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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,465 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2004 Ford F-150 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Apr 022012

F-150 8-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We always take our truck to the Ford dealer for service.I had been telling the service advisor for years that we heard an air bubble noise when accelerating. They kept saying everything is fine. As soon as our extended warranty was over, they then said I had an exhaust leak. I took it to a 3rd party mechanic and immediately they were able to determine it was both exhaust manifolds and is very common in F150's. the problem is with the bolts breaking when trying to get out, and due to Ford's poor design more than likely will warp again. This repair cost is over $1000 (Ford dealer quoted $2165) and should have been covered under our extended warranty if dealer would have admitted it had leak when we mentioned the sound before. The 3rd party mechanic said any mechanic should have been able to diagnose the distinct sound just by hearing it for a few seconds. Manifold leaks are apparently fairly normal in trucks however once again Ford design makes it much more difficult than most other truck makes to repair, adding much more additional cost to the consumer.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #30

Feb 272014

F-150

  • 119,000 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle would spontaneously hesitate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact independently performed a tune up on his vehicle and when he attempted to service the spark plugs he was unable to reach them. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #29

Mar 202012

F-150 8-cyl

  • 103,645 miles
On 05/16/2014 the number 3 spark plug blew-out of the head causing fuel to be sprayed into the the engine compartment while I was traveling with my family. This is the second time this has happened on this trunk. The first is listed on the approximate incident date of this report. Spark plug blow-out seems to be a consistant problem with the Ford truck engines and could pose a problem of a engine compartment fire, break downs on busy interstates & highways, wrecks and fatalities from sudden slow downs because of engine power loss while traveling or being stranded on isolated roads. These are just some of the possibilities that may happen (or has happened to others). Ford motor motor knows of this problem but won't listen to their consumers. Only the national highway transportation and safty administration can make them aware of the problem so that they will fix it. Also from talking with Ford corporate and Ford Consumer Affairs department the only way they will address this is through a recall. Please do an investigation of this complaint so that there maybe a possibility of a fix and a life and/or injury maybe saved, thank-you.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #28

Apr 132014

F-150

  • 47,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle burned and was completely destroyed after being parked for seven hours. The fire department determined that the fire originated underneath the engine compartment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage were 47,000.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #27

Mar 062014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 231,000 miles
Attempted to start vehicle. Engine made a clunk and hydrolocked with no warning. Changed starter assuming the starter set up. Attempted to start vehicle again with same result. Now in process of finding a motor. I looked into this issue. Seems like this is common issue"?"

- Beaver Dams, NY, USA

problem #26

Mar 192014

F-150

  • 143,000 miles
Power loss and surge in flow of traffic at 65mph. Sudden stop and loss of power in traffic. Traffic had to come to halt around me. I had to stop vehicle and attempt to restart several times to restart. This is a known issue with this year and model of Ford and needs to be recalled. I have not had it happen at these speeds and it was terrifying.

- Los Osos, CA, USA

problem #25

Jan 272014

F-150 8-cyl

  • 165,253 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ford has a known issue with the spark plugs. This is the second "tune-up I have had on this truck. Both times, plugs have broken in the engine. It is not my design, it is Ford, so why do I have to pay $891.99 in labor to have plugs removed.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #24

Oct 252013

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
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.

- Fort Smith , AR, USA

problem #23

May 142012

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the engine would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Canfield, OH, USA

problem #22

Sep 132013

F-150

  • 140,000 miles
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.

- Manchester, TN, USA

problem #21

Sep 102013

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 149,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud popping noise coming from the engine without warning. There was also smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the engine coils needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 149,000.

- Maggie Valley , NC, USA

problem #20

Aug 302013

F-150

  • 100,207 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after having an oil change, the engine failed. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic, who advised the contact that the entire engine needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the engine replaced. The failure mileage was 100,207.

- Perham, MN, USA

problem #19

Jul 292010

F-150

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that there was a ticking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the cam phasers had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was the failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was not available.

- Cherokee, IA, USA

problem #18

Jul 022013

F-150

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

- Kenbridge, VA, USA

problem #17

Jun 182013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Driving down the highway and heard loud noise and truck came to a stop, pulled off safely to side of the road found out it was misfire in cylinder 2. only have had truck for 5 months now needs a brand new engine.

- Hermiston, OR, USA

problem #16

Apr 142013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and coil assemblers needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 64,000.

- Wall Township, NJ, USA

problem #15

Apr 142013

F-150 8-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
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

problem #14

Feb 282013

F-150

  • 179,800 miles
Got into vehicle, started, and immediately loud popping sounds came from under the engine, and worse when put into reverse. Luckily had 2 hobby mechanics, that I work with, come take a look. They immediately determined that one of my spark plugs had backed-out. They took the cover off and determined it was the 1st spark plug, and luckily the threads were in good shape. Put spark plug back in, and vehicle started fine after that. I travel 45 miles one way to/from work. If this happens again, could leave me stranded. 2nd luck, no repair cost. I can only imagine what the dealer would have charged. In addition, 2 weeks later, I had the 3rd (2 previous were in front right & rear driver window) out of 4 door windows fall into the door. This time it was the driver's front door - regulator assembly. Loud bang before they fell. Scared me - thought someone had thrown a large rock at my vehicle. This is the 3rd to fail within 8 months (last 2 on the same day in July 2012). Total repair cost on windows was $900. There is still no recall on the spark plug problem, and the regulator assembly problems, although hundreds, if not thousands, have had the same problem. I contacted Ford for complaint & reimbursement, and received no response. It's very obvious, it's time to do something about this!

- Gonzales, LA, USA

problem #13

Mar 052012

F-150

  • 71,366 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F150. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a rattling noise coming from the cam shaft in the engine motor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic but was unable to determine the failure. In addition, the dealer advised that the failure the contact was describing was not audible to the technicians. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and a case was filed (claim number: Cas2248284-V1Y9N4). The manufacturer offered no offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 71,366 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Krum, TX, USA

problem #12

Jun 012012

F-150 8-cyl

  • 155,634 miles
As vehicle warms up after driving several miles coming to a stop. The engine begins to knock attempting to stall out. When giving the vehicle gas it kicks almost causing several auto accidents. I have taken the vehicle to several mechanics replacing the cam phasers due to a code. The issue is still happening and the code still says replace cam phaser. From what I understand I'm not the only one with this problem which can't be fixed. As far as the knocking sound the Ford dealership has told me its a Ford Triton that's the knocking sound im hearing. But from mechanics the sound is from air escaping from the bottom of the engine is a common problem with the vehicle. Ford refuses to accept the defect fixing issues since buying the vehicle new in 2004.

- Philadelphia , PA, USA

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