2004 FORD RANGER Complaints and Recall Information
The 2004 FORD RANGER has 1 complaint and 71 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to recall notifications, particularly concerning air bag inflator modules. The single complaint involves a contact wishing to be removed from the recall distribution list for an air bag campaign.
Common Issues
- Recall notification concern. The owner requested removal from the air bag recall distribution list and contacted the dealer and manufacturer.
Seventy-one recalls affect various systems on the 2004 Ford Ranger, with a focus on air bag inflator modules and exterior lighting components. A large portion involve the risk of inflator rupture in frontal airbags and defects causing malfunction of brake and tail lights.
Recalls
- Air bag inflator rupture risk. (NHTSA recall 17V787000) Affected vehicles (328,213) have a driver side frontal air bag inflator that can rupture upon deployment. Metal fragments may strike occupants causing serious injury or death. Owners are advised not to drive their trucks until repair is done. Dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
- Air bag passenger inflator rupture. (NHTSA recall 17V788000) 328,213 vehicles contain passenger side frontal air bag inflators that may rupture on deployment. This poses a risk of metal fragments causing injury or death. Owners must not drive these vehicles until repairs are completed. Dealers replace the inflator at no cost.
- Exterior lighting malfunction. (NHTSA recall 11V352000) The multi-function switch shipped with a deformable slider may fail to activate turn signals, tail lights, hazard flashers, or brake lights. Affecting about 26,715 2004 Rangers and others, this defect increases crash risk. Dealers will replace faulty switches free.
- Replacement air bag inflator installation defect. (NHTSA recall 23V125000 and 23V306000) Vehicles previously serviced with replacement passenger air bag inflators may have incorrect installations preventing proper airbag inflation. Over 230,000 trucks are involved. Dealers will inspect and reinstall inflators as needed at no charge.
- Service part inflator degradation. (NHTSA recalls 21V076000 and 21V081000) Driver and passenger frontal air bag inflators installed as replacement parts may explode due to propellant degradation from humidity and temperature exposure. Approximately 145,000 affected vehicles have these parts. Dealers inspect and replace inflators or modules free of charge.
- Initial air bag inflator rupture risk. (NHTSA recall 16V036000) Certain 2004-2006 Rangers have driver side frontal air bag inflators that may rupture upon deployment, releasing metal fragments. Affecting over 360,000 trucks, dealers replace inflators at no cost to owners.
- Interim air bag inflator repair superseded. Earlier recalls 14V787 and 14V343 were superseded by later campaigns implementing final repairs on inflators at dealers free of charge, involving the replacement of defective air bag modules or inflators.
Owners facing repeated air bag inflator repairs, unresolved recall notices, or serious safety defects should consider their rights under state lemon laws. Consultation with an attorney experienced in consumer protection and lemon law claims may be necessary to address ongoing issues effectively.
2004 FORD RANGER Summary
2004
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
9
Total Recalls
1883059
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2004 FORD RANGER
98550 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2004 FORD RANGER
231942 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2004 FORD RANGER
1067 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
144340 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
328213 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
328213 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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 occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
361692 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
362327 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 FORD RANGER
26715 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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.
Risk: NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Complaints
2004 FORD RANGER
ID: 2094033AIR BAGS
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.