2004 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 159 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (34% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2022
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2020
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2019
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Aug 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-350. While driving the vehicle, it experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was remedied under NHTSA campaign number: 07e066000 (equipment). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly shut off and on several occasions would not start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel injection control module wire harness needed to be replaced. The contact notified the manufacturer, who explained that the harness was replaced in 2005 under NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 83,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the power steering failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 RESULT IN INCORRECT TIRE LOAD RATINGS FOR THE STATED VEHICLE AXLE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING. ALSO, THE TIRE MAY BE INFLATED ABOVE THE DOT LISTED INFLATION PRESSURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY INCORRECT LOAD RANGE TIRES. ADDITIONALLY, IF ANY TIRE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE BE CHECKED WITHIN 500 MILES AFTER ANY TIRE REPLACEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD 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 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.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 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-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 159 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 52,288 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning tires. 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.