RoadVitals

2004 Ford Ranger Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
46
Latest Feb 12, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 404 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 46 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 46, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Feb 12, 2022

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..

NHTSA ID
11451628
Incident
Dec 18, 2020
Body & structure
Filed Oct 15, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11436915
Incident
Sep 28, 2021
Mileage
129,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 21, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11413292
Incident
Apr 3, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 2021

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!!!!

NHTSA ID
11406139
Incident
Dec 12, 2020
Mileage
212,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 30, 2020

THE FRAME BROKE IN TWO ON SAID VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11362114
Incident
Sep 30, 2020
Mileage
119,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2020

INCREDIBLE AMOUNTS OF PREMATURE RUST ON FRAME AND SUSPENSION PARTS, SHACKLE BRACKETS RUSTED AWAY COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FRAME IS RUSTING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE!?

NHTSA ID
11340818
Incident
Jul 16, 2002
Mileage
83,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT SOLOMON FORD, LLC (502 NATIONAL PIKE W, BROWNSVILLE, PA 15417 (724) 785-5500), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND MAY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE SOON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ID
11325551
Incident
May 15, 2020
Mileage
21,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2020

EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. RAILS AND CROSS BED SUPPORTS. 2 OF THE BED MOUNTING BOLTS RUSTED OFF AND ALSO THE RUST ATE THROUGH WHATEVER WAS HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE ON. NOT SURE WHERE OR WHEN THAT FELL OFF. I WAS READING MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THE 04 FORD RANGER WITH THE SAME FRAME ROT ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
11322315
Incident
Oct 4, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Apr 23, 2020

THE ENTIRETY OF THE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS COVERED IN RUST AND CORROSION. THE SIDES OF THE BED OF THE TRUCK ARE RUSTING OUT. THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS RUSTED THROUGH. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN FLOODED OR EXPOSED TO EXCESS WATER OR MOISTURE ASIDE FROM RAIN.

NHTSA ID
11322080
Incident
Apr 17, 2020
Mileage
226,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2020

HEAVY RUST ON THE FRAME. TODAY THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DUE TO HEAVY RUST. NO INJURY TO PROPERTY OR PEOPLE FROM THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11308515
Incident
Feb 11, 2020
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 28, 2019

FRAME RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND FRONT LEAF SPRINF MOUNT. ALSO THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING FUEL TANK WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. ITS ONLY THE BACK HALF OF THE TRUCK RUSTING OUT THIS BAD. WHERE THE SPARE TIRE GOES IS ALSO COMPLETLY RUSTED OUT AND FELL OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTHLY PAVED ROADS TO AND FROM WORK

NHTSA ID
11271490
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
246,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2019

REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET RUSTED OFF FROM FRAME, WHILE LOADED AND ON ROUTE HOME FROM TREE NURSERY. REAR FRAME SECTIONS ROTTED AND CRACKED ON VEHICLE WITH ONLY 72000 MILES, FOUND WHEN TRYING TO REPLACE BLOWN BRAKE LINE IN REAR DRIVERS SIDE (RUSTED).

NHTSA ID
11246346
Incident
Aug 24, 2019
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 15, 2019
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARE TIRE STARTED TO FALL OFF DUE TO RUSTING AWAY OF THE MOUNTING APPARATUS. LUCKILY I NOTICED IT WHEN I STOPPED FOR GAS (IT WAS HANGING BY ONLY A BIT OF STILL ATTACHED RUSTED METAL BELOW THE TRUCK) SO I CUT THE CABLE WITH SOME BOLT CUTTERS TO REMOVE THE SPARE AND PREVENT AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER'S SIDE CAB MOUNT SEPARATED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD FELL OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST - MY FOOT WENT THROUGH THE FLOOR. FRAME CRACKED NEAR REAR SHACKLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. FRAME CRACKED NEAR DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST - EXCESSIVE PLAY AND NOISES CAUSED BE TO DISCOVER THIS. BED RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT - ABOVE WHEEL WELLS ON BOTH SIDES, CENTER OF BED, FRONT CORNERS. IT CAME OFF THE TRUCK IN SEVERAL PIECES AFTER I PUT MY FOOT RIGHT THROUGH THE CENTER. THE FRAME RUST ISSUES AND SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF COULD BE SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS. I HAVE DRIVEN A NUMBER OF VEHICLES FOR MANY YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED RUST ISSUES LIKE ON THIS TRUCK. WAY BEYOND WHAT IS REASONABLE AND EXPECTED.

NHTSA ID
11244193
Incident
Oct 12, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2019

REAR END OF FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN. SPRING SHACKLE BROKE OFF. BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE UNAWARE THERE WAS SO MUCH IRREPARABLE DAMAGE. DAMAGES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. PIECES OF THE BODY WERE MISSING. EXACT DATE DAMAGES OCCURRED IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11243722
Incident
Aug 2, 2019
Body & structure
Filed May 1, 2019

I PURCHASED THIS 2004 FORD RANGER THIS PAST WINTER IN HOPES TO PULL MY BOAT TO THE LAKE WITH IT. YESTERDAY. I PULLED MY SMALL BASS BOAT TO LAKE CHICKAMAUGA AND BACK WHICH IS ABOUT A 40 MINUTE DRIVE. IT WAS A STRAIGHT DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY ONLY GOING 50 MPH. WHEN I GOT BACK MY HITCH, BUMPER AND ALL WAS HANGING. THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED IT BROKE IN HALF. HAD I NOT INSTALLED AN AFTER MARKET HITCH ON THIS TRUCK MY WHOLE BUMPER WOULD HAVE COME OFF ALONG WITH THE BOAT THAT WAS ATTACHED AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE KILLED WHOEVER WAS BEHIND ME OT NOT MYSELF. I CANT IMAGINE WHAT WOUOD HAVE HAPPENED OF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS.THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER WAS THE FRONT BOLT ON THE HITCH WHEN I GOT HOME. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE AND I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME VEHICHLES FRAME THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TIME OIT OF THEIR BUSY SCHEDULE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.

NHTSA ID
11204948
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 21, 2018

TOOK TRUCK FOR STATE INSPECTION AND GARAGE CALLED 2 DAYS LATER,SAID THEY CAN'T INSPECT IT DUE TO FRAME BEING CRACKED IN 2 PLACES AND FRAME IS ROTTED AWAY. TRUCK ONLY HAS 66930 MILES ON IT AND LOOKS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN THEY POINTED OUT THE PROBLEMS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN UP TO THAT POINT.

NHTSA ID
11163037
Incident
Nov 27, 2018
Mileage
66,930 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 7, 2018

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHILE WORKING ONE DAY LAST SUMMER AND THE REAR CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY AND FELL OFF MY TRUCK TAKING THE EVAP EMISSIONS CANISTER WITH IT WHEN IT WENT I WAS GOING 45 AND LUCKILY I SAW IT AND HEARD IT AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BUT THE FRAME IN THIS VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY THE CROSSMEMBERS ARE ALL CRACKED OR GONE THE FRAME RAILS ARE SPLIT AND IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION THIS YEAR AND I ALSO LOST THE STAIR TIRE MOUNT WHILE DRIVING THE REAR EXHAUST AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD ALL WHILE DRIVING SOME ON THE HIGHWAY I AM DISABLED RECENTLY AND CAN'T AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE OR REPAIRS AND THERE'S NO REASON THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ALL I NEED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE MY PHYSICAL THERAPY AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENT WEEKLY PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11156777
Incident
Jul 15, 2018
Mileage
240,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 17, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ALONG A SECONDARY ROAD NEAR MY HOME THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRING BROKE IN HALF CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE, NO ONE WAS HURT JUST SHAKEN UP, THE FRAME RAIL IS REALLY RUSTED. ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME RAIL IS CRACKED AND RUSTED..

NHTSA ID
11152231
Incident
Oct 25, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 27, 2018

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE BUMPER AND SPARE TIRE CAME OFF ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11122864
Incident
Aug 27, 2018
Mileage
72,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2018

THE REAR BUMPER FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. LOADING BRUSH INTO TRUCK BED, STEPPED ON BUMPER, AND IT COLLAPSED. CHECKING THE REAR FRAME, SPRINGS, AND SUSPENSION SHOWS EXTENDED RUST, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11119589
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
91,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 31, 2018

THE FRAME AND UNDERBODY INCLUDING BED AND BED CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT! THERE ARE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND BED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY DISCUSSIONS AND PHOTOS ABOUT IT ONLINE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WASN'T MOVING QUICKLY WHEN THE TIRE FELL OUT.

NHTSA ID
11099085
Incident
May 25, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 14, 2018

EXTREME RUST INCLUDING FRAME, BED SIDE PANELS, BED FLOOR, TAILGATE. NOTICED SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERSIDE DUE TO RUST OF FRAME. LUCKILY FOUND WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. FRAME CROSS MEMBERS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. INSPECTION MAY NOT PASS SOON.

NHTSA ID
11085046
Incident
Sep 12, 2017
Mileage
162,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 15, 2018

PAINT IS CHIPPING AND FADING ON VEHICLE.KEEPS GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY.I ALSO HAD A 1995 RANGER AND IT DID THE SAME THING AND IT WAS COVERED SO WHY WOULDNT THIS RANGER?

NHTSA ID
11073145
Incident
Oct 10, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemSuspension
Filed Jan 28, 2018

THE REAR SPRING SHACKLE, BRACKET RUSTING AND FALLING OFF. THE GAS TANK BRACKETS RUSTED AND CAUSIING TANK TOO FALL OFF THE REAR FRAME ROTTED MAKING TRUCK UNSAFE FOR DRIVING ON THE ROAD THE FRONT FRAME OF TRUCK IS OK NO PROBLEM.IT IS JUST THE REAR FRAME RUSTED THRU.THE TRUCK WAS MAKEING A THUMPING NOISE AND WHEN I STOPED I HAD NOTICED THAT THE SPRINGS HAD BROKE THRU BED OF TRUCK PROMPTING ME TOO INSPECT FURTHER WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THAT IS WHEN I FOUND ALL THE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE FRAME.AND THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
11065527
Incident
Jan 20, 2018
Mileage
78,511 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 14, 2017

EXTENSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE RUST. FRAME BROKE BED ROTTED FRAME SPLIT OPEN ON ONE SIDE NEXT TO GAS TANK GAS TANK SUPPORT ROTTED AND BROKE

NHTSA ID
11033336
Incident
Sep 19, 2017
Mileage
135,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .