10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,347 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Jun 042009

F-150 8-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
First noticed ticking noise in my 2004 5.4L 3V V8 engine. Oil was at correct level. I went down a road I routinely go, and started hearing a very loud clanking. Spark plug blew out of the hole and now trying to fix. Hopefully wont have to replace the head. Apparently I am not the only owner of this engine with the same problem!! this is just the one cylinder, but I have 7 more! am I going to have to do this with all of them? I had to have it towed to the only people who will try to fix it. Other repair stations say they wouldn't touch it and that they had, or have been threatened by, a lawsuit from the vehicles owner. This has already cost me the replacement of the ignition coil, a an expensive spark plug, and a lot of down time.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #25

Mar 292009

F-150

  • 50,102 miles
We own a 2004 F150 lariat 4X4 pickup with just over 50K miles on it. In less than 3 months two (2) of the four (4) power windows have dropped without warning. These windows have simply fallen down driving the vehicle without any bumps or accidents preceding them falling. What is worse is that my two year daughter was in car seat yesterday next to the back window that dropped as we were driving. What if some debris from passing traffic or semi trailer had blown by...this would have been a major catastrophe. And all Ford can say is..."sorry, it will cost you $400 to fix." Well, that isn't good enough. Something needs to be done about it. Far too many incidents like this are happening. See the following hyperlink for others with similar problems. www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-150/2004/windows_windshield/window_does_not_roll_up.shtml.

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #24

Mar 272009

F-150

  • 70,500 miles
I have a 2004 Ford F150, with a 5.4L engine. I went to have battery replaced and after replacement the engine would not idle. The repair firm I had taken it to, called champion Ford in sandy, Utah and the technician told them Ford had a service bulletin out saying that the vehicle might not idle and the engine will shut down after the battery has been disconnected and replaced. They had to take my truck over there and the computer had to be reprogrammed. What is a person to do, have the computer reprogrammed every time the battery dies or is replaced? sounds to like Ford should have had a recall to correct the problem. That's a nasty surprise for anyone.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #23

May 312008

F-150

  • 16,115 miles
The vehicle wrench light came on and the engine quit. Had I been on a freeway, a serious accident might have occurred. I called the warranty service for a wrecker as it was still in warranty. About 40 minutes later, the wrecker arrived and the driver asked me if I had tried to restart the engine. I hadn't, tried, and it started. I researched the internet and found some information including a suggestion to disconnect the battery to reset the computer. Unfortunately, I did that and when I took it to the dealer the following Tuesday they couldn't tell what caused the problem. It happened again on March 25, 2009. Again, I was glad I was on a side street. I will take the truck to the dealer Tuesday even though the warranty has expired as this could be a very serious problem on a highway.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #22

Dec 012007

F-150

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact attempted to place the vehicle into reverse and heard a loud noise. Afterwards, the vehicle would only move forward. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the transmission gears failed. The dealer replaced the gear position indicator; however, the vehicle would not start after the repair was made. The contact had to recharge the battery in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and they stated that the alternator failed. The alternator was replaced; however, on June 16, 2008, the vehicle would not start again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 30,000 and current was mileage 46,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #21

Jun 012007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,361 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F150. While driving 25 mph the engine shut off without warning and he was unable restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the #5 ignition coil caught fire and blew a relay fuse. The failure previously occurred with the #6 ignition coil. The failure mileage was 191,361 and the current mileage was 191,461.

- Weatherford , OK, USA

problem #20

Jun 182007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
I purchased a 2004 Ford F-150 truck new, and I am having electrical problems, which started at approximately15000 miles and have been consistent.. currently, I have 33000 miles on this vehicle. Dealer maintained since new.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #19

Apr 232007

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,300 miles
1. vehicle fail safe light luminated vehicle had half power. 2. vehicle would not start fuse keeps blowing. 3. first occasion dealer serviced vehicle found no mechanical problems. Second occasion dealer had to travel to the vehicle since vehicle was in a parking garage and a tow truck could not get into the garage. Dealer stated they found a leak and siliconed the leak. Drove vehicle 3 times. Third time vehicle would not start. Fuse is blown again vehicle was towed to dealer and is still there.

- Dallas, PA, USA

problem #18

Aug 012005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
2004 Ford F150 FX4 supercrew. There is an intermittent buzzing noise inside the cab when the truck is idling in drive. The noise usually happens, at a stop, after drving on the expressway for 20 minutes or more. It sounds like some sort of sensor getting hot possibly overheating. The noise usually goes away after the vehucle cools down. However, during summer driving the frequency of incidents is higher.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #17

Feb 042006

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Safety issue, in cab electrical failures. Feb 4th 2006, it rained 1.5 inches. My truck sat in the rain with all the windows up. In the evening I opened the door and drove away. As I had jumped in the truck, I had realized I did not have any dome lights. As I drove away (engine running fine), I realized I did not have any readouts on my instrument cluster and several other things not working. About 10 miles later, I hit a bump in the road and all my non-working items began working. The only side effect was my tripometer quit working. At this time, September 14, 2006 I continue to have this problem. Specifically when it rains or is humid. I currently have driven my truck approx 200 miles in the past 4 days without any of these items working. During these 6 months, I would approximate this issue as 1X per week problem, with the resolution being a hard hit on the dash while I am driving. However, I am at the point now where hitting the dash does not solve the problem. Here is a list of things not working when I have this failure. The air bag light blinks upon start up then stays illuminated. No dome lights no speedometer no tripometer no odometer no tach no fuel no engine temp no operating volts no oil pressue no audible alarm the key is in the ignition no audible alarm when the lights are left on no auto power locks no power windows (therefore stuck in position of last normal operation) no radio no ac no defrost (problem occurs when humidity is high = fogging windows.) I feel I have some safety issues that make this truck unsafe. I am at 50,000 miles warranty, how do I get the mfg to fix correctly, for free.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

problem #16

Jun 242006

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,500 miles
1) unknown events leading to failure, normal driving, events happened when I first turned on vehicle and during backing up.2) the engine raced out of control and lurched until ignition key was removed (it grabs the gas pedal from the driver like cruise control does) if someone or something is in vehicle's path it or they will be crashed into. Then the vehicle and 8 cylinder runs like its on 4 cyl and the air conditioner doesn't work. 3) taken to Ford dealer coastal Ford in mobile al, they rebooted computer but would not replace computer board, they said just bring it back for reboot if it happens again, diagnostic did not reveal reason for racing engine they were not concerned that if the events happened again an accident could not be prevented or the truck being destroyed which means it could not be taken back for reboot or how to prevent this event.I wanted them to replace the supposedly defective computer board (in my opinion that's the problem) old part still in vehicle.no damages yet but since I professionally bass fish, I could be run over, the truck might race into the water, or someone else and their equipment could be run over and if backing into the garage with a boat the house and boat could be damaged or if the boat trailer has to be dealt with the person behind the truck could be run over. 2004 F150 extended cab V8 engine truck is the vehicle. 6 events over the last 4 months (it just came out of some of its warranties, Ford dealer said the computer was warranted for 8 more years)

- Gautier, MS, USA

problem #15

Sep 122005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5 miles
I have a Ford 2004 F150 about 2 months ago the engine shut off while I was driving. It seem to be happening more often lately.

- Covington , GA, USA

problem #14

Jul 132005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
Consumer stated he has no control gauges, no speedometer, no air bags; the dealership did not want to bother with it. He called again this morning and they said they would get to it when they could. He has not talked to the manufacturer. He noticed it about 2 weeks ago when the ac went out. The consumer said a mechanic had told him Ford was having a lot of problems with the computers in their vehicles.

- Potts Town, PA, USA

problem #13

Sep 102004

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles
1) brake system malfunction. It was serviced by friendly Ford but the problem still exist, extreme severe vibration that it shakes the whole truck when you step on the brake pedal. Brake failed to slow down the said vehicle at 65 mph going downhill. The condition is worse than before it was serviced. I beg NHTSA to address the problem to Ford Motor Company before a fatal accident could occur. 2) engine or computer electrical problem? engine losses power and drops to fail safe mode. Totally gutless while coming in to freeway from an offramp or during crossing an intersection. After hours of driving it comes back to normal. I tried different grades of fuels octane it didn't make any diffference it did malfunction in similar way. Very scary and dagerous experience. 3) driver's side power window and rear winshield power window malfunctions. Extreme water intrusion during rain and car wash time. It has harsh mechanical noise inside the door.

- Bullhead, AZ, USA

problem #12

Feb 252005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
While driving to slow down for a stop the vehicle cuts off. This problem is not a constant problem but only seems to happen every once and awhile. It is hard to steer once the engine is shut off and has been involved in some near accidental collisions. When I contacted a dealer about a week ago and they set me up with the maloy Ford service center with an appointment for March 21 2005 but this problem seems to be very dangerous. When asked to bring it in earlier they refused and said I can park it and leave it and they would get to it Monday. They would not provide a mode of transportation. I have to drive 40 miles a day back and forth to work so I have to deal with this potentially deadly problem till then.

- Jasper, AL, USA

problem #11

Dec 202004

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles
The vehicle will emit an electrical smell, that eventually results in the occupants having to exit the vehicle so that they won't get asphyxiate by the smell. The owner took the vehicle to a dealership, who stated that there was no recall, and provided no further assistance.

- Goldenrod, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 072005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 900 miles
Intermittently vehicle would stall while making turns, slowing downs or coming to a stop. Vehicle has been to the dealer, and dealer reset the computer. However, the problem recurred.

- Purcell, MO, USA

problem #9

Jan 012005

F-150

  • miles
2004 F-150 caught on fire as we were driving it, pulling 4-wheeler.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #8

Dec 012004

F-150

  • 5,900 miles
Upon investigation, finding verified my suspicions that there was a problem in the rear-end. The speedometer also failed.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #7

Dec 212004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,500 miles
My battery light came on the dashboard came on, after a few minutes it went off, a couple of miles later it came back on, then off again. I checked my voltage gauge and it was fine. A couple of miles later I noticed my lights were dimming, I checked my voltage gauge again and it was reading zero. Minutes later all my electronics went out, no headlights, taillights, brake lights, my speedometer went out and everything else on the dash. Then the engine started misfiring and the vehicle shut off. This all happened while I was driving. I lost my power brakes, my power steering and had no lights. I noticed that while I was waiting for a tow truck, me head lights and tail lights were stuck on. They were on only enough to see the element in the light bulb glowing. The key was out of the ignition and the light switch was in the off position. They stayed on for the entire time I was with the vehicle, which was over an hour. The dealership said all they did was charge the battery and found nothing wrong. What caused the battery to lose a charge? they (Ford) could not answer that question and sent me on my way!

- Brownstown, MI, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »