2004 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls (614) · Visibility (201) · Engine And Engine Cooling (90)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-150 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,747 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2011-07-29 · campaign 11V385000 · 1,100,000 vehicles
Defect: 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 JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,
Risk: AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
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 CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2011-02-23 · campaign 11V107000 · 1,325,000 vehicles
Defect: 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 BECOME CHAFED, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
Risk: THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF OCCURRING WHILE IN MOTION.
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. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SOME VEHICLES IN MARCH 2011. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE EXPANDED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Service bulletins (149)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2023-04-04 · SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2000-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. it is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (vin) from a different vehicle. most modules on these affe
Structure 2020-07-13 · TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. some 2000 and newer ford/lincoln/mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-02-07 · DOR-N3Z7B-03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is an oil dipstick. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. the dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the oe dipstick.
Electrical System 2019-09-02 · SSM 48157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2002-2008 f-super duty, f-150 and mark lt vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the vsm. the programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. to ensure the vsm is conf
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Showing the 6 most recent of 149 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-16 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“vehicle was in an accident with major front and damage and none of the airbags deployed…”
2026-07-09 · Seat Belts · 49,800 mi“the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. the contact stated that the seatbelt pretensioners for all seats failed, and the frontal airbags for the driver seat and front passenger seat were inoperable. the seatbelt warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with faulty seatbelt pretensioners. a deal…”
2026-01-09 · Unknown Or Other“rear-end. the rear drivers side tire fell off while driving on a side street. with no noise or wobble or evidence of a problem. 2 days earlier my family and i were going 70 on an express way. upon shops inspection the bearing was no longer working but wheel kept rolling, it egged out the housing of the axle shaft and heated up that point of axle an…”
2025-12-21 · Unknown Or Other“there is a recall on this vehicle…”
2025-10-01 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“my teenage daughter was in a car accident and the airbags did not deploy and her seatbelt did not lock , and smashed into her steering wheel.…”
2025-06-24 · Visibility/Wiper“electrical malfunction with fuses , problems with brake light, engine light and air bag light . some fuses blown out after brake light fuse popped wipers don't work at all air bog turns on and off every day not sure why …”
2025-05-07 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“the vehicle rolled and killed the occupant because the roof caved in. the shoulder portion of the seat belt did not hold the occupant (only the lap portion) and the occupant was partially ejected out of the rear of the cab. the vehicle was inspected and purchased by state farm insurance since the vehicle was totaled. the 2000's ford f-150s have roo…”
2025-03-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and was able to restart the vehicle. the contact scanned the…”
2025-01-20 · Unknown Or Other“frame on 2004 new body style ford f-150 rusted to the point no longer safe to drive according to 2 licensed repair shops. there is no recall on vin number [xxx] however i have been told there are other recalls on frame rust on this same model from 2004-2008. please know i bought this truck brand new and only have operated on roadway no off road…”
2024-12-11 · Power Train · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the engine began revving: however, the vehicle to accelerate properly. the transmission fault warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the residence. the vehicle was inspected by independent mechanic at the residence, and it was determi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.