2004 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 167about this part
- Share
- 8%of 2,029 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,623miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 167 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Ford F-150, 8% of the 2,029 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,623 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 12 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“I was driving on a highway at 55 MPH in my 2004 Ford 150 when I heard a loud noise from the engine. Found a spark plug had been completely blown out of the engine. I have done some reading and found this to be a common problem with Ford's triton engines. Coil pack was sparking which could have LED to a serious engine fire. Please have Ford fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10368026, filed 2010-11, 147,312 miles“2004 f150 truck. Ii had plugs changed and the mechanic broke three of them, dropping one down on the head. When I complained he said everyone knows that these engines do that. I'm looking at $6000 to pull the motor and get the rest of the plugs in. Evidentally everyone in the world knew about the plug problem but me. No more Ford products for this old boy. 3/16/2011 campbellsville,ky”
NHTSA complaint #10390366, filed 2011-03, 95,000 miles“I have a Ford f150 and one of the spark plugs just jumped out. This is the original plug from the factory. The service man at the Ford dealer said he had never seen that happen before. Checking the net there are many complaints about the problem. They wanted to replace the head for 4k. I called around and found out about putting a sleeve in for four hundred.”
NHTSA complaint #10262497, filed 2009-03, 80,000 miles“I own a 2004 Ford f150 with 5.4l v8 engine. Mileage is 104000. Had spark plugs changed and all 8 spark plugs broke off resulting in a very high cost to me. There are numerous complaints of this on the internet. I believe this is a manufacturing defect and cost is being past on to consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10357261, filed 2010-09, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020This 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…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The 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…
- 10029205Jun 1, 2009Ford/mercury/lincoln: vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: drive away hesitation, loss of rpm on deceleration, difficulty starting, and/or idle rpm less…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10021048Feb 27, 2007Spark plug removal instructions - 5.4 3v.
- 10020792Jan 16, 2007Diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0340, p0344, p0345, p0349. Are found.
- 10019383Jan 1, 20065.4l 3v with p030x and/or p0316 accompanied by spark knock.
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018741Nov 14, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p1131 and/or p1151 - 4.2l engine.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-150
863 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
232 complaintsBrakes
139 complaintsSuspension
118 complaintsBody and structure
104 complaintsElectrical system
99 complaintsEngine
92 complaintsOther or unknown
86 complaintsAir bags
85 complaintsSteering
75 complaintsFuel system
74 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford F-150
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology