Are you considering the purchase of a 2004 Ford Ranger? As one of the most respected vehicles in the company’s lineup, it is easy to see the value of purchasing these vehicles, even those that are older.
Before buying any used car, individuals need to learn as much as they can about the vehicle including any recalls that apply to it. The 2004 Ford Ranger has a number of different recalls associated with it, but this does not mean the car is any less reliable. It simply means a few repairs may be necessary.
About the 2004 Ford Ranger
The 2004 Ford Ranger was offered in 12 trim packages, creating a lot of options for drivers. The Ranger was sold in North and South America. It was manufactured from 1983 through 2011 and then again from 2019 to 2020.
The 2004 model was a compact pickup truck, though models after 2012 have been labeled as a mid-sized vehicle. These trucks are recognized for their ability to handle the workload thrown at them.
The base model, the LX Ford Ranger, offered a 2.3L DOHC MPFI 16 or a 3.0L SEFI V6 engine. These vehicles produced horsepower of 143 to 148 horsepower and up to 185 lb.-ft. of torque.
These vehicles have room for three passengers. They also offered a five-speed automatic transmission. It produced 24/29 in miles per gallon for fuel efficiency as well. These vehicles offered a cargo capacity of 37.3 cu. ft. up to 43.4 cu. ft. As a versatile vehicle with much to offer, drivers found it to be a good investment.
Recalls on the 2004 Ford Ranger
As an older car, it is common to find that there have been recalls on the vehicle. However, Ford has taken the time to update and modernize these problems to ensure safety and functionality.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the 2004 Ford Ranger has eight recalls on it, as of August of 2020. Here is a look at some of those.
Driver Side Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
One of the recalls, NHTSA campaign number 17V787000, relates to the truck’s airbags. This recall impacted over 328,000 Food Rangers including model years 2004 through 2006.
In these vehicles, excessive internal pressure in the driver-side frontal airbag may lead to the inflator rupturing. This can happen if a crash occurs. If it does happen, metal fragments from within the inflator can strike those in the car, resulting in serious injury or death.
To correct this problem Ford had dealerships replace the driver’s front airbag inflator with a different version. This recall started in January of 2018 with repairs being made right away. This is one of several recalls the 2004 Ford Ranger had over the airbags in place on both the passenger and driver sides.
Steering Column Malfunction Risk
In July of 2011, a recall was issued by Ford Motor Company for the exterior lighting of the truck. This recall, NHTSA campaign number 11V352000, relates to the non-functioning lights on the truck due to the steering column multifunction switch malfunctioning.
This recall impacted over 26,000 vehicles. This included the 2004 Ford Ranger as well as some Ford Excursions, F-250 trucks, and F-350 trucks for various model years.
The multifunction switch on these cars was installed with a deformed slider. This may lead to the malfunction of the switch, causing the turn signal, taillights, hazard warning signal flashers, and the brake lights to not turn on when they need to do so.
This is a failure of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment” rule.
To fix this problem, Ford recalled the vehicles to have dealerships replace the affected switches for drivers. The repairs began in August of 2011.
Frame Problems
In NHTSA campaign number 04V331000, Ford issued a recall over the structural components of the 2004 Ford Ranger. It found that when a side-impact crash occurs in these vehicles, the frame rail could puncture into the vehicle’s fuel tank. If this occurs, it may lead to the fuel tank leading. This can lead to an increased risk of a fire occurring. This recall impacted 1395 vehicles.
The recall, which was initially issued in July of 2004, was found to be due to a center rail section flange that was not formed properly during the manufacturing process.
To fix this, Ford required its dealers to inspect all frames on these vehicles. They looked at the impacted area to determine if there was any evidence of a problem. If there was, Ford determined that the vehicle could not be repaired. In these situations, Ford replaced the Ford Ranger with a different vehicle. The recall replacements began in July of 2004.
Finding 2004 Ford Ranger Recall Information
Before buying a vehicle, most drivers should check out any applicable recalls on it. For the 2004 Ford Ranger, this is very important due to the structural risks of these early vehicles. To find out what applicable recalls impact the vehicle you plan to purchase, use the Check For Ford Recalls and Field Service Actions tool. Y
ou just need to enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the system. It will pull up a list of applicable recalls as well as whether or not they have been made for that vehicle. If there are any that have not been repaired, it is best to have the dealership or manufacturer handle them right away.
If you do not have the VIN, you can use the tool to look up applicable recalls from Ford by the make, model, and year details. However, this will not outline specific details for a specific vehicle. For that, you need to ensure the VIN number is accessed.
Once you purchase the car and register the ownership with Ford Motor Company, they will send any recall information to you going forward. This is an important step in ensuring you keep your truck in the best working order and safe for you to drive.
