10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,310 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford Ranger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Oct 102015

Ranger

  • 80,000 miles
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?

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #14

Jan 202018

Ranger

  • 78,511 miles
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.

- Bethlehem, CT, USA

problem #13

Sep 192017

Ranger

  • 135,000 miles
Extensive undercarriage rust. Frame broke bed rotted frame split open on one side next to gas tank gas tank support rotted and broke

- Rowley, MA, USA

problem #12

Jul 122017

Ranger

  • miles
The frame, underbody, shocks, axels have rusted. The frame has almost completely rusted through. The upper body has been well maintained and is in great condition.this vehicle only has 84,000 miles on it.

- Jasonville, IN, USA

problem #11

Mar 122017

Ranger

  • 150,000 miles
The rear part of the frame rotted bad..the spare tire hold fell off first..then not long after the rear bumper fell off on hiway..after close inspection..the frame is brittle like a saltine cracker...plus the rear spring shacle rusted before an hed replaced...actually my son was driving my truck when the bumper fell off...taking rear tail pipe with it...when the spare tire holder fell off the day before..it took all the emission stuff along with it..this truck has only 150,000 miles on it..the frame is rusted bad..never been in salt water..I have trucks older than this with solid frames when 25 years old....I have read on forums here after this happened and seems its a common thing with some year Ranger, ,,T4ruck is in A1 shape but now useless due to poor quailty steel

- Brimfield, MA, USA

problem #10

Jan 252016

Ranger

  • 30,000 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. Upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the mechanic diagnosed that the bar that held the fuel tank in line had extensive rust and corrosion. The failure could cause the bar to fracture. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 182015

Ranger

  • 41,000 miles
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.

- Bedford, VA, USA

problem #8

Aug 122014

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 66,803 miles
The frame on the passenger side of my truck has rusted out and broke apart from the cab. The other frame on the driver's side is still holding up the bed, but it will soon give way. There was no accident, nor was the vehicle abused. I realized the problem after I became concerned over the truck beginning to sway when I was driving. Nobody has ever heard of this happening like it did. My truck is basically junk now. It is 10 years old and never had engines problems nor electrical issues. I do not know if this will result into anything, but this needed to be filed in case I'm not the only one.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #7

Dec 022013

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 100,100 miles
Noticed that the bed was moving excessively. It appears that the front mounts for Ford Ranger are prone to rusting out, leaving the bed secured at the rear. An internet search has confirmed many cases where the front mounts fail. While my vehicle is 10 years old, there are reports of failures in vehicles significantly newer.

- Sudbury, MA, USA

problem #6

Jan 272014

Ranger

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for a routine oil change when it was advised that there was rust around the control arm where it was mounted to the frame. There was a manufacturer's recall initiated to address the corrosion issue however, the contact's vehicle had exceeded the five-year rust warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Columbia, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 092013

Ranger

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that both sides of the bed exhibited rust corrosion. In addition, the rear sub frame and bumper were completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #4

Jun 172013

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the spare tire fell and detached from the vehicle due to the bracket being corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they stated that the sub frame was also corroded and both the bracket and sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, who in turn informed him, there was no recall. The failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 09/05/13

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #3

May 072012

Ranger

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The contact was examining the vehicle and discovered two holes under the outside of the door latch. The contact stated that with the failure, a screw driver could be used to unlock the vehicle from the outside. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were 25,000.

- Morgantan, NC, USA

problem #2

Jul 062011

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Rot has appeared in bed of truck. Rot has come from underside of bed, seemingly due to a fabric that holds moisture and water, that is in direct contact with underside of bed, causing rust to form and eventually rot through the bed. In the past 4 months, one hole approximately 5 inches in diameter, another 2 inches in diameter and third hole is forming. I am concerned that there is rot forming on the frame members, and if this will lead to an unsafe condition during driving or in the event of an accident.

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #1

Nov 162011

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
My wife sat on the tailgate of the vehicle, and both tailgate support cables snapped at the same time causing her to be dropped onto the ground, and injuring her knee. Neither of the cables had shown any physical damage, and the rubber exterior coating of the cables was still fully intact. Upon my inspecting the cables after they had broken, both steel cores were in fact corroded.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA