This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Developed differential chatter relatively soon after purchase. Carried back to dealer and complained. They replaced the drive shaft and universals, said problem was corrected. This did not last no more than 6-8 months before chatter came back, think they also replaced differential oil also. Carried back to dealer for repair, they claimed nothing was wrong. Disgruntled with dealer, stated I would never purchase another Ford truck again. Ten years have passed, to the day almost, chatter just as bad if not worse. Changed differential oil 2 times since, seems to help for a while. Do not pull a boat, pull a tractor, travel trailer or do any type of construction work with this truck. It is driven to work and back and occasionally taken on highway trips to beach and back, 500 mile round trip. Truck is pampered so that it will last, not driven hard well maintained, driven by adult male, basically in perfect shape other than differential. Do not understand why there has not been a recall with this problem. Have read about many others with the same issue. These are good trucks with one problem, the differential, that seems to me to be a factory issue. You would think Ford would step-up to the plate to fix this problem. Have been a Ford fan for many years, own a 2013 Fusion now also. Would like to see action taken to remedy this problem. Dates and mileage approximate.
Bought 2004 F150 brand new, never off road, all scheduled maintenance completed: Son driving on interstate at 65mph, heard loud breaking noise, severe rattling, shaking, no power, coasted down ramp and to side road. Towed to mechanic--rod through the oil pan. Mechanic verified that oil was pumped properly through motor.. same mechanic has worked on this car since we have had it. We have had to have all 4 door window motors replaced (twice-second time, we fixed front door windows and had back door windows wired up), the back glass replaced for leaking, the 4 wheel drive sensors replaced, the transmission rebuilt, the overhead cam system replaced and now this.
The engine blew a spark plug out my grandfather bought this truck new it never had them removed before it did not come lose it blew threads and all out do your god dam job make Ford fix this before someone gets killed from a fire over this when the plug pops out it blows fuel out on the coil pack with it with it shooting lighting bolts if I had been a person with no mechanical knowledge it would have got bad I popped the hood and flames were popping out around the coil pack that is beating the crap out of the fuel rail if I had drove the truck or had been on the freeway that fuel rail would have been busted then a fire ball I can send U picks or make a video of the coil pack smacking the fuel rail.
As I was backing upward into my garage, I slowed down and the truck rolled forward and I quickly pressed the gas to resume backwards. This caused the check engine warning light to come on along with my od/off indicators on the dashboard. My reverse gear stopped pulling. I'm afraid had this been in route it might have been more serious of an issue.
- Austin, TX, USA
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Truck vibrated horribly on a straightaway starting at 40 mph causing me to slow down quickly. Happens irregularly. Transmission shop can't find anything wrong. Previously had ongoing problems with shuddering when turning around corners. Just waiting for something bad to happen when I am on the interstate.
Driving up a hill at about 35mph, and noticed the transmission slipping. It keep going in and out of gear. Finally the od shut off and was able to get it back to my house. Luckily I was only 4 blocks away.after diagnosis from the dealership, it turns out that the od retainer clip went out, took out my 2nd gear and cracked the housing. From looking online this appears to be a common problem that Ford is not aknowledging.
I was driving down the highway doing 65 when my truck lost power... I barley coasted our of traffic and pulled over. I could not figure out what was wrong, oil was not low and electrical system seemed fine. Had to tow it to a mechanic to find out the engine is locked up. Apparently the cam phasers in this engine are junk and go out very frequently causing major engine problems. This needs to be fixed! these engine are very expensive to rebuild or replace.
Transmission failed. One owner vehicle. Ford will not accept any responsibility even though it appears that this is definitely a problem for this year truck.
Turning out of a parking lot during acceleration the truck began to "jump" and ride rough like driving over a "washboard". after stopping and checking it out nothing was seen. Happened again on the way home. I took it to the dealership in town and they said the rear diff needed to be replaced.
I started to get a vibration in the rear of the truck at 45 mph. I had just replaced the tires not long before and thought they might be out of balance. They are not. They have been checked many multiple times and rotated. The problem still exist. The dealer doesn't know what the problem is and claims it's not the differential or rear axle. I have replaced the bearings, seals, gear lube and rear shocks. Now there is a knocking sound coming from the rear end. It is a 4X2 and has not been driven hard. The vibration, which was annoying at first, has progressively gotten worse. The whole bed of the truck shakes when I hit 45 till about 55.
Started having problems last year with transmission. Overdrive would go out and sometimes transmission would not engage at highway speeds. July of this year was at a stoplight truck would no move, after racing engine truck moved, fault code showed on dash. When got truck home reverse would not engage, I finally got it to engage instead of going backwards it went forward.
Waiting at stop light proceeded on green all of a sudden big banging noise underside of truck stopped in traffic by traffic light looked under truck to see drive shaft broke in half call 911 to help direct traffic called tow co. To tow vehicle to repair shop head mechanic confirmed drive shaft broke in half due to rust. Drive shaft cracked in half at the middle and not at the U joints head mechanic confirmed to me and also the dealership where I bought the truck said its the first for them of the rust and breakage.my issue is that I had a hard time finding a drive shaft and was told nothing in stock they had to make one special. I had to pay the price also was glad I was not driving on the hwy with my grand kids. My issue is that I believe the drive shaft was faulty not a wear and tear issue like Ford customer service said. Further more they said they cannot do anything because my truck warranty expired.
I started my truck one day and received a "trans fault no O/D" dash code. The vehicle has driven fine and shifted fine, but I wanted to take it to the dealer to have it looked at. They pulled a code for the transmission temperature sensor but said they noticed metal in the transmission pan. The recommendation was a new transmission ($3000) or a rebuilt torque converter. I was suspicious that it could be so serious and called a family member that worked with a mechanic at another Ford dealer. He mentioned replacing a transmission in a 2005 F-150 in the past six months for the same situation. I noticed several related transmission issue reports at carcomplaints.com as well as several Ford forums. For a truck with low miles, transmission fluid that isn't burnt, and 66% highway miles with no towing, this is unbelievable and a huge financial burden.
Waiting at a stop light than proceeded to go when light turned green all of a sudden big banging and grinding noise coming from under truck looked under and sees drive shaft broke in half police were called to help direct traffic and called tow truck! mechanic of the repair shop told me why in his report that the drive shaft broke he said the drive shaft had rusted in the middle to cause it to break in half!! my safety issue is I bought the truck because its big I drive my grand kids in it now can you imagine what would happen on a highway at 55 mph!!! everyone I spoke told me they never heard of a drive shaft break and rust like that especially its only a 2004 model!! can you help me on this issue I have with Ford! thank you.......
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic where the mechanic stated to the contact that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 03/23/12
The clutch pack in the driven train rear differentials lock up when turning corners and howls when going down the road. These failures are so common on Ford truck that Ford is now adding friction modifiers to the rear differentials to rear the problem and aftermarket suppliers are making replacements for the clutch pack like detroit locker to eliminate the problem. This lock up on winter surfaces cause the wheels to loose traction increasing the potential for accidents. The howling sound is also a drag on the drive train components, reducing mpg and capability of the vehicle to handle adverse conditions. Ford has known about this problem for several years and has done nothing to fix the problem or reimburse owners for the cost of repair. On my truck, total rear end repair costs have exceeded $3700.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle began to violently shake while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder and the contact noticed that the rear differential failed. The dealer made three attempts to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Inman, SC, USA