Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After driving for 45 minutes on smooth highway, my front driver's side tire blew while I was going 75mph. Had I been closer to the vehicle I had just passed, there could have easily been a bad wreck as I had little control of the vehicle. I was fortunately able to pull over and slam on my brakes safely. The tires have under 40,000 miles on them and showed no signs of low pressure or issues prior to the blowout. I was told by Discout Tire that they would refund me for a replacement tire, but that the Falken Wildpeak R15s on my vehicle have not been recalled, a different size of this tire model have though. There was no reason for the sidewalls of this tire to blow. The air pressure was fine and there was plenty of life left on the tread. Based on the recall on the other size of this tire model, I would guess this size is defective in the sidewalls as well.
While traveling northbound on I-75, near lake city, fl., the rear, passenger side tire tread came completely off the tire. The tread damaged the rear, passenger side of my Ford Ranger truck. Fortunately, I managed to pull over to the emergency lane and no one was injured. When my mechanic inspected the rest of the tires he discovered that a half dollar sized chunk of tire was missing from the driver's side rear tire. The condition of this tire, coupled with the other one, forced me to purchase a complete set of new tires. Needless to say, I wasn't very happy over this whole incident. I am, however, happy/lucky to be alive and writing this complaint to you. P.s., just fyi, I am still in possession of all four general tires.
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. Based upon other reports (odi case number: 10155010) I consider myself fortunate, thank god.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger equipped with b.f goodrich long trail ta tires, line size 235/70/r16. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal thumping from the front passenger side tire. The contact stopped to check the tires and found an abnormal bulging on the tread belt. The tire failure was not impacted by a pothole or any other road hazard to cause the failure. The remaining tread depth was 1/4 inches. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 05/03/11 updated 06/03/11
Bolts sheared off except two next to each other drove slowly to dealer bill prerrie Ford they fixed and charged for a design flaw alleging over torquing of lugs which should strip threads only and was done correct by Goodyear with torque wrenches. A off road truck should be over designed. The wheel could have come off. Ford did not refund repair cost. I have never seen a bolt break when over tightened the threads strip. Wheel noise vibration signaled defect no road hazards eg. Potholes were hit.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The vehicle has four Michelin xc lt4 tires, size 225/70r15. While driving 15 MPH, the contact heard a thumping sound. He pulled over and noticed that one of the tires had a faulty valve stem. A nearby mechanic confirmed the faulty valve stem. The tire was replaced at the owner's expense. After reviewing online complaints, the contact noticed that this was a common issue for Michelin tires. The failure and current mileages were 156,651.
Driving down the road my spare tire and tire frame fell off. After picking every thing out of the road I noticed my frame was gone, my right rear spring and shackle are not connected to the rest of the frame. The whole undercarriage is gone. I bought this truck new and took care of it. The last two years rust is overwhelming the truck..basically the truck is scrap with a little over one hundred thousand miles. Tried calling Ford but ...I never complain but I got robbed.....
Tl - the contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger with dunlop radial Rover tires, line size 255/70/r16. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH she heard a banging noised, she realized that the front passenger tire tread and part of the wires separated which later that day exploded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 170,030. Pm
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Ranger. The vehicle has Goodyear wrangler rts tires. The contact stated that the tires were splitting around the rims. On February 6, 2009, the vehicle was taken in for inspection and it was discovered that the sidewall of the tires were wearing around the rim. The technician stated that the tires were defective. The current and failure mileages were 21,000. Updated 03/17/09. Updated 03/18/09.
While driving 55 MPH, the driver heard a knocking noise. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The driver noticed that the front driver side and the rear passenger side tire blew out. The mechanic informed the driver that both tires needed to be replaced. The first tire was replaced at no charge. The consumer was charged for the other tire.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2004 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2004 Ford Ranger, 5% of the model year's 404 complaints. The component named most often is sidewall (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Ranger wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2004 Ford Ranger, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Ranger wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.