The Lemon Index2004 Ford F-150.
The 2004 Ford F-150 is about average by owner complaints: 800 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 100, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 12 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,780 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford F-150 year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 92K miles on the car (2,387 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- visibility complaints mostly came at 45K–83K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 11K–94K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–83K miles
Recalls 16
- fuel system, gasoline 2011
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.
- airbags 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Show all 16 recalls
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN SPYDER HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2004 THROUGH 2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES IMPORTED AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT BY SONAR AUTO PARTS FOR USE ON 2004-2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- equipment 2007
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS.
- speed control 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L, 4.6L AND 5.4L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A DEPRESSION AT THE SEAM BETWEEN THE TOP AND BOTTOM HALVES OF THE TANK.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK WITH LOCALIZED DEPRESSIONS IN THE FUEL TANK WALL AT THE SEAM BETWEEN TOP AND BOTTOM HALVES OF THE TANK.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 281 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Chatter, shudder, a binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turns on vehicles…
- Chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration from limited slip rear axle during low speed…
- Engine cooling fan noise that sounds like a rolling idle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank strap failure due to corrosion2011
- ClosedInadvertent airbag deployment2010–2011
- ClosedCng regulator leak2008–2009
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The consumer's 2004 Ford f150 experienced sudden acceleration which resulted in an accident.
2004 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 10113819
More owner reports
2004 Ford truck f super duty pk, notice of claim (dtpa).
NHTSA complaint 10114981
Vehicle experienced sudden stalling at low speeds. Taken to the dealer for check up.
NHTSA complaint 10113816
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Ford F-150 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 100; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2004 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (26%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford F-150 have?
16 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford F-150 get?
12 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,000 and 92,000 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 2,387 complaints.
Does the 2004 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Ford F-150 have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety 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 year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works