The Lemon Index
200320054th generation
49 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 600 and 38,000 miles (965–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 11E047000 (fuel system, gasoline), 09V100000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 09V102000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Restraints control module (rcm) connector removal and installation - service tip”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 49 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 38K miles (1K to 61K km) on the car (30 of all 49 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I have 3 vehicles with 5.4 liter exhaust manifold leak, several bolts are craked I have 50,000 mi just short of warr.my mechanic won't touch it.
2004 Ford E-Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10104539
More owner reports
Oil leaking from 2004 f-350 6.0l diesel engine. Egr failure causing truck to shut off on road.
NHTSA complaint 10153956
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Restraints control module (rcm) connector removal and installation - service tip
- Coolant leak from the front heater core
- Various driveability concerns such as hard start, no start, hesitation, runs rough, erratic…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS THAT COULD BE INSTALLED INTO MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 E-150, E-250, AND E-350 VANS AND WAGONS.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2009
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 52 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2009
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 74 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS.
Show all 11 recalls
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2008
MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2008
MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 224 MY 2007-2008 FORD E150, MY 2006-2008 E250, MY 2004-2007 E350, MY 2006 E450, MY 2005-2007 CHEVROLET 2500, MY 2007 CHEVROLET 1500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STY…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Electrical · recall issued 2005 6.0L diesel only
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS BUILT ON FORD E250/E350 CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
- Engine · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
- Electrical · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedHvac switch failures2010–2012
- ClosedHvac switch failures2009–2010
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Ford E-Series year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2004" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 34; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), brakes (12%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford E-Series have?
11 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford E-Series problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 600 and 38,000 miles (965–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2004?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works