2004 FORD RANGER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Ranger. This model year has 404 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Ford Ranger Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Structural Problems
Suspension Failures
Considering a 2004 Ford Ranger?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Ranger. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 189 | 24 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 46 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 29 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 27 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 24 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 23 | 7 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 4 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 19 | 5 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 17 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 16 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Ranger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 404 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
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 s…
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…
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 …
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
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 2…
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 excee…
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 …
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that his daughter was involved in a head-on collision; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter sustained injuries to her knee and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle wa…
The since weld behind the cab on drivers side frame completely rotted the frame away this was verified as a defect from a reputable welding shop since then I've not driven it as they said it could snap and cause a very bad accident or cause death or multiple deaths
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while driving at 10-15 MPH and making a right turn, a vehicle from the opposite lane crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle and the vehicle rolled over about 10 ft in the air, rolled over in a ditch, and landed on it…
TRUCK SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AT RED LIGHT IF SOME ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
Rear frame rusted and rotted..spare tire fell off entire evap can also..both sides rear frame shock and spring shackles rotted and broke off. Entire frame rotted and broke while driving ..on rear driver side frame rusted rotted and broke ..value of truck is not worth what estimat…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated while doing routine maintenance at a local mechanic, the mechanic found that the rear sub-frame assembly was rusted through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated …
Rotted sub-frame-will not pass NY State inspection-This truck has 27,817 miles
RUSTED AND ROTTEN OUT FRAME. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN REAL GOOD CONDITION. FRAME IS CRACKED THRU IN A FEW PLACES AND CLOSE TO WERE THE SPRING IS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME.
2004 FORD RANGER EDGE HAS RUSTED ROTTEN REAR FAME, SHACKELS RUSTED, SHOCKS RUSTED, BED RUSTED UNDER BEDLINER BUMPER FELL OFF. BEAUTIFUL TRUCK WITH NO BODY RUST. THE REAR SECTION OF FRAME IS ROTTEN. FRAME WILL CERTAINLY BREAK DOWN TO MAKE THE TRUCK NOT DRIVEABLE SHORTLY. IT IS IM…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEARNS FORD INC., (602 ALAMANCE RD, BURLINGTON,…
AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES, WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE ONLY APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE WAS SEVERAL MONTHS OUT. WHEN THE TIME CAME, WE WENT TO DROP OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER, CORWIN FORD IN RENO, NV DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HADN'T EVEN ORDER…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Ford Ranger.
Recalls for 2004 Ford Ranger
12 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Ford Ranger. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Ford Ranger — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Ford Ranger has 404 NHTSA owner complaints, 42 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (189 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Ranger?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (189 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (46 complaints). #3: Suspension Failures (29 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Ranger?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Ford Ranger?▾
The 2004 Ford Ranger has 42 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 404 total NHTSA complaints. 35 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Ford Ranger have any recalls?▾
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Ford Ranger. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Ranger?▾
The 2004 Ford Ranger has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Ranger reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Ranger
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.