2004 Ford Ranger: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Ford Ranger: 10 recalls, 404 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #04V331000 · 2004 · 1,395 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks, the frame May have a center rail section flange that was not formed properly.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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. The recall began on July 19, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Exterior lights, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #11V352000 · 2011 · 26,715 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V322000 · 2015 · 362,327 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V036000 · 2016 · 361,692 vehicles
What's wrong: Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure May cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V787000 · 2017 · 328,213 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V788000 · 2017 · 328,213 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V081000 · 2021 · 1,067 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V076000 · 2021 · 144,340 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V125000 · 2023 · 98,550 vehicles
What's wrong: The replacement frontal passenger air bag inflators May have been installed incorrectly.
Why it matters: An incorrectly installed inflator May not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V306000 · 2023 · 231,942 vehicles
What's wrong: The replacement front passenger air bag inflators May have been installed incorrectly.
Why it matters: An incorrectly installed inflator May not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E065000 · 2006 · 3,593 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on July 31, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 35 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (189): the most common themes are fails to deploy (18), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (12), warning light on (11).
- Body & structure (46): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (38), noise or vibration (3).
- Suspension (29): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (19), noise or vibration (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (27): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (13), noise or vibration (8), stalls / loses power (2).
The 2004 Ford Ranger has 404 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 33 Ranger model years for complaints (1.6× the average Ranger year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (82 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 11 years old, at a median of 66,566 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (243 complaints, 1 recalls), 2005 (289 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Ford Ranger.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Ford Ranger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Ford Ranger, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Ranger problems?
Owners have filed 404 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (189), body & structure (46), suspension (29).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Ranger get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Ford Ranger repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.