2004 Ford F-250 Problems and Recalls (146 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2004 Ford F-250 is Engine (35% of 146 owner reports). There are 7 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 146 complaints · 7 recalls

What problems show up on the 2004 Ford F-250?

51 of 146 filings named Engine (35% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (26 reports).

There are 7 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2003 has 106 reports on file; this year has 146. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2004 Ford F-250

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 7 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  4. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 51 complaints · 34.9% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 6
  • Fires 4
  • Injuries 5
  • Deaths 0
All Ford F-250 years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 51 of 146 owner complaints (34.9%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 51 complaints, 34.9% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 51 · 34.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 26 complaints, 17.8% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 26 · 17.8% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 19 complaints, 13.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 19 · 13.0% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 6.8% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 10 · 6.8% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 8 complaints, 5.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 8 · 5.5% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 6 complaints, 4.1% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 · 4.1% Steering (STEERING): 6 complaints, 4.1% of reports Steering (STEERING) 6 · 4.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 4 complaints, 2.7% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 3 crash reports 4 · 2.7% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 3 complaints, 2.0% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 · 2.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 60 complaints, 41.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 60 · 41.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 51 34.9% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 26 17.8% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 19 13.0% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 10 6.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 8 5.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 4.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 6 4.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 4 2.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 2.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 60 41.1% 4 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2003; the first recall shown was reported in May 2004. 2003-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2004-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2004-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2004-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2005-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2005-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2005-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2020-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2003 Jul 2025 Recall campaign 04V229000 ◆ Recall campaign 04V229000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Recall campaign 06E052000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E052000 Recall campaign 07E066000 ◆ Recall campaign 07E066000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 11V352000 ◆ Recall campaign 11V352000 Investigation PE04070 ● Investigation PE04070 Investigation DP05005 ● Investigation DP05005
  • Campaign 07E066000 was reported 1,275 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2003-Q4 Owner reports 1
2004-Q1 Owner reports 10
2004-Q2 Owner reports 9
2004-Q3 Owner reports 17
2004-Q4 Owner reports 12
2005-Q1 Owner reports 11
2005-Q2 Owner reports 4
2005-Q3 Owner reports 5
2005-Q4 Owner reports 1
2006-Q1 Owner reports 3
2006-Q3 Owner reports 2
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 1
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q1 Owner reports 2
2010-Q4 Owner reports 4
2011-Q2 Owner reports 1
2011-Q3 Owner reports 2
2011-Q4 Owner reports 2
2012-Q1 Owner reports 3
2012-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q3 Owner reports 4
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 2
2014-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q1 Owner reports 2
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 2
2016-Q4 Owner reports 2
2017-Q1 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 2
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q2 Owner reports 4
2019-Q4 Owner reports 4
2020-Q3 Owner reports 2
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 2
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 1
2024-Q3 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 04V229000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Recall campaign 1 06E052000
Recall campaign 1 07E066000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 11V352000
Defect investigation 1 PE04070
Defect investigation 1 DP05005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (7)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights.

  1. Recall campaign 04V229000

    Safety recall 04V229000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    IF A TIRE WAS OPERATED IN AN OVER-LOADED OR OVER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH CAN CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES. ADDITIONALLY, IF ANY TIRE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE BE CHECKED WITHIN 500 MILES AFTER ANY TIRE REPLACEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT. FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 06E049000

    Safety recall 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 06E052000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 07E066000

    Safety recall 07E066000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 11V352000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 146 complaints · page 1 of 6
2025-07-16SUSPENSION
NHTSA ODI 11673871
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My 2004 F250 has developed the "Death Wobble" that is normally associated with newer models, but the shudder at or around 40-45mph is identical to the described problems of the newer models in the class action lawsuit and tech bulletins published by Ford. Older models need to be considered in the tech bulletins, customer satisfaction programs, and fixed by ford despite being 1 year older than the current guidelines.
2025-06-02Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11664449
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked and briefly lost motive power before the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
2025-01-23Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11638173
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The tie rod broke while the vehicle was in motion. This caused the vehicle to lose control and crash into another vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. There was no warning and no sign of any issues. Vehicle has been very well maintained, in fact, it has been in the shop at least once per month for the past year due to a number of mechanical issues unrelated to the tie rod.
2024-07-24Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11604345
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
2023-08-06Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11536759
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I purchased this truck in January 2023. Drove just fine for 2 months and started having this issue. While driving my 2004 f250 sd 6.0l turbodiesel 4x4, (egr deleted, bulletproofed and studded engine, cold air intake, oil cooler, sct x4 tuner) a "fizzle" noise was heard more on passenger side; acting like fuel wasn't reaching engine; and truck stalled right after noise was heard. Wouldn't restart on a hot engine. Crank-no start. Drained both batteries attempting to restart. Restarted after cold engine but would stalled out and not be able to restart while hot engine. Replaced both fuel filters, fuel pump, some module in front bumper relating to fuel system. A friend that knows diesel engines has been trying to find out why its operating the way it is. I treated the gas tank to (2) SEAFOAM for trucks and had valvoline in Ferndale, WA do an oil change after purchasing it. Recalls say that they've been done, but could this issue be caused by the FICM recall?
2022-03-22Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11457900
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I was driving in nampa around 5pm when my truck lost power my fuel peddle had 0 response tried to pull off the road almost had an accident because truck died losing steering power and brakes was hard to push truck had lost the voltage board in the ficm. Upon going over forums this is a major common issue amongst many ford owners. I also have a ground short from unknown location not sure as to what has caused this but assuming it has to do with the wiring harnesses to the ficm. I feel Ford should be in repair of this due to the large amount of issues across the nation of 6.0 owners but this is a very dangerous situation for owners. Not having steering control in such a large truck is extremely dangers. Previous owner had same issue and replaced the ficm and said it shouldn’t ever be an issue I feel there is a wiring issue that needs to be addressed.
2021-01-12Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11387696
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER-STALLS AND LOSES FUNCTION WHEN IDLING. HAS OCCURRED WHEN EXITING FREEWAY WAY AND IN A REGULAR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. NEED TO RESTART AFTER STALL.
2021-01-11Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11387536
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HIS HOME WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
2020-12-16Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11383705
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. REPAIR ESTIMATE $1300. FORD APPARENTLY KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SETTLED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THEY DID NOT INFORM OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM, SO I FEEL THEY ARE STILL CULPABLE FOR THE DAMAGES.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2004 Ford F-250?

Owners named Engine most often — 51 of 146 reports (35%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Ford F-250?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2004 Ford F-250?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources