Was driving and suddenly, my vehicle started to lose power. Was very scary because it was at night. Engine light came on and power was lost. Pulled off freeway into gas station. Checked fluids, etc.. Upon trying to leave, vehicle was sputtering with no compression. I did not think I was going to make it home. After a few minutes, I tried again, this time giving vehicle more gas. It seemed to do a little better. But, every time I had to slow down or stop for a stop sign or traffic light, vehicle was sputtering and acting like it was going to stall out. Was very nerve racking, as I was afraid of being rear ended by cars that were behind me. Now every time I slow down to where vehicle is in idle, it acts like it is going to stall out on me, which makes me very nervous. Had a mechanic install new plugs, new injector, coil package and vehicle is still doing badly and running very rough. Engine light still comes on after having all these new parts installed. Mechanic also recommended using a gas additive and filling tank with premium gas, which I did. Still running rough. Upon further research, have found out that ford rangers, years 2004 through 2006 are having the same problem. My vehicle only has 66,362 miles on it and I have kept maintained at all times. Ford has known about this but has not done a recall yet. I feel that they are responsible and that there should be a recall on these vehicles. Either I will have to buy a new engine or a new vehicle, which I can not afford. Ford needs to recall and pay for what needs to be done to fix this problem, as they were aware of this problem and have done nothing about it. I should not have to pay for new engine or new vehicle, when my 2004 ranger has low mileage and has been well maintained the whole time that I have had it. It is the 3.0 vulcan engine. Please help.
2004 Ford Ranger acceleration problems
19 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal4
- Cables1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Ranger acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Ford Ranger acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2004 Ford Ranger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 4 november 2014 I was referencing the current air bag issue with ford vehicles. While reviewing current recall on 04 rangers I noticed the federal safety agency recall #11v3520000> the description of the vehicles malfunctions accurately describes a same issue I am currently having with my ranger.ie, when shifting from p to d or d to r a fuse will blow causing my turn signal, brake lights, and cruise control to become inoperative. I called my local ford dealer service department about the issue and was told there were no recall notices for my vehicle VIN number. I'm wondering if there is an issue with the recall VIN database or if the parameters shouldn't be expanded to cover more applicable vehicles. In addition there was a recall for the same year and make vehicle as mine yet the service department doesn't show any recalls for my particular VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently surge forward while driving at various speeds. The failure also occurred when the cruise control was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions in which they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. Updated 07/20/11*lj the dealer replaced the cruise control swtich. Updated 02/06/12
Tl*the contact owns 2004 ford ranger. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH with the accelerator pedal stuck in an open position. The brake pedal was applied numerous times without a response. Immediately, the gear selector was shifted into the neutral position. The vehicle continued to accelerate. The anti-theft lock warning light indicator illuminated, followed by a loss of power steering. The vehicle finally came to a complete stop after repeated pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the failure was contributed to the speed control cable. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the speed control cable was disabled and removed from the vehicle. The contact was concerned about the safety hazard regarding the defect. The failure mileage was 149,978. Updated 09/28/10.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. In august of 2007, the contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control. The dealer did not receive the parts from the manufacturer to repair his vehicle. Each time the contact calls the dealer, he is informed that the parts are still unavailable. In january of 2009, he received another recall notice, which stated that he did not comply with the first notice. On february 4, 2009, the dealer stated that the parts were available for the repair. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.
I have a 2004 ford ranger p/u that has a problem with the cruise control. From time to time (and getting more frequent)the cruise will not work and when this happens also the horn is inoperable. I know that ford has a recall for certain vehicles with cruise problems , but my truck VIN does not fall under those being recalled. I contacted ford customer service ,they informed me to take it to a dealer as it wasn't covered.I called a local dealer service and the service manager said to me oh yeah we get that problem and 9 out of 10 times it's a spring in the steering column that wraps the wires and along with no cruise or horn you also lose your driver air bag protection!!!now this is a real problem,as how many people do you know test their horn before driving out the drive and for that matter really how many people even use cruise control on a regular basis? I know in my case that if it does go in cruise and I am going down the nys thruway and have to tap my brake for slow traffic and then tap resume after traffic clears and cruise does not function that tells me my horn isn't going to work and my life could be in danger if I was involved in an accident because my air bag is also inoperable.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. He received a safety recall notification in august 2007. Every month the dealer stated that the part would be available the following month. The purchase date was 04/2000. The current mileage was 114,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was at an idle, the engine revved and lurched forward. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, but was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 6-15-06 the door ajar light is on. Dealer lubed the locks and latches.
While coming to a stop (twice) the ford ranger engine accelerated suddenly to a point it could not be completely stopped with the brake system. Had any traffic been coming I would be a dead man. I did not have my foot on accelerator nor are there any floor mats in this truck to get stuck under the accelerator. I'm scared to death to drive this vehicle and I know that if I bring it to the ford garage that its going to cost tons of money and they are going to say they don't see anything wrong. There is obviously a serious problem with a control mechanism somewhere. This has happened twice. Once after driving the vehicle about a mile. The second time (today) after driving for hours. Can you please help me out I really am scared to drive this truck.
Dt*: the contact stated intermittently the vehicle accelerated while attempting to stop. This occurred 4-5 times. On one occasion, while stopping at an intersection 10 MPH, the vehicle began to gain speed even though the contact was applying brake pressure. The contact shifted the vehicle to neutral and it began to decelerate. The dealership has been alerted.
Questions about the 2004 Ford Ranger acceleration
Does the 2004 Ford Ranger have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the acceleration of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Ranger acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Ranger acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Ranger have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Ranger model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (71 complaints), 2001 (57 complaints) and 2000 (55 complaints).
Other 2004 Ford Ranger problems
Airbags 189Body 46Suspension 29Transmission 27Engine 24Brakes 23Fuel system 21Electrical 17Tires 17Visibility 9Seats 6Lights 5Seat belts 3Steering 3Wheels 3Locks 2Driver assistance 1
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