2004 Ford F-250 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 29%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,800miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Ford F-250, 29% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine accelerates sporadically on its own. Engine occasionally dies at stop lights. Must keep brake pedal firmly pushed at stop as engine will suddenly accelerate. I have already replaced the turbo. The dealer says it could be many different things wrong. The 2003-2007 diesels are notorious for bad turbo, fuel injectors and a head bolt problem that requires removing the cab. I purchased this truck new and it now has 39000 miles on it. This is a serious safety concern.”
NHTSA complaint #10618762, filed 2014-08, 35,000 miles“The turbo in my Ford pickup has been replaced twice. I have spoken to other people that have had the same problem. My pickup is a 2004 f250 with a turbo diesel engine .”
NHTSA complaint #10233655, filed 2008-07, 27,645 miles“2004 Ford excursion: the engine fails during operation of the vehicle at various speeds which eliminates power brakes, steering. This is so dangerous, we were almost hit from behind by a 18 wheeler, the engine failed while exiting a ramp on I-95 at 55 MPH. I had to place the truck in nuetral, brake, turn and restart the truck without flipping over the edge of the ramp. The engine idles at different rpms, the vehicle will jerk forward while braking making it very dangerous in parking lots with pedestrians walking in front of the truck.I almost hit an elderly woman walking in front of the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10102332, filed 2004-12, 3,000 miles“Dt: the truck keeps shutting down for no reason. It shuts down without warning on the highway. On other occasions the stalling would occur on upgrades while pulling the fifth wheel. The accelerator pedal would not respond when going above 70 MPH. The (icp sensor) was found to have a faulty connector.”
NHTSA complaint #10124578, filed 2005-06, 6,084 miles“Had miss fires in engine this truck has never shown check engine light while driving down road at 70 MPH the engine started missing check engine light never came on??? Took truck to shop .the engine melted the tip off a spark plug in side the cylinder ,it destroyed the cylinder wall have to replace engine.asked the tech what caused this he said engine was running to lean this truck has never showed check engine light and there was no trouble codes for tech to read??? Something is not right with the computer system in this truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10455899, filed 2012-04, 159,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017806Oct 31, 2005Buck/jerk or surge - 6.0l vehicles built before 8/22/2005.
- 10012958Feb 1, 2005Lack of power, surge, and/or diagnostic trouble codes p2263 or p0299.
- 10011181Aug 1, 2004Low power and/or diagnostic trouble code p0299 or p2263 - turbocharger diagnostic service tip.
- 10013109Jan 1, 2004Turbo-induced exhaust moan/drone at 1600-1800 rpm - 6.0l built after 9/29/2003.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 5% |
| 2011 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 15 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 8% |
| 2005 | 17 | 12% |
| 2004 | 44 | 29% |
| 2003 | 24 | 21% |
| 2002 | 23 | 15% |
| 2001 | 21 | 10% |
| 2000 | 33 | 10% |
| 1999 | 66 | 11% |
| 1998 | 8 | 14% |
| 1997 | 29 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 16% |
| 1995 | 34 | 18% |
| 1994 | 18 | 15% |
| 1993 | 29 | 22% |
| 1992 | 14 | 12% |
| 1991 | 8 | 7% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 7 | 6% |
| 1988 | 4 | 6% |
| 1987 | 6 | 16% |
| 1986 | 5 | 13% |
| 1985 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-250
36 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford F-250
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