Worst 2004 Ford F-150 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Visibility
Engine & Cooling
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford F-150.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 615 | 3 | — | 69,232 mi | |
| Visibility | 205 | 4 | — | 62,387 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 109 | 1 | 8 | 74,685 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 92 | 1 | 2 | 121,221 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 88 | 2 | 1 | 92,104 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 87 | 1 | 7 | 64,610 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 81 | — | — | 39,099 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 66 | 1 | — | 38,266 mi | |
| Body Structure | 58 | 1 | — | 94,207 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 57 | 4 | — | 63,376 mi | |
| Airbags | 48 | 16 | 1 | 92,622 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 47 | 8 | 3 | 58,883 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 46 | 3 | 3 | 71,062 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 40 | — | — | 26,998 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 31 | 18 | 2 | 40,692 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 30 | 1 | — | 36,313 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 28 | 1 | 1 | 69,537 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 27 | — | — | 11,532 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 25 | 1 | 1 | 48,407 mi | |
| Fuel System | 24 | 1 | 2 | 104,661 mi | |
| Brakes | 24 | 1 | 1 | 83,068 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 23 | — | — | 89,713 mi | |
| Driveline | 22 | — | — | 28,156 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 22 | — | — | 35,882 mi | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 21 | 1 | — | 52,389 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 20 | 1 | — | 30,513 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 19 | — | — | 17,890 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 17 | 5 | 1 | 14,498 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 16 | — | — | 69,702 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford F-150. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2004 Ford F-150
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,425,000 vehicles.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. IF THE CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG LOWER HORN PLATE, THE WIRE INSULATION MAY BECOME CHAFED, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
Other Ford F-150 Years
2004 Ford F-150 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford F-150 reliable?
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford F-150?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford F-150?
How safe is the 2004 Ford F-150?
Does the 2004 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2004 Ford F-150?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford F-150 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford F-150
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99