2004 Ford Ranger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Ranger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags18942.5%
- Body & structure4610.3%
- Suspension296.5%
- Engine245.4%
- Brakes235.2%
- Fuel system214.7%
- Driver assistance204.5%
- Tires & wheels184.0%
- Electrical163.6%
- Powertrain (other)143.1%
- Transmission122.7%
- Visibility92.0%
- Interior & seats71.6%
- Seat belts51.1%
- Exterior lighting51.1%
- Other / unspecified40.9%
- Steering30.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway in rainy weather at 60 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road. The contact stated that she could not recount what happened moments after she drove off the road; she did recall that she pulled up to a stop sign and her air bags had deployed. The police arrived at the scene and assisted the contact with moving the vehicle out of the road; a police report was not filed. The contact did not seek medical attention but suffered burns to her right arm and chest. The contact also sustained bruising to her face. The vehicle was towed the next day to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained in the possession of the mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was under recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V306000(Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V788000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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..
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.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THEFRONT SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS ALL THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAS BROKEN DUE TO RUST.
FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER THAT HOLDS SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAS BROKEN DUE TO RUST.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AT RED LIGHT IF SOME ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I WAS DRIVING, THE BUMPER AND SPARE TIRE CAME OFF ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD RANGER XLT PICKUP TRUCK WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION. THE BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, ALLOWING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT THE FLOOR. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ON A SNOW COVERED PARKING LOT. THE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS VERY COLD (0 DEG. F) AT THE TIME, AND THE 4X4 SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR SO THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THERE WAS NO PULSING SENSATION FROM ABS. AS A RESULT, MY VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE BOTH DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. I HAVE TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. THE FORD DEALER IN MY TOWN WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT FIND ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ALSO THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROLLER ON MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE UPGRADED WITH NEW FIRMWARE. THE DEALER INVOICE FOR THE BRAKE INSPECTION IS ATTACHED. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS ON FORD AUTO ENTHUSIAST FORUMS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING TO OTHER FORD RANGER AND EXPLORER VEHICLES WHEN THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A TIGHT TURN AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS. SO IT SEEMS THERE IS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THIS PARTICULAR FORD BRAKING SYSTEM.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
After driving for 45 minutes on smooth highway, my front driver's side tire blew while I was going 75mph. Had I been closer to the vehicle I had just passed, there could have easily been a bad wreck as I had little control of the vehicle. I was fortunately able to pull over and slam on my brakes safely. The tires have under 40,000 miles on them and showed no signs of low pressure or issues prior to the blowout. I was told by Discout Tire that they would refund me for a replacement tire, but that the Falken Wildpeak R15s on my vehicle have not been recalled, a different size of this tire model have though. There was no reason for the sidewalls of this tire to blow. The air pressure was fine and there was plenty of life left on the tread. Based on the recall on the other size of this tire model, I would guess this size is defective in the sidewalls as well.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY SPARE TIRE AND TIRE FRAME FELL OFF. AFTER PICKING EVERY THING OUT OF THE ROAD I NOTICED MY FRAME WAS GONE, MY RIGHT REAR SPRING AND SHACKLE ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE REST OF THE FRAME. THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE IS GONE. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND TOOK CARE OF IT. THE LAST TWO YEARS RUST IS OVERWHELMING THE TRUCK..BASICALLY THE TRUCK IS SCRAP WITH A LITTLE OVER ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES. TRIED CALLING FORD BUT ...I NEVER COMPLAIN BUT I GOT ROBBED..... *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRUCK SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING AT RED LIGHT IF SOME ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ALMOST STRUCK OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WITH LESS THAN 70K MILES, THE 5 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION IN MY 2004 FORD RANGER (3.0 2WD) FREQUENTLY REFUSES TO ENGAGE GEARS WHEN COLD. WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, INCREASING ENGINE SPEED PRODUCES ENGAGEMENT WITH A HARSH THUNK. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR WHICH THE DEALER PLACED AN ADDITIVE TO PREVENT HARSH SHIFTS AND PREVENT TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. I ASSUME THIS IS A STOPGAP MEASURE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED ITS WARRANTY PERIOD. INTERESTINGLY, AN AUTOPARTS STORE CASHIER ASKED ME IF I HAD A FORD RANGER BASED ON MY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
"O/D OFF" LIGHT FLASHING. WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT TOLL BOOTH TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED BUT RPM REMAINED HIGH. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL RPM DROPPED SLOWLY. SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE LEAPED FORWARD. FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET REGARDING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH FORD RANGERS AND EXPLORERS BETWEEN 2002 AND 2004. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PROLBEM WITH THIS TRUCK SEATING AT THE LIGHT THE SEAT SEEMS LITTLE BE HIGH CAN NOT SEE THE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT IF YOU THE FIRST ONE, SECONDLY THE TURNING RADIUS IT IS TERRIBLE WHEN YOU TURN TO THE LEFT ONLY GOES 3/4 OF THE WAY WHILE OTHER TRUCKS CAN TURN 180 DEGREES ONE WAY IT IS FINE TO THE LEFT BUT TO THE RIGHT NOT GOOD. THIS PROBLEM SINCE WE OWN THE TRUCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN OR ANY FORM OF LIGHT WOULD STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD, THE CONTACT WAS BLINDED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FINAL SHEET IN BETWEEN THE TWO PLATES OF GLASS HAD DEVELOPED BUBBLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE LATCH WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. IT USED TO LOCK, BUT HAS BECOME INOPERABLE. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE HOOD DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE DEFECT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED DUE TO THE HOOD AND THE HOOD ALSO BECAME DENTED.
ROLLOVER; DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OPEN; SPOOL OUT OF SEATBELT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT
SEAT BELT PROBLEM. 2004 FORD RANGER 2 WHEEL DRIVE. V-6, EXT CAB, THE SEAT BELT ALARM DOES NOT WORK AFTER IT IS DRIVEN A FEW HUNDRED FEET, CAN UN-BUCKLE BELT WITH NO INDICATION IT IS UN-BUCKLED, DRIVER AND PASSENGER BELT, VERIFIED THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER RANGER AT THE DEALER, FORD MT CO KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I NOTIFIED THEM AND RECEIVER A PHONE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THIS MAY BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH 04 RANGERS AND IS SAFETY RELATED. *JB *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERIOR CAB LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. DISCOVERED WHILE DRIVING, CONTINUED EVEN WHEN STOPPED, AND WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF AND DOORS CLOSED. VERY DANGEROUS IF LIGHT COMES ON DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, SPINDLES, RACK AND PINION, DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL RIMS. VEHICLE HAS 48K ON ODOMETER. CAUSE:(UNKNOWN)
BOLTS SHEARED OFF EXCEPT TWO NEXT TO EACH OTHER DROVE SLOWLY TO DEALER BILL PRERRIE FORD THEY FIXED AND CHARGED FOR A DESIGN FLAW ALLEGING OVER TORQUING OF LUGS WHICH SHOULD STRIP THREADS ONLY AND WAS DONE CORRECT BY GOODYEAR WITH TORQUE WRENCHES. A OFF ROAD TRUCK SHOULD BE OVER DESIGNED. THE WHEEL COULD HAVE COME OFF. FORD DID NOT REFUND REPAIR COST. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BOLT BREAK WHEN OVER TIGHTENED THE THREADS STRIP. WHEEL NOISE VIBRATION SIGNALED DEFECT NO ROAD HAZARDS EG. POTHOLES WERE HIT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, SPINDLES, RACK AND PINION, DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL RIMS. VEHICLE HAS 48K ON ODOMETER. CAUSE:(UNKNOWN)
THE PROLBEM WITH THIS TRUCK SEATING AT THE LIGHT THE SEAT SEEMS LITTLE BE HIGH CAN NOT SEE THE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT IF YOU THE FIRST ONE, SECONDLY THE TURNING RADIUS IT IS TERRIBLE WHEN YOU TURN TO THE LEFT ONLY GOES 3/4 OF THE WAY WHILE OTHER TRUCKS CAN TURN 180 DEGREES ONE WAY IT IS FINE TO THE LEFT BUT TO THE RIGHT NOT GOOD. THIS PROBLEM SINCE WE OWN THE TRUCK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .