Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags189
- Structure46
- Suspension29
- Power train27
- Vehicle speed control19
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Tires17
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Electrical system17
- Unknown or other13
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 35 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 86 2004 Ranger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 65 people died inside them, and 32 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 2.37% of the time — 7% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 136,041 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 2,172 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 53% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 27.7% | 21.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 19.4% | 9.1% |
| Brakes | 17.4% | 13.8% |
| Suspension | 13.8% | 17.2% |
| Visibility | 8.3% | 7.7% |
| Steering | 4.0% | 4.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 7 variants: combined 10.2–15.7 L/100 km (about 15–23 mpg US), CO₂ 235–361 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 11.4 | 8.8 | 10.2 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 9.8 | 11.2 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.8 | 11.2 | 13.2 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 11.8 | 13.7 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.7 | 11.8 | 14.0 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.1 | 13.4 | 15.4 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.2 | 13.7 | 15.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 Ford Ranger.
| 2024100 11 Feb 2024 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the front passenger airbag may have been installed incorrectly during a previous recall repair. As a result, the airbag may not inf… |
| 2021077 19 Feb 2021 | Airbag Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the driver-front and/or passenger-front airbag inflator replaced after a collision or theft. An obsolete a… |
| 2017633 15 Dec 2017 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver and/or passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure … |
| 2016033 25 Jan 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2015231 28 May 2015 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the … |
| 2015054 5 Feb 2015 | Airbag Ford Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving driver and passenger airbag inflators certain vehicles that were originally sold or e… |
| 2004244 14 Jul 2004 | Fuel System On certain short and long wheel base regular cab vehicles, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not properly formed. In the event of a coll… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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 passenger 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 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 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2004 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10240415 | Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Updated Ranger Technical Information to include images of a pass and fail airbag inflator inspection for 2007-2011 model years. |
| 10209374 | Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as repaired under Takata Airbag Safety Recalls 15S21, 17S42, 18S02, 19S01, and 21S12 may not have received the claimed repairs. The propellant in certain Takata airbag inflators can experience an alteration over time with exposure to certain climate conditions. A combination of time, high temperature fluctuations, and humid |
| 10109070 | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer |
| 10057596 | FORD: 2005-2006 FORD GT, 2005-2008 MUSTANG, AND 2004-2005 RANGER VEHICLES OPERATED IN FLORIDA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO, OR THE U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE IN NEED OF AN AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT. 06/11/15 *TA. |
| 10021051 | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. *KB |
| 10020173 | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10019947 | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
| 10018950 | MIL ON WITH VARIOUS MISFIRE RELATED DTC'S P0300-P0306 AND P0316 - 3.0L-2V VULCAN ENGINE. *TT |
| 10018938 | VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS - TIRE/WHEEL RUNOUT. *TT |
| 10018934 | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
| 10017936 | LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/1/2005. *TT |
| 10017899 | NO 3RD GEAR, DTC P0733 (3RD GEAR INCORRECT RATIO) AND FLASHING TCIL - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/23/2004. *TT |
| 10017894 | SQUEAK OR RATTLE FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TT |
| 10017891 | FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT |
| 10017889 | BRAKE LAMP CONCERNS. *TT |
| 10014693 | HIGH IDLE BETWEEN SHIFTS OR IN NEUTRAL - 4.0L ENGINE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TT |
| 10014692 | SPARK KNOCK DURING ACCELERATION - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10014691 | SURGING SENSATION DURING CRUISE AT STEADY SPEEDS OF 35-50 MPH (56-80 KM/H) - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10014618 | ABS DTC C1233 AND C1234 REVERSED IN ABS MODULE. *EH |
| 10014616 | HARD START OR FLOODING WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *EH |
| 10014165 | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013414 | DRIVESHAFT THUMP CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP. *EH |
| 10013385 | WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NO PARK WHEN SWITCHED OFF - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 3/31/2004. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation