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SuspensionPart report

2004 Ford Ranger Suspension Problems

Complaints
29about this part
Share
7%of 405 total for the year
Median mileage
80,756miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 7% of the 405 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,756 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The front subframe where the lower control attaches has separated or broken due to rust. I was headed home from work, under normal driving conditions, with no extra load on vehicle. I hit a bump going thru parking lot n heard a pop. I had stopped at gas station n seen that driver side wheel n tire were not straight up n down, it was at a degree or angle. Got underneath n seen that subframe was rusted all the way thru where lower control arm was attached”

NHTSA complaint #11349154, filed 2020-08, 110,000 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

“While driving my 2004 Ford Ranger, only had 60,000 km's on it, down the highway at about 80 kmph, the left side of the rear axle broke, as I was going over a bridge causing loss of control and striking a bridge, tearing up 20 feet of guard rail and railing 5 times. The air bags also did not deploy as they should have as front bumper hit bridge rail directly. Was cleaned up by police and tow company. Insurance company had the vehicle and believe they may have scraped it as they did not want it on the road again.”

NHTSA complaint #10269302, filed 2009-05, 60,000 miles

“Component: suspension:front:wheel bearing details: on april 26, 2008, a minor rhythmic squeaking sound was noticed from beneath vehicle while driving. On may 3, 2008, upon raising vehicle on lift, mechanic noticed that the entire right wheel assembly including brake rotor, ABS component and hub dropped from vehicle. An entire wheel assembly was needed (+$500). As an emt who responds to vehicular accidents in this rural state in all kinds of weather I was floored to think how close I was to driving the vehicle as the wheel assembly separated from the Ranger. …”

NHTSA complaint #10227476, filed 2008-05, 91,000 miles

“Frame rusted out on passenger side behind front leaf sprinf mount. Also the cross member holding fuel tank where it connects to the frame is rusted out. Its only the back half of the truck rusting out this bad. Where the spare tire goes is also completly rusted out and fell off. This happened while driving on smoothly paved roads to and from work”

NHTSA complaint #11271490, filed 2019-10, 246,000 miles

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202525%
202444%
202316%
202122%
202054%
2019207%
201110%
201021%
200911%
200831%
200741%
2006207%
2005269%
2004297%
2003239%
20023610%
20018717%
20007211%
1999679%
1998529%
1997256%
1996215%
1995217%
1994307%
1993167%
19923217%
19911713%
199033%
198923%
198811%
198724%
198613%
198527%

Other parts of the 2004 Ford Ranger

Air bags
189 complaints
Body and structure
46 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
27 complaints
Brakes
23 complaints
Fuel system
21 complaints
Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Engine cooling
17 complaints
Tires
17 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Engine
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Ranger

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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