor corporation to address concerns of the center high mounted stop light (chmsl) wiring harness chaffing. The tsb's affected the ford super cab and mazda cab plus vehicles only.service technicians contacted the ford hotline because it was difficult for the technicians to diagnose and locate the cause of the inoperative brake lights.ford and mazda issued the tsb's to aid technicians in the identification and repair of the wire chafe condition.of all warranty claims submitted to ford for brake lamp failure, ford identified only 120 that were related to wire chafe near the chmsl, and most (115 of the 120) were reported for the super cab chmsl. Odi's review of ford's warranty claims and complaint data reveals a declining trend for the super cab and that trend closely parallels the trend for the standard cab as well.a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE05066

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Ford Ranger 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 2004 Ford Ranger

2004 Ford Ranger fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylRWD19-2124-2721-23
3.0L 6‑cylRWD162118
4.0L 6‑cylRWD1520-2117
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD1518-1916-17
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD1417-1815

What 2004 Ford Ranger owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Electrical · 273,000 miles · OH

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Ford Ranger on September 11, 2026. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was reported at 74,000.The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at O'Reilly Auto Parts, the contact was informed that the odometer was rolled back. The contact was informed that the odometer was last reported at 273,000 miles. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Tires · KS

After driving for 45 minutes on smooth highway, my front driver's side tire blew while I was going 75mph. Had I been closer to the vehicle I had just passed, there could have easily been a bad wreck as I had little control of the vehicle. I was fortunately able to pull over and slam on my brakes safely. The tires have under 40,000 miles on them and showed no signs of low pressure or issues prior to the blowout. I was told by Discout Tire that they would refund me for a replacement tire, but that the Falken Wildpeak R15s on my vehicle have not been recalled, a different size of this tire model have though. There was no reason for the sidewalls of this tire to blow. The air pressure was fine and there was plenty of life left on the tread. Based on the recall on the other size of this tire model, I would guess this size is defective in the sidewalls as well.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Airbags · 270,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway in rainy weather at 60 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road. The contact stated that she could not recount what happened moments after she drove off the road; she did recall that she pulled up to a stop sign and her air bags had deployed. The police arrived at the scene and assisted the contact with moving the vehicle out of the road; a police report was not filed. The contact did not seek medical attention but suffered burns to her right arm and chest. The contact also sustained bruising to her face. The vehicle was towed the next day to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was under recall for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V306000(Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · CA

since 2020 i have owned this ford ranger edge and have replaced drivers side exterior door handle 4 times, interior drivers side door handle 2 times and exterior passenger door handle 2 times. they keep breaking at the clip on the left side. It has been so bad that i actually had drivers side interior and exterior door handles break and could not get in on drivers side. It has caused me to be late for work, terminated from one service job, and a lot of stress. I have ordered handles a total of 5 times. Not any have been of quality to be called "Built Ford Tough"

Filed May 23, 2025 · Airbags · PA

The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 17V788000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · TX

I dropped the vehicle off in April, Bought it off facebook marketplace in March. Since then, I have dropped the vehicle off at Big Star Ford in Pearland texas, and it has been there until today [XXX]. They FINALLy called me to tell me they cannot get parts for this 2017, or the 2023 recall that must be performed, and that I was "Free to come pick my vehicle up from them" It has been over six months with lack of communication, and me sacrificing time to complete in person visits, this is insane. I cannot believe they are still allowed to service vehicles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Airbags · SC

See attached document for complaint

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Airbags · OH

See attached document for complaint

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Airbags · CO

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V0810000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 2, 2023 · Airbags · IN · crash

My husband was involved in a single-vehicle accident where he left the highway at around45 mph, went downhill for 50+ feet where he crashed into a concrete culvert, front impact. The airbags did not deploy. We bought the Ranger from friends, who believed that the Takata recall was completed before we bought it. There have been no accidents since the recall. The truck remains at the service lot where it was towed. It appears to be a total loss.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2004 Ford Ranger

Is the 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?

Owners have filed 405 complaints about the 2004 Ford Ranger, 1.7 times a typical Ranger model year.

What is the 2004 Ford Ranger year score?

The 2004 Ford Ranger scores 49 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Ranger: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Ford Ranger?

Airbags, with 189 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles. Next is body (46).

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Ranger have?

10 recalls, covering air bags, exterior lighting and structure.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Ranger airbags?

Yes, 8 recalls: 23V306000, 23V125000, 21V076000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Ranger have bad airbags?

The Ford Ranger model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (295 complaints), 2007 (236 complaints) and 2011 (196 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Ranger get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Ford Ranger range from 15 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19-21 city and 24-27 highway.

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