Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On my way home from the lake, my vehicle starting idling rough. Pulled over to check things out, couldn't find any noticable issues. Retarted vehicle and engine started smoking. I raised the hood and smoke was billowing out from the coil atop the number 2 spark plug, drivers side, looking from front to rear of engine. Had thevehicle towed to bill collins Ford of louisville,ky.they informed me that the spark plugs needed changing. Upon removal, 4 of the eight spark plugs broke off in the engine head. This cost me $857.00 to change 8 spark plugs that normally I could do myself. The breaking of spark plugs in this type engine, 5.4l triton, is a well known issue, that Ford motor company knew about. Yet they have yet to do a recall. Instead, they developed a tool to take these broken sprk plugs out, yet the consumer still has to pay sometimes upwards of $2,000.00 for the repair. …
The brake pedal in our 04 f150 was not depressed and our 5 year-old hit the shift and the truck went into reverse at a high speed. The truck is supposed to be equipped with a brake-shift interlocking feature that did not work. The truck is severely damaged, there was property damage, I called Ford and they are not accepting any responsibility for this and said that our insurance paid 900. So they will not fix the problem or repair the damaged vehicle.
We purchased our 2004 f150 in sept/oct of '04. Shortly after our mileage warranty expired (36,000) miles our window assembly regulator broke and we had to pay over $400 for it to be repaired. A short time later our second window assembly regulator broke and they only asked us to pay 20% of the repair bill equaling $55. 9 months later our third window regulator assembly broke. When these windows regulators break it is during random times and while driving. No one is rolling the windows down they just all of a sudden fall down. We were driving on the freeway at 65 MPH and I had my 12 month old daughter sitting next to the window that broke and she had her hand on the door next to the window. She only had a small red mark on her finger however she was crying hysterically because it scared her. …
Since 3000K miles my truck would shimmy/shake violently to the point I would have to pull off the road. After multiple times to dealeship problem still there. I noticed my emergency brake light stayed on once after pulling release. Had to reapply and pull again and did release. A week later, e brake would not release after multiple attempts. After putting in gear, finally did release. After backing out of driveway, as I started to drive truck was shaking badly. I deducted e-brake sticking causing shaking. Brought to dealer- found stuck e-brake. Replaced adaptor, rotor asy-brake, cable asy-parking brake. Picked up truck-tried e-brake and went to floor, did not hold truck when in gear. Ebrake not working again after just being replaced.
Ford f150 crew cab. At 45,000 miles the f/drivers side window regulator failed. Replaced under warranty. At 76,000 miles f/passenger side window regulator failed. Replaced out of warranty. At 95,000 miles r/passenger window regulator has failed. Has not been to the dealer for the latest failure. I do not know what the cost will be or when the r/ drivers side will fail. Neither of the rear windows have been used more than 50 times during my ownership of the vehicle, which I bought new. It seems to me that from what I have read from others and my own problems that there is a defect that Ford should be responsible for. It appears they are unwilling to face up to their responsibility.
2004 Ford f150 bought new. Rear window (over back seat) motor/regulator broken over a year ago, fortunately with window closed. Ford says that it will cost close to $500 to replace motor. Yesterday, 5/21/2011, right rear window regulator broke. Window will not stay up. From what I see, this has happened to hundreds if not thousands of people yet Ford will not address it as a recall item. Can't the NHTSA put pressure on Ford or the government to force Ford to fix these when they break? It is definitely a safety issue! Ford bought defective window motors/regulators and are leaving their customers to contend with them alone. Why can't they admit to a problem?
While turning into a parking lot the vehicle's Ford hitch broke on both sides. The trailer was taken to a welding shop were they said there wasn't any penetration on the weld, which was welded part way and to take the old receiver to the dealership. The consumer then took the receiver to the dealership, where they claimed the trailer which weight is 2500 lbs was too big, had caused the failure. 2500 lbs, is less then what Ford guarantee there trucks will pull. Jeannette gomes of hartford ins. Is currently in possession of the receiver that failed.
1. Driving on major freeway in my 2004 Ford f150 when I here a pop and turn around and notice my back window missing, 2 weeks later I hear the same pop and notice my front side passenger window was sliding down. 1 month after that im riding alone and my driver side passenger window would not work on command. Now im riding in my car with 3 windows not working. I have paper holding my windows up as I called Ford and was told it would cost me 420 per window to repair not including tax. I also was told to expect my 4th window to go out as well.
I have a 2004 Ford f150 truck with only about 60,000 miles on it. My passenger window just slid down as I was driving! Did not push any buttons! Of course I then tried to roll the window up but it wouldn't work. Now my window is left wide open while I have to wait to get it fixed! I had it checked out and its the regulator that needs replaced. I've already had to replace my rear passenger side regulator but I didn't realize then that it was a defect in the part! I'm still trying to get it fixed.
I have a Ford regency f-150 with a factory 6 inch lift done by regency. When the lift was done the steering linkage is in contact with the brake line so when the steering wheel is turned a hole was worn in the brake line causing a loss of brake pressure. I talked to regency and rick said it was the second he had heard of. Mine is being fixed now but anyone else who owns one of these vehicles is at risk of an accident. I am reporting this in the hopes no one is hurt unnecessarily.
Equipment complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 2004 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 2004 Ford F-150, 2% of the model year's 2,029 complaints. The component named most often is electrical (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford F-150 equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories recall for the 2004 Ford F-150, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford F-150 equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to equipment & accessories problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.