Ford · F-250 · 2004
7
Recalls
153
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 Ford F-250 has 7 recalls and 153 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (35 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. FR208-B101R, FR208-B101L, FR208-B001R, AND FR208-B001L, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN LARIAT AND KING RANCH MODEL PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." SOME TRUCKS WERE INADVERTENTLY EQUIPPED WITH AN INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD RATINGS FOR THE STATED VEHICLE AXLE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING. ALSO, THE TIRE MAY BE INFLATED ABOVE THE DOT LISTED INFLATION PRESSURE.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy Status
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
THE CALIBER SUDDENLY BROKE AND I HAD NO BRAKES. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT.
DRIVING IN TOWN AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. EXAMINING THE BRAKES I SAW THAT THE BRAKE CALIBER WAS LEAKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CONE FRACTURED IN THE FUEL PICKUP SENDER UNIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED MORE THAN ONCE TO GRIECO FORD OF DELRAY BEACH (3000 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, (561) 278-0303) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONE DISINTEGRATED IN THE FUEL TANK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CONE UNIT, FUEL FILTER, FUEL LINES, AND INJECTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-24538661. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
REDUCED POWERED UNDER A GRADE/LOAD. REDUCED ACCELERATION. BOGS DOWN, CANNOT REACH SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 40-45 MPH, UP HILL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 296,000.
EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART. IT WILL ALSO STALL AFTER LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AND OCCASIONALLY WHILE WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. RPM'S WILL ALSO DROP TO 500 AND I HAVE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, IF IT DOESN'T STALL COMPLETELY. THIS MAY OCCUR 4 OR MORE TIMES A DAY, THEN MAY NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO TELLING WHEN IT WILL OCCUR, IT IS TO RANDOM TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. NOW MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL, WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT BLOWS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE REPLACED THE FICM, EBP SENSOR AND WIRING, FUEL PUMP AND STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE TRUCK IN 2018, BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP. THE FOLLOWING RECALL NUMBER 05V270000 SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING, BUT DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR MY TRUCK.
STEERING GEAR BOX SPLINE SHAFT SNAPPED OFF AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTION WHILE DRIVING,CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *BF* 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BETWEEN 70-80, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL VIBRATES/SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT FIRST IT IS MINOR, BUT GET'S WORSE AND WORSE AS IT FORCES THE TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD MANY TIMES. THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AT 30,387 MILES. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AT 36999 MILES, REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN, THEY TORQUED THE PITMEN ARM AND DECLARED THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED BUT THE DEALERSHIPS CONTINUED TO STATE IT WAS A TIRE BALANCING PROBLEM. AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT 50,252 MILES, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AT 56,013 MILES, THE PROBLEM WAS AGAIN REPORTED TO FORD. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT BALANCE ONE OF THE 'NEW' TIRES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DISCOUNT TIRE, WHICH SOLD ME THE TIRES AND USES THE SAME BALANCING MACHINE AS FORD. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AND BALANCED THEM AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN AT DISCOUNT TIRE TOLD ME THAT HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE (WHERE HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN BALANCE). THE ONLY FIX WAS TO INSTALL DUAL STEERING STABILIZERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS ACTUALLY WAS THE FIX. AS IT TURNS OUT, TO INSTALL DUAL STABILIZERS, THE TRUCK MUST HAVE A 2" LEVELING KIT INSTALLED TO ALLOW THE BRACKET TO FIT WITHOUT HITTING THE FRAME WHEN BUMPS ARE HIT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN TAK02 TIRES, SIZE: LT265/75/R16. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,600.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2004 Ford F-250 has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 153 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Ford F-250.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 Ford F-250.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 Ford F-250 are engine and engine cooling (35 reports), electrical system (18 reports), vehicle speed control (14 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2004 Ford F-250. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.