Engine
2.3L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 401 of 404 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 207 of 404 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Air bags
189 complaint records24 crash reports
"2004 FORD RANGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Body & structure
48 complaint records
"EXTENSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE RUST. FRAME BROKE BED ROTTED FRAME SPLIT OPEN ON ONE SIDE NEXT TO GAS TANK GAS TANK SUPPORT ROTTED AND BROKE..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Suspension
29 complaint records2 crash reports
"EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, SPINDLES, RACK AND PINION, DIFFERENTIAL AND WHEEL RIMS. VEHICLE HAS 48K ON ODOMETER. CAUSE:(UNKNOWN)..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA15001 opened Feb 2015 | OPEN | Air Bags | Air Bag Inflator Rupture - led to recall 22V945 The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the... |
| PE14016 opened Jun 2014 | closed Mar 2015 | Air Bags | Air Bag Inflator Rupture - led to recall 15V226000 The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the... |
| PE05066 opened Dec 2005 | closed Mar 2006 | Exterior Lighting | BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V788000DO NOT DRIVE | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. | Normally free |
| 17V787000DO NOT DRIVE | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is superseding a previous recall for certain 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks to implement a final repair. | Normally free |
| 23V306000 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. | Normally free |
| 23V125000 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. | Normally free |
| 21V076000 | Air Bags | 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... | Normally free |
| 21V081000 | Air Bags | 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. | Normally free |
| 16V036000 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger vehicles manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. | Normally free |
| 15V322000 | Air Bags | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. | Normally free |
Show 2 more recall campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V352000 | Exterior Lighting | 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... | Normally free |
| 04V331000 | Structure | ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, THE FRAME MAY HAVE A CENTER RAIL SECTION FLANGE THAT WAS NOT FORMED PROPERLY. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024100 2024-02-11 | Airbag | 14,109 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the front passenger airbag may have been installed incorrectly during a previous recall repair. As a result, the airbag may not inflate properly in a crash. |
| 2021077 2021-02-19 | Airbag | 8,811 | Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the driver-front and/or passenger-front airbag inflator replaced after a collision or theft. An obsolete airbag may have been installed. |
| 2017633 2017-12-15 | Airbag | 26,633 | On certain vehicles, the driver and/or passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. |
| 2016033 2016-01-25 | Airbag | 29,335 | On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. |
| 2015231 2015-05-28 | Airbag | 29,458 | On certain vehicles, the passenger frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. |
Show 2 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015054 2015-02-05 | Airbag | 49 | Ford Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving driver and passenger airbag inflators certain vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain high humidity areas of the United States equipped... |
| 2004244 2004-07-14 | Fuel System | 30 | On certain short and long wheel base regular cab vehicles, the frame may have a center rail section flange that was not properly formed. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22B05 S1 Jul 2023 | Air Bags | Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT ⢠Updated Ranger Technical Information to... | |
| 22B05 Mar 2022 | Air Bags | Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as... | |
| SSM 46085 Sep 2016 | Engine | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. | |
| 14B04 Oct 2014 | Air Bags | FORD: 2005-2006 FORD GT, 2005-2008 MUSTANG, AND 2004-2005 RANGER VEHICLES OPERATED IN FLORIDA, HAWAII, PUERTO RICO, OR THE U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS ARE IN NEED OF AN AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT. 06/11/15 *TA. | |
| 05252 Jan 2006 | Trailer Hitches | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
Show 50 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0645 Jan 2006 | Power Train | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 06116 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 05101 Jun 2005 | Power Train | LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/1/2005. *TT | |
| 04B22 May 2005 | Power Train | IMPROPERLY FORMULATED TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B22. 5R55S/E & 5R44E TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT SUPPLEMENT #3. *TT | |
| 05619 Apr 2005 | Exterior Lighting | BRAKE LAMP CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 030508 Apr 2005 | Power Train | FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT | |
| 05616 Apr 2005 | Air Bags | SQUEAK OR RATTLE FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *TT | |
| 05611 Apr 2005 | Power Train | NO 3RD GEAR, DTC P0733 (3RD GEAR INCORRECT RATIO) AND FLASHING TCIL - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/23/2004. *TT | |
| 0558 Mar 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | SURGING SENSATION DURING CRUISE AT STEADY SPEEDS OF 35-50 MPH (56-80 KM/H) - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 0559 Mar 2005 | Electrical System | SPARK KNOCK DURING ACCELERATION - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 05510 Mar 2005 | Power Train | HIGH IDLE BETWEEN SHIFTS OR IN NEUTRAL - 4.0L ENGINE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TT | |
| 0533 Feb 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HARD START OR FLOODING DURING COLD START ON 2.3L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 18364 Jan 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HARD START OR FLOODING WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *TT | |
| 18375 Jan 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HIGH IDLE AT COLD START. *TT | |
| 052624 Jan 2005 | Wheels | VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS - TIRE/WHEEL RUNOUT. *TT | |
| 05263 Jan 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MIL ON WITH VARIOUS MISFIRE RELATED DTC'S P0300-P0306 AND P0316 - 3.0L-2V VULCAN ENGINE. *TT | |
| 04251 Dec 2004 | Structure | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18346 Dec 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HARD START OR FLOODING WHEN ENGINE IS COLD. *EH | |
| 18347 Dec 2004 | Electrical System | ABS DTC C1233 AND C1234 REVERSED IN ABS MODULE. *EH | |
| 04237 Nov 2004 | Power Train | DRIVESHAFT THUMP CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP. *EH | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04218 Nov 2004 | Visibility | BACK GLASS PUSH OUT. *TT | |
| 042122 Nov 2004 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NO PARK WHEN SWITCHED OFF - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 3/31/2004. *TT | |
| 041910 Oct 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OIL LEAK FROM OIL FILTER ADAPTER - 4.0L SOHC ENGINE BUILT BEFORE 4/1/2004. *TT | |
| 041610 Sep 2004 | Service Brakes | GRABBING CONDITION FROM REAR DRUM BRAKES. *AR *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 0486 May 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BOOM/VIBRATION AT 1800-2200 RPM, ROUGH IDLE. *TT | |
| 17771 May 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE SURGE AT A STEADY THROTTLE DURING THE FIRST 5 MINUTES AFTER A COLD START. *TT | |
| 17777 May 2004 | Suspension | REAR LEAF SPRING NOISE. *TT | |
| 17779 May 2004 | Electrical System | STARTER NOISE. *TT | |
| 0415 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LOWER ENGINE OIL LEAKS 3.0L 2V VULCAN ENGINE. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17484 Jan 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | HIGHER THAN EXPECTED IDLE ON COLD START. *TT | |
| 17490 Jan 2004 | Tires | EXCESSIVE FRONT TIRE HEAL AND TOE WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. ON GOODYEAR P245/75R16 TIRES. *TT | |
| 03L17 Dec 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DEMONSTRATION/DELIVERY HOLD - SPECIAL FIELD ACTION 03L17. REVISED SMOG EMISSIONS INFORMATION. *TT | |
| 17429 Dec 2003 | Tires | UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON 4X4S EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR P245/75R15 TIRES. *TT | |
| 0311 Nov 2003 | Electrical System | RECOMMENDED 12V SWITCHED ACCESSORY SOURCES. THIS IS A FISHER SERVICE BULLETIN. *MR | |
| 03235 Nov 2003 | Structure | BED EXTENDER COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 03L14 Oct 2003 | Equipment | SPECIAL FIELD ACTION 03L14 FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.3L ENGINES - VEHICLE EMISSIONS CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL REPLACEMENT. VECI LABELS INCLUDE AN INCORRECT VACUUM SCHEMATIC. *TT | |
| 17254 Oct 2003 | Steering | CLICKING/POPPING NOISE FROM UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING. 2004 E SERIES AND EXPLORER SPORT TRAC ALSO INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17265 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | VARIOUS POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) AND/OR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ELECTRICAL CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17132 Sep 2003 | Service Brakes | ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1233 AND C1234 REVERSED IN ABS MODULE. *TT | |
| 17227 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT NOISE ON 3.0L VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/18/2003. *TT | |
| 17234 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM THE FILTER AREA ON VEHICLES WITH A 3.0L 2-VALVE ENGINE. *TT | |
| 17235 Sep 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | STALL OR ROUGH IDLE CONDITION ON 4.0L SOHC BUILT BEFORE 9/22/2003. *TT | |
| 03048 Jan 2003 | Power Train | THUMP/CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP ON CERTAIN 4X4 SUPER CAB EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND STEEL DRIVESHAFT. *TT | |
| 06166 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT. *KB |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 10 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Do not drive it home until the do-not-drive recall is confirmed repaired.At least one campaign on this vehicle carries a federal do-not-drive advisory. Confirm the repair with the dealer, by VIN, before taking delivery.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Ranger →