I LEAVE MY WINDOWS UP ON THE TRUCK. IT IS COLD (WINTER TIME) TRUCK WAS IN THE GARAGE. I WENT TO THE GARAGE AND THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DOWN. I CRANKED THE TRUCK, PUSHED THE BUTTON AND THE WINDOW WOULD NOT COME UP. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE FRONT DOOR WINDOW REGULATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST $344.66 TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR. SINCE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT, THE TWO BACK WINDOWS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I ASSUME IF MY TRUCK IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM OTHERS ARE ALSO. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT AND THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
2004 Ford F-150 complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
WITH HEADLIGHT SELECTOR SWITCH IN THE AUTO POSITION THE HEADLIGHTS CAN SUDDENLY TURN-OFF WHILE DRIVING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE AUTO POSITION SINCE DAY ONE. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, VERY NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN TRYING TO PULL OVER AND STOP. THE PARK LIGHTS STILL WERE FUNCTIONING AND GOT THE HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BY SWITCHING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO THE MANUAL POSITION. PER DISCUSSION WITH DEALER BELIEVE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE QUIT WORKING. SPECIFICALLY, A RELAY IN THE BCM HAS FAILED BUT IS NOT REPLACEABLE. REPAIR COST IS OVER $400.00 TO CHANGE MODULE. CAN'T AFFORD RIGHT NOW TO FIX. RESEARCH ON INTERNET FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES/SYMPTOMS BUT NOT CLEAR IF HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V107000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS PERFORMING A ROUTINE TUNE-UP ON THE VEHICLE, THE NUMBER THREE SPARK PLUG FRACTURED INSIDE THE ENGINE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RETRIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2004 FORD F150 FX4. FROM STOP THE REAR END WILL VIBRATE AS I ACCELERATE. IT'S BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. I BELIEVE IT STARTED AROUND 40000 MILES. I ONLY HAVE 54000 ON IT CURRENTLY. SO IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AT LEAST 3 OR 4 YEARS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE. DOES SHOULD DEFINITELY FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST FORMING ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WELLS. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,800.
I OWN A 2004 FORD HERITAGE 4X4 AND THE FRAME IS LITERALLY RUSTING AWAY ON OR ABOUT THE 10TH OF MARCH THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING ROTTED AWAY AND PUNCHED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY BED. I WAS ONLY GOING 30 WHEN IT HAPPENED SO EVERYONE WAS SAFE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SO ROTTED AWAY. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO GO I SAW MY TRAILER JUST GO UP AND SLAM BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING 65 MPH OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD A ACCIDENT. THE BACK OF THE FRAME NOW IS PAPER THIN. FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE FRAMES. I HAVE OWNED MANY FORD AND NEVER HAD RUST THIS BAD. *TR
TRUCK REAR END SHAKES VIOLENTLY UPON ACCELERATION AT ANY SPEED OR FROM A STAND STILL. I HAD THE REAR END SERVICED AND HAD THE FLUID FLUSHED, BUT IT ONLY CORRECTED THE ISSUE FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. AS TIME GOES ON, THIS ISSUE ONLY WORSENS. FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PACK(S) IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, BUT NOT A RECALL. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE FEEL UNSAFE AND MAKES ACCELERATION UNEASY, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING INTO MOVING TRAFFIC. *TR
I HAVE 2004 F-150 WITH 92,000 MILES ON IT , I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO WITH 70,000 ON IT MAKING A SLIGHT TAPPING NOISE . I TALKED WITH MANY PEOPLE AND AND THE DEALER SAYING THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE ENGINE IS DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE FINE.YESTERDAY DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA TRAVELING AT 65 MPH MY TRUCK STARTED MAKING A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND SHUT OFF , I HAD GOOD OIL PRESSURE ,WATER TEMP WAS FINE I PULLED IT OFF THE HIGHWAY, NEVER TO START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCALE FORD DEALER IN FAIRFAX VA.AFTER READING FROM FORD FORUM WEB SITE AND HEARING THE HORROR STORIES I FEEL I AM IN FOR A HUGH REPAIR BILL.I ALSO SEE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES WHEN THERE SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR FLAW IN THE ENGINES DESIGN. APROX. COST OF A NEW ENGINE IS BETWEEN 7 AND 10,000 SOME CONSUMERS STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AS EARLY AS 12,000 MILES, I BABY MY TRUCK, THE HEAVIEST THING I HAVE HAULED IN IT IS A 6 FT. CHRISTMAS TREE FOR MY LIVING ROOM.I BABIED MY TRUCK TO WHAT MEANS JUST TO HAVE A HIGH REPAIR BILL LIKE SO MANY OTHERS??? I HOPE YOU CAN HELP . PLEASE/THANK -YOU IN ADVANCE *TR
2004 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME RUST PROBLEMS. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BECAUSE THE BRAKES WENT OUT. THE REAR BRAKE LINES, HOSES, CALIPERS, MASTER CYLINDER AND PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/09/15. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN UPDATED 7/1/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
OFFICIALLY LOGGING A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 F150 DRIVELINE. IT HAS DONE THIS TO THE POINT OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT DUE TO WEAR ON THE SHAFT. THE DRIVESHAFT IS NOT SERVICEABLE AT ALL AND WAS NEVER LUBED FROM THE FACTORY CAUSING BINDING ON THE SLIP YOKES WHICH IN TURN CAUSES SWING BEARING WEAR, U JOINT FAILURE AND TO THE POINT OF TRANSMISSION STUB SHAFT WEAR ULTIMATELY CAUSING FAILURE. THERE SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THESE DUE TO THE SEVERITY AND LIABILITY. WE OWNED THE TRUCK NEW AND HAVE DRIVEN WITH THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. I HOPE TO SEE A RECALL SOON AS TSBS ARE NO HELP TO THE CUSTOMER AND MOST DEALERS DO NOT EVEN KNOW THAT THESE PARTS ARE UNSERVICEABLE. AS A LIFE LONG CUSTOMER, THUMBS DOWN ON FORD TO ALLOW THIS TO GO ON. *TR
WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES IN AND DRIPS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT. I HAVE REPLACE THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LENS TWICE AND THE REAR WINDOW. I HAVE READ FORUMS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. I HAVE A TRUCK THAT SMELLS LIKE MILDEW. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT NOW WITH THE INTERIOR PULLED OUT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE HESITATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THAT THERE WAS A TAPPING NOISE THAT PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, FUEL INJECTORS AND THE PLUG WIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
IN ALL 04-10 F150 TRUCKS WITH THE 5.4, LACK OF OIL PRESSURE CAN AND WILL CAUSE CAM PHASER FAILURE RESULTING IN THE MOTOR LOCKING UP OR EVEN SHUTTING OFF DAMAGING THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES AND TENSIONERS. THIS CAN BECOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS ALL 04-10 5.4 MOTORS EXPERIENCE OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS TO THE TOP END AND ALL EXHIBIT A KNOCKING SOUND. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE FIRST TO COMPLAIN AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES AND ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE INSTIGATE AND READ THE COUNTLESS ARTICLES OF THESE SITUATIONS. FORD IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO PAY UP TO 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS. IT IS A RIP OFF SCENE BY FORD AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *TR
I HAVE A PROBLEM IT POPS UP SAYING TRANSMISSION FAULT AND I WANT TO FIX IT SO HELP ME PLEASE!! *TR
BOUGHT A 2004 FORD F-150 FROM A NEIGHBOR RECENTLY. FRONT END WAS DROOPING. WENT TO PUT A "LEVELING KIT" ON IT AND FOUND BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN THE SAME PLACE. THIS CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE. CAN'T REALLY AFFORD NEW SPRINGS RIGHT NOW BUT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THANKS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND FELL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS AND THE FUEL TANK RUBBER HOSE SEPARATED DUE TO CORROSION CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FUEL TANK RUBBER HOSE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
I WENT TO GO START MY F150 AND APRON STARTING IT STARTED TO MAKE A VERY LOAD BANGING NOISE WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A BLOWN ENGINE THE TRUCK HAD VERY LITTLE POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE . I HAD TRUCK TOWED HOME AND UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. AFTER LOOKING INTO TO THIS MORE THIS IS A VERY COMMON THING WITH THE TRITON V8 MOTOR. THE HEADS ARE MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM AND EACH PLUG IS ONLY HOLD ON BY 4 THREADS FROM THE CONSTANT PISTON PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE PLUGS THEY BLOW RIGHT OUT OF THE HOLE THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IS TO RETAP THE HOLE AND INSTALL NEW PLUG. THE IS A FLAW FROM FORD AND THESE ENGINES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PROPERLY FIXED BY FORD. WHEN THE PLUG BLOWS OUT RAW GAS IS GOING AND NOT BEING BURNED THIS CAN CAUSE AND SURE IT HAS CAUSED A FIRE ON SOME OF THE ENGINES . THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND COULD LEAD TO DEATH IF A PERSON IS LOOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN ONE OF THESE PLUGS LET GO IT COULD KILL THEM PLEASE HAVE FORD OWN THE MISTAKE AND RECALL THE TRITON V8 2 CYLINDER AND 3 CYLINDER ENGINES. *TR
FOUND TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING VERY STIFF UNTIL I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE CAR WAS THEN THE STIFFNESS WENT AWAY UNTIL IT DRIED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE I FOUND THAT THIS ISSUE IS QUITE COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES THE STEERING MID SHAFT U-JOINTS LUBRICATION DRIES UP AND THERE IS NO WAY TO RE-LUBRICATE THEM CAUSING STEERING TO GET STIFF POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
THE MIRROR(S) ARE FULL OF CORROSION AND THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR FELL RIGHT OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY TRUCK IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND THE FRAME IS ALL ROTTEN OUT I THINK IT IS A VERY SERIOUS THING IF YOU ARE DRIVING ALONG AND IT BREAKS. *TR
A NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION REVEALED TWO BROKEN SPRINGS ON FRONT END OF 2004 FORD F150. THE COST TO REPLACE IS NOT CHEAP AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES BASED ON SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE OTHERS WILL DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A GARAGE TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHILE UP ON THE RACK THE RUST WAS NOTICED BY MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BETTER HAVE IT FIXED. I CONTACTED A PROFESSIONAL WHO CAME TO MY HOUSE AND LOOKED AT IT WITH THE BED OFF. UPON HIS INSPECTION HE FOUND IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ORIGINAL METAL LEFT TO WELD TO. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO WARRANTY, NO RECALL, SORRY FOR YOUR LUCK AND GOT HUNG UP ON. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS A RECALL ON 2004 ESCAPES FOR THIS VERY SAME REASON "THE FRAMES ARE RUSTING OUT" IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A BAD BATCH OF METAL USED IN THE BUILDING OF THESE FRAMES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY MORE 2004 VEHICLES FROM FORD HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE FRACTURED IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
-REPAIR SHOP-2004 FORD F150 CREW CAB, FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH, FRAME REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. CUSTOMER WILL NOT HAVE REPAIRED. *TR
I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE COATING APPLIED TO THE SPRINGS ACTUALLY CAUSED RUST AND MADE THEM FAIL. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND SAFETY DEFECT BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY HELP TOWARD THE $400 BILL TO REPLACE THEM. I DON'T FEEL THAT A CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A STRUCTURAL DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
FORD F150'S HAVE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK PLUG BEING BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD US THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND KNOW OF MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 4 TIMES TO US ALONE! WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL FORD CHANGES THE HEAD SO THIS CAN'T HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM WE NOW ARE RUNNING INTO IS THAT WE ARE HAVING TO REPLACE PLUGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, THEREFORE THE HEAD HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ONES THAT FORD IS PUTTING IN THEM! CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTS. FORD ([XXX]) INFORMED ME THAT THE NHTSA IS NOT ISSUING THE RECALL, THAT THERE IS NOTHING FORD CAN DO ABOUT IT UNTIL NHTSA DOES SOMETHING. THIS IS COSTING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! IT IS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK LOSES POWER. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING RECALLED AND TAKEN CARE OF? IS THIS A FORD PROBLEM OR NHTSA? WHAT NEEDS DONE ON OUR PART TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. INTERMITTENTLY, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARIOUS INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. ONE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESSES AND CAM PHASERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE INTAKE AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
HEARD AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THOUGHT IS WAS A MUFFLER. MECHANIC LOOKED AT PROBLEM AND ALERTED ME TO THE FACT THE DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS RUSTED AND WARPED. THERE IS ALSO SOME DAMAGED BOLTS BEING RUSTED OR BROKEN OFF. TRUCK IS A FORD F150 HERITAGE 2004, WITH 23,531 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DUE TO OUT OF TIME WARRANTY. *TR
EXPERIENCING SHUDDERS AND SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR
WHILE STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP NOTICED A RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END. I HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID REPLACED, U-JOINTS CHECKED, AND BRAKES INSPECTED. (HAVE HAD THIS DONE 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS)I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM DURING A CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND WHO HAPPENED TO BE A RETIRED FORD MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT WHILE HE WAS WITH FORD AS A MECHANIC HE REPLACED OR REBUILT NUMEROUS REAR SLIP DIFFERENTIALS, AND THAT IT WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2004 F-150, AND THAT I SHOULD INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER. I WENT ON-LINE AND FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004 F-150 REGARDING REAR SLIP DIFFERENTIAL \WITH VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR PROBLEMS. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A VERY LONG TIME, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT EXCEPT TO OFFER LAME EXCUSES AND CHARGE EXORBITANT PRICES FOR REPAIRS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAR END LOCKING UP AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CAUSING A FATAL ACCIDENT. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN REQUIRED? *TR
I WENT TO START THE TRUCK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND IT PULLED A CYLINDER 6 MISFIRE CODE ,TURNS OUT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CHANGED FOR ANOTHER 20000MI NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND I WAS INFORMED AT THE FORD DEALER THAT LABOR WOULD BE $85.PER HR X 6 HRS PROVIDING THE PLUGS DID NOT BREAK AT THIS TIME HE TOLD ME I COULD COUNT ON AT LEAST HALF OF THEM BREAKING AS THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS ALSO I WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEW PLUGS WERE $19.50 EA. *TR
FRONT COIL SPRINGS BOTH BROKE IN SAME PLACE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,750. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/20/14*CN UPDATED 08/25/2017*CT
I HAVE HAD SUNROOF FIXED TWICE. KEEPS JUMPING OFF TRACK & NOW NEED TO GET IT FIXED FOR THIRD TIME. ALSO, ALL 4 POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND HAD TO BE FIXED A FEW TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V208000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE TRUCK HAVE ONLY 55K MILES WHICH THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT'S KNOWN FOR THE CAMSHAFT PHASERS TO START MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE AND MAKE THE VEHICLE SOUND LIKE A DIESEL TRUCK. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT WE PAY TONS OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE AND WE HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS THAT COST US CUSTOMERS MORE MONEY. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. EVEN WITH THE AFTERMARKET PARTS THE CAM PHASERS GO BACK OUT AGAIN AFTER 60 MILES. *TR
AS I TURNED RIGHT INTO A SIDE STREET ENGINE STALLED. I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF VEHICLE BUT MANAGED TO STEER IT ONTO LEFT SIDE OF STREET. LUCKY NO CARS COMING. ALSO HAPPENED ON 4 AUG. CHECKED INTERNET AND POSSIBLE CORRODED FUEL PUMP DRIVER MODULE. MANY COMPLAINTS. COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE DRIVING/FOG LIGHT REFLECTOR LOOKS RUSTED/ FAST FORWARD TO JULY 9TH, 2014 THE WHOLE REFLECTOR BRACKET IS RUSTED SITTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS LIGHTING HOUSING. ITEM WAS REPORTED JUST AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER AND ITEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED WITH FORD. THIS HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. *TR
ENGINE KNOCKING - OIL PRESSURE DROPPING - TIMING CHANGE BAD. *JS
STEERING BECOMES STIFF, WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT EXCESSIVE FORCE AND IF IN TURN REQUIRES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION. WHEN TURN IT WILL HANG AND FORCING CAUSES OVER STEER. ACCORDING TO INTER CHAT THE FIX WAS TO LUBRICATE THE STEERING COLUMN UNIVERSAL JOINT ABOVE STEERING PUMP IN ENGINE ROOM. DID THIS, WAS GOOD UNTIL MAY 2014 AND SUDDENLY RETURN, LUBRICATION NOT WORKING SO WELL THIS TIME. THIS WOULD CAUSE MY WIFE TO WRECK, IT COULD CAUSE AND MAY HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS. APPEARS TO BE COMMON ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BECAUSE MANY COMPLAINTS ON LOGGED ON WEB SITES. *TR
IM SURE OF THE EXACT DATE ORIGINALLY BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN 2004 BRAND NEW WITH 60 MILES ON IT I HAD IT LESS THAN A WEEK AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE EGG SHAPED. AND THIS IS WHY IT SHOOK OR VIBRATED AT 55/70 MPH IT WENT AWAY FOR AWHILE. THEN I KEPT ROUTINE OIL AND TIRE ROTATIONS AND BALANCING ON IT BUT THE VIBRATION KEPT COMING BACK. THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACE ON THE TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES COST ME A FORTUNE WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST UNTIL 150,000. THE SHOCKS, STRUTS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS AND BEARINGS WERE ALL REPLACES TWICE NOW FIRST FOR VIBRATION IN 2007/2008 SPENT THOUSANDS DIDN'T WORK REPLACED TIRES AND RIMS WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTH THEN CAME BACK AGAIN EVERY TIME WE ROTATE THE TIRES THE VIBRATION GOES AWAY FOR LIKE A DAY OR TWO THEN COMES BACK IN 2010 I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE AND BEARINGS AND SEALS FOR A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY LOCKED UP IN 2011 I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, SHOCKS, ROTORS AND STRUTS, BECAUSE OF VIBRATION GUESS WHAT DIDN'T WORK NOW WERE LOOKING AT TIRES AND RIMS AGAIN AND FORD TELLS ME THAT MY REAR SEALS AND BEARINGS NEED REPLACED FOR LEAKAGE AND THE POSSIBLE SHAKING IS MY DRIVE SHAFT I BOUGHT A 30,000 TRUCK THAT I HAVE PUT 10,000 GRAND IN JUST ESTIMATING OH AND THEY JUST FIXED THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG HARNESS AND TELL ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING BUT IT ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL AND IT WASN'T FLASHING WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. I HAVE TWO FORDS I HAVE A FORD ESCAPE I BOUGHT AT T
SMELT FUEL EMITTING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA BUT COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL; TURNED ON THE IGNITION KEY WITHOUT STARTING THE TRUCK. I SAW FUEL RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. I TURNED OFF THE KEY AND PROCEEDED TO REMOVED THE FUEL TANK GAS STRAPS TO LOWER THE TANK; WITH ALL HOSES STILL CONNECTED I TURNED THE KEY BACK ON; FUEL WAS SPEWING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. I COMPLETELY REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND ALL HOSES AND FOUND A LINEAR CRACK ON THE PRESSURE SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP HOSE CONNECTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP TO THIS VEHICLE. *JS
WE ALWAYS TAKE OUR TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE.I HAD BEEN TELLING THE SERVICE ADVISOR FOR YEARS THAT WE HEARD AN AIR BUBBLE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. THEY KEPT SAYING EVERYTHING IS FINE. AS SOON AS OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS OVER, THEY THEN SAID I HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. I TOOK IT TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC AND IMMEDIATELY THEY WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE IT WAS BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND IS VERY COMMON IN F150'S. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BOLTS BREAKING WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT, AND DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN MORE THAN LIKELY WILL WARP AGAIN. THIS REPAIR COST IS OVER $1000 (FORD DEALER QUOTED $2165) AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY IF DEALER WOULD HAVE ADMITTED IT HAD LEAK WHEN WE MENTIONED THE SOUND BEFORE. THE 3RD PARTY MECHANIC SAID ANY MECHANIC SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DISTINCT SOUND JUST BY HEARING IT FOR A FEW SECONDS. MANIFOLD LEAKS ARE APPARENTLY FAIRLY NORMAL IN TRUCKS HOWEVER ONCE AGAIN FORDS DESIGN MAKES IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN MOST OTHER TRUCK MAKES TO REPAIR, ADDING MUCH MORE ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN OUR TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REGULAR SERVICE. TOOK IT TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC TO HAVE BRAKES DONE AND THEY SHOWED US THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, COMPLETELY SEVERED AND HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR QUITE A WHILE EVIDENT BY RUST AND CORROSION AT BREAKING POINT. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR. I AM DOING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SPARK PLUGS AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD ISSUES. *TR
WE ALWAYS TAKE OUR TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. RECENTLY THEY GOT NEW MANAGEMENT AND THEY SAID OH BY THE WAY SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU EVEN THOUGH THE SPARK PLUGS ARE 100,000 MILES YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD THEM CHANGED ALREADY BECAUSE THEY GET STUCK. SO I WENT TO THE INTERNET AND READ THE NIGHTMARES ABOUT MY 5.4 ENGINE SPARK PLUGS. TOOK IT TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC AND ALL 8 GOT STUCK AND WERE NOT EASY TO REMOVE USING FORD'S SPECIAL TOOL THEY DEVELOPED BECAUSE THEY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. I APPARENTLY MADE PUT A LOT BETTER THAN MOST, MY BILL WAS ONLY A WHOPPING $700 FOR HAVING SPARK PLUGS CHANGED WITHIN 100,000 MILES THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR. MECHANICS ARE RECOMMENDING GETTING THEM CHANGED AT LEAST EVERY 50,000 MILES NOW AND SOME WON'T EVEN TOUCH THE FORD 5.4 ENGINES. MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD BILLS IN THE THOUSANDS FOR THIS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ALL DUE TO FORD'S BAD DESIGN. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS BUT WHEN I CALLED FORD FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM AND WHY I WASN'T NOTIFIED TO JOIN, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. I DON'T MIND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BUT A KNOWN ISSUE LIKE THIS THAT FORD REFUSES TO ASSIST CONSUMERS WITH IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
MALFUNCTIONING DIFFERENTIAL- WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, (ESPECIALLY FROM A TURN) VIBRATIONS OCCUR AND POSSES A RISK OF A POTENTIAL FAILURE WHEN PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE AWAY FROM TRUCK. *TR
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2004 Ford F-150 → · Every F-150 year → · How the figures are calculated →