2004 Ford F-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,431 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Ford F-150, alongside 16 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 61/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Visibility & wipers leads the reports, typically around 64,330 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2004 Ford F-150 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1991–1993, 1996, 2003, 2007–2009, 2020, 2022.
Avoid
Where 2004 sits among all F-150 years
What owners report
“Since approx june of 2009, i've had to replace all 4 electric window regulators. All 4 fell to the bottom of the door while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
“Driving down the road at normal speed of 55 when my 2004 ford f-150 4.2 v-8 blew a spark plug out of head!!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
“There is a vibration from rear can be felt through out truck seat ,/steering wheel /bed shakes when driven at highway speeds40-65”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
“Brake master cylinder lost fluid. Leak was into the brake vacuum booster. Could cause loss of brakes if it occurred while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
“The door latch of the rear "suicide" door will not open. The latch only moves back and forth, but the latch's cable will not engage. I checked and learned other f-150s has the same problem. Is this a "recall" issue?”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
“Hitch broke off due to ford common frame rot. Frame is rotted from leaf spring shackle and back”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 F-150
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,988 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 61,162 miles. Half of those reports fall between 34,000 and 90,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (16)
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM…
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS…
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. IF THE CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG LOWER HORN PLATE, THE WIRE INSULATION MAY…
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE A NEW CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE INSTALLED THAT INCORPORATES A PROTECTIVE MESH COVER.…
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN SPYDER HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2004 THROUGH 2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS. DURING PRODUCTION, THE HEADLAMPS WERE INTERNALLY MISALIGNED AND THEY FAIL THE PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108,…
Fix: SPYDER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT SPYDER AT 866-558-4264.
CERTAIN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES IMPORTED AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT BY SONAR AUTO PARTS FOR USE ON 2004-2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS. DURING PRODUCTION, THE HEADLAMPS WERE INTERNALLY MISALIGNED AND THEY FAIL THE PHOTOMETRY REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR…
Fix: SONAR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 14, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT SONAR AT 866-558-4264.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. FR390-B001L AND FR390-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS IS UNSTABLE INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO…
Fix: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Fix: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL…
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108,…
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE…
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR…
Fix: SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS,…
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L, 4.6L AND 5.4L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A DEPRESSION AT THE SEAM BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM HALVES OF THE TANK. IF A DEPRESSION IS LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY PERMEATE THE FUEL TANK WALL RESULTING IN A FUEL…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK WITH LOCALIZED DEPRESSIONS IN THE FUEL TANK WALL AT THE SEAM BETWEEN TOP AND BOTTOM HALVES OF THE TANK. IF A DEPRESSION IS LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY PERMEATE THE FUEL TANK WALL RESULTING IN A FUEL ODOR, OR THE "SERVICE…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 11V385000.
Led to recall campaign 11V107000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2004 Ford F-150 reliable?
The 2004 Ford F-150 drew 2,431 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 61/100, scored against the model's worst year (1997).
What are the most common 2004 Ford F-150 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2004 Ford F-150 are visibility & wipers (872 complaints), engine (262), and transmission & drivetrain (245).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford F-150 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2004 Ford F-150 problems around 61,162 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 34,000 and 90,000 miles.
Does the 2004 Ford F-150 have recalls?
16 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.