Photo: Greg Gjerdingen / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2004 Ford Ranger: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the weaker Ranger years.
404 owner complaints, most about air bags. 12 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Ranger?The 2004 Ford Ranger has 404 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and structure. Owners most often flag 4.0l sohc timing chain guide failure requiring engine removal to fix.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Ford Ranger vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Ranger years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Ranger?
Across the 25 Ranger model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2017) to 818 (1999). With 404 complaints, the 2004 Ranger sits above the model's median of 243.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Ranger
air bags:frontal
Campaign 21V081000Ford 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 21V076000Ford 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V788000Ford 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
Campaign 17V787000Ford 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.
Show 8 more recalls
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 15V322000Ford 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:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 16V036000Ford 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.
exterior lighting:tail lights
Campaign 11V352000FORD 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 EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E065000CERTAIN 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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
structure:frame and members:underbody shields
Campaign 04V331000ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 23V125000Ford 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 23V306000Ford 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Ranger
Owners of the 1998-2006 Ranger generally describe it as a tough, simple, long-lasting utility truck that is cheap to keep running, with several saying it is reliable enough to be compared to a 1990s Honda Civic and that many are still in service with work fleets.
- Very frequent4.0L SOHC timing chain guide failure requiring engine removal to fix
- RecurrentAutomatic transmission shifting and slipping problems
- RecurrentClutch hydraulic system failures (master and slave cylinder, bleeding difficulty)
- RecurrentRough or failing starts traced to battery
Starter, starter relay, or ignition and clutch/brake switches.
- RecurrentPoor crash safety and frame damage in relatively minor accidents
Owner insights for the 1st generation Ranger. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Ranger listings typically run $18,998–$27,490.
Other Ranger model years
Compare every Ranger year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Ranger against its rivals
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