RoadVitals

2004 Ford F-150 Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
863
Latest Jun 24, 2025
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.
43%
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.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 863 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 visibility

The 25 most recent of 863, in the owner's own words

BrakesElectricalVisibility
Filed Jun 24, 2025

Electrical malfunction with fuses , problems with brake light, engine light and air bag light . Some fuses blown out after brake light fuse popped wipers don't work at all air bog turns on and off every day not sure why

NHTSA ID
11668789
Incident
Jun 19, 2025
Visibility
Filed Dec 12, 2019

IN MID NOVEMBER 2019, I WAS ENTERING MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR CENTER GLASS WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED THE MOMENT I OPEN THE TRUCK DOOR FOR NO REASON. NO INDICATION OF AN OBJECT STRIKING OR ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE TEMPERATURE HAD DROPPED DOWN PAST 20 DEGREES THE DAY THIS HAPPENED. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW AND THEN,NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER, THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW IS COMPLETELY SHATTERING AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK....THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN! NOW, I GO OUT TODAY, 12/12/19 TO MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW COMPLETELY SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON! IN ALL 3 INSTANCES, THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 35 DEGREES. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON AND IT'S DRIVING ME INSANE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE WINDOWS ARE RANDOMLY SHATTERING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS. NOW I AM ABOUT TO BE OUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY TO TRY TO REPAIR MY FORD WINDOWS.

NHTSA ID
11288754
Incident
Dec 12, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,000.

NHTSA ID
11091360
Incident
May 2, 2018
Mileage
247,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A LOUD POP SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW KIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID
10864604
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
62,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, WATER POURED INTO THE REAR WINDOW OF THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE GASKET AROUND THE REAR WINDOW AND THE LAMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ

NHTSA ID
10749448
Incident
Jul 2, 2015
Mileage
31,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Nov 8, 2014

THE MIRROR(S) ARE FULL OF CORROSION AND THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR FELL RIGHT OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10653580
Incident
Nov 7, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 21, 2014

I HAVE HAD SUNROOF FIXED TWICE. KEEPS JUMPING OFF TRACK & NOW NEED TO GET IT FIXED FOR THIRD TIME. ALSO, ALL 4 POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND HAD TO BE FIXED A FEW TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627003
Incident
Aug 7, 2014
Mileage
135,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 21, 2014
Crash reported

DRIVING DOWN MY STREET THE WINDOW JUST CRASHED DOWN! IT FELL SO FAST AND HARD THAT I HAD TO LOOK TO MY RIGHT SIDE TO SEE WHAT HIT ME! AT THAT POINT I REAR ENDED A CAR THAT SLOWED DOWN! ALL THIS IS DO TO A CHEAP PLASTIC CLIP THAT FAILED AND RELEASED THE WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10584081
Incident
Apr 9, 2014
Mileage
71,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AS THE GLASS BEGAN TO DROP INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON BOTH PASSENGERS' SIDE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ID
10542849
Incident
Jul 6, 2011
Mileage
148,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 14, 2013

ON MY 2004 FORD F150 XLT LARIAT SUPERCAB, THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW REGULATOR HAS NOW FAILED. THE DRIVER'S ONE WENT FIRST (WITHIN THREE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP), THEN THE FRONT PASSENGER ONE (A FEW MONTHS LATER) THEN THE REAR PASSENGER ONE ( ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THE FIRST) AND NOW THIS. ALL FOUR REGULATORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED FROM THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED ONES. THIS LATEST ONE OCCURRED WHILE THE TRUCK SAT PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY UNOCCUPIED; ALL THE OTHERS HAPPENED ON THE ROADWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535392
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Visibility
Filed Aug 13, 2013

THIS IS MY SECOND WINDOW REGULATOR TO BREAK. THE FIRST WAS THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 60 MPH I HEARD A POP AND THEN AIR NOISE. (I SELDOM USE THE REAR WINDOWS.) THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE REGULATOR AND MOTOR BECAUSE THAT WAS ALL THE DEALER HAD IN STOCK. TODAY I HAD WINDOW DOWN ABOUT AN INCH WHILE PARKED. GOT IN TRUCK AND RAISED FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AND HEARD POP. I KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM FROM LAST TIME AND WITH TALKING TO OTHER FORD TRUCK OWNERS. A FRIEND HAS THE SAME MODEL TRUCK AND HAS REPLACE THREE OF THE FOUR REGULATORS IN HIS FORD TRUCK. WHEN I BEGAN DRIVING THE WINDOW DROPPED. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD OR OFF ROAD. THERE HAS TO BE SOME FLAW IN THESE REGULATORS. I AM 66 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED MANY DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODEL OF VEHICLES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THREAD FOR THESE FORD TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535094
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
57,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED. NEITHER OF THE WINDOWS COULD BE OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID
10524457
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Mileage
87,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 5, 2013

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPX 45 MPH AND THE WINDOW JUST FELL DOWN. STARTLED ME SOME BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS WILL BE SECOND ONE REPLACED SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. NOT ONE TO USUALLY COMPLAIN BUT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FROM EARLY ON IN IT'S YEARS. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ID
10523306
Incident
Jul 5, 2013
Mileage
101,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 3, 2013

I WAS DOING A DAY TRIP HAULING HORSES BY MYSELF WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO HEAD HOME WHEN I HEARD THIS TERRIBLE NOISE AND SOON WATCHED THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW DISAPPEAR AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. I TOOK IT INTO FORD TODAY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $300 TO FIX BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE IN STOCK AND THAT IT WAS THE REGULATOR THAT WENT OUT. I HAD THEM CHECK THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW AS WELL AS IT WOULD GO DOWN BUT WOULD NOT GO UP USING THAT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH AND THAT THE SWITCH NEEDS REPLACED AND THAT WOULD BE $130 DOLLARS AND AGAIN PART WAS NOT IN STOCK SO COULD NOT REPLACE. SO WHEN I WENT IN TO GET MY TRUCK ALL OF A SUDDEN I FIND OUT THAT OTHER THAN THE OIL CHANGE WHICH I EXPECTED MY BILL JUST FOR THEM TO LOOK AT AND OIL CHANGE WAS OVER $190.00 AND MY WINDOWS WERE NOT FIXED YET AND NOT TOLD AHEAD OF TIME WHAT THE CHARGE MIGHT BE SO THE EXTRA $150 WAS TOTALLY NOT BUDGETS. BUT HAD TO PAY AS I NEEDED MY TRUCK TO GET HOME. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT MY BROTHER IN LAWS TRUCK ALSO A 2004 HAD A VIN NUMBER SET THAT FORD DID REPLACE THE REGULATOR BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. NOW THAT REALLY UPSET US A LOT ESPECIALLY FINDING OUT OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT WE COULD HAVE ISSUES WITH THE OTHER THREE WINDOWS. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO RECALLED ALL 2004 F150 DOOR REGULATORS BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF GLASS WAS TO BREAK IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHILE IN ROUTE. PLUS WAS NOT COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SO EVIDENTLY THE WARRANTY COMPANIES ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF THEY EXCLUDE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523135
Incident
Jun 29, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 26, 2013

I STARTED UP MY TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND BEGAN TO LOWER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WHEN THE DRIVERSIDE WINDOW JUST FELL DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513593
Incident
May 24, 2013
Mileage
39,756 mi
Visibility
Filed May 16, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE AND COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE WINDOW MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,835. *TR UPDATED 7/15/13 *CN

NHTSA ID
10512386
Incident
May 5, 2013
Mileage
47,835 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed May 13, 2013

REPLACED TWO WINDOW REGULATORS IN VEHICLE. DRIVER'S WINDOWN AND PASSENGER WINDOW.

NHTSA ID
10512157
Incident
May 1, 2013
EngineVisibility
Filed Mar 12, 2013

GOT INTO VEHICLE, STARTED, AND IMMEDIATELY LOUD POPPING SOUNDS CAME FROM UNDER THE ENGINE, AND WORSE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. LUCKILY HAD 2 HOBBY MECHANICS, THAT I WORK WITH, COME TAKE A LOOK. THEY IMMEDIATELY DETERMINED THAT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUGS HAD BACKED-OUT. THEY TOOK THE COVER OFF AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE 1ST SPARK PLUG, AND LUCKILY THE THREADS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE. PUT SPARK PLUG BACK IN, AND VEHICLE STARTED FINE AFTER THAT. I TRAVEL 45 MILES ONE WAY TO/FROM WORK. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, COULD LEAVE ME STRANDED. 2ND LUCK, NO REPAIR COST. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THE DEALER WOULD HAVE CHARGED. IN ADDITION, 2 WEEKS LATER, I HAD THE 3RD (2 PREVIOUS WERE IN FRONT RIGHT & REAR DRIVER WINDOW) OUT OF 4 DOOR WINDOWS FALL INTO THE DOOR. THIS TIME IT WAS THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR - REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. LOUD BANG BEFORE THEY FELL. SCARED ME - THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD THROWN A LARGE ROCK AT MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 3RD TO FAIL WITHIN 8 MONTHS (LAST 2 ON THE SAME DAY IN JULY 2012). TOTAL REPAIR COST ON WINDOWS WAS $900.00. THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ON THE SPARK PLUG PROBLEM, AND THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD FOR COMPLAINT & REIMBURSEMENT, AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. IT'S VERY OBVIOUS, IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10502552
Incident
Feb 28, 2013
Mileage
179,800 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 12, 2013

THE 3RD OUT OF 4 DOOR WINDOWS FELL INTO THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR - REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. LOUD BANG BEFORE THEY FELL. SCARED ME - THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD THROWN A LARGE ROCK AT MY VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 3RD TO FAIL WITHIN 8 MONTHS (LAST 2 ON THE SAME DAY IN JULY 2012). REPAIR COST WAS $245.00. THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ON THESE REGULATOR ASSEMBLIES, ALTHOUGH HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT, AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502547
Incident
Mar 9, 2013
Mileage
180,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 12, 2013

2 DOOR WINDOWS FELL INTO THE FRONT RIGHT, AND DRIVER'S REAR DOOR - REGULATOR ASSEMBLIES. LOUD BANG BEFORE THEY FELL. FELL ON THE SAME DAY WITHIN 1 HOUR APART. THE FIRST, I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MILES PER HOUR, AND THE 2ND I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ALMOST $600 TO HAVE BOTH REPAIRED. AFTER MUCH RESEARCHING, THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE REGULATOR ASSEMBLIES, ALTHOUGH HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT, AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502545
Incident
Jul 27, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 11, 2013

I OWN A 2004 FORD F150 4-DOOR P/U. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOW IN MY FORD F150 HAVE FALLIN AT DIFFERENT TIMES ( WINDOW REGULATOR ). FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WERE NOT GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL. THIS WEEK MY 4TH WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL AGAIN WHILE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. I ADVISED FORD THIS WAS UNSAFE AND HOW CAN ANYONE SECURE A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY WINDOW REGULATORS. SOMEONE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IF THIS OCCURS DURING DRIVING AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502427
Incident
Mar 9, 2013
Mileage
42,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 18, 2013

THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10498548
Incident
Oct 24, 2008
Mileage
84,885 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW GLASS RELEASED ABRUPTLY INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL WITH A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID
10495119
Incident
Jan 29, 2013
Mileage
141,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 25, 2013

ALL FOUR OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN IN THIS VEHICLE LETTING THE WINDOWS FALL DOWN AND SOMETIMES I HAVE BEEN PARKED AT AND NOT AROUND THE VEHICLE, ALSO HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THE TRUCK AND THEY FALL DOWN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10494759
Incident
Jun 17, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR FRAME AS THE DOOR WAS BEING CLOSED. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW ALSO FAILED SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE WINDOWS AND FOUND THAT THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE METAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID
10493071
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
90,000 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .