2004 Ford F-250 recalls and problems

The 2004 Ford F-250 has 2 safety recalls and 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
154
Crashes / fires
8 / 4
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Ford F-250 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Ford F-250 recalls

Recall 11V-352: Exterior Lighting

Reported Jul 13, 2011 · 26,715 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 04V-229: Tires

Reported May 17, 2004 · 6,415 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Risk: If a tire was operated in an over-loaded or over-inflated condition, the tire may rupture resulting in a rapid air loss, which can cause a crash without warning.

Fix: 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.

2004 Ford F-250 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling45
Electrical System38
Vehicle Speed Control19
Engine19
Power Train12
Tires10
Steering10
Fuel/Propulsion System9
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Service Brakes6
Fuel System, Diesel5
Air Bags4

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel — 11
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 11
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 5
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 5
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 4
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 39,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Ford F-250 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Tires · reported Sep 15, 2026
The contact owns 2004 Ford F-250 equipped with Maxwrx Tires, Tire Line: Rcveita, Tire Size: 33x12.50 R20. The contact stated that approximately one month after the tires were purchased from Dutchman's Tire Warehouse #2 , the tires started bouncing significantly while driving over 60 MPH, causing the vehicle to shudder. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the tires were not DOT certified and advised the contact to discard the tires due to safety concerns. The contact verified that the tires did not have a DOT number. The contact recalled that Dutchman's Tire…
Steering · reported Jul 16, 2025
My 2004 F250 has developed the "Death Wobble" that is normally associated with newer models, but the shudder at or around 40-45mph is identical to the described problems of the newer models in the class action lawsuit and tech bulletins published by Ford. Older models need to be considered in the tech bulletins, customer satisfaction programs, and fixed by ford despite being 1 year older than the current guidelines.
Electrical System · at 100,000 miles · reported Jun 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle jerked and briefly lost motive power before the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign…
Steering · reported Jan 23, 2025
The tie rod broke while the vehicle was in motion. This caused the vehicle to lose control and crash into another vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles. There was no warning and no sign of any issues. Vehicle has been very well maintained, in fact, it has been in the shop at least once per month for the past year due to a number of mechanical issues unrelated to the tie rod.
Engine · at 140,000 miles · reported Jul 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Other Ford F-250 years

Compare all Ford F-250 years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Ford F-250 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2004 Ford F-250: 11V-352 (exterior lighting), 04V-229 (tires). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Ford F-250?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (45 reports), followed by electrical system (38). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 39,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.