These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.
Loading costly problem zones ahead
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.
Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.
The full record
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What owners complain about
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Seller kit
Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points
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Walk up to the seller ready
Questions to ask the seller of a 2004 Ford Ranger, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.
A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email
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Send the seller a fair offer
Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2004 Ford Ranger, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.
NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight. The tests changed for 2011 models, so these stars do not line up with newer ones.
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Fuel economy
The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in. Figures for 2007 and older use the EPA's 2008 method, so they may be lower than the original sticker.
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True cost to own
The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years
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What it really costs to own
What the 2004 Ford Ranger costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.
Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.
Loading every year of this model
Before you buy this one
Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.
Owners report no costly problem zone with enough mileages to map for this year.
405 complaints; the part named most is the air bags
Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Nov 25, 2003 to Oct 20, 2026. 24% name a part that is usually costly to fix.
Owners reported 42 crashes, 3 fires, 35 injuries and 2 deaths in these complaints.
Air bags189 · 47%
Body and frame46 · 11%Usually costly to fix
Suspension29 · 7%
What one owner wrote about the air bags
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…
Filed Nov 19, 2025NHTSA complaint 11700319Crash reported1 of 18 owner quotes
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15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes
Every part owners name for the 2004 Ford Ranger, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Engine, Transmission and drivetrain.
Air bags: the middle complaint around 100,000 miles
Not enough owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Ranger mention a mileage to lay against a loan. Have a mechanic look it over all the same.
5 checks, with a close look at the air bags
The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 77 complaints of 405 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.
Air bags75,000 to 160,000 mi
Half of these 23 complaints came between about 75,000 and 160,000 miles, the middle one around 100,000.
Our take: worth a look.Owners filed more complaints than in a typical year of this model, not enough to mark it down, and two recalls say do not drive it until it is fixed.
Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 12 recalls on file. 2 of them say not to drive the car, or to park it outside, until it is fixed. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the air bags. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look at the air bags first.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the air bags.
The air bag warning light should come on at start and then go out.
Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.
Air bags
Dec 11, 2017 · Recall 17V788000Do not drive.NHTSA says: Park it until the repair is done.
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.
What can happen
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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V322 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42.
Air bags
Dec 11, 2017 · Recall 17V787000Do not drive.NHTSA says: Park it until the repair is done.
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.
What can happen
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S42. Note: This recall supersedes recall 16V-036 which was an interim repair. Vehicles that received a replacement air bag inflator under the previous campaign need to return to a dealer to have an alternate inflator installed.
Air bags
Apr 28, 2023 · Recall 23V306000
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.
What can happen
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 23V-125.
Air bags
Feb 24, 2023 · Recall 23V125000
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 frontal passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
What can happen
An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S08. This recall has been fully superseded by recall 23V-306.
Air bags
Feb 17, 2021 · Recall 21V076000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
What can happen
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Air bags
Feb 16, 2021 · Recall 21V081000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
What can happen
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Show 6 more recallsShow fewer recalls
Air bags
Jan 25, 2016 · Recall 16V036000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
What can happen
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S03. Note: This recall supersedes 14V-343 and only applies to Rangers manufactured in North America.
Only 6 owners reported problems past 100,000 miles in its first 12 years, too few to judge this year.
WorthyMaybePassNot judged
Owner complaints per model year for the Ford Ranger, with 2004 highlighted
Model year
Owner complaints
Verdict
1995
377
Worthy
1996
485
Worthy
1997
453
Worthy
1998
656
Worthy
1999
818
Worthy
2000
694
Worthy
2001
540
Maybe
2002
347
Worthy
2003
243
Worthy
2004
405
Worthy
2005
289
Worthy
2006
272
Worthy
2007
270
Not judged
2008
326
Not judged
2009
169
Worthy
2010
164
Worthy
2011
235
Pass
2014
1
Not judged
2016
1
Not judged
2017
1
Not judged
2019
271
Not judged
2020
130
Not judged
2021
119
Worthy
2022
38
Worthy
2023
18
Worthy
2024
96
Pass
2025
45
Maybe
2026
9
Not judged
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
What can happen
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S22. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.
Lights
Jul 13, 2011 · Recall 11V352000
Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 ranger trucks built from january 25, 2011, through april 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.
What can happen
Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Lights
May 11, 2009 · Recall 09E025000
Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
What can happen
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Lights
Jul 17, 2006 · Recall 06E065000
Certain aj motorsport combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
What can happen
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix
Aj motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the lamps. The recall began on july 31, 2006. Owners may contact aj motorsport at 626-618-2026.
Body and frame
Jul 14, 2004 · Recall 04V331000
On certain pickup trucks, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not formed properly.
What can happen
In the event of a side impact crash, the frame rail scould puncture the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel leak. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the frame to determine whether the frame was incorrectly manufactured. If there is a problem, the vehicle will not be repaired. Ford and the dealer will replace the vehicle. The recall began on july 19, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
