2004 Ford Ranger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (182) · Structure:body (24) · Suspension (21)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Ranger model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
219 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (9)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2023-04-28 · campaign 23V306000 · 231,942 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2023-02-24 · campaign 23V125000 · 98,550 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-17 · campaign 21V076000 · 144,340 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2021-02-16 · campaign 21V081000 · 1,067 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2017-12-11 · campaign 17V787000 · 328,213 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
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 injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-036 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previo
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-12-11 · campaign 17V788000 · 328,213 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
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 injury or death.
Fix: 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. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previ
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-01-25 · campaign 16V036000 · 361,692 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 injury or death.
Fix: 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. Note: This recall supersedes 14V-343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2015-05-28 · campaign 15V322000 · 362,327 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 injury or death.
Fix: 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. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights 2011-07-13 · campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles
Defect: 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 EQU
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (55)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2023-07-27 · 22B05 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ã¢â⢠updated ranger technical information to include images of a
Air Bags 2022-03-28 · 22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 a
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2014-10-22 · 14B04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-02-27 · 06166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt. *kb
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service tip. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 55 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 273,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2004 ford ranger on september 11, 2026. the vehicle was a dealer sale. at the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was reported at 74,000.the contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at o'reilly auto parts, the contact was informed that the odometer was rolled back. the contact was inform…”
2026-03-10 · Tires“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…”
2025-11-19 · Unknown Or Other“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 g…”
2025-11-19 · Air Bags · 270,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2025-05-23 · Air Bags“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.…”
2024-10-01 · Electrical System“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 m…”
2024-03-14 · Air Bags“see attached document for complaint…”
2023-11-22 · Air Bags“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 manufacture…”
2023-11-02 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.