FORD F-350 · model year

2004 FORD F-350

216 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004FORDF-350 carries 216 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 7 fires, 24 injuries, and 2 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-350 is engine and engine cooling with 24 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (19) and engine (16). 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 3 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-350, 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.

216
Complaints
17
Crashes
7
Fires
24
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

216 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL19
ENGINE16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
STEERING8
TIRES7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3

Recalls (3)

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.

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

Recent Complaints

20250418ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 76 MPH with his wife in the front passenger seat, the vehicle shuddered uncontrollably and stalled. The contact and his wife were concerned for their safety. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The contact stated that as an independent mechanic, he used a code reader to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes for the fuel control module wiring harness failure. The contact related to the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V270000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the fuel control module wiring harness failure had caused warning lights to fail to illuminate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure

Mileage: 190,019

20220428ENGINE

While driving at 40-50 MPH the vehicle will lose power and then then stalls while moving leading to loss of power. The loss power of affects the power steering posing a direct threat for an auto collision due to the difficult in steering the moving vehicle into an emergency lane. Avoided several accidents with this truck. Once it is stalled it can take numerous times to restart the vehicle. This issue seems to occur more on slopes going up hill. This does not seem to occur as often going downhill or on areas with no incline. Currently vehicle has 126,931.8 miles on it. Regularly serviced and otherwise running fine.

20220428UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving at 40-50 MPH the vehicle will lose power and then then stalls while moving leading to loss of power. The loss power of affects the power steering posing a direct threat for an auto collision due to the difficult in steering the moving vehicle into an emergency lane. Avoided several accidents with this truck. Once it is stalled it can take numerous times to restart the vehicle. This issue seems to occur more on slopes going up hill. This does not seem to occur as often going downhill or on areas with no incline. Currently vehicle has 126,931.8 miles on it. Regularly serviced and otherwise running fine.

20210924TIRES

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-350 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discover AT3, Tire size: 265/75/R16, DOT Number: UPWM1M11718M16L. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the rear driver’s side tire had a sidewall blowout. The contact stated that all four tires had sidewall blowouts months apart. The tire blowouts had damaged the rims. The contact replaced the front driver’s, passenger’s, and rear driver’s side tire with the spare after each blowout. The dealer was made aware of the failure and replaced the rear passenger’s side tire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the rear driver’s side rim, rear driver’s and front passenger’s side tire were sent to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

20201020ENGINE

MY TRUCK HAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE BOUGHT IT AND THREE DAYS LATER THE EGR WENT OUT THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW I GOT A BLOWN MOTOR

Mileage: 170,000

20201020FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY TRUCK HAS MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE BOUGHT IT AND THREE DAYS LATER THE EGR WENT OUT THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW I GOT A BLOWN MOTOR

Mileage: 170,000

20200914FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILTER WAS COVERED WITH SILVER DEBRIS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 332,000.

Mileage: 332,000

20200716POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE. CASA FORD (5815 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX 79925) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000

20190424ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE RPMS REMAINED VERY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ICP SENSOR AND INJECTOR CONTROL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20190424VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE RPMS REMAINED VERY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ICP SENSOR AND INJECTOR CONTROL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20190319CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TAKATA INFLATORS; MY VEHICLE STARTED ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS INTERMITTENT ONES THAT COST ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS NEVER FIXING THE PROBLEM THIS IS WERE IT ALL BEGAN,,.MY VEHICLE DIED GOING UP FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO GRAVE YARD, IT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED BACK SHOVING A FAMILY MEMBERS VEHICLE DOWN HILL A WAYS UNTIL THEY TURNED AWAY FROM THE CLIFF EDGE LEAVING ME ALL ALONE.UNTIL GOING THROUGH A RUN OFF DITCH STOPPING OVER IT INTO 2 TREES. I HAD NO STEERING NO BRAKES AND THANK GOD THE TREES WERE THERE TO STOP MY TRUCK IF NOT THEIR WAS A 100 FOOT CLIFF NEXT.. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RECALLS OR SUCH I JUST TRIED TO FIX MY TRUCK PROBLEM BY PROBLEM AS SYMPTOMS CAME ON I HAVE ALL TYPES OF RECENT RECEIPTS THAT ALL CAME FROM SILVERISH DARK MAYBE EVEN GRAY MATTER STUFF IN THE TANK. WHEN I GET MY BANK STATEMENT I WILL ITEMIZE ALL AND SUBMIT THEM WHEN FINAL COST IS OVER.

Mileage: 268,000

20190319CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA INFLATORS; MY VEHICLE STARTED ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS INTERMITTENT ONES THAT COST ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS NEVER FIXING THE PROBLEM THIS IS WERE IT ALL BEGAN,,.MY VEHICLE DIED GOING UP FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO GRAVE YARD, IT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED BACK SHOVING A FAMILY MEMBERS VEHICLE DOWN HILL A WAYS UNTIL THEY TURNED AWAY FROM THE CLIFF EDGE LEAVING ME ALL ALONE.UNTIL GOING THROUGH A RUN OFF DITCH STOPPING OVER IT INTO 2 TREES. I HAD NO STEERING NO BRAKES AND THANK GOD THE TREES WERE THERE TO STOP MY TRUCK IF NOT THEIR WAS A 100 FOOT CLIFF NEXT.. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RECALLS OR SUCH I JUST TRIED TO FIX MY TRUCK PROBLEM BY PROBLEM AS SYMPTOMS CAME ON I HAVE ALL TYPES OF RECENT RECEIPTS THAT ALL CAME FROM SILVERISH DARK MAYBE EVEN GRAY MATTER STUFF IN THE TANK. WHEN I GET MY BANK STATEMENT I WILL ITEMIZE ALL AND SUBMIT THEM WHEN FINAL COST IS OVER.

Mileage: 268,000

20190319CrashSTEERING

TAKATA INFLATORS; MY VEHICLE STARTED ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS INTERMITTENT ONES THAT COST ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS NEVER FIXING THE PROBLEM THIS IS WERE IT ALL BEGAN,,.MY VEHICLE DIED GOING UP FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO GRAVE YARD, IT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED BACK SHOVING A FAMILY MEMBERS VEHICLE DOWN HILL A WAYS UNTIL THEY TURNED AWAY FROM THE CLIFF EDGE LEAVING ME ALL ALONE.UNTIL GOING THROUGH A RUN OFF DITCH STOPPING OVER IT INTO 2 TREES. I HAD NO STEERING NO BRAKES AND THANK GOD THE TREES WERE THERE TO STOP MY TRUCK IF NOT THEIR WAS A 100 FOOT CLIFF NEXT.. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RECALLS OR SUCH I JUST TRIED TO FIX MY TRUCK PROBLEM BY PROBLEM AS SYMPTOMS CAME ON I HAVE ALL TYPES OF RECENT RECEIPTS THAT ALL CAME FROM SILVERISH DARK MAYBE EVEN GRAY MATTER STUFF IN THE TANK. WHEN I GET MY BANK STATEMENT I WILL ITEMIZE ALL AND SUBMIT THEM WHEN FINAL COST IS OVER.

Mileage: 268,000

20171003STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BATTERY, OIL PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20171003FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BATTERY, OIL PRESSURE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECORD OF THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20170907FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN UNKNOWN FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO FORD USA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ *TT

Mileage: 82,000

20170725STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INNER ROCKER PANELS HAD SEVERE CORROSION, FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FORMULA FORD, 4318 MIDDLE RD, RUTLAND, VT, 05701) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT GOT THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES INVOLVED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER PAID SOME OF THE REPAIR COST TO BE WELDED BY THE CONTACT'S INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL WELDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,590.

Mileage: 140,590

20170423VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. YOU MUST SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN BY SEVERAL MILES PER HOUR BEFORE THE SYSTEM WILL DISENGAGE. (PUSH HARD AND LONG). THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IF YOU PREFORM AN EMERGENCY STOP THAT CAUSES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE. THIS WILL CURE THE ISSUE FOR AWHILE. BUT WITH NORMAL BRAKING THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN WITH IN SEVERAL DAYS.

Mileage: 90,000

20170411ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED NORMALLY, BUT STALLED AGAIN THE SAME AFTERNOON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ENGINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,307.

Mileage: 133,307

20170326CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WE HAVE HAD FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH OUR 2004 FORD F350. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE GOING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY, ONCE WHEN DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, AND ONCE WHEN WE WERE PARKING AT A REST STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS IN ALL OF THESE INSTANCES. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND STRUCK A TRASH CAN AT A REST STOP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE AS THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ANOTHER INCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING. AFTER THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WE GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST FORD FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THAT OUR YEAR VEHICLE (2004) HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENT RATES.

Mileage: 49,000

Compare 2004FORDF-350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 FORD F-350 have?
The 2004 FORD F-350 has 216 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 7 fires, 24 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 FORD F-350?
Yes, the 2004 FORD F-350 has 3 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-350?
The most-complained component for the 2004 FORD F-350 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL and ENGINE.
Is the 2004 FORD F-350 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.