2004 Ford Ranger Electrical Problems

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)

NHTSA ID

11617499

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

THE REAR BREAKS LIGHTS DO NOT WORK BOTH MOVING AND PARKED, BUT THE 3RD UPPER LIGHT DOES WORK. ALL THE OTHER FUNCTIONS WORK FOR THE LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS LIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS AND HAZZARD LIGHTS. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES AND THE BULBS. STILL NO CHANGE I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS ACTION ON LINE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME THING LINKING IT TO A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. NHTSA 11V352000. FORD CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE WITH 2004 FORD RANGERS.

NHTSA ID

11133521

Incident

Sep 29, 2018

Mileage

143,120 mi

ON 4 NOVEMBER 2014 I WAS REFERENCING THE CURRENT AIR BAG ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES. WHILE REVIEWING CURRENT RECALL ON 04 RANGERS I NOTICED NHTSA RECALL #11V3520000> THE DESCRIPTION OF THE VEHICLES MALFUNCTIONS ACCURATELY DESCRIBES A SAME ISSUE I AM CURRENTLY HAVING WITH MY RANGER.IE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM P TO D OR D TO R A FUSE WILL BLOW CAUSING MY TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND CRUISE CONTROL TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALL NOTICES FOR MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE RECALL VIN DATABASE OR IF THE PARAMETERS SHOULDN'T BE EXPANDED TO COVER MORE APPLICABLE VEHICLES. IN ADDITION THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE AS MINE YET THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T SHOW ANY RECALLS FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10653796

Incident

Nov 10, 2014

THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT STOPS FLASHING WHEN TURNED ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE SIGNAL IS SWITCH IS TURNED ON TO ACTIVATE THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIGNALS, THE LIGHTS DO NOT FLASH AS THEY NORMALLY WOULD BOTH INSIDE THE CAB OR OUTSIDE ON THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. IN REVIEW OF PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES ON THE WWW.RECALL.GOV WEBSITE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V352000, AND FORD RECALL NUMBER 11C18 SEEM TO COINCIDE WITH THE ISSUE I AM HAVING ALTHOUGH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED VIA ITS VIN NUMBER. THE RECALL DETAILS: "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." I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL CAN BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557999

Incident

Nov 15, 2013

Mileage

119,400 mi

THE SRS PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH HAS A LIGHTBULB THAT IS HARD WIRED INTO THE BOARD INSIDE THE SWITCH MODULE. IT HAS A RELATIVELY SHORT LIFE SPAN, AND WHEN THE BULB BURNS OUT IS CAUSES THE MODULE TO DEACTIVATE THE SRS AIRBAGS IN BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE. THIS CAUSES THE OCCUPANT(S) TO BE UNPROTECTED AS THE AIRBAGS CANNOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THIS IS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE OF THIS IN MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST 4 YEARS, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GLEAN IN ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS IS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM...AND NO DOUBT ONE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS AWARE OF, OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM, AS I PERSONALLY HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S WILLFUL NEGLECT TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION BY NOT CHANGING THE SWITCH TO ALLOW FOR THE EASY AND INEXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT OF A $1.00 LED LIGHTBULB TO ALLOW EITHER THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE OR A QUALIFIED AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC WITH THE CAPABILITIES OF TESTING FOR THE CONTINUITY OF THE DEVICE IS BEING DONE FOR THE GREED OF THE BOTTOM LINE, AND THEIR TOTAL LACK OF CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S). I HAVE PERSONALLY PLACED A CALL, AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE ON 10/29/13, FOR [XXX], FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S GENERAL COUNSEL, TO CALL ME TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, WITHOUT THE DECENCY OF A RETURN CALL IN OVER 24 HOURS. IN THE EVENT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT...WHICH TO CORRECT EACH TIME COSTS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $150.00 TO $200.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT "OEM" PART AND LABOR, AND ALSO DOES NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE (2) EXPENSES, I WILL FILE A SUIT IN U.S.FEDERAL COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE ACTUAL, COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THIS TO BE A "CLASS" FILING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10550259

Incident

Oct 17, 2013

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHILE HAVING A THERMOSTAT REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

NHTSA ID

10438556

Incident

Dec 3, 2011

Mileage

62,000 mi

HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN I TURN ON HEADLIGHTS ON 2004 FORD RANGER XLT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10376975

Incident

Jan 17, 2011

Mileage

52,000 mi

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FREQUENTLY EITHER DO NOT WORK AT ALL OR WILL STOP WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION. CONDITION COMES AND GOES WITH NO APPARENT WARNING OR TRIGGER. CONDITION OCCURS IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER OR OPERATING CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10359424

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

25,000 mi

ON 7/25/2010, A PROBLEM SUDDENLY STARTED OCCURRING WITH MY 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE PICKUP. WHEN I TURN ON THE "HEADLIGHTS", THE "WINDSHIELD-WIPERS" IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATE AT HIGH SPEED, AND WILL NOT TURN OFF AS LONG AS THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IN ADDITION, THE "WIPERS" STARTS BY "SHOOTING WATER ON MY WINDSHIELD" ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10346534

Incident

Jul 25, 2010

Mileage

96,000 mi

TWO DAYS AGO I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY FUEL FILTER. AFTER DOING SO I NEEDED TO RESET THE "FUEL SHUT OFF" SWITCH. THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE SOLVED, BUT IT WASN'T!! NOW MY TRUCK JUST STOPS RUNNING AS I'M DRIVING AND I NEED TO PULL OVER AND PUSH THE FUEL SWITCH AGAIN! WHEN IT STOPS ALL OF MY POWER IS SHUT OFF...THIS IS SO FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE JUST SINCE I CHANGED THE FILTER TWO DAYS AGO. I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE MY TRUCK NOW. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE FUEL SHUT OFF SWITCH HAS A SHORT IN IT. NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH THAT WILL RUN ME? SHAME ON THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I'VE ALWAYS TRUSTED THEM BUT I GUESS IT'S TIME TO SWITCH... *TR

NHTSA ID

10340687

Incident

Jun 28, 2010

Mileage

108,000 mi

THE INERTIA SWITCH ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER TRIPPED 4 TIMES IN ONE DAY, AFTER I HAD IT TOWED 30 MILES, THINKING MY FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334687

Incident

Jun 3, 2010

Mileage

62,224 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE HORN ALSO STARTED HONKING AND THE WINDSHIELD WASHER STARTED SPRAYING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 90,500.

NHTSA ID

10331142

Incident

May 17, 2010

Mileage

90,000 mi

2004 FORD RANGER, WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SHUTS-OFF. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SEVERAL DEALERS AND AUTO SHOPS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10314312

Incident

Feb 24, 2010

THE INERTIA SWITCH HS TRIPPED ITSELF A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10265873

Incident

Apr 17, 2009

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 6-15-06 THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON. DEALER LUBED THE LOCKS AND LATCHES. *TT

NHTSA ID

10157782

Incident

May 18, 2006

Mileage

30,000 mi

PROBLEM WITH LOSS OF ALL DIRECTIONAL AND ABS/BRAKE INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD ON MY 2004 FORD RANGER PICKUP. WHEN PULLING OUT OF STOP ONTO A MAIN THOROUGHFARE, MY DIRECTIONAL QUIT WORKING AS I MADE THE TURN. I TRIED TO CLICK THEM MANUALLY, BUT TO NO AVAIL...AT THE SAME TIME AS I LOST MY DIRECTIONAL, MY ABS/BRAKE FAILURE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. NOT ONLY WAS I NOT ABLE TO SIGNAL A TURN (AT 20:00 HOURS), BUT OTHER DRIVERS COULD NOT SEE MY HAND SIGNALS BECAUSE IT WAS SO DARK. IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAKE A TURN (TO RETURN HOME), ANOTHER DRIVER HONKED AT ME (FOR LACK OF TURN INDICATION) AND CUT ME OFF, CAUSING ME TO JAM ON MY BRAKES. WITH NO ABS AVAILABLE, I OF COURSE STARTED TO SLIDE. I QUICKLY LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MANUALLY PUMP MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS AS FOLLOWS; CUSTOMER REPORTS ABS LIGHT ON', 'CUSTOMER REPORTS ALL DIRECTIONAL INOPERABLE. VERIFIED CONCERN. FOUND FUSE #20-10AMP BLOWN, REPLACED FUSE, BLEW AGAIN. FOUND WIRING ON FRAME RAIL CORRODED AND SHORT TO GROUND. REPAIRED AND CHECKED, ALL OK'. *JB

NHTSA ID

10151518

Incident

Feb 13, 2006

Mileage

45,264 mi