Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford F-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling44
- Electrical system36
- Vehicle speed control19
- Engine19
- Power train12
- Steering10
- Tires10
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Service brakes6
- Fuel system, gasoline6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 132 2004 F-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 72 people died inside them, and 58 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Ford F-250 failed the safety check 1.10% of the time — 50% less often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 152,743 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2004 Ford F-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10017806 | BUCK/JERK OR SURGE - 6.0L VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 8/22/2005. *TT |
| 10016823 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B29: SUPPLEMENT#3. CHARGE AIR COOLER DUCT REPLACEMENT. *SC |
| 10014275 | A DRIVELINE CLUNK OR BUMP WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013413 | VEHICLE LEAN SAG WHEN OBSERVED FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *EH |
| 10013407 | STEERING GEAR NOISE - 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE. *TT |
| 10013369 | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013322 | POPPING OR QUAVERING FROM RADIO ON THE AM BAND. *TT |
| 10013316 | A COLD WEATHER REVERSE ENGAGEMENT STALL. *TT |
| 10013116 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT |
| 10013109 | TURBO-INDUCED EXHAUST MOAN/DRONE AT 1600-1800 RPM - 6.0L BUILT AFTER 9/29/2003. *TT |
| 10012965 | SERVICE TIPS BEFORE ARC WELDING ON THE FRAME OR BODY OF A UNIT. *TT |
| 10012958 | LACK OF POWER, SURGE, AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P2263 OR P0299. *TT |
| 10012951 | 4X4 TRANSFER CASE JUMP OUT OF 4TH OR 4L - MANUAL SHIFT TRANSFER CASE. *TT |
| 10012944 | LOW/REVERSE GEAR SET PINION SHAFT(S) THAT MAY WALK OUT, CAUSING METALLIC PARTICLE CONTAMINATION. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B24. TRANSMISSION REVERSE PLANET REPLACEMENT. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1 AND #2. *TT SUPPLEMENT #3. *TT |
| 10011181 | LOW POWER AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0299 OR P2263 - TURBOCHARGER DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10010736 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P2614/P2617, MULTIPLE DRIVEABILITY ISSUES AND/OR GLOW PLUG OR WATER-IN-FUEL LAMP FLICKER. OASIS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES AND EXCURSION. *TT |
| 10010734 | VACUUM PUMP INOPERATIVE OR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY - CLIMATE CONTROL DEFAULTS TO DEFROST. OASIS. TO ALSO INCLUDE 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, AND F650/750. *TT |
| 10010731 | MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT |
| 10010727 | HARSH/SLIPPING SHIFTS AND/OR HARSH/DELAYED ENGAGEMENT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TT |
| 10010724 | LOW POWER - COLD SIDE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC) DISCONNECTED - OIL LEAK AT COLD SIDE CAC CONNECTIONS - 6.0L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT 12/15/2003 THROUGH 4/1/2004. *TT |
| 10008548 | WATER-IN-FUEL LAMP ILLUMINATED AFTER DRAINING HEATED FUEL CONDITIONING MODULE (HFCM) ON VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 11/1/2003 WITH 6.0L ENGINE. *TT |
| 10008300 | WIRELESS KEYPAD INOPERATIVE - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10008298 | WHITE/GRAY SMOKE AND VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS AFTER COLD START - TORQSHIFT HARSH DOWNSHIFT AND BUCK/JERK. *TT |
| 10008288 | LOW POWER, POOR FUEL ECONOMY, FUEL GELLING COLD, EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE COLD, OR HARD START. *MJ THIS OASIS UPDATES PREVIOUS OASIS DATED 12/01/03. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE STALLING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation