RoadVitals

2004 Ford F-150 Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
155
Latest Dec 11, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 2,028 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 155 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 155, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the engine began revving: however, the vehicle to accelerate properly. The transmission fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was inspected by independent mechanic at the residence, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA ID
11630177
Incident
Oct 7, 2024
Mileage
145,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2020

F150 STALLS OUT RANDOMLY CAUSING A HAZARD FOR OTHER DRIVERS AND MYSELF. HAPPENS WHILE IN GEAR DRIVING, REVERSE, ETC.

NHTSA ID
11340306
Incident
Jul 17, 2020
Mileage
79,950 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2019

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE FAILED AT 130K MILES CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11256153
Incident
Sep 14, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 4, 2019

TAKATA PURCHASE OUR 2004 FORD F150 4X2 SUPERCREW FROM KINGS FORD. WHEN GOING TO TENN. PULL OFF TO GET GAS AND WHEN LEAVING THE GAS STATION MAKING LEFT HAND TURN REAL WHEEL LOCK UP HAD TO BACK UP TO UNLOCK THE REAR WHEEL, CALLED KINGS FORD AND WAS TOLD NOT TO MAKE SHARP TURNS. RETURNED HOME WITH THE REAR END MAKING BANGING NOISES, KING FORD REPAIRED ON AUG 24 2004 REPLACE THE TRACTION LOCK CLUTCH PACK PART#4947 2151 MILES. AFTER THE REPAIR WE NOTICE A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END WAS TOLD TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK, DROPED THE TRUCK OFF ON SEPT 30,2004 AND TO PICK IT BACK UP ON OCT 2, WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP NO WORK WAS DONE. CALLER SERVICE REP THE FLOWING MONDAY AND WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE FIX BECAUSE ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATION THIS CONDITION AND FOR US TO CALL EVERY MONTH. CALLED FORD MANY TIMES FINELY WAS TOLD TO TAKE OUR TRUCK TO LINCOLN MERCURY GARAGE IN FAIRFIELD, OHIO HAD A PERSON THAT WOULD REBUILD THE REAR AXLE WITH 4205A DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. ASSEMBLE, FORD DID TAKE CARE OF THIS. AFTER LEAVING THE GARAGE NOTICE A WHINE IN THE REAR TURN AROUND WENT BACK TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THEY MAY HAVE THE PARTS TO TIGHT AND WILL NEED TO LOOSEN THEN UP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS WITH STILL NO FIX WE HAVE NOW 95800 MILES AND WITH ANOTHER FIX FOR $3000.00

NHTSA ID
11229477
Incident
Aug 22, 2004
Mileage
1,700 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 22, 2018

MY 2004 F-150 SHIFT CABLE BROKE AS I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IT IN PARK. THIS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE PUT IN PARK AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE REASON IT BROKE WAS BECAUSE OF IT RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHERE IT JOINS TO THE WYE PIPE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT BURNT THE CABLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK. THE NEXT MODEL YEAR IN 2005 THIS WAS CHANGED AS FORD REDESIGNED AND RELOCATED IT TO EXIT IN A COMPLETELY SPOT. THE HOLE THAT IT EXITS THRU IN 2004 IS PLUGGED OFF IN THE 2005 MODEL. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS WAS DONE DUE TO MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF WARRANTY CLAIMS AND POSSIBLE LAWSUITS ARRISING FROM THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
11103499
Incident
Jun 15, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 5, 2018

HORRIBLE VIBRATION IN REAR END OF TRUCK WHEN LEAVING FROM A STOP AND TURNING.

NHTSA ID
11083425
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Mileage
148,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 20, 2018

2004 FORD F-150 STOPS PULLING AFTER 35-40MPH. IT'S LIKE IT GETS PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS! THIS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AND TO THINK THAT I TRUSTED FORD WITH MY LIFE, MY WIFE'S LIFE, AND 3 SMALL CHILDREN'S LIVES IS SICKENING. THERE IS MORE INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM THAN YOU CAN COUNT. I DON'T GET IT! FORD KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM BUT WON'T FIX IT. NHTSA WON'T DO AN INVESTIGATION. THE U.S. LOVES TO MAKE THE WORKING MAKE CARRY THE LOAD! FIX THE PROBLEM FORD OR I AND OTHERS WILL NEVER BUY YOUR GARBAGE AGAIN!

NHTSA ID
11063903
Incident
Jan 20, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TRUCK DIED, LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 - 6 TIMES THROUGH THE YEARS STARTING AROUND 2010. SOMETIMES DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY SOMETIMES DRIVING SLOWLY INTO DRIVEWAY. BATTERY WAS CHECKED, IT WAS OKAY AND CONNECTED FINE. VARIOUS OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS LATER INCLUDE A RATTLE NOISE AND LOW RPM. RUNNING HOT, CHUGGING ALONG LIKE RUNNING OUT OF GAS, ETC. HAVING TO PULL OVER TILL IT COULD GO AGAIN. CURRENTLY JUST A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11022872
Incident
Sep 27, 2010
Mileage
50,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE OEM PART FOR THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS BLACK AND NOW IT WAS PLASTIC WITH A COATED METAL. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE CHANGE OF THE OEM PART WAS STRUCTURALLY SOUND BECAUSE THE SHIFT CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,240.

NHTSA ID
10993498
Incident
Oct 3, 2016
Mileage
211,240 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 5, 2017

THE WHOLE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SHUDDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NOW WARNING. IT NOW FEELS AS IF THE REAR AXLE IN MOVING, GIVE AN ODD SENSATION WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL OR TAKING YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I AM A TECHNICIAN BY TRADE, SO I PUT THE TRUCK UP ON THE LIFT AT MY SHOP AND HAVE NOTICED THE PINION IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS SIGNIFICANT UP AND DOWN MOVEMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING A BIT, IT SEEMS THE PINION AND RING GEAR GALL THEMSELVES, I'M NOT SURE IF THE PINION BEARING FAILED CAUSING THIS. OR IF THE RING AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE BEARING TO FAIL. AT ANY RATE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MY EXPERIENCE, A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE MAY PROVIDE A SCOPE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10983709
Incident
May 4, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2017

TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10981441
Incident
Oct 29, 2016
Mileage
5 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 6, 2017
Crash reported

WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE TO BEGIN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED A LITTLE GAS TO SLOWLY BACKUP AROUND THE TURN IN THE DRIVE. AS I WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE I WAS NAVIGATING PAST OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. AS I WAS CLEARING ONE OF THE VEHICLES, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY JOLTED BACKWARDS HITTING A TREE. SO THEN, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I PUT THE TRUCK IN DRIVE SO THAT I COULD PULL FORWARD AWAY FROM THE TREE. AS I BEGAN TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TRUCK INSTANTLY THRUST FORWARD, HITTING ANOTHER TREE, STOPPING THE TRUCK & KNOCKING THE TREE OVER. IT HAPPENED WITH SUCH POWER THAT THE WHEELS SPUN DOWN INTO THE MULCH BED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE, PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK AND REMOVE THE KEYS TO TURN IT OFF. WHILE THE DAMAGE ON THE BACK BUMPER WAS MINIMAL, THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK WAS EXTENSIVE & THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE TRUCK A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS ONE OTHER TIME, WHILE ON THE LOCAL HIGHWAY AT A STOPLIGHT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THAT THE TRUCK BEGAN TO THRUST FORWARD ON ITS' OWN. AFTER IT FIRST ROCKED FORWARD, I PRESSED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM ACTUALLY MOVING FORWARD ANY MORE. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE TRUCK SEEMED TO RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTIONING. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND THE TIME I WAS DUE FOR A TUNE-UP SO I FIGURED IT WAS A FLUKE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED WITH THE TUNE UP.

NHTSA ID
10971017
Incident
Mar 20, 2017
Mileage
179,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 28, 2017

DRIVING ALONG AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO ENGAGED. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND STARTED AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, MY TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. I DID DISCOVER IF I TURNED THE OD ODD IT WOULD WORK BUT HAS NO OVERDRIVE. FORTINATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD WITH A RECALL AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10969062
Incident
Mar 26, 2017
Mileage
106,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2017

I OWN A 2004 F-150 WITH 120,000 MILES. WHEN I AM STOPPED AND START TO TURN THE REAR END MAKES A HORRIBLE SHAKING NOISE. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 40,000 MILES AND IT HAS ALWAYS HAD THIS BROBLEM. IF FORDS COMPANY SLOGAN IS BUILT TOUGH THEN THIS TYPES OF PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT SEEMS MAJORITY OF 2004 OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10949569
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2017

80, 000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, AND IT NOW NEEDS ITS REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED FOR THE 6TH TIME. ON TOP OF THAT , NOW THE CAM PHASERS ARE GOING BAD. CAN'T DRIVE IT NOW AGAIN AS IT MAY LEAVE ME STRANDED IN AN INTERSECTION AGAIN. I DRIVE 7 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK, AND OCCASIONALLY USE THE TRUCK FOR VACATIONS.

NHTSA ID
10947518
Incident
Jan 24, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2016

MY TRUCK GETS UP TO ABOUT 50 MPH THEN ACTS LIKE IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL , NO POWER TO THE BACK WHEELS. I'VE NOTICED THAT MORE THAN A FEW 2004 F-150 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. HAS ANY INVESTIGATION BEEN DONE AND IF SO WHAT WERE THE FINDINGS. I LIVE ON DISABILITY SOCIAL SECURITY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION REPAIRED.I WAS ON A PAVED ROAD AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10920500
Incident
Oct 31, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 15, 2016

TAKATA RECALL : TRUCK IS SLIPPING IN FORWARD GEARS AND THE REVERSE WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF U YOU REV IT UP IT'S LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK TO GO HOME

NHTSA ID
10916222
Incident
Jul 7, 2016
Mileage
190,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 28, 2016

GRINDING IN REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY, DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REBUILD,57K...

NHTSA ID
10910123
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Mileage
57,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2016

UNKNOWN. MAJOR POPPING IN REAR END WHILE TURNING. WHEN TRUCK IS IN PARK I CAN ROLL IT BACK AND FORTH A GOOD 10 INCHES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

NHTSA ID
10897003
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
125,090 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2016

VIBRATION AT 45 TO 55. WHEN COLD STRONG JERK IN REAR END AREA AND SOMETIMES ON TURN TO RIGHT. ALSO COMES IN AT TIMES WHEN GOING TO PASSING GEAR. IT IS A DIFFERENTIAL ISSUE MORE THAN A DRIVE SHAFT ISSUE. ALL U JOINTS ARE TIGHT. NO IMBALANCE IN DRIVE SHAFT. HAVE GONE TO SPECIAL TEFLON GEAR OIL... THIS APPEARS TO BE DESIGN AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10882072
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2016

112,000 AND SENT THE TRUCK IN FOR A HUMMING NOISE . THE WHOLE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAS HAD ONLY HIGHWAY DRIVING WITH NO OFF ROADING. DIFFERENTIAL OIL REPLACED EVERY YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10846181
Incident
Mar 5, 2016
Mileage
112,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2016

TOOK TRUCK TO GET TUNE UP BUT WAS TOLD I COULDN'T GET WARRANTY TO HELP PAY FOR SERVICE BADLY NEEDED AND DUE TO THAT I LOST WORK AND WAS ALMOST HOMELESS BUT ENDED UP GETTING HELP FROM MY MOTHER FOR TIRES THAT TOOK 5 DAYS AND WAS A BIG HEADAKE AT WALLMART BUT THAT'S ANOTHER THING .ITS A LONG STORY BUT I'M DOING MY BEST TO HAVE A DECENT RUNNING TRUCK THAT I CAN RELY ON TO KEEP JOBS.I JUST WANT IT FIXED SO I HAD TO BECOME A MECHANIC JUST TO FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THESES MOTERCRAFT 515 SPARK PLUGS AND WOULD LIKE HELP TO GET COPINSATION AND HAVE REPAIRS THAT IS NEEDS ATTION ASAP .LONG STORY SHORT I LOVE MY FORD TRUCK AND LEARNED A LOT ALONG THE WAY PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
10821942
Incident
Jan 14, 2014
Mileage
1,000,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DRIVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INSIDE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER BECAME DISCONNECTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID
10816942
Incident
Dec 26, 2015
Mileage
138,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 18, 2015

WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASING MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED IT WAS MAKING A TICKING NOISE LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE BUT IT'S NOT A DIESEL. I WENT TO GET THE CODES AND FOUND IT WAS A RETARDED VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ISSUE CODE P0022. I LOOKED ONLINE AND WENT TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND MECHANICS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PAYING TO REPLACE THE VCT SOLENOIDS IT WAS APPARENT THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE CAUSING THE TIMING PROBLEM. FOR WEEKS I NOTICED THE TRUCK SHAKING AND AT ONE POINT IT ACTUALLY STALLED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO A BUSY ROAD AND IT STALLED AS I WAS GOING INTO THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED THE ON COMING TRAFFIC TO SLOW AND STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER SPENDING WEEKS IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE SHOP AND A LARGE SUM OF MONEY THEY FOUND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ENTIRELY. I HAVE WITNESSED THIS ISSUE HAPPENING TO MANY MANY OTHERS ONLINE AND IN PERSON WHO HAVE THE SAME YEAR RANGE WITH THE 5.4L 3 VALVE TRITON ENGINES. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SO MANY VEHICLE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES. IT IS NOT ONLY VERY POOR QUALITY FOR SUCH A LARGE PRICE BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OWNER AND OTHERS AROUND THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10765243
Incident
Mar 14, 2015
Mileage
96,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2015

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ACTS UP AND PREVENTS THE TRUCK FROM ACCELERATING PROPERLY. STUTTERS ALL OF THE TIME AND HAS A MILD MISFIRE AND WHAT SOUNDS LIKE KNOCKING.

NHTSA ID
10731264
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Mileage
125,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .