VehicleVerdict

2004 Ford Ranger transmission problems

The 2004 Ford Ranger has 27 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

27

Transmission complaints

6%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Ranger transmission complaints by model year89 complaints1983: 1 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 11 complaints1989: 8 complaints1990: 11 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 14 complaints1993: 21 complaints1994: 51 complaints1995: 24 complaints1996: 31 complaints1997: 44 complaints1998: 68 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 71 complaints2001: 57 complaints2002: 64 complaints2003: 17 complaints2004: 27 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 4 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 4 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 5 complaints2019: 89 complaints2020: 43 complaints2021: 49 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 5 complaints2024: 16 complaints2025: 7 complaints
Ranger transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FISH-TAILED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPED ON IT'S LEFT SIDE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR SCRAPES AND BRUISES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE DRIVE SHAFT ON THE REAR END WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 19, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2004 Ford Ranger have?

NHTSA has 27 complaints about the 2004 Ford Ranger transmission — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.