2004 Ford F-150 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 92about this part
- Share
- 5%of 2,029 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,588miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Ford F-150, 5% of the 2,029 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,588 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Ford f 150 has thrown a rod & the motor is knocking badly, to my understanding all 2004 Ford f150 3v have a bad motor in all trucks, every truck I know have this problem. You exchange this motor to a later or early motor it won't work I being told by the dealership mech. I believe Ford should be held to recall & replace these motors.”
NHTSA complaint #11045670, filed 2017-11, 165,000 miles“Power loss and surge in flow of traffic at 65mph. Sudden stop and loss of power in traffic. Traffic had to come to halt around me. I had to stop vehicle and attempt to restart several times to restart. This is a known issue with this year and model of Ford and needs to be recalled. I have not had it happen at these speeds and it was terrifying.”
NHTSA complaint #10573647, filed 2014-03, 143,000 miles“As I was backing upward into my garage, I slowed down and the truck rolled forward and I quickly pressed the gas to resume backwards. This caused the check engine warning light to come on along with my od/off indicators on the dashboard. My reverse gear stopped pulling. I'm afraid had this been in route it might have been more serious of an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10508746, filed 2013-04, 160,000 miles“I recently purchased this vehicle and now I am having the spark plugs replaced. 3 out of the 8 broke in the engine. This defect has affected numerous other owners. The repair costs are extremely high for a normal simple repair. This sounds like a design defect and a recall should be initiated.”
NHTSA complaint #10839016, filed 2016-02, 95,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10618969, filed 2014-08, 74,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10143079Jun 1, 2018Various 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…
- 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…
- 10056148May 30, 2014Lincoln/ford: when driving from idle up to 1200 rpm, there may be an intermittent rattle noise coming from engine. 2004-2013 f-150, f-250, f-350, expedition, mark lt, navigator.
- 10045340Jul 10, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: if battery was disconnected or dead, vehicles/trucks may experience hard starts and engine idle rpm fluctuation and exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 12 | 6% |
| 2023 | 27 | 6% |
| 2022 | 38 | 6% |
| 2021 | 84 | 8% |
| 2020 | 130 | 18% |
| 2019 | 322 | 24% |
| 2018 | 510 | 22% |
| 2017 | 314 | 21% |
| 2016 | 317 | 15% |
| 2015 | 265 | 15% |
| 2014 | 180 | 12% |
| 2013 | 548 | 18% |
| 2012 | 483 | 27% |
| 2011 | 482 | 22% |
| 2010 | 107 | 13% |
| 2009 | 42 | 13% |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% |
| 2007 | 105 | 22% |
| 2006 | 74 | 13% |
| 2005 | 117 | 11% |
| 2004 | 92 | 5% |
| 2003 | 28 | 7% |
| 2002 | 66 | 8% |
| 2001 | 44 | 4% |
| 2000 | 23 | 2% |
| 1999 | 27 | 3% |
| 1998 | 14 | 1% |
| 1997 | 15 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1994 | 3 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-150
863 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
232 complaintsEngine cooling
167 complaintsBrakes
139 complaintsSuspension
118 complaintsBody and structure
104 complaintsElectrical system
99 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