2004 Ford Ranger Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 11%of 405 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the body and structure of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 11% of the 405 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 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.
“Took truck for state inspection and garage called 2 days later,said they can't inspect it due to frame being cracked in 2 places and frame is rotted away. Truck only has 66930 miles on it and looks in very good shape. I was shocked when they pointed out the problems. I called Ford motor co and they won't do anything about it. Truck has been driven up to that point.”
NHTSA complaint #11163037, filed 2018-12, 66,930 miles“My wife sat on the tailgate of the vehicle, and both tailgate support cables snapped at the same time causing her to be dropped onto the ground, and injuring her knee. Neither of the cables had shown any physical damage, and the rubber exterior coating of the cables was still fully intact. Upon my inspecting the cables after they had broken, both steel cores were in fact corroded.”
NHTSA complaint #10437211, filed 2011-11, 76,000 miles“While driving, the spare tire started to fall off due to rusting away of the mounting apparatus. Luckily I noticed it when I stopped for gas (it was hanging by only a bit of still attached rusted metal below the truck) so I cut the cable with some bolt cutters to remove the spare and prevent an accident while driving. Driver's side cab mount separated due to excessive rust. Driver's side floor board fell out due to excessive rust - my foot went through the floor. Frame cracked near rear shackle due to excessive rust. …”
NHTSA complaint #11244193, filed 2019-08, 180,000 miles“I purchased this 2004 Ford Ranger this past winter in hopes to pull my boat to the lake with it. Yesterday. I pulled my small bass boat to lake chickamauga and back which is about a 40 minute drive. It was a straight drive on a highway only going 50 MPH. When I got back my hitch, bumper and all was hanging. The frame is so rusted it broke in half. Had I not installed an after market hitch on this truck my whole bumper would have come off along with the boat that was attached and probably would have killed whoever was behind me ot not myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #11204948, filed 2019-05, 85,000 miles“Driving down the road my spare tire and tire frame fell off. After picking every thing out of the road I noticed my frame was gone, my right rear spring and shackle are not connected to the rest of the frame. The whole undercarriage is gone. I bought this truck new and took care of it. The last two years rust is overwhelming the truck..basically the truck is scrap with a little over one hundred thousand miles. Tried calling Ford but ...I never complain but I got robbed.....”
NHTSA complaint #10586206, filed 2014-05, 113,640 milesRelated recalls
- 04V331000Jul 14, 2004On certain pickup trucks, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not formed properly.Covers: Ford Ranger 2004
Related service bulletins
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 26 | 10% |
| 2005 | 34 | 12% |
| 2004 | 46 | 11% |
| 2003 | 43 | 18% |
| 2002 | 49 | 14% |
| 2001 | 112 | 22% |
| 2000 | 105 | 16% |
| 1999 | 89 | 12% |
| 1998 | 45 | 8% |
| 1997 | 25 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 2% |
| 1995 | 21 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 5% |
| 1993 | 8 | 3% |
| 1992 | 14 | 7% |
| 1991 | 13 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 4% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Ranger
189 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsBrakes
23 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 27, 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