Total Complaints
43 filings
FORD F-450 SD · model year
43 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDF-450 SD carries 43 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 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-450 SD is fuel system, diesel with 12 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (4) and fuel system, other:fuel injection system (3). 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-450 SD, 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
43 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
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.
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK LINING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Mileage: 71,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK LINING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Mileage: 71,000
10/17/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE RUNNING FINE AND JUST LOST POWER GOING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING FROM 65 TO 10 MILES AN HOUR. TRAFFIC ZIPPING BY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTERS BUT IT DONE THE SAME AFTER I CHANGED THEM. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HE SAID HE THE TANK LINER WAS COMING APART NOW IT MESSED UP MY INJECTORS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SEVERLY HURT!!!! IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY SOMETHING ON THIS. *TR
10/17/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE RUNNING FINE AND JUST LOST POWER GOING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING FROM 65 TO 10 MILES AN HOUR. TRAFFIC ZIPPING BY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTERS BUT IT DONE THE SAME AFTER I CHANGED THEM. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HE SAID HE THE TANK LINER WAS COMING APART NOW IT MESSED UP MY INJECTORS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SEVERLY HURT!!!! IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY SOMETHING ON THIS. *TR
10/17/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE RUNNING FINE AND JUST LOST POWER GOING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING FROM 65 TO 10 MILES AN HOUR. TRAFFIC ZIPPING BY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTERS BUT IT DONE THE SAME AFTER I CHANGED THEM. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HE SAID HE THE TANK LINER WAS COMING APART NOW IT MESSED UP MY INJECTORS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SEVERLY HURT!!!! IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY SOMETHING ON THIS. *TR
VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, NO ACCELERATION, OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY UNDER HEAVY LOAD OR HIGH ACCELERATION DEMAND, TOLD BY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DE-LAMINATING FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL TANK COATING ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND OBSTRUCTING DIESEL FUEL FLOW TO MOTOR WHEN HIGH DEMAND FOR DUEL OCCURS. NEAR COLLISION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. FORD DEALER STATES THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,500.00 AND OPEN ENDED DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE FUEL TANK COATING ENTERED THE MOTOR OR INJECTORS. THEY WANT TO START BY REPLACING THE HARNESS, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND GO FROM THERE. FORD REFUSES TO HONOR THIS CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Mileage: 59,000
VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, NO ACCELERATION, OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY UNDER HEAVY LOAD OR HIGH ACCELERATION DEMAND, TOLD BY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DE-LAMINATING FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL TANK COATING ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND OBSTRUCTING DIESEL FUEL FLOW TO MOTOR WHEN HIGH DEMAND FOR DUEL OCCURS. NEAR COLLISION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. FORD DEALER STATES THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,500.00 AND OPEN ENDED DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE FUEL TANK COATING ENTERED THE MOTOR OR INJECTORS. THEY WANT TO START BY REPLACING THE HARNESS, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND GO FROM THERE. FORD REFUSES TO HONOR THIS CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Mileage: 59,000
VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, NO ACCELERATION, OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY UNDER HEAVY LOAD OR HIGH ACCELERATION DEMAND, TOLD BY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DE-LAMINATING FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL TANK COATING ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND OBSTRUCTING DIESEL FUEL FLOW TO MOTOR WHEN HIGH DEMAND FOR DUEL OCCURS. NEAR COLLISION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. FORD DEALER STATES THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,500.00 AND OPEN ENDED DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE FUEL TANK COATING ENTERED THE MOTOR OR INJECTORS. THEY WANT TO START BY REPLACING THE HARNESS, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND GO FROM THERE. FORD REFUSES TO HONOR THIS CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Mileage: 59,000
AT APPX. 80,000 MILES ON OUR 2004 F450 SD FUEL TANK DELAMINATED CAUSING FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. WE HAVE ALWAYS PURCHASED HIGH QUALITY DIESEL FROM REPUTATABLE GAS STATIONS (CHEVRON, SHELL). VEHICLE REPAIRED AT FORD AND HAD CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF COST AND WAS DECLINED. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
TRUCK FAILS TO MAINTAIN SPEED (ACTS FUEL STARVED) AND IS AT RISK OF STALLING IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAIN COMPLETELY AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAS HAD NO AFTERMARKET ADJUSTMENTS. AFTER TAKING THIS TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER (PARR FORD IN BREMERTON, WA) WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS DELAMINATING AND CAUSING PARTICLES TO CLOG THE FUEL SYSTEM. AS WE HAUL A LARGE TRAILER WITH THIS VEHICLE (AS I'M SURE OTHER CONSUMERS DO AS WELL) THIS CAN RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC OUTCOME AS STALLING RESULTS IN LACK OF STEERING ABILITIES AND CAN LEAVE VEHICLE VULNERABLE IN TRAFFIC. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY AND CORRECT VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE ROAD AT THEIR COST. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL LINER DELAMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 01/11/12
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 F-450 SD. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS DELAMINATION FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK LINING, WHICH WAS FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
2004 FORD F450 AMBULANCE. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE OF THE FUEL TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS A RESULT OF A SERIOUS STRUCTURAL DEFECT OF THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE STALLED DURING SEVERAL EMERGENCY CALLS. THE COATING IN THE INTERIOR DIESEL FUEL TANK CORRODED AND COLLECTED AS SEDIMENT, WHICH EXTRACTED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINE BECAME CLOGGED AND DAMAGED THE FUEL PUMP AND VALVES. *JB UPDATED 03/01/12 *BF UPDATED 03/16/12 UPDATED 04/18/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED FOR INJECTOR CONTROL PRESSURE, SENSOR CONNECTOR FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE INFORMATION SHE HAD FOUND WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND NOT A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,498.
Mileage: 41,498
FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. TRUCKS STARTED RUNNING BAD, WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. HAS LEFT ME AND MY EMPLOYEES STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES IN UNSAFE TRAFFIC AREAS. NEW FUEL TANKS INSTALLED, FUEL PUMPS INJECTORS PUT IN NEW. ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED. JUST UNDER $5000.00 EACH TIME. FORD SAYS BIOFUEL IS THE CAUSE. NEVER HAVE USED BIOFUEL IN ANYTHING. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
LTR FWD FM (VA) RE DEFECT FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR A 2004 FORD F-450 MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, HE BEGAN HAVING A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK LOOSING POWER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR THE TURBO CHARGER. ON 4 OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE TRUCK GOING FROM 65 MPH TO LESS THAN 10 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. *JB
LTR FWD FM (VA) RE DEFECT FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR A 2004 FORD F-450 MEDIUM DUTY TRUCK. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, HE BEGAN HAVING A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK LOOSING POWER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL INJECTION AND AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM FOR THE TURBO CHARGER. ON 4 OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE TRUCK GOING FROM 65 MPH TO LESS THAN 10 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. *JB
2004 FORD F-450 SUPER DUTY. TRUCK WAS RUNNING AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, GOT TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE TRUCK STALLED. GOT THE TRUCK TO RESTART. THAT EVENING I HAD THE FUEL FILTERS CHANGED THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, THEN THE TRUCK RAN FINE. TWO DAYS LATER THE TRUCK DID THE SAME THING, AND I WAS DRIVING AT 25MPH, TRUCK WOULD NOT RUN ANY FASTER, THEN THE TRUCK STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANE ROAD. THE TRUCK AT THIS TIME DID NOT RESTART. I HAD TO GET THE TRUCK TOWED. I GOT ADVICE FROM A MECHANIC AND HE DRAINED THE TANK AND HE FOUND SILVER FLAKES IN THE TANK. I CALLED UNIVERSAL FORD IN RICHMOND VIRGINIA AND THEY HAD IT TOWED THERE TO LOOK AT THE TRUCK, AND THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE TANK WAS CONTAMINATED FROM THE TANK DUE TO DELAMINATION OF THE INTERIOR OF THE TANK. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THAT THE COST WAS $783.93 FOR PARTS AND $258.10 FOR LABOR, FOR A TOTAL OF $1042.03 AND FORD MOTOR WAS WILLING TO PAY ONLY $312.00. THIS IS ONLY FOR A TANK REPLACEMENT, NOT THE FILTERS,
Mileage: 109,240
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE EGV VALVE, COMPUTER, AND 6 INJECTORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,122. UPDATED 04/01/10 UPDATED 10/05/10
Mileage: 69,122
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE EGV VALVE, COMPUTER, AND 6 INJECTORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,122. UPDATED 04/01/10 UPDATED 10/05/10
Mileage: 69,122
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.