NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 405 owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Ranger. Most complaints involve air bags (189) and structure (46). The EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Ranger model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 430 |
| 1997 | 427 |
| 1998 | 597 |
| 1999 | 785 |
| 2000 | 729 |
| 2001 | 558 |
| 2002 | 389 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 405 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 272 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 169 |
| 2010 | 164 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2019 | 272 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 119 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2024 | 97 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“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.”
“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 FRONT SUBFRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ATTACHES HAS SEPARATED OR BROKEN DUE TO RUST. I WAS HEADED HOME FROM WORK, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WITH NO EXTRA LOAD ON VEHICLE. I HIT A BUMP GOING THRU PARKING LOT N HEARD A POP. I HAD STOPPED AT GAS STATION N SEEN THAT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL N TIRE WERE NOT STRAIGHT UP N DOWN, IT WAS AT A DEGREE OR ANGLE. GOT UNDERNEATH N SEEN THAT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THRU WHERE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS ATTACHED”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Ranger Pickup 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
12 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 405 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (189), structure (46), suspension (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Ford Ranger at 15–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).