repaired · 2025 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2004 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 405 owner complaints about the 2004 Ford Ranger, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-125 the manufacturer reports only 0% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Ford Ranger has problems
405 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
189Air bags26 crash/fire/injury
46Structure3 crash/fire/injury
29Suspension3 crash/fire/injury
27Power train5 crash/fire/injury
19Vehicle speed control
19Service brakes, hydraulic
17Tires
17Engine and engine cooling
17Electrical system
6717 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 189 | 26 |
| Structure | 46 | 3 |
| Suspension | 29 | 3 |
| Power train | 27 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 4 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 19 | 5 |
| Tires | 17 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 2 |
| 17 other systems | 67 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2004 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2019 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2017 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2017 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Frame and members: underbody shields
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE FRAME RAIL SCOULD PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 49 air bags complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles28under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Ranger year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score
11122735508973105132189232438321413411576755670515346243405289272270326169156235111272131119391999469
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Ford Ranger safety ratings
2004 Ford Ranger Regular Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 18V-025
- BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVENo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-700
In owners' words
What Ranger owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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.
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…
Own a 2004 Ranger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.