2004 Ford Ranger
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 404
- Recalls
- 12
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
47% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 404 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 269 |
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
47% · 189 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-11-19
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-02
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received an unknown manufacturer recall for the driver's side air bag. The parts were unavailable for an extended period of time for NHTSA campaign number: 17V788000 (Air bags).
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-24
Structure
12% · 48 reportsMost commonly citing body and underbody shields.
Suspension
7% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing wheel bearing and coil springs.
Power train
7% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving 35 MPH the rear end of the vehicle fish-tailed and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a ditch and flipped on it's left side. The driver received minor scrapes and bruises.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-25
Service brakes
6% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Safety timeline
12 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
2004Complaint volume 404 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
2004-07-19Structure04V331000 On certain pickup trucks, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not formed properly.
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.…
-
I
2005-12-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-03-24 Brake lights inoperative
-
R
2006-07-31Exterior lighting06E065000 Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…
Remedy: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
-
R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
-
R
2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 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…
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.
-
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
-
R
2015-12-04Air bags15V322000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006.
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.
-
R
2016-02-26Air bags16V036000 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.
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.
-
R
2017-12-22Air bags17V788000 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.
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.
-
R
2018-01-16Air bags17V787000 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.
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.
-
R
2021-03-17Air bags21V076000 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...
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.
-
R
2021-03-17Air bags21V081000 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.
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.
-
R
2023-04-05Air bags23V125000 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.
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.
-
R
2023-05-22Air bags23V306000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 189 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 48 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 29 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V331000 · Structure
- Recall 06E065000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 15V322000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V036000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V788000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V787000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V076000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V081000 · Air bags
- Recall 23V125000 · Air bags
- Recall 23V306000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Ranger is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Ranger have?
- 12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.