2004 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 232about this part
- Share
- 11%of 2,029 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 232 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford F-150, 11% of the 2,029 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Original owner of 2004 Ford f150 fx4. From stop the rear end will vibrate as I accelerate. It's been doing it for quite a while. I believe it started around 40000 miles. I only have 54000 on it currently. So it has been like this for at least 3 or 4 years. It sounds like this is a pretty common issue. Does should definitely fix this known issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10703086, filed 2015-04, 40,000 miles“80, 000 miles on the truck, and it now needs its rear differential replaced for the 6th time. On top of that , now the cam phasers are going bad. Can't drive it now again as it may leave me stranded in an intersection again. I drive 7 miles each way to work, and occasionally use the truck for vacations.”
NHTSA complaint #10947518, filed 2017-01, 80,000 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“Driving along and suddenly the engine reved and the transmission was no engaged. I pulled off the highway and turned the engine off and started again with no problem. Since then, my transmission has quit while driving several times. I did discover if I turned the od odd it would work but has no overdrive. Fortinately, I was able to pull over and not have an accident. This is a dangerous issue and needs to be addressed by Ford with a recall and repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10969062, filed 2017-03, 106,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10092370Aug 16, 2016Some 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…
- 10030866Aug 1, 2009Ford truck service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. In the case of the roushcharger for the f-150, the trucks calibration enhancements has been developed 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…
- 10024828Mar 1, 20084.6l/5.4l--mil p0506 and/or p0505--hesitation/loss of rpm/difficulty starting/low idle rpm.
- 10020175Jan 1, 20064x4 front differential bracket repair.
- 10019947Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements.
- 10014256Jan 1, 20061st order vibration from the driveline at highway speeds.
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10017807Oct 31, 2005Service procedure for repair or replacement of column shift cable.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 322 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 741 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,019 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-150
863 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 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 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