2004 Ford Ranger Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 6%of 405 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 6% of the 405 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,500 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle is a 2004 Ford Ranger xlt pickup truck with 4 wheel drive. The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition. The brake system malfunctioned, allowing the brake pedal to hit the floor. This incident occurred while I was pulling into a parking spot on a snow covered parking lot. The air temperature was very cold (0 deg. F) at the time, and the 4x4 system on the vehicle was engaged. When I applied the brakes as I was pulling into the parking spot, the brake pedal hit the floor so the vehicle did not slow down and there was no pulsing sensation from ABS. …”
NHTSA complaint #10938434, filed 2016-12, 136,000 miles“I have a 2004 Ford Ranger with 12000 miles and the front brakes started to pulse very much. After taking it to a mechanic I was told that the front rotors were shot. The mechanic told me that the rotors metal was peeling off. I had the rotors replaced. I did save the old rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #10149404, filed 2006-02, 5 miles“On saturday, june 20th my wife drove down our driveway and lost her brakes. The driveway is pitched about 15 degrees so the truck, a 2004 Ranger with 60,000 miles, picked up speed. Pumping didn't help. She steered the curve thereby not flying into the shed; she aimed at a 10 foot deep flowering bush to avoid the stone wall and the truck went through, missed the ash tree, and came to a halt 200 feet down in the meadow. There had been no warning that the brakes were about to fail, no softness that either of us noticed, no warning light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10275327, filed 2009-06, 60,000 miles“I recently had to repair (at my cost) to have my rear brakes redone due to them locking up. Upon removal of the drums it was very evident that the brake shoes were delaminated (separated) causing my rear end of my truck to lock up and not move. This because this is not a wear issue. This is a safety issue. Truck has 46k miles. I am looking to trade it in on a toyota, which will be the first japanese vehicle that I have ever considered. Rust is also starting to form between the bed and the gate.”
NHTSA complaint #10174185, filed 2006-11, 47,278 miles“I just had a conversation with a man by the name of brian at the phone number 1800-392-Ford (that the dealer gave me) about my problem. I am very upset and will be filing a complaint about this as a safety issue to the safer cargov website. Among others. This is in regards to my 2004 for Ranger edge 4x4. I just recently had to repair (at my cost) to have my rear brakes redone due to them locking up. Upon removal of the drums it was very evident that the brake shoes were delaminated (separated) causing my rear end of my truck to lock up and not move. …”
NHTSA complaint #10171042, filed 2006-10, 37,270 milesRelated recalls
- 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Ford 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…Covers: Ford Ranger 2004–2011, F-350 2002–2007, F-250 2002–2007 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10011169Sep 6, 2004Grabbing condition from rear drum brakes.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 22% |
| 2025 | 7 | 16% |
| 2024 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 17% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2021 | 15 | 13% |
| 2020 | 9 | 7% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 23 | 6% |
| 2003 | 35 | 14% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 55 | 11% |
| 2000 | 78 | 12% |
| 1999 | 88 | 12% |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% |
| 1997 | 44 | 11% |
| 1996 | 69 | 17% |
| 1995 | 60 | 19% |
| 1994 | 116 | 26% |
| 1993 | 60 | 26% |
| 1992 | 17 | 9% |
| 1991 | 12 | 9% |
| 1990 | 6 | 6% |
| 1989 | 7 | 10% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Ranger
189 complaintsBody and structure
46 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTires
17 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology