2004 Ford F-150: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Ford F-150: 5 recalls, 2029 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 11 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V200000 · 2004 · 371 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. If a depression is large enough, fuel May permeate the fuel tank wall resulting in a fuel odor, or the "service engine soon" indicator light in the instrument cluster May illuminate.
Why it matters: If left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank on these vehicles. Owner notification began on May 6, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-248-0186.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V443000 · 2004 · 1,689 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. If a depression is large enough, fuel May permeate the fuel tank wall resulting in a fuel odor, illumination, of the "service engine soon" indicator light, or a fuel leak.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall began September 17, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #07V336000 · 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could result in an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October…
Airbags Vehicle recall #11V107000 · 2011 · 1,325,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle control if occurring while in motion.
The fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have a new clockspring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This safety recall began on some vehicles in March 2011. The…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #11V385000 · 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps May fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario May result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.
The fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers May install a cable support under the…
11 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E052000 · 2006 · 14,616 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain Eagle eyes headlamps, p/nos. Fr208-b101r, fr208-b101l, fr208-b001r, and fr208-b001l, sold for use as replacement equipment for the passenger vehicles listed above. These headlamps fail to conform to the photometric requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabry lee will notify owners and offer full credit for any noncompliant headlamp. The recall is expected to begin on June 14, 2006.
Fuel system Equipment recall #06E056000 · 2006 · 58,640 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. Due to incorrect design, the quick connectors May not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection May believe that the quick connector is fully attached.
Why it matters: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
The fix: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E064000 · 2006 · 4,029 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006.
Equipment Equipment recall #07E066000 · 2007 · 175 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights May not operate properly.
Why it matters: If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
The fix: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E075000 · 2007 · 2,388 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain Eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. Fr390-b001l and fr390-b001r, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. The thickness is unstable inhibiting the performance of the upper and lower beams which fails to conform to the photometric requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Eagle eyes will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on November 6, 2007.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E080000 · 2007 · 700 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain headlamp assemblies imported and sold as aftermarket equipment by sonar auto parts for use on 2004-2007 Ford f150 pickup trucks. During production, the headlamps were internally misaligned and they fail the photometry requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: The purpose of this standard is to reduce traffic crashes and deaths and injuries by providing adequate illumination of the roadway.
The fix: Sonar will notify owners and offer a full reimbursement for any noncompliant headlamps. The recall began on December 14, 2007. Owners can contact sonar at 866-558-4264.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #07E089000 · 2007 · 238 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain spyder headlamp replacement assemblies sold for use on 2004 through 2007 Ford f150 pickup trucks. During production, the headlamps were internally misaligned and they fail the photometry requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: The purpose of this standard is to reduce traffic crashes and deaths and injuries by providing adequate illumination of the roadway.
The fix: Spyder will notify owners and offer a full reimbursement for any noncompliant headlamps. The recall is expected to begin during November 2007. Owners can contact spyder at 866-558-4264.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 40 mention a fire, 74 injuries and 6 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (841): the most common themes are noise or vibration (105), stalls / loses power (14).
- Transmission & drivetrain (232): the most common themes are noise or vibration (114), hard / delayed shifting (59).
- Engine & cooling (167): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (33), noise or vibration (31), fire / smoke (20).
- Suspension (118): the most common themes are noise or vibration (59), steering problems (23).
The 2004 Ford F-150 has 2029 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 37 F-150 model years for complaints (2.0× the average F-150 year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (455 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 61,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (423 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (1112 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Premium |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | CNG |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Ford F-150.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Ford F-150, plus 11 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Ford F-150 problems?
Owners have filed 2029 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (841), transmission & drivetrain (232), engine & cooling (167).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford F-150 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 11 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Ford F-150 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.