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2004 Ford Ranger

The Verdict

34 Check Engine

The 2004 Ford Ranger has 402 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (200 complaints) and body (116 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 34/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford Ranger, consider the 2020 model year which has 70% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 70% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Ford Ranger dashboard →

34

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 9

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

23V306000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 ba...

Risk

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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 servic...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

23V125000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 ...

Risk

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

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 servi...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

04V331000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY.

Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE FRAME RAIL SCOULD PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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. ...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V036000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 inter...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious inj...

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 nu...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V322000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 ...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious ...

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

21V076000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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 explod...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury...

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, 2...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

21V081000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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 MK...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury...

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, 2...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

17V787000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 intern...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious inj...

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 inflat...

Reported Nov 12, 2017

17V788000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 in...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious...

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 inf...

Reported Nov 12, 2017

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000368701086961
200128748876747
200216018535956
200311032424415
2004116212004025
2005728139645
2006564174323
200723123352
200819228870
200910514172
201113719195
20198517443678
2020398161739

By Category

Electrical
200
Body
116
Engine
40
Transmission
25
Brakes
21

By Severity

1
180
2
171
3
6
4
43
5
2

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2004 Ford Ranger stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

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 slam on my brakes safely. The tires have under 40,000 miles on them and showed no signs of low pressure or issues prior to the blowout. I was told by Discout Tire that they would refund me for a replacement tire, but that the Falken Wildpeak R15s on my vehicle have not been recalled, a different size of this tire model have though. There was no reason for the sidewalls of this tire to blow. The air pressure was fine and there was plenty of life left on the tread. Based on the recall on the other size of this tire model, I would guess this size is defective in the sidewalls as well.

4mo ago
Body 2

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 drivers side interior and exterior door handles break and could not get in on drivers side. It has caused me to be late for work, terminated from one service job, and a lot of stress. I have ordered handles a total of 5 times. Not any have been of quality to be called "Built Ford Tough"

8mo ago
Electrical 4

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 recall that she pulled up to a stop sign and her air bags had deployed. The police arrived at the scene and assisted the contact with moving the vehicle out of the road; a police report was not filed. The contact did not seek medical attention but suffered burns to her right arm and chest. The contact also sustained bruising to her face. The vehicle was towed the next day to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was under recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V306000(Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

8mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

14mo ago
Electrical 2

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)

21mo ago
Electrical 2

See attached document for complaint

28mo ago
Electrical 2

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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

32mo ago
Electrical 4

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 was completed before we bought it. There have been no accidents since the recall. The truck remains at the service lot where it was towed. It appears to be a total loss.

32mo ago
Electrical 4

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 was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

42mo ago
Body 2

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

44mo ago
Electrical 4

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 its wheel. The air bags did not deploy. The emergency units were unable to assist the contact out of the vehicle as the roof had caved in and was resting on her head. The contact crawled out of the vehicle and was transported to the hospital. The contact sustained a concussion and severe pain in the neck between her shoulder blade which has limited her movements. Additionally, the contact sustained damaged nerves on the left hand and left leg, and chronic lower back pain. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was totaled. A police report was filed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V081000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer also informed the contact that she did not receive a recall notification because recall notifications were not sent to each vehicle owner of the affected vehicles. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

46mo ago
Engine 2

TRUCK SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AT RED LIGHT IF SOME ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.

51mo ago
Body 1

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 estimates are ..gas tank hangers rusted and rotted many other pieces of frame rusted rotted through..truck is now unsafe to drive an probably unsellable due to broken rusted rotted frame..

53mo ago
Body 2

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 the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V331000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

57mo ago
Body 1

Rotted sub-frame-will not pass NY State inspection-This truck has 27,817 miles

61mo ago
Body 1

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.

63mo ago
Body 2

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 IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A USED FRAME IN THE SALVAGE YARD, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY RUSTED THROUGH. HELP!!!!

64mo ago
Electrical 2

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, NC 27215) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

64mo ago
Electrical 1

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 ORDERED THEM. SERVICE WRITER MICHAEL MCNALLY SAID THAT THEY WOULD ORDER PARTS AND WE WOULD NEED TO BRING VEHICLE BACK. WE EXPRESSED DISPLEASURE THAT THEY HADN'T NOTIFIED US OF A DELAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO THE RECALL AND WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER. WE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, FORD, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A DENIAL OF THE RECALL.*DT*JB

64mo ago
Body 2

THE FRAME BROKE IN TWO ON SAID VEHICLE.

70mo ago

402 total

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