VehicleVerdict

2004 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 159 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.2 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 2004 model ranks #7 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 50 reports (31% of the total).

159

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted269 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 188 complaints2001: 188 complaints2002: 145 complaints2003: 164 complaints2004: 159 complaints2005: 269 complaints2006: 192 complaints2007: 35 complaints2008: 146 complaints2009: 25 complaints2010: 79 complaints2011: 63 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 26 complaints2016: 26 complaints2017: 118 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 158 complaints2023: 54 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 12 complaints
F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5031%
Electrical System3119%
Tires & Wheels2013%
Fuel System1912%
Transmission64%
Brakes64%
Speed Control64%
Steering64%
Body & Structure64%
Suspension53%
Airbags11%
Seat Belts11%
Other11%
Trailer Hitch11%

Does the 2004 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

05V270000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2005 · 180,104 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2004 FORD F350 CREW CAB DIESEL SAT IDLE IN DRIVEWAY FOR APPROX. 6 WEEKS. A FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMP. WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND UNOCCUPIED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2008 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2006

“VEHICLE IS A 2004 F-350 CREW CAB. TIRES ARE DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T, 285/75 R16 APRIL 30TH 2011 WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH I HAD THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE SEPARATE. THE TREAD APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE CAUSING FAILURE. THE TREAD DID NOT COMPLETELY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 30, 2011

“GETTING ON ENTRANCE RAMP I35 NORTH, F350 LOSS POWER NO ACCELERATION, SEMI TRUCK ALMOST RAN OVER US, DUE TO NO POWER, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE PIPE, THEN TRUCK STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. SINCE THEN THE TRUCK HAS SILVER FLAKING IN FUEL LINE HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS, STILL NOT FUNCTIONAL.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 19, 2009

“CRUISE CONTROL CABLES JAMMING THROTTLES OPEN ON FLEET OF 2001-2004 FORD F350 UTILITY BODY TRUCKS WITH 6.8L V10 ENGINES. OCCURRING ABOUT JANUARY 25 2006. ANOTHER UNIT HAD THE ACCELERATOR JAM WIDE OPEN. UNIT BURNED UP THE BRAKING COMPONENTS FROM DRIVING TO OUR REPAIR SHOP. DISCOVERED THE CRUISE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 25, 2006 · crash

2004 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2004 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 159 complaints put the 2004 model at #7 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (50 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), tires & wheels (20 complaints).

Does the 2004 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Ford F-350 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Ford F-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.