Total Complaints
36 filings
FORD E-150 · model year
36 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDE-150 carries 36 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 E-150 is service brakes, hydraulic with 4 filings, followed by power train (4) and latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2004 E-150, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
36 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK | 1 |
| SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 74 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 52 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. THIS CHANGE IN FILTER PAPER COMPOSITION COMBINED WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, MAY ALLOW HOT CARBON PARTICLES TO CONTACT THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT DURING CER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS THAT COULD BE INSTALLED INTO MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 E-150, E-250, AND E-350 VANS AND WAGONS. THE AFFECTED FUEL TANKS HAVE AN EXTRA OBDII SENSOR HOLE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED AND MAY LEAK FUEL.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parked when the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards downhill the contact's son attempted to get into the vehicle to make it stop. The trailer's jackknife stopped the vehicle from going onto the road. The contact manually moved the vehicle back into their garage. The contact stated their son did receive injuries to their head, left or right leg (the contact was unsure of the exact leg), and their left or right arm (the contact was unsure of the exact arm). Medical attention was needed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Mileage: 74,000
VIBERATION IN REAR AND CLUNKING NOISR IN REAR WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHT THEN TAKING OF WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN
Mileage: 176,000
2004 FORD 4.6L ENGINE: #2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD. ~$700 TO REPAIR!!!
Mileage: 117,000
THERE ARE TONS OF DRIVERS ON PUBLIC ROADS USING OFF ROAD LED LIGHT BARS AND USING AMPLIFIED HID HEADLIGHTS. THEY ARE SO BRIGHT I HAVE TO BLOCK THE LIGHT WITH MY HANDS WHEN THEY DRIVE BY. I KNOW THIS IS ILLEGAL. IT IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. WHY ARE THERE NOT LAWS BEING ENFORCED TO PREVENT THEIR USE ON THE STREET?
Mileage: 50,000
AT THE POINT I REACH 40 MPH TRUCK SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, HAVE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND TAKE TRUCK OUT OF OVERDRIVE TO GET HOME. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT THAT RATE OF SPEED. DID SOME OF MY OWN INVESTIGATING AND FOUND MANY WEBSITE HAVE ANGRY PEOPLE WHO ALSO OWN SAME VEHICLES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. I SAW THE RANGE OF MILES BETWEEN 44,000 MILES TO 150,000 MILES. PLEASE REFER TO WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM JUST TO START WITH, THERE ARE MANY OTHER WEBSITES FOR THIS MODEL YOU CAN SEE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Mileage: 131,876
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CAUSING PREMATURE WEARING OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END SPRINGS WERE COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 05/05/14*JB
Mileage: 93,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW INDEPENDENTLY OPENED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER ON THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BOTH WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLIES WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PRIVATE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS BUT THEY WERE FUSED TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 118,000
TODAY WAS DRIVING NORMALLY ON THE SIDE ROAD NOT TOWING & IN OVERDRIVE WHEN AROUND 40MPH THE OVERDRIVE DISENGAGED & STARTS REVVING LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. I PULL OVER & PUT IT INTO PARK & THEN BACK INTO OVERDRIVE & START DRIVING ONCE AGAIN & SAME THING HAPPENED THREE TIMES. LUCKILY THERE WAS A SERVICE SHOP CLOSE. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN & THEY SAID TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. HE ALSO SAID IT WAS FINE TO TAKE IT OUT OF OVERDRIVE & THAT WOULDN'T CAUSE IT TO DO THAT. SO, I TOOK IT OUT OF OVERDRIVE & IT DIDN'T MISS A BEAT. AFTER READING THE REVIEWS IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE OVERDRIVE SERVO RETAINING CLIP BREAKING. THIS IS BY FAR A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT LIVES AT RISK. IF IT'S A BAD PART WHY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IF THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS ON THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE? I'VE BEEN A FORD OWNER ALL MY LIFE & AM TRULY SADDENED THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE MY LAST FORD I EVER BUY AGAIN. I'M HOLDING FORD ACCOUNTABLE ON THIS & EVERYONE ELSE THAT HAS TH
Mileage: 79,964
DURING THE WINTER MONTHS OUR 2004, FORD, E150, VAN HAS HAD OCCASIONAL YET COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. TYPICALLY, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD -10F AND TYPICALLY SLOWER SPEEDS 10-15MPH BUT TODAY IT WAS 30 F AND SPEEDS WERE 45-50 MPH AS WE WERE COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS IN COLORADO. WE ALMOST REAR ENDED A SEMI AND ALMOST TOOK ANOTHER CAR HEAD ON BUT THEY HAD MOVED INTO THE FAR LANE. BEFORE REACHING THE BRAKE FAILURE RUN OFF WE WERE ABLE TO DOWN SHIFT AND EVENTUALLY THE BRAKES CAME BACK TO COMPLETE WORKING ORDER. THE VAN HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME SAME ANSWER, WE CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-150. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAD SUDDENLY OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130000.
Mileage: 130,000
MY 2004 F-150 HAS A WINDOW REGULATOR GO OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS IS A REAL ISSUE IT IS A HAZARD TO MY CHILDREN AND A REAL BIG COST TO ME BEING 300 DOLLAR BOTH TIMES I HAD TO REPLACE IT NEED TO BE RECALLED WHAT A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT CAN YOU HELP ME IN THIS MATTER THANK YOU. *TR
Mileage: 49,000
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE IN 2004 FORD F150 XLT WITH APPROX. 70K MILES AND INADVERTENTLY LOWERED REAR WINDOW. WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE THE WINDOW, I HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND REALIZED THAT THE WINDOW WAS NOT GOING BACK UP. AFTER PULLING OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER TO INSPECT WHAT HAD OCCURRED, I SAW THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD DROPPED INTO THE DOOR. LUCKILY IT WAS NOT RAINING THAT DAY OR I WOULD HAVE HAD A BACK SEAT FULL OF WATER. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT FORD'S POWER WINDOW BRACKET REGULATOR, WHICH WAS CRACKED, IS ONE PIECE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BY TAKING APART THE DOOR. $275 WAS SPENT TO FIX THE REAR WINDOW. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING FORD'S WINDOWS. RIGHT NOW I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT IT HAS ONLY HAPPEN TO ONE WINDOW, BUT I WON'T BE SURPRISED IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN SOON TO ANOTHER WINDOW SINCE IT APPEARS OTHERS HAVE HAD TWO OR THREE WINDOWS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
REPEATED VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Mileage: 76,875
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E150. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED APPROXIMATELY 6-8 MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH FORD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE . THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND AS OF SPRADLEY BARR FORD JANUARY 7, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,650 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR 15 MINS. AND THEN PARKED. THE CONSUMER STATED ONCE DRIVING AGAIN BRAKES BECOME NON EXISTENCE. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
Mileage: 18,000
FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS, MY SEAT BELT WARNING BEEP HAS BEEN ON WHETHER I HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON OR OFF. THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS VAN, WHICH IS BILL COLLINS FORD, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MY DVD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AND THE 3 ROW SEAT BELT STRAP HAS BROKE OFF. *TR
FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS, MY SEAT BELT WARNING BEEP HAS BEEN ON WHETHER I HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON OR OFF. THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS VAN, WHICH IS BILL COLLINS FORD, HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MY DVD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING AND THE 3 ROW SEAT BELT STRAP HAS BROKE OFF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ECONOLINE E150. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER IN AUGUST 2007 ON THE FORD VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE LETTER IS FRAUDULENT AND MISLEADING AND THE DEALER LEAD HIM TO BELIEVE THAT A REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE MADE DURING HIS APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED AFTER THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. HE HAS CALLED FORD EVERY MONTH SINCE RECEIVING THE NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST AND EVERY MONTH HE HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HE HAS ALSO TRIED MORE THAN ONE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HE RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. IF HE CANNOT HAVE HIS CAR REPAIRED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO NEGOTIATE A REFUND. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR
Mileage: 48,000
BOLTS FALLING OFF OF BRAKES THAT HOLD CALIPER ON. I HAVE A TOTAL OF 12 2004 FORD E-150 AND 1 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. 3 OF MY E-250'S AND THE EXPEDITION HAS ALL HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BRAKE PADS ARE WORN DOWN TO METAL ON METAL, WHEN BRAKES WERE CHECKED FOR THE PROBLEM, THE BOLT HAD COME LOOSE AND WAS CAUSING THE CALIPER TO RUB AGAINST THE RIM. *JB
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.