FORD F-250 · model year

2004 FORD F-250

201 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004FORDF-250 carries 201 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 4 fires, 6 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 F-250 is engine and engine cooling with 23 filings, followed by electrical system (23) and engine (19). 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 7 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 F-250, 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.

201
Complaints
12
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

201 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
ENGINE19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
STEERING8
TIRES7
POWER TRAIN7
SERVICE BRAKES6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL5
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4

Recalls (7)

07E06600028/08/2007

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

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.

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

04V22900017/05/2004

TIRES

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 RES

11V35200013/07/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 TH

06E05200012/06/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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, REFLEC

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20250716STEERING

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.

20250716SUSPENSION

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.

20250602ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 100,000

20250123CrashSTEERING

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.

20250123CrashPOWER TRAIN

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.

20250123CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20240724ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20230806FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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?

20230806ENGINE

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?

20230806ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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?

20220322FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20220322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20210112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20210112FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20210112UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20210111POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20201216ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 227,600

20200908STEERING

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 PROBL

Mileage: 30,387

20200804ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 180,000

20191102SERVICE BRAKES

THE CALIBER SUDDENLY BROKE AND I HAD NO BRAKES. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT.

Mileage: 208,000

Compare 2004FORDF-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 FORD F-250 have?
The 2004 FORD F-250 has 201 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 FORD F-250?
Yes, the 2004 FORD F-250 has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 FORD F-250?
The most-complained component for the 2004 FORD F-250 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2004 FORD F-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.