2004 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 254 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 254 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takara recall I was driving down the freeway when the check engine light came on I all the sudden had a loss of power and it was like the motor was sputtering like it had a misfire after that it's very hard to start and barely moves it comes up with multiple injector codes that all failed at the same time some high some low”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2019
“The parking brakes were never very effective and despite being repaired several nothing has been able to improve them. The truck has a manual transmission and disc rear brakes. It is dangerous to park it on a hill even if its left in gear.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-250 sd. After parking the vehicle and attempting to exit, the vehicle began to roll backwards. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, and applied the emergency brake. It was later discovered that the emergency brake would no longer function. On another occasion, the contact parked, turned off the engine, and exited the vehicle. Upon returning to the vehicle, it was discovered that it had rolled approximately 30 feet from the original parked position. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 124,000.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Feb 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Bf goodrich ta km2 tires I have three separate on a trip that started august 14,2015 the tires have 19000 miles on them. The first tire separated on the 14th and I put a spare on it. The other two tires separated on the 16th and now the 4th tire is showing signs of separation. The tires were purchased from costco on 6/6/2012 mileage on the pichup was 151101 and is now170852.2”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2015
“Vehicle will stall or no start due to high pressure pump leaving you stranded and could lead to a dangerous situation. There are numerous amount of same issue with this truck and something should be done by ford. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact stated that while stopped, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing, the oil filter tube and unknown sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The contact stated that the emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle it was found that the brake line was fractured and fluid was leaking from the brake line. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“Driving on sh 239 in refugio county, texas at approx. 70 mph between tivoli, tx and us highway 77 south. Right front tire blew out which immediately caused the truck to veer off the right side of the highway, over a metal culvert, go airborne through a barbed wire fence at the corner posts, land in a pasture and continue through another barbed wire fence with metal fence posts. Distance traveled from road to stopping point approximately 70-75 yards. Tires purchased at discount tire, 9/16/2009 truck mileage 68,000, all tires replaced at this time with lt/265/75r16e1 123r b bf goodrich rugged trail t/a rbl tires. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 2004 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated while driving her vehicle would shake and stall. There were no warning lights present however, the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that injectors 3,5,6 and 7, the exhaust back pressure sensor and the fan clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage were 144,788.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2014
“Front end shakes violently after hitting a rough spot on pavement at highway speed. Continues until speed is reduced to less than 50 mph. There are several other complaints on your database for the same problem, so why isn't something being done about it? This is a very serious issue. My wife would not have been able to handle this happening to her. This happened once before about a year ago and I had the truck checked, but nothing could be found. Even though it's ten years old, truck only has a little over 24,000 miles. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 254 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,150 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.