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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2004 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 2,036 owner complaints for the 2004 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve visibility (844) and power train (233). The EPA rates it 12–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
12–16mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
16campaigns
Latest Jul 2011
Owner complaints
2,036
Top: visibility
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

16 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Remedy pending

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. 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 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2011NHTSA 11V385000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. 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.

Air bagsReported Feb 23, 2011NHTSA 11V107000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000
See all 16 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,036 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2003 – Sep 2026
  1. Visibility844
  2. Power train233
  3. Engine and engine cooling169
  4. Suspension118
  5. Structure104
  6. Electrical system100
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic95
  8. Engine92
  9. Air bags85

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
75
Fires reported
40
Injuries reported
74
Deaths reported
6
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility

844 reports7 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2018Visibility, Visibility/wiperODI 11091360

Power train

233 reports10 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the engine began revving: however, the vehicle to accelerate properly. The transmission fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was inspected by independent mechanic at the residence, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2024Power trainODI 11630177

Engine and engine cooling

169 reports4 crashes12 fires
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shuddered and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and was able to restart the vehicle. The contact scanned the vehicle with a scanner and retrieved an unknown camshaft phaser error code. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11647392
All 2004 F-150 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl bifuel (lpg) · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl cng · 5.4L 8-cyl supercharged · 5.4L 8-cyl bifuel (cng)
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Natural Gas · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (LPG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (LPG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 CNG
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$3,600541
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
111513$5,950684
F150 Dual-fuel 2WD (CNG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
111412$5,200741
F150 Dual-fuel 4WD (CNG)
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111412$5,200741
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Ford F-150 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1115Vehicle 1113Vehicle 1111
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Ford F-150 have?

16 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 2,036 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (844), power train (233), engine and engine cooling (169). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Ford F-150 at 12–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026