2004 Ford F-150 Problems
- Complaints
- 2,029filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 61,000miles, 1,745 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Ford F-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owner complaints on this model year center on the power windows: many report a regulator or motor failing and the glass dropping into the door, sometimes while driving. Transmission, brake, front-end vibration and frame corrosion complaints also appear in the sample. Reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 150,000.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Power window falls into door (regulator/motor failure)
- 908 complaints (45%)
- median 64,415 mi at 6.3 yrs old (838 state mileage)
- 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 176 quotes)
- filed 2004–2019
Owners describe hearing a loud pop or snap, after which the window drops inside the door and will not come back up even though the motor can still be heard running. Some had several windows fail within a year, on both front and rear doors. Complaints say the dealer replaced the regulator or motor, and in several cases owners noted the repair was not covered and they paid a few hundred dollars per window. Reported from as low as about 32,000 miles up to roughly 100,000, and often with no warning while parked or driving.
What to check: Operate every window, front and rear, several times from both the door switch and the driver's master switch; listen for grinding and check whether the glass moves evenly. Ask whether any regulator or motor has already been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My drivers side window went out one day, then about two days later my passenger and back left window went out. I brought it to the Ford dealership to get it fixed, along with what I thought was a spark plug and coiles. Well I a found out that a 2004 F-150 I have to replace the engine. While it was in the shop my back right window aperantly went out . …”
NHTSA complaint #10285497, filed 2009-09, 90,000 miles“I have a 2004 Ford f150, in the past year I have had to replace both passenger and driver side window regulators due to the windows just suddenly dropping into the door panel and will not come back up, Ford has charged me $380 both times! I have read hundreds of these same types of complaints and nothing is being done to protect the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10277201, filed 2009-07, 42,300 miles - Engine
Spark plug ejected from cylinder head
- 80 complaints (4%)
- median 99,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (69 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $878 (median of 18 quotes)
- filed 2005–2024
Owners report a pop sound followed by loss of power or rough running, and a mechanic finding that a spark plug had blown out of the head. Repairs described include a thread insert (Heli-coil) that in one case failed again and led to a cylinder head replacement, and one report where the plug was replaced but the problem returned. Owners describe the repair as expensive and, in one case, quote a dealer estimate for engine replacement. Mostly reported on higher-mileage trucks, from about 137,000 to over 300,000 miles; a related engine-failure complaint appears near 41,000.
What to check: Ask whether any spark plug thread repair has been done and whether the plugs have been replaced to the specified torque. Listen for a ticking or misfire sound at idle and check for codes on a scan tool.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I own a 2004 Ford that the spark plug edjected from the head. I took the truck into a garage and they put a helicoil in, that lasted 1 week and blew out again. Now I need a new head.”
NHTSA complaint #10321879, filed 2010-03, 150,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact observed the spark plug being ejected from the fuel compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11536311, filed 2023-08, 150,000 miles - Brakes
Brake noise, vibration and pedal sinking
- 174 complaints (9%)
- median 28,524 mi at 2.8 yrs old (144 state mileage)
- 16 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 10 quotes)
- filed 2004–2023
Owners describe constant squealing from the brakes with normal braking, shudder or vibration while braking, and rotors found warped. Other complaints describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, a master cylinder that leaked into the vacuum booster, and cracked caliper pistons found during a brake job. Dealers in these reports resurfaced rotors, replaced pads and rotors, or replaced the master cylinder and hydraulic unit. Spread from very low mileage (under 10,000) to around 70,000; pedal and caliper reports vary widely.
What to check: Test the pedal for firmness and no sinking while holding pressure, check brake fluid level and look under the hood at the booster for fluid, and feel for pulsation through the pedal during a firm stop.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Approx two years ago I replaced the front brakes on my 2004 F-150 super crew. Upon removing the right side caliper I discovered that one of the two pistons was cracked. I also found it to be leaking fluid. I then removed the left side to find the exact same cylinder in that side cracked however not yet leaking. Upon taking my truck to my local Ford dealer I was told there was nothing they could do. My after market warranty company advised they did not cover this either and that the problem was caused by me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246986, filed 2008-10, 65,000 miles“2004 Ford f150 xlt 4wd supercab(brakes constantly squealing)conditions were normal even braking.I never had to slam on the brakes. 've brought my vehicle back to Ford dealership three times over a period of 4 months.corrective actions are scuffing the brake pads and deglazing the rotors.it's fine for a month and the squealing is back as well as a deposit of brake dust on the wheel.I've also had two incidents concerning the electronic accelrator(Ford calls this drive by wire as it is digitally controlled acceleration)the trouble light …”
NHTSA complaint #10088236, filed 2004-08, 9,357 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission/gearbox faults, harsh or delayed shifting
- 163 complaints (8%)
- median 34,351 mi at 3.7 yrs old (141 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 12 quotes)
- filed 2003–2024
Complaints describe shuddering or hesitation under acceleration, a rattling noise from the front while pulling a hill, momentary loss of power between the first and second shifts, and in some cases revving without acceleration accompanied by a transmission warning light. Several owners said the dealer could not reproduce or identify the noise or the shifting problem; one later report states the transmission needed replacement. Reported from very low miles (around 14,000) through to roughly 150,000, with several under 50,000.
What to check: Drive the truck through all gears warm and cold, including a hill start, and listen for rattle or shudder between first and second. On 4WD trucks, ask whether the front hubs have been checked for noise or staying engaged in 2WD.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have owned a 2004 Ford F-150 fx4 with only 14,000 miles on it for 3 weeks and it has been in the repair shop at Ford for 4 days now and they can't fix the problem. Truck makes a rattling noise from under front end when pulling a hill or when you reach 50 MPH. It also seems to lose power or bog down momentarily when it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. Mechanic says it is a nightmare because they can hear the noise and feel the gear shifting problem, but can't find what's wrong and don't know how to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10154227, filed 2006-03, 14,100 miles“While traveling a smooth stretch of highway the truck started to vibrate. This vibration intensified until the whole truck was shaking. After stopping at a traffic light the shuddering continued until I pulled off the highway and turned around in a parking lot to go back to a nearby Ford dealer. At this point it did not shake again. The Ford dealer service department checked the whole truck over the next day and could not find anything loose or damaged. The shuddering felt like a universal joint gone bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10155264, filed 2006-04, 500 miles - Body and structure
Frame and subframe rust-through
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe being told during maintenance or inspection that the frame or subframe is rusted through, in some cases on trucks with intact body panels and few miles. Complaints say the dealer or shop recommended frame replacement and that the work was not done; some owners say they were unaware until the truck was on a lift. Reported on trucks between roughly 84,000 and 167,000 miles, often after many years in service.
What to check: Have the truck put on a lift and inspect the frame rails and subframe with a pick or hammer, especially above the rear axle and along the rocker area where rust is hidden. Ask where the truck has been registered and driven.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My truck has always been well taken care of has 92, 000 miles on it which is very low on a 2004. It was always serviced at the dealer where we purchased the truck. I had 2 extended service warranties through this dealer. There is no rust on the body at all. I took it to another garage to have some work done on it and when they put it on the lift the box on the truck started to pull away from the cab. When it was lowered, and inspected the frame on both sides of the truck was completely rotted thru. I had no idea that it was this bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10925319, filed 2016-11, 92,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while routine maintenance was being performed on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was extremely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11315816, filed 2020-03, 167,000 miles
Buying note. Check every power window and the frame for rust before buying, since both come up repeatedly in owner reports and window repairs are a recurring cost. A slow, warm test drive and a look at service records for transmission and spark plug work will tell you more about this truck than its mileage alone.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 2,029 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford F-150. 1,745 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 61,000 miles. Of all complaints, 75 involved a crash, 40 a fire, 74 an injury, 6 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 93 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Transmission and drivetrain232 11%
- Engine cooling167 8.2%
- Brakes139 6.9%
- Suspension118 5.8%
- Body and structure104 5.1%
- Electrical system99 4.9%
- Engine92 4.5%
- Other or unknown86 4.2%
- Air bags85 4.2%
Also reported: Steering (75), Fuel system (74), Vehicle speed control (70), Tires (58), Equipment (35), Latches, locks and linkages (23), Wheels (21), Exterior lighting (17), Seat belts (17), Seats (4), Electronic stability control (1), Forward collision avoidance (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Drivers side window regulator went out. Was driving down the road appx 45 MPH and the window just fell down. Startled me some but was able to keep control of vehicle. This will be second one replaced since I had the vehicle which I purchased brand new. Not one to usually complain but appears to be a widespread problem from early on in it's years. Thank you!”
NHTSA complaint #10523306, filed 2013-07, 101,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “My truck gets up to about 50 MPH then acts like it goes into neutral , no power to the back wheels. I've noticed that more than a few 2004 F-150 owners have the same complaint. Has any investigation been done and if so what were the findings. I live on disability social security and can't afford to have a transmission repaired.I was on a paved road at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10920500, filed 2016-11, 135,000 milesEngine cooling: “I have a 2004 Ford f150 that dies, stalls, or surges at stop light or at low speed. It is an intermittent problem that doesn't send any error codes to the computer. The pickup will just die during while turning or stopping. I have been to the dealer and the problem is still not corrected. I have had numerous close calls due to dying during turning.”
NHTSA complaint #10354142, filed 2010-09, 127,000 milesBrakes: “While driving, I tried to stop and brake pedal went to floor and I had no brakes.I had to use parking brake to stop and avoid an accident. Ford dealer tech. Said the brake fluid was removed from master cyl.to brake booster due to faulty seal.”
NHTSA complaint #10839920, filed 2016-03, 7,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
38% of the 1,745 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,767 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Ford F-150. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-150 · supercab | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 19.8% risk |
| F-150 · sedan | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
| F-150 · regular cab | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 19.8% risk |
| F-150 Heritage · regular cab | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
| F-150 Heritage · supercab | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Ford F-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $6,300 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (CNG) | 5.4L 8-cyl · bifuel (cng) | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 14 | 12 | $5,600 |
| F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (CNG) | 5.4L 8-cyl · bifuel (cng) | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 14 | 12 | $5,600 |
| F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (LPG) | 5.4L 8-cyl · bifuel (lpg) | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
| F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (LPG) | 5.4L 8-cyl · bifuel (lpg) | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,450 |
1 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V385000Jul 29, 2011Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Ford F-150 1997–2004, F-250 1997–1999, Lincoln Blackwood 2002–2003
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…
- 11V107000Feb 23, 2011Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Ford F-150 2004–2006, Lincoln Mark LT 2006
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…
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007Vehicle speed controlCovers: Ford F-150 1993, 2003–2004, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
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.
- 04V443000Sep 13, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › MountingCovers: Ford F-150 2004
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…
- 04V200000Apr 26, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Ford F-150 2004
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…
Recall details for the 2004 Ford F-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA11006Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to CorrosionClosed · May 4, 2011
- EA10001Inadvertent airbag deploymentClosed · Jan 13, 2010
- PE08063Cng regulator leakClosed · Oct 31, 2008
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 93 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023Body and structure. 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…
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020Body and structure. 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…
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020Engine cooling. 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…
- 10165713Sep 2, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. 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…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Body and structure. 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…
- 10143079Jun 1, 2018Equipment, Engine. Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before 8-Jan-2016 may exhibit symptoms that may include upper end engine noise, rough running, misfire and/or…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016Engine cooling, Engine. The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB…
- 10092370Aug 16, 2016Transmission and drivetrain. Some 2004-2014 f-150 and 2006-2008 mark lt vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4wd) may exhibit noisy or engaged front hubs when operating in two-wheel drive (2wd) mode. Follow the service…
- 10205038Apr 21, 2016Fuel system. Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
Other model years of the Ford F-150
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | — | 8 | 5 | 20 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 109 | 5,330 | 14 | 5 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 195 | 8,750 | 11 | 5 | 20 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 416 | 29,700 | 13 | 5 | 21 | 42 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 601 | 27,882 | 23 | 5 | 20 | 53 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 1,036 | 47,500 | 29 | 5 | 20 | 67 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 741 | 38,000 | 11 | 4–5 | 19 | 45 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 1,342 | 60,000 | 9 | 4–5 | 21 | 40 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 2,325 | 40,000 | 18 | 4–5 | 21 | 74 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 1,462 | 53,000 | 17 | 5 | 20 | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 2,086 | 45,478 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 74 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 1,743 | 50,000 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 61 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 1,538 | 65,000 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2013 | 2,992 | 74,281 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 48 · Typical | Rising |
| 2012 | 1,784 | 63,000 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 56 · Typical | Stable |
| 2011 | 2,193 | 70,766 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 67 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 843 | 58,150 | 1 | — | 16 | 6 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2009 | 324 | 50,525 | 2 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 369 | 61,500 | 1 | — | 15 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2007 | 488 | 57,426 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 585 | 60,500 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,112 | 61,000 | 3 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 2,029 | 61,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 423 | 63,946 | 4 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 821 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 1,236 | 95,000 | 8 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 1,075 | 91,843 | 6 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 1,044 | 100,000 | 7 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 1,381 | 113,070 | 8 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 2,758 | 107,360 | 14 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 324 | 110,000 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 626 | 117,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 676 | 132,835 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 586 | 136,500 | 7 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1992 | 470 | 133,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 304 | 107,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 275 | 97,900 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1989 | 224 | 106,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 139 | 99,061 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 91 | 128,013 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 61 | 120,500 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 28 | — | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 15 | 192,035 | 1 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 10 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1982 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford F-150?
Owner complaints on this model year center on the power windows: many report a regulator or motor failing and the glass dropping into the door, sometimes while driving. The issues reported most often: Power window falls into door (regulator/motor failure); Spark plug ejected from cylinder head; Brake noise, vibration and pedal sinking.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Ford F-150 have?
NHTSA recorded 2,029 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford F-150 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Ford F-150 is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 863 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 232.
Has the 2004 Ford F-150 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford F-150 get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Ford F-150 (F150 Pickup 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Ford F-150 reported?
Among the 1,745 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 61,000 miles and the middle half falls between 33,767 and 90,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.