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2004 Ford Ranger electrical problems

17 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring
    1
  • Instrument panel: speedometer/odometer
    1
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Ranger electrical problems in other years

1990199520002005201020202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

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 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 Oct 5, 2018 · Electrical · 143,120 miles · IL

The rear breaks lights do not work both moving and parked, but the 3rd upper light does work. All the other functions work for the lights turn signals lights, running lights and hazzard lights. I have replaced the fuses and the bulbs. Still no change I have looked up this action on line found many complaints regarding the same thing linking it to a faulty steering column multifunction switch. The federal safety agency 11v352000. Ford claims that this is not a recall issue with 2004 ford rangers.

Filed Nov 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

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.

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 119,400 miles · CO

The turn signal light stops flashing when turned on during normal driving conditions. When the signal is switch is turned on to activate the left or right signals, the lights do not flash as they normally would both inside the cab or outside on the signal lights. In review of previous recalls for similar vehicles on the www.recall.gov website, the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v352000, and ford recall number 11c18 seem to coincide with the issue I am having although my particular vehicle was not recalled via its VIN number. The recall details: "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." I would like to know if the recall can be extended to include my vehicle.

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · 114,000 miles · NH

The SRS passenger airbag on/off switch has a lightbulb that is hard wired into the board inside the switch module. It has a relatively short life span, and when the bulb burns out is causes the module to deactivate the SRS airbags in both the driver's side and the passengers side. This causes the occupant(s) to be unprotected as the airbags cannot deploy in the event of a collision. This is the 2nd occurrence of this in my vehicle in the last 4 years, and from what I have been able to glean in online research, this is a "known" problem...and no doubt one that ford motor company is aware of, or should be aware of the existence of the problem, as I personally have reported this to ford motor company. Ford motor company's willful neglect to remedy this situation by not changing the switch to allow for the easy and inexpensive replacement of a $1.00 LED lightbulb to allow either the owner of the vehicle or a qualified automobile mechanic with the capabilities of testing for the continuity of the device is being done for the greed of the bottom line, and their total lack of care for the safety of the vehicle occupant(s). I have personally placed a call, and left a voice message on 10/29/13, for [xxx], ford motor company's general counsel, to call me to discuss the issue, without the decency of a return call in over 24 hours. In the event that ford motor company does not acknowledge this defect as a major safety defect...which to correct each time costs the owner of the vehicle somewhere in the neighborhood of $150.00 to $200.00 for the replacement "oem" part and labor, and also does not reimburse me for these (2) expenses, I will file a suit in u.s.federal court for the northern district of new hampshire for the recovery of the actual, compensatory and punitive damages, as well as the possibility of expanding this to be a "class" filing.

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · SC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford ranger. The contact stated that there was a hole burnt through the wiring harness. The contact was informed of the failure while having a thermostat replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact was also informed that the failure could cause a fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was not covered by warranty. The failure and current mileages were 62,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · TX · 1 injury

Horn and windshield wipers come on when I turn on headlights on 2004 ford ranger xlt.

Filed Oct 6, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · 25,000 miles · MA

Windshield wipers frequently either do not work at all or will stop working in the middle of operation. Condition comes and goes with no apparent warning or trigger. Condition occurs in all kinds of weather or operating conditions.

Filed Jul 31, 2010 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · FL

On 7/25/2010, a problem suddenly started occurring with my 2004 ford ranger edge pickup. When I turn on the "headlights", the "windshield-wipers" immediately activate at high speed, and will not turn off as long as the headlights are turned on. In addition, the "wipers" starts by "shooting water on my windshield" also.

Questions about the 2004 Ford Ranger electrical

Does the 2004 Ford Ranger have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the electrical of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 4% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Ford Ranger electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Ranger electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Ranger have the most electrical problems?

The Ford Ranger model years with the most electrical complaints are 1992 (41 complaints), 2019 (41 complaints) and 1999 (39 complaints).

Other 2004 Ford Ranger problems

Airbags 189Body 46Suspension 29Transmission 27Engine 24Brakes 23Fuel system 21Acceleration 19Tires 17Visibility 9Seats 6Lights 5Seat belts 3Steering 3Wheels 3Locks 2Driver assistance 1

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