Finally took it in for service. 10 days in the garage. All but about 3 problems were fixed. Here's the list.

1) Transmisison Malfunction reading - Recalibration

2) Vibration in steering wheel and floor - Load force test. Measured clearances. Match-mounted wheels and hubs.

3) Poor throttle response - Nature of the beast. Drive by wire.

4) Passenger heated seat intermittently works - Couldn't figure out how to fix it, so they replaced the whole seat.

5) Outside temperature control not accurate - reflash

6) Climate control functioning poorly - reflash

7) Side tracking (washboard effect) when driving on bumps (Could be hazardous for those of us that drive on snow and ice) - They have a prototype fix but not approved by legal yet. Maybe in the spring.

8) Distorted windshield - Visteon replaced. But can't get the rearview mirror the seat properly. Stopped by the glass place that replaced it. They can't figure it out either. Will have to look an other '04's and get back with us.

9) Intermittently can't remove key from ignition without playing with shifter. Couldn't duplicate.

10) Reverse sensor sticking in the on position with nothing behind you. - Couldn't duplicate.

11) Resurfaced 2 front brakes for a vibration that we didn't notice but they did.

 

My windshield also has some optical distortion. Mine is down low, in an area that is not being looked thru very much, so it really doesn't annoy. I don't think I've ever seen a windshield that is totally optically perfect. After all, these things are mass-produced. You have to allow for variations off perfect. Manufacturing tolerances, and all of that.

I think a lot of these problems are present on most of these trucks, but that some drivers are more sensitive to them than others. The point was made that one might expect more from a truck that cost $38k. Actually, this is a pretty low price compared to high-performing cars. It isn't all that hard to spend $50k or more on some of these sedans.

 

I have this problem also. When you a encounter a bumpy area on the road it seems as though you have no control over the front wheels as if they were leaving the ground. I just hang on and the truck gets through it. This has been reported by other people on this forum. I have also told Ford and I am waiting for a response.

Other than that and the temp reading issue there has been no other problems. I still think its a great truck.

 

This "wash board" thing has me perplexed. What kind of tire pressure are you running? I almost went off the road once when I got new tires on my Ranger and they over inflated them on a wash board gravel road. I've had the new truck on these SAME roads and railed through them with no problems. That's a weird one.

BTW, I've had mine for almost 3 months and ZERO problems. I have had new tires put on but that was by choice.

It sounds like they're really trying to take care of you though. An entirely new Seat, wow..

 

1800 miles / 1 month ---Love it
Throttle responce could be better and I think can be fixed

 

REMEMBER: There are no bad trucks only bad owners. 2900 miles in less than three weeks and perfect in every way! I must be a good owner.

 

4th day with it (160miles).....i'm in love!


-ii

 

I've watched the F150 prototypes climb Fords "washboard hill" at the Arizona proving grounds on film.

That truck was exposed to bouncing that few if any trucks EVER see in their life and maintained its composure.

Might I suggest that you are not as good a driver as you think?