2004 Ford F-250 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 8%of 154 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford F-250, 8% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ford f series and super duty pickups with 5.4 engines. My 2004 Ford F-250 has an issue with leaking exhaust manifolds. When looking into this further while getting pricing, I found out that this was not an isolated issue and that it was a common occurrence due to a mistake in material used for the exhaust manifold bolts. So common that aftermarket suppliers are making replacement kits for the problem. The exhaust manifold attaching studs were made out of a metal that quickly rusts out causing the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523485, filed 2013-07, 62,000 miles“Consumer states: they were traveling transmission went out. Took vehicle to the dealer, rebuilt transmission and got back on the road. Driving less than 1000 miles and the transmission went out again. Before being rebuilt the vehicle wouldn't shift into overdrive, and then after being rebuilt shifted hard and then everything went out. A new transmission was installed and now the vehicle runs properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10120109, filed 2005-06, 9,000 miles“While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The consumer multiple failures due to remote start, fuel sensors, and fuel components. The consumer stated that when the vehicle stalls it looses all power.”
NHTSA complaint #10111524, filed 2005-03, 10,000 miles“2004 Ford f250 super duty king ranch. After reflash to repair an idle problem truck developed three very dangerous conditions. 1. Cruise stalled - going down hill at approx 55-58 the truck will stall without warning. No power steering or brakes. Reproducable on demand. 2. Downshift lockup - truck will lockup rear tires in excess of 30 feet if tow/haul mode is used. On first occasion it almost caused a major accident on highway, came within inches of a head on with a large dump truck while towing a boat. Reproducable on demand. 3. Coast stall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074959, filed 2004-06, 800 miles“The tie rod broke while the vehicle was in motion. This caused the vehicle to lose control and crash into another vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. There was no warning and no sign of any issues. Vehicle has been very well maintained, in fact, it has been in the shop at least once per month for the past year due to a number of mechanical issues unrelated to the tie rod.”
NHTSA complaint #11638173, filed 2025-01Related service bulletins
- 10012944Aug 18, 2005Low/reverse gear set pinion shaft(s) that may walk out, causing metallic particle contamination. Customer satisfaction program 04b24. Transmission reverse planet replacement. *tt…
- 10012951Feb 21, 20054x4 transfer case jump out of 4th or 4l - manual shift transfer case.
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10013316Jan 1, 2005A cold weather reverse engagement stall.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 14 | 7% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 4% |
| 2005 | 14 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 13% |
| 2000 | 23 | 7% |
| 1999 | 61 | 11% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 34 | 11% |
| 1996 | 19 | 11% |
| 1995 | 36 | 20% |
| 1994 | 23 | 19% |
| 1993 | 17 | 13% |
| 1992 | 26 | 22% |
| 1991 | 10 | 9% |
| 1990 | 11 | 10% |
| 1989 | 12 | 11% |
| 1988 | 7 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-250
44 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 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 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