2004 Ford F-250
The Verdict
The 2004 Ford F-250 has 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (80 complaints) and body (37 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 63/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Ford F-250, consider the 2007 model year which has 60% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2007 has 60% fewer complaints
View the 2007 Ford F-250 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 PASSE...
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.
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 50...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
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 Number 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
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.
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.
I purchased this truck in January 2023. Drove just fine for 2 months and started having this issue. While driving my 2004 f250 sd 6.0l turbodiesel 4x4, (egr deleted, bulletproofed and studded engine, cold air intake, oil cooler, sct x4 tuner) a "fizzle" noise was heard more on passenger side; acting like fuel wasn't reaching engine; and truck stalled right after noise was heard. Wouldn't restart on a hot engine. Crank-no start. Drained both batteries attempting to restart. Restarted after cold engine but would stalled out and not be able to restart while hot engine. Replaced both fuel filters, fuel pump, some module in front bumper relating to fuel system. A friend that knows diesel engines has been trying to find out why its operating the way it is. I treated the gas tank to (2) SEAFOAM for trucks and had valvoline in Ferndale, WA do an oil change after purchasing it. Recalls say that they've been done, but could this issue be caused by the FICM recall?
I was driving in nampa around 5pm when my truck lost power my fuel peddle had 0 response tried to pull off the road almost had an accident because truck died losing steering power and brakes was hard to push truck had lost the voltage board in the ficm. Upon going over forums this is a major common issue amongst many ford owners. I also have a ground short from unknown location not sure as to what has caused this but assuming it has to do with the wiring harnesses to the ficm. I feel Ford should be in repair of this due to the large amount of issues across the nation of 6.0 owners but this is a very dangerous situation for owners. Not having steering control in such a large truck is extremely dangers. Previous owner had same issue and replaced the ficm and said it shouldn’t ever be an issue I feel there is a wiring issue that needs to be addressed.
VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER-STALLS AND LOSES FUNCTION WHEN IDLING. HAS OCCURRED WHEN EXITING FREEWAY WAY AND IN A REGULAR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. NEED TO RESTART AFTER STALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HIS HOME WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. REPAIR ESTIMATE $1300. FORD APPARENTLY KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SETTLED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THEY DID NOT INFORM OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM, SO I FEEL THEY ARE STILL CULPABLE FOR THE DAMAGES.
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BETWEEN 70-80, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL VIBRATES/SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT FIRST IT IS MINOR, BUT GET'S WORSE AND WORSE AS IT FORCES THE TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD MANY TIMES. THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AT 30,387 MILES. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, AT 36999 MILES, REPLACED THE STEERING DAMPENER, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN, THEY TORQUED THE PITMEN ARM AND DECLARED THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE PROBLEM RETURNED BUT THE DEALERSHIPS CONTINUED TO STATE IT WAS A TIRE BALANCING PROBLEM. AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT 50,252 MILES, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. AT 56,013 MILES, THE PROBLEM WAS AGAIN REPORTED TO FORD. THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT BALANCE ONE OF THE 'NEW' TIRES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DISCOUNT TIRE, WHICH SOLD ME THE TIRES AND USES THE SAME BALANCING MACHINE AS FORD. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AND BALANCED THEM AGAIN. THE TECHNICIAN AT DISCOUNT TIRE TOLD ME THAT HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE (WHERE HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN BALANCE). THE ONLY FIX WAS TO INSTALL DUAL STEERING STABILIZERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS ACTUALLY WAS THE FIX. AS IT TURNS OUT, TO INSTALL DUAL STABILIZERS, THE TRUCK MUST HAVE A 2" LEVELING KIT INSTALLED TO ALLOW THE BRACKET TO FIT WITHOUT HITTING THE FRAME WHEN BUMPS ARE HIT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
THE CALIBER SUDDENLY BROKE AND I HAD NO BRAKES. ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT.
DRIVING IN TOWN AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND. EXAMINING THE BRAKES I SAW THAT THE BRAKE CALIBER WAS LEAKING.
REDUCED POWERED UNDER A GRADE/LOAD. REDUCED ACCELERATION. BOGS DOWN, CANNOT REACH SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 40-45 MPH, UP HILL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CONE FRACTURED IN THE FUEL PICKUP SENDER UNIT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED MORE THAN ONCE TO GRIECO FORD OF DELRAY BEACH (3000 S FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483, (561) 278-0303) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONE DISINTEGRATED IN THE FUEL TANK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CONE UNIT, FUEL FILTER, FUEL LINES, AND INJECTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-24538661. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 296,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *BF* 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART. IT WILL ALSO STALL AFTER LETTING OFF THE THROTTLE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AND OCCASIONALLY WHILE WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. RPM'S WILL ALSO DROP TO 500 AND I HAVE NO THROTTLE RESPONSE, IF IT DOESN'T STALL COMPLETELY. THIS MAY OCCUR 4 OR MORE TIMES A DAY, THEN MAY NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO TELLING WHEN IT WILL OCCUR, IT IS TO RANDOM TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. NOW MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE STOPPED WORKING AS WELL, WHEN I REPLACE THE FUSE IT BLOWS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE REPLACED THE FICM, EBP SENSOR AND WIRING, FUEL PUMP AND STILL HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE TRUCK IN 2018, BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP. THE FOLLOWING RECALL NUMBER 05V270000 SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING, BUT DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL FOR MY TRUCK.
STEERING GEAR BOX SPLINE SHAFT SNAPPED OFF AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTION WHILE DRIVING,CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
I HAVE A 2004 F 250 SUPER DUTY WITH THE 6.0 ENGINE IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE HEADS DOWN STREACH WHEN HOT LETTING WATER INTO THE OIL SYSTEM ITS ALL OVER THE INTERRNET ABOUT THE 6.O ENGINE THAT FORD PROVIDES THE ONLY FIX IS TO HAVE THE CAB REMOVED AND REPLACE THE BOLTS WITH STUDS THAT CAN TAKE THE HIGH TEMP THAT THE ENGINE PRODUCES THIS IS ONLY ONE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THIS PROBLEM COST ME OVER 5000$ TO FIX SURE WOULD BE NICE FOR YOU ALL TO LOOK INTO THIS PRODUCT THAT FORD HAS BEEN USEING AND KNOWS THERES A PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINE,,YOU GO TO TRADE IT IN AT FORD AND THEY SEE IT HAS A 6.0 ENGINE IN IT AND THE PRICE DROPS ,WAY ,WAY TO MUCH FOR A TRUCK THAT SOLD NEW FOR 45000$ , I FOUND MY TRUCK LEAKING WATER IN THE DRIVE WAY SETTING STILL NO REASON FOR IT TO START LEAKING ,,I HAVE THE BILLS FROM FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD IT FIXED IF NEEDED PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ENGINE ITS NOT RIGHT TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO A TRUCK THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM THAT NOT ONE OTHER ENGINE FORD HAS DOES WHAT THE 6.0 DOES ,ALSO BAD EGR IT HAS TO BE BY PASSED THIS STUFF SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ALSO SHOWED WATER IN GAS EMPTYED THE CANTAINER AND THEN GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING AND GAS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME ,,,,NEVER BUY FORD
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