Total Complaints
461 filings
FORD RANGER · model year
461 NHTSA complaints, 47 crash reports, and 12 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDRANGER carries 461 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 47 crashes, 3 fires, 42 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 RANGER is air bags with 186 filings, followed by structure:body (35) and suspension (24). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 12 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2004 RANGER, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
461 filings
Crashes Reported
47 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 186 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 35 |
| SUSPENSION | 24 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 |
| TIRES | 8 |
| ENGINE | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| STRUCTURE | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| SEATS | 5 |
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 bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture
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 bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
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 internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT
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 explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperatu
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 MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 TH
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 internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
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"
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.
Mileage: 270,000
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:Â 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 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)
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)
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 Nu
Mileage: 120,000
TRUCK SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AT RED LIGHT IF SOME ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
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 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..
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.
Mileage: 129,000
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 IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A USED FRAME IN THE SALVAGE YARD, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY RUSTED THROUGH. HELP!!!!
Mileage: 212,000
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.
Mileage: 160,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.