2004 Ford F-350 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 64about this part
- Share
- 40%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 64 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Ford F-350, 40% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2004 Ford F-350 6.0 diesel. Hesitate or surges while driving, and/or the engine may stall while driving at all speeds including highway speed, will lose power steering and brakes and when at a stop it will lunge forward. The engine may or may not restart after stall. I feel that this is a great safety concern I have almost lost control of my vehicle on a few occasions while towing my boat and going around corners. I have heard of other people having the same problems with their 2004 6.0 diesels. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10445520, filed 2012-01, 89,000 miles“Since new vehicle purchase, my Ford f350 diesel p/u experienced engine surging (200-250 RPM) while stopped with the automatic transmission in drive. The surge was significant enough to lurch the truck forward with the brake applied, such as at a stoplight. In several cases, I almost rear ended other vehicles before applying the brake hard enough to stop the truck from moving forward. I later learned to anticipate the surge using the brakes to minimize movement of the truck while stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314198, filed 2010-02, 3,000 miles“Loss of pulling power on my 2004 Ford 350 super duty. The truck will lose power to pull under even a small load. When pulling out I have to have a large area of no traffic, have had several incidents where I came close to being hit in the side when I had a power failure and pulling onto roadway. I have had the problem looked at by a Ford service center 11 times and they can not repair the problem and refuse to repurchase the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10149126, filed 2006-01, 29,000 miles“2004 f350 diesel 6.0 ,EGR cooler went out. I was in the middle of the hwy when this occured. Clouds of smoke went out the tailpipe, engine overheating stranding me in the center lane stopped before I could get over to the shoulder. Passerby's help me push my truck off a busy hwy. Smoke was so thick I couldnt nor could other drivers see around me. Ford has had numerous complaints on this engine and part,but have failed to respond,or they waiting for a death to occur. The internet is full of complaints for the exact same thing. Letters to Ford motor co. …”
NHTSA complaint #10299874, filed 2010-01, 86,000 miles“On 01-06-2008 I started to have significant problems with my 2004 Ford F-350. It has just over 41,000 miles on it. It was smoking and had significant loss of power problems while at low road speed. Problem would clear once truck was >40 MPH in speed. Took it to local Ford dealer on 01-07-2008. Their investigation showed that the EGR valve was sticking. The valve assembly had to be replaced. The service person stated that this problem is common enough that they are keeping a couple of extra EGR valve assemblies in their stock room. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214081, filed 2008-01, 41,070 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017806Oct 31, 2005Buck/jerk or surge - 6.0l vehicles built before 8/22/2005.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10012958Feb 1, 2005Lack of power, surge, and/or diagnostic trouble codes p2263 or p0299.
- 10013307Jan 1, 2005Lack of power or runs rough condition, and/or the malfunction indicator light on with egr related diagnostic trouble codes (p0401, p0402, p0403, p0404, p0405, or p0406).
- 10013429Nov 1, 2004Oil leak at the engine oil cooler/oil filter housing - o-ring available for service.
- 10011165Aug 23, 2004High engine rpm between downshifts - lack of engine braking - 5.4l and manual transmission. * ar
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
- 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 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 8 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2008 | 31 | 24% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 14% |
| 2005 | 17 | 15% |
| 2004 | 64 | 40% |
| 2003 | 19 | 21% |
| 2002 | 19 | 16% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
| 2000 | 17 | 6% |
| 1999 | 22 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 8% |
| 1997 | 26 | 17% |
| 1996 | 17 | 13% |
| 1995 | 25 | 19% |
| 1994 | 13 | 14% |
| 1993 | 21 | 21% |
| 1992 | 10 | 19% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
| 1990 | 9 | 23% |
| 1989 | 5 | 12% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford F-350
25 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsTires
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford F-350
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