2004 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 1%of 2,029 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Ford F-150, 1% of the 2,029 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I honestly do not know what is wrong with my 2004 f150 fx4. My truck has been in the shop at both lincoln/mercury and Ford dealers here in huntsville, alabama. Parts have been replaced on multiple occasions so I'm not making this stuff up and the dealerships know something is wrong, but does not want to fix the problem or does not have qualified/trained mechanics. This will be my one and only Ford.”
NHTSA complaint #10151455, filed 2006-02, 23,000 miles“First applaction of brakes after backing out of drive way that is stopping at the red light at (rt)#30-& main rd,brake lines at ABS control manfold,are vibrating so bad it sounds like the fan is rubbing somthing my experance with hydraulic. Tells me that the brake line fittings at there seat in the manafold will fali.#2 this truck has delux mirrors,signal mirrors,LED mounted in the bottom,r/s LED outer three cant be seen from the driver's seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10095677, filed 2004-10, 1,600 miles“The 2004 f150 sc has a few problems: first was the water leaking from the third brake light in which I had to apply silicone around the rubber seal of the light...never leaked again. Second issue was far more frustrating, when traveling around 40 to 50 MPH when deciding to accelerate quickly the truck would act as if it was being starved of fuel. The best way to describe it was by depressing the accelerator and releasing it very quickly. I took it to the wonderful Ford dealership, sarcastic, and they told me nothing was wrong, and shop manager told me it was because of cold air intake... …”
NHTSA complaint #10194073, filed 2007-06, 32,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10712127, filed 2015-04, 99,800 miles“2004 Ford f150 w/ adjustable pedals - after a few years use, the brake lights do not work properly. The lights will come on, but only under extreme deceleration, hopefully. The lights will reset if the brake switch is unplugged and plugged back in with vehicle running, but then will continue to act unreliably after a few days of use. The brakes continue to work along with the switch to reposition the automatic shifter from out of park, but the brake lights are completely unreliable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10370967, filed 2010-12, 116,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 26% |
| 2023 | 23 | 6% |
| 2022 | 66 | 11% |
| 2021 | 116 | 11% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 16 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 1% |
| 2011 | 30 | 1% |
| 2010 | 28 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 0% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 1% |
| 1997 | 34 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 1% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
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 complaintsEngine
92 complaintsOther or unknown
86 complaintsAir bags
85 complaintsSteering
75 complaintsFuel system
74 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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