Problems · by component
2004 Ford F-150 power train problems
233 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford F-150 cite power train, 11% of all 2,036 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
233
11% of all complaints
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting his parked vehicle, he found that the vehicle would not start. The contact self-diagnosed and bypassed the starter solenoid using a screwdriver and started the vehicle. The vehicle slipped out of the park and rolled backward. The contact was backed over by the vehicle and had received injuries to his ribs and stomach. He had lacerations and abrasions to his back and chest. The contact was able to get out from under the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle which was rolling. The contact jumped into the passenger side and attempted to brake but could not. The contact attempted to push the shift lever into "park" but the gear would not engage. The vehicle rolled and crashed into the rear end of a parked vehicle. The contact's vehicle had damage to the rear bumper and the rear end of the other vehicle had the bumper and trunk crumpled. The police were not called and the contact did not seek medical attention. The contact was able to start the vehicle and drove it to his residence. The contact then examined the undercarriage and determined that the transmission linkage cable had been resting…”
“TAKATA PURCHASE OUR 2004 FORD F150 4X2 SUPERCREW FROM KINGS FORD. WHEN GOING TO TENN. PULL OFF TO GET GAS AND WHEN LEAVING THE GAS STATION MAKING LEFT HAND TURN REAL WHEEL LOCK UP HAD TO BACK UP TO UNLOCK THE REAR WHEEL, CALLED KINGS FORD AND WAS TOLD NOT TO MAKE SHARP TURNS. RETURNED HOME WITH THE REAR END MAKING BANGING NOISES, KING FORD REPAIRED ON AUG 24 2004 REPLACE THE TRACTION LOCK CLUTCH PACK PART#4947 2151 MILES. AFTER THE REPAIR WE NOTICE A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END WAS TOLD TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK, DROPED THE TRUCK OFF ON SEPT 30,2004 AND TO PICK IT BACK UP ON OCT 2, WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP NO WORK WAS DONE. CALLER SERVICE REP THE FLOWING MONDAY AND WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE FIX BECAUSE ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATION THIS CONDITION AND FOR US TO CALL EVERY MONTH. CALLED FORD MANY TIMES FINELY WAS TOLD TO TAKE OUR TRUCK TO LINCOLN MERCURY GARAGE IN FAIRFIELD, OHIO HAD A PERSON THAT WOULD REBUILD THE REAR AXLE WITH 4205A DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. ASSEMBLE, FORD DID TAKE CARE OF THIS. AFTER LEAVING THE GARAGE NOTICE A WHINE IN THE REAR TURN AROUND WENT BACK TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THEY MAY HAVE THE PARTS TO TIGHT AND WILL…”
“MY 2004 F-150 SHIFT CABLE BROKE AS I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN PARK. THIS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE PUT IN PARK AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE REASON IT BROKE WAS BECAUSE OF IT RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHERE IT JOINS TO THE WYE PIPE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT BURNT THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK. THE NEXT MODEL YEAR IN 2005 THIS WAS CHANGED AS FORD REDESIGNED AND RELOCATED IT TO EXIT IN A COMPLETELY SPOT. THE HOLE THAT IT EXITS THRU IN 2004 IS PLUGGED OFF IN THE 2005 MODEL. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS WAS DONE DUE TO MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF WARRANTY CLAIMS AND POSSIBLE LAWSUITS ARRISING FROM THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN.”
“2004 FORD F-150 STOPS PULLING AFTER 35-40MPH. IT'S LIKE IT GETS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS! THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AND TO THINK THAT I TRUSTED FORD WITH MY LIFE, MY WIFE'S LIFE, AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN'S LIVES IS SICKENING. THERE IS MORE INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM THAN YOU CAN COUNT. I DON'T GET IT! FORD KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX IT. NHTSA WON'T DO AN INVESTIGATION. THE U.S. LOVES TO MAKE THE WORKING MAKE CARRY THE LOAD! FIX THE PROBLEM FORD OR I AND OTHERS WILL NEVER BUY YOUR GARBAGE AGAIN!”
“TRUCK DIED, LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 - 6 TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS STARTING AROUND 2010. SOMETIMES DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY SOMETIMES DRIVING SLOWLY INTO DRIVEWAY. BATTERY WAS CHECKED, IT WAS OKAY AND CONNECTED FINE. VARIOUS OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS LATER INCLUDE A RATTLE NOISE AND LOW RPM. RUNNING HOT, CHUGGING ALONG LIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS, ETC. HAVING TO PULL OVER TILL IT COULD GO AGAIN. CURRENTLY JUST A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES.”
Showing 6 of 233 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.