2004 Ford Ranger Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Recall Number: 

23V306000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23S08

Number of vehicles affected: 

231942

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Recall Number: 

23V125000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

23S08

Number of vehicles affected: 

98550

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Air bags:frontal

Recall Number: 

21V081000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

21S05

Manufactured from: 

2006-02-09 to 2006-05-16

Number of vehicles affected: 

1067

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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 is expected to begin March 8, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air bags:frontal

Recall Number: 

21V076000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

21S05

Number of vehicles affected: 

144340

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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 is expected to begin March 8, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

Air bags:passenger side frontal

Recall Number: 

17V788000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

17S42

Manufactured from: 

2003-03-24 to 2006-05-04

Number of vehicles affected: 

361523

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 26, 2017, and will be launched in phases through the end of March 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:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

17V787000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

17S42

Manufactured from: 

2003-03-24 to 2006-05-04

Number of vehicles affected: 

361523

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 26, 2017, and will be launched in phases through the end of March 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:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

16V036000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

16S03

Manufactured from: 

2003-03-24 to 2006-05-04

Number of vehicles affected: 

361692

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S03. Note: This reca

Air bags:passenger side frontal

Recall Number: 

15V322000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

15S22

Manufactured from: 

2003-03-24 to 2006-05-04

Number of vehicles affected: 

361523

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

14V787000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14S28

Manufactured from: 

2003-08-12 to 2005-05-04

Number of vehicles affected: 

0

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company, (Ford) is conducting a regional recall for certain model year 2004-2005 Ford Ranger and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifica

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in the latter part of January 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for

Air bags

Recall Number: 

14V343000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

14B04

Manufactured from: 

2003-08-01 to 2004-07-31

Number of vehicles affected: 

58669

Defect Description: 

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2005-2007 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT and 2004 Ranger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and equi

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one of the affected frontal air bags, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants.

Corrective Action: 

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any defective air bag inflators, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's n

Exterior lighting:tail lights

Recall Number: 

11V352000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

11C18

Number of vehicles affected: 

26715

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Exterior lighting:headlights

Recall Number: 

09E025000

Number of vehicles affected: 

42540

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Exterior lighting

Recall Number: 

06E065000

Number of vehicles affected: 

3593

Defect Description: 

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.

Defect Consequence: 

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

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.

Structure: frame and members:underbody shields

Recall Number: 

04V331000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

04S19

Manufactured from: 

2004-06-02 to 2004-06-25

Number of vehicles affected: 

1395

Defect Description: 

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY.

Defect Consequence: 

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.

Corrective Action: 

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.