RoadVitals

2004 Ford Ranger Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
21
Latest Jan 28, 2018
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.
5%
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 21 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 fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2017

WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER WAS LOST. PULLED OFF FREEWAY INTO GAS STATION. CHECKED FLUIDS, ETC.. UPON TRYING TO LEAVE, VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING WITH NO COMPRESSION. I DID NOT THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT HOME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I TRIED AGAIN, THIS TIME GIVING VEHICLE MORE GAS. IT SEEMED TO DO A LITTLE BETTER. BUT, EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP FOR A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING AND ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. WAS VERY NERVE RACKING, AS I WAS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED BY CARS THAT WERE BEHIND ME. NOW EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN TO WHERE VEHICLE IS IN IDLE, IT ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL OUT ON ME, WHICH MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS. HAD A MECHANIC INSTALL NEW PLUGS, NEW INJECTOR, COIL PACKAGE AND VEHICLE IS STILL DOING BADLY AND RUNNING VERY ROUGH. ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON AFTER HAVING ALL THESE NEW PARTS INSTALLED. MECHANIC ALSO RECOMMENDED USING A GAS ADDITIVE AND FILLING TANK WITH PREMIUM GAS, WHICH I DID. STILL RUNNING ROUGH. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD RANGERS, YEARS 2004 THROUGH 2006 ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,362 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE KEPT MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL YET. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. EITHER I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE OR A NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND PAY FOR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AS THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW ENGINE OR NEW VEHICLE, WHEN MY 2004 RANGER HAS LOW MILEAGE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED THE WHOLE TIME THAT I HAVE HAD IT. IT IS THE 3.0 VULCAN ENGINE. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
11003936
Incident
Jul 2, 2017
Mileage
66,330 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jul 9, 2016

AFTER SHORT DRIVE, AND SHUTDOWN ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY TRUCK STARTED RIGHT UP. DEALER COULD FIND NO ISSUES. SEVERAL WEEKS AND 2000 MILES LATER, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. FOUND FUEL INERTIA SWITCH ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MELTED. FELL APART WHEN REMOVING. PURCHASED NEW SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL HARNESS CONNECTOR PIGTAIL. FORTUNATELY FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AND SHUTTING DOWN. COULD CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT IF FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOMETHING IS CAUSING AN OVERHEAT CONDITION IN THIS SWITCH/CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ID
10883723
Incident
Jul 3, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed May 3, 2016

IF I LEFT THE ENGINE IDLE MORE THAN TWO MINUTES IT WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE EMISSIONS TEST. NOW THE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF ANYMORE. ALMOST GOT AN ACCIDENT VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH ANYMORE. I MUST HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO CHANGE THE HEADS ON THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY CAST IRON HEADS THAT WAS USED FOR LIKE THREE YEARS. MY FORD TRUCK IS ONE OF THESE YEARS THEY HAD THE ISSUES. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING IT THIS IS NONSENSE WITH THE LOW MILES I HAVE ON IT. THESE FORDS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN SUCH GOOD CARE OF THIS TRUCK AND IT STILL LOOKS LIKE BRAND-NEW I HAVE TO FIX IT! PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ID
10862718
Incident
Apr 10, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jul 19, 2015

JULY 19, 2015 RE: NHTSA RECALL 04V331000 JULY 15, 2004. ON JUNE 18, 2015, BERGLUND FORD OF BEDFORD, VIRGINIA REFUSED TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FRAME PART EXISTS THAT COULD RUPTURE THE GASOLINE TANK DURING A SIDE IMPACT TYPE OF COLLISION. 1. A VISUAL INSPECTION IS THE ONLY METHOD TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL HAZARD EXISTS. 2. FORD'S COMPUTER RECORDS CAN ONLY INDICATE IF AN INSPECTION HAS OCCURRED. 3. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE LOGICALLY IF THE RECALL HAZARD EXISTS BY USING VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. AT THE TIME OF MY REQUEST FOR AN INSPECTION, I WAS PREPARED TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HAS ELAPSED. ALSO, WHEN I REQUESTED THE INSPECTION OF THE FRAME AND FUEL TANK, I BECAME AWARE OF AN AIR BAG RECALL THAT HAD BEEN RECENTLY PUBLISHED FOR MY MODEL OF LIGHT TRUCK. BERGLUND FORD REFUSED TO ADDRESS EITHER RECALL SITUATION FOR ME BECAUSE, "THE COMPUTER DID NOT CALL FOR IT." I MAY OWN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT COULD KILL THE OCCUPANTS DURING A COLLISION BECAUSE OF 2 FEDERAL SAFETY RECALL ISSUES THAT HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. (THE FUEL TANK/FRAME AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG). BERGLUND FORD HAS VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW AND I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE TO REMEDY THIS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10735045
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
41,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 19, 2013

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3.0 V6 MOTORS THAT FORD PRODUCED KNOWN AS THE "VALVE RECESSION" FORD RELEASED OVER 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THESE FAULTY CYLINDER HEADS. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THEY SENT OUT A TSB (SERVICE BULLETIN) REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT YET THEY WONT RECALL THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556585
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
142,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING STARTED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,202. *TR UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ

NHTSA ID
10504709
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
13,202 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10444957
Incident
Jan 6, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 9, 2011

2004 FORD RANGER - FUEL CUTOFF INERTIA SENSOR ENGAGES SPORADICALLY AND REQUIRES RESET TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER. POWER STEERING IS LOST WHEN THIS OCCURS. DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS AND SURROUNDING TRAFFIC THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, UNDER A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS. HAVING A FUEL SYSTEM CUTOFF THAT CAN ENGAGE AT-SPEED DURING NORMAL DRIVING IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10399555
Incident
May 8, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2010

FUEL PUMP FAILURE 2004 FORD RANGER,2004 FORD,2006 FORD FOCUS .I HAVE A MECHANIC WHOM HAS REPLACED MANY BUMPS ON FORD VEHICLES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.I CAN'T SAY WITH CERTAINTY IF THERE ARE SAFETY ISSUES BUT THIS COMPANY [FORD] HAS FAULTY PARTS IN THE PUMPS THEY INSTALL ON THERE VEHICLES. HOW WOULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN VARIOUS MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10346327
Incident
Aug 15, 2009
Mileage
38,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 29, 2010

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
Fuel system
Filed Jun 16, 2010

MY FORD 2004 ENGINE WILL NOT START. FUEL SHUT OFF SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. EACH TIME BEFORE STARTING I HAVE TO PUSH THIS SWITCH. THIS CAN BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE MY TRUCK DOES NOT STOP ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY KIDS IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10336707
Incident
Jun 13, 2010
Mileage
68,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 4, 2010

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
Fuel system
Filed May 17, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER EDGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL LINES NEAR THE FUEL TANK BURST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD. THE VEHICLE LOST HALF A TANK OF FUEL SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID IT MIGHT CATCH FIRE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10330796
Incident
May 14, 2010
Mileage
115,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HER RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH INCREASED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH AND INSTALLED A PRESSURE RESET LOCATER KIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000. UPDATED 01/05/10 *LJ WHEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE SWITCH WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HE WOULD NEED TO INSTALL A RELOCATOR KIT FOR THE FUEL PRESSURE SWITCH. THE RESET BUTTON IS NOW LOCATED BEHIND THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL WHERE THE FUSES ARE LOCATED. UPDATED 01/05/10. *JB

NHTSA ID
10283414
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
48,400 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 21, 2009
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING WITH PASSENGER, THE INERTIA SWITCH CAN BE EASILY UNATTACHED OR LOOSENED. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO RANDOMLY DIE. IF THE MANUAL VEHICLE DIES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, IN BAD TRAFFIC, OR TURNS REQUIRING POWER STEERING, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274442
Incident
Oct 27, 2008
Mileage
30,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE WATER IN THE FUEL TANK. HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE VALVE SPRING CAME OUT OF THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER. UPDATED 12/11/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10249002
Incident
Nov 10, 2008
Mileage
62,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2007

ON TWO OCCASIONS ALL POWER IN THIS 2004 FORD RANGER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL I RESET THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED BENEATH THE GLOVE BOX AREA AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. 3/01/07, LATE EVENING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON AN EXPRESSWAY. LUCKILY, WE WERE IN THE SLOW LANE AND COULD DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BEFORE PUSHING THE RESET BUTTON FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND IT STARTED. FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO AN ASSIGNED LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER SAID IT WILL COST $59.95 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE AND IF THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE IT IS NOT WITHIN THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY AND IF FORD PAYS A PORTION IT WOULD BE A VERY SMALL AMOUNT. I HAVE READ TWO OTHER ON-LINE COMPLAINTS, ALMOST IDENTICAL. ONE WAS LISTED UNDER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE OTHER ONE WAS UNDER ENGINE PROBLEMS. I AM GLAD WE WERE NOT IN THE FAST LANE OR HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS AT THIS TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184051
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
48,400 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 22, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS A COMPANY FLEET VEHICLE AND IT WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THE COMPANY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME FUEL LEAKING PROBLEM DUE TO A BROKEN FUEL LINE. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE SAME AREA. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143484
Incident
Nov 22, 2005
Fuel systemTransmissionVisibility
Filed Jan 27, 2005

TRUCK HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SHOP THREE TIMES ALREADY; 1. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BACK WINDOW POPPED OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON-----PUT IN NEW VALVE BODY IN, PUT WINDOW IN AND RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.*AK 2. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON------NEW PURGE VALVE CANISTER IN ENGINE, FUEL PUMP, NEW FUEL TANK. 3. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS(TRANSMISSION SLIPS), REAR WINDOW OUT AGAIN. 2. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, CHECK ENGI

NHTSA ID
10108012
Incident
Dec 27, 2004
Mileage
22,184 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 16, 2004

FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ENGAGED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50 MPH OR MORE. THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WAS ENGAGED BY THE PASSENGER'S FOOT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH DID NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE COVER TO PREVENT THIS INCIDENT FROM RECURRING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101070
Incident
Nov 13, 2004
Mileage
4,660 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .