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2004 Ford Ranger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Ranger.

Body TRUCK

The 2004 Ford Ranger is a truck on Ford's long-running pickup platform, maintained with 4.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil—a spec that reflects the straightforward service profile of this generation. With 404 owner complaints on record and 12 recalls led by air bag issues, the 2004 model year sits in the middle band of the Ranger's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2020, well below the 1999 peak of 818 complaints but far from the 2014 low of just one. That positioning places this year as a moderate, manageable chapter in the model's reliability story rather than a standout trouble year, though its air bag recall count warrants attention from any researcher evaluating this generation.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-75R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	187.4 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	63.8 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	3069 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Ranger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2001 Edge Plus SuperCab

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	Edge Plus SuperCab 4.0L V6	8.10 sec	16.50 sec	207 hp	4x4
2001	Edge SuperCab 4.0L V6	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	207 hp	4x4
1998	Splash Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V6	8.90 sec	16.80 sec	160 hp	RWD
1998	XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V6	9.80 sec	17.30 sec	160 hp	4x4
1998	XLT Stepside SuperCab 4.0L V6	10.00 sec	17.60 sec	160 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.1 Pints, Rear
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.2 Pints, Rear
Engine Coolant	USE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	6-9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11-12 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	30-36 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	23-28 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	56-64 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	55-65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 14-

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	76.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	85.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	72.0-97.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	162 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	75 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 815, AT: 900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	MT: 15, AT: 20 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.07 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	59

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	183-190 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	60-65 (140)
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40-65

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake Application	WITH 10 inch DRUM / WITH STANDARD
Drum Discard at-or-over Note	STAMPED ON DRUM
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.988 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.984 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	Loosen bolts 1 turn.
3	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Use new bolts

1	44 in. lbs.	44 in
2	11 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
3	33 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	24 ft. lbs.	24 ft. lbs
2	turn 80 degrees	80 degrees
3	turn 80

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

10 ft. lbs., Step 2: 52

10 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

50-60 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75-85

50–60 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Ford Ranger represents a concerning anomaly within the generation's federal complaint arc, breaking a steady downward trend that began after the 1999 peak of 818 complaints. While complaints dropped consistently from 2001 through 2003 (reaching a low of just 243), the 2004 model year unexpectedly surges to 404 complaints alongside 12 recalls, a stark increase from the 5 recalls issued for 2003. This spike is heavily concentrated in the Air Bags category, which alone accounts for 184 of the complaints, though the data does not specify the root cause for these failures; this issue also correlates with 42 reported crash complaints. Compared to the surrounding years—2003 and 2005, which saw 243 and 289 complaints respectively—the 2004 model stands out as a statistically worse option. Given the uncharacteristic spike in recalls and airbag-related complaints, the 2004 Ranger is a risky purchase unless a buyer can definitively verify that all 12 recalls, particularly those affecting the airbag system, have been properly addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

404

Owner complaints

42 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’14 ’16 ’17 ’19 ’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 404 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags184

Structure32

Power Train23

Tires16

Service Brakes, Hydraulic15

Suspension13

Engine & Engine Cooling13

Vehicle Speed Control13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V081000Air Bags:FrontalReported 16/02/2021

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. These… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

21V076000Air Bags:FrontalReported 17/02/2021

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… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
22B05 S1	2023-07-27	Air Bags	Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…
22B05	2022-03-28	Air Bags	Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
14B04	2014-10-22	Air Bags	FORD: 2005-2006 FORD GT, 2005-2008 MUSTANG, AND 2004-2005 RANGER VEHICLES OPERATED IN…
0645	2006-01-01	Power Train	NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Ranger. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 battery Vehicles taking 4.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Ranger take?

4.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Ranger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.