'04 owners how's your truck holding up?
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Blower Motor resister, replaced myself, as were the drivers side window switches.
Remanufactered transmission and torque converter at 90,000 miles, and transfer case seals and service while the tranny was out.
No complaints even with the tranny issue.
Remanufactered transmission and torque converter at 90,000 miles, and transfer case seals and service while the tranny was out.
No complaints even with the tranny issue.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
I'm amazed there are so many people out there that have had little or no issues with their "04 F-150's! My truck is actually an '05 model year, but was built and purchased in 2004. I purchased this truck from a dealer on April 28, 2010, and to be honest with you, I have never had a more problematic truck. I would go as far as to say it's deffinately a lemon! Don't get me wrong, I love the looks, size, and the way my truck is layed out. I just wish I could count on it to make it to the next street corner!
I bought my truck with only 48,000 miles on it - with a warranty (Thank Goodness!) When I first test drove it, I was surprised with the power a SuperCab/Longbed with a 5.4L 3V engine had. It was hard not to burn rubber!!! But since then, the truck has been at the shop for more than 2 months of the time that I have owned it! When I purchased it, it had the wrong oil filter and oil in the engine - (Ford say's use only a 820S MC filter and 5W20 MC semi-synthetic oil). The engine began making all kinds of rattling and "diesel" like noises. It turned out to be the cam phasers, oil pick-up tube, timing chains, guides and tensioners. When I got the truck back, the engine seemed gutless and ran rough. Then it began bucking while going up even the slightest hills and the engine died several times without logging any codes. That turned out to be a bad #1 spark plug and COP. Got it back from the dealer again - it ran smooth, but still lacked power. I drove it for two weeks and it began bucking again on small grades around 35 MPH. Then the engine began dying again (like someone turned off the key). It logged P2104 and P2112 codes (throttle stuck closed) and finally gave me a wrench on the display (limp home mode). I cleaned the throttle body myself and that seemed to solve the problem for now, but I noticed a lot of slop and wear around the butterfly shaft and a groove in the throttle bore (where the throttle plate contacts the front of the throttle bore). The engine still lacks power and is beginning to idle a little rough. I hope I don't have to endure too much more.
Believe it or not, this is the summarized edition. I have never owned any vehicle before with this many problems and with such low miles. Ford should be ashamed!
I bought my truck with only 48,000 miles on it - with a warranty (Thank Goodness!) When I first test drove it, I was surprised with the power a SuperCab/Longbed with a 5.4L 3V engine had. It was hard not to burn rubber!!! But since then, the truck has been at the shop for more than 2 months of the time that I have owned it! When I purchased it, it had the wrong oil filter and oil in the engine - (Ford say's use only a 820S MC filter and 5W20 MC semi-synthetic oil). The engine began making all kinds of rattling and "diesel" like noises. It turned out to be the cam phasers, oil pick-up tube, timing chains, guides and tensioners. When I got the truck back, the engine seemed gutless and ran rough. Then it began bucking while going up even the slightest hills and the engine died several times without logging any codes. That turned out to be a bad #1 spark plug and COP. Got it back from the dealer again - it ran smooth, but still lacked power. I drove it for two weeks and it began bucking again on small grades around 35 MPH. Then the engine began dying again (like someone turned off the key). It logged P2104 and P2112 codes (throttle stuck closed) and finally gave me a wrench on the display (limp home mode). I cleaned the throttle body myself and that seemed to solve the problem for now, but I noticed a lot of slop and wear around the butterfly shaft and a groove in the throttle bore (where the throttle plate contacts the front of the throttle bore). The engine still lacks power and is beginning to idle a little rough. I hope I don't have to endure too much more.
Believe it or not, this is the summarized edition. I have never owned any vehicle before with this many problems and with such low miles. Ford should be ashamed!
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Kansas, USA
Thank you, bigblue!
I am a member of two other F-150 forums and have found that the majority of members there have had the same or similar problems, but most still love their trucks - as I do, as well. Even Tbird69 has admitted that he has had a phaser problem. My truck was probably built on a Friday afternoon, since it seems to have all of the problems.
Never the less, the point that I was trying to make in my original post was that Ford should have recalled these trucks early-on and fixed these common problems. I was not attacking anyone and don't think that I should have been attacked. I chose not to respond to his reply as it did not seem to be constructive in any way and was completely off the subject. In addition, I will not respond to further future attacks from Tbird69 on this issue for the same reason.
Again, thank you for your response bigbluescrew, I needed to get that off my chest.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 6
From: Simi Valley CA
mtnlovrs,
It sounds like the mechanic did something wrong, maybe the timing is off on one bank with regard to the timing chain/phasers? I know the wrong oil filter, without anti drain back could cause some noise at startup, but the other stuff sounds like a warranty gravy train.
In Addition: You may still have a problem with one of your cam phasers. It one is stuck, or they didn't put it together right, that could cause the lack of power you are having. Pulling all of that apart is a big job, so I doubt they are going to do it, unless they can find something else to warranty. Maybe, you should get a second opinion on the cam phaser/timing issue and have them redo their work.
It sounds like the mechanic did something wrong, maybe the timing is off on one bank with regard to the timing chain/phasers? I know the wrong oil filter, without anti drain back could cause some noise at startup, but the other stuff sounds like a warranty gravy train.
In Addition: You may still have a problem with one of your cam phasers. It one is stuck, or they didn't put it together right, that could cause the lack of power you are having. Pulling all of that apart is a big job, so I doubt they are going to do it, unless they can find something else to warranty. Maybe, you should get a second opinion on the cam phaser/timing issue and have them redo their work.
Last edited by MeanGene; Dec 4, 2010 at 02:53 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Kansas, USA
That's possible, but I hope not!
mtnlovrs,
It sounds like the mechanic did something wrong, maybe the timing is off on one bank with regard to the timing chain/phasers? I know the wrong oil filter, without anti drain back could cause some noise at startup, but the other stuff sounds like a warranty gravy train.
In Addition: You may still have a problem with one of your cam phasers. It one is stuck, or they didn't put it together right, that could cause the lack of power you are having. Pulling all of that apart is a big job, so I doubt they are going to do it, unless they can find something else to warranty. Maybe, you should get a second opinion on the cam phaser/timing issue and have them redo their work.
It sounds like the mechanic did something wrong, maybe the timing is off on one bank with regard to the timing chain/phasers? I know the wrong oil filter, without anti drain back could cause some noise at startup, but the other stuff sounds like a warranty gravy train.
In Addition: You may still have a problem with one of your cam phasers. It one is stuck, or they didn't put it together right, that could cause the lack of power you are having. Pulling all of that apart is a big job, so I doubt they are going to do it, unless they can find something else to warranty. Maybe, you should get a second opinion on the cam phaser/timing issue and have them redo their work.
It still idles a little rough though and it seems to be getting louder valve noise on the right bank. When they did the work on my truck, both phasers and timing chains were replaced.I found out that there was a falling out at my local Ford dealership just before I brought my truck in for repairs back in May. Apparently, all of the mechanics walked off the job after the owner gave them major pay cuts; due to the economy. Then, he hired all new ASCE certified mechanics right out of school to replace them. They had the training, but lacked the experience to troubleshoot effectively. This all came from one of the former employees that was there when all of this happened. Bad timing on my part. Sorry for all the drama.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I don't know what I said to deserve the personal attack, but in my defense, I did get a mechanical inspection; they told me the phasers were bad (that's why I bought the warranty). The dealer offered me a deal I couldn't refuse and the truck is in immacculate condition - no scrathes, dings, rust (not even underneath or under the plastic bed liner), and the interior is super clean. No, this truck was babied. The paint in the 2" receiver of the trailer hitch hadn't even been disturbed. I figured that once I had this problem fixed, it would be a good truck. I had no idea it would have many more problems. I spent a lot of money fixing all of the problems, some of which I did not mention.
I am a member of two other F-150 forums and have found that the majority of members there have had the same or similar problems, but most still love their trucks - as I do, as well. Even Tbird69 has admitted that he has had a phaser problem. My truck was probably built on a Friday afternoon, since it seems to have all of the problems.
Never the less, the point that I was trying to make in my original post was that Ford should have recalled these trucks early-on and fixed these common problems. I was not attacking anyone and don't think that I should have been attacked. I chose not to respond to his reply as it did not seem to be constructive in any way and was completely off the subject. In addition, I will not respond to further future attacks from Tbird69 on this issue for the same reason.
I am a member of two other F-150 forums and have found that the majority of members there have had the same or similar problems, but most still love their trucks - as I do, as well. Even Tbird69 has admitted that he has had a phaser problem. My truck was probably built on a Friday afternoon, since it seems to have all of the problems.
Never the less, the point that I was trying to make in my original post was that Ford should have recalled these trucks early-on and fixed these common problems. I was not attacking anyone and don't think that I should have been attacked. I chose not to respond to his reply as it did not seem to be constructive in any way and was completely off the subject. In addition, I will not respond to further future attacks from Tbird69 on this issue for the same reason.
THIS thread is for 2004 owners to post about their trucks and problems. Thank You.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth MA
Ive got an 04 fx4 5.4 and use to take it off roading every weekend for the most part and i was pretty rough on it with in the past year maybe a bit longer its been throwing codes like random engine misfire, cylinders 3 5 and 7 no good, bank 1 and 2 too lean, and some others i dont remember off hand the truck has been running very bad no pick up and when i got on it the cel would flash then when i got off it went back to steady on. i changed the spark plugs this weekend changed 6 of them cuz the rear 2 i didnt have good feelings about now my trucks throwing only 4 codes P0204 (injector circuit malfunction) P0356 (ignition coil f primary/secondary circuit) then p1000 and p1233 im gonna try to do the injectors this week some other problems im having is the third break light leaks some times, fuel door spring thing broke, have to drive the truck with O/D off cuz when it shifts to od it just revs like in N, and the rear ujoint needs to be replaced, also rear diff is leaking i know this is most of my fault because of lack of maintenance
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
My truck is over 113k miles now and it's still going strong. I have replaced both rear axle seals since I updated this last but other then that she's still running strong. Original motor,trans and rearend. I've had this truck for three years and have added 61,xxx miles to the odometer and haven't even needed to replace the brakes yet. I made my third trip to Oregon from Louisiana back in February and it hasn't left me on the side of the road yet.
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
My father bought his 2004 XLT supercrew 4x4 practically brand new around the time when they first came out. I remember he got it $6,000 off because a guy owned it before him but only drove it 600 miles, so my dad got $1,000 off per 100 miles because the guy that sold him the car used to work for him. It turns out the guy that owned the truck first was literally too fat to fit inside of the truck even when the door was all the way open, proof was left on the inside of the door in the place of a scratch left by the mans belt buckle.
Sorry to go off on that side note, anyways my dad passed away in October of last year so I inherited his truck. It has around 56,000 miles right now and I just took it in and the only thing they told me is that I might want to look into replacing my shocks in the near future which is fine with me because I was going to put Bilstein's on there anyways. *Knock on wood* The truck has never had a check engine light come on and it has always ran exceptionally well.
Sorry to go off on that side note, anyways my dad passed away in October of last year so I inherited his truck. It has around 56,000 miles right now and I just took it in and the only thing they told me is that I might want to look into replacing my shocks in the near future which is fine with me because I was going to put Bilstein's on there anyways. *Knock on wood* The truck has never had a check engine light come on and it has always ran exceptionally well.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
1) Bad brake light sensor - could not get out of park - could've used overide - warranty
2) Parking brake sticks - the vibe - warranty - fixed myself
3) Drivers window mechanism broken - fixed myself
4) Heater gate stuck/buzzes - not fixed
5) Sporadic issues with steering wheel radio controls - not fixed
6) Sporadic issues with power steering/hard steering - fluid flush seemed to help
7) Sporadic issues with sliding center window - seems okay now
8) Cam Phaser - $900
9) LS Differential shudder - not fixed
10) Various shifting/misfire issues - probably needs a new flash for the PCM
11) Needs battery - To be expected after 6 years
All in all I'd say average to below average in reliability.
2) Parking brake sticks - the vibe - warranty - fixed myself
3) Drivers window mechanism broken - fixed myself
4) Heater gate stuck/buzzes - not fixed
5) Sporadic issues with steering wheel radio controls - not fixed
6) Sporadic issues with power steering/hard steering - fluid flush seemed to help
7) Sporadic issues with sliding center window - seems okay now
8) Cam Phaser - $900
9) LS Differential shudder - not fixed
10) Various shifting/misfire issues - probably needs a new flash for the PCM
11) Needs battery - To be expected after 6 years
All in all I'd say average to below average in reliability.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,Ca
I`ve had my truck since 04 -9000 miles . Now 164000. I work my truck hard for work and play( tow a 22" travel trailer).
Frnt brakes replaced 3 times
Rotors twice
RR brakes and rotors once
Uppers and lowers once. (Due for another change now).The price I pay for
my lift.
Steering rack
Battery
RR axle seal
Alternator
Replace 1 front brake line
2 links
Tune up at 116000
Cam Phasers only one side at 135000
Window motor on driver side out for about 5 month now
I`m getting good use of my truck !
Frnt brakes replaced 3 times
Rotors twice
RR brakes and rotors once
Uppers and lowers once. (Due for another change now).The price I pay for
my lift.
Steering rack
Battery
RR axle seal
Alternator
Replace 1 front brake line
2 links
Tune up at 116000
Cam Phasers only one side at 135000
Window motor on driver side out for about 5 month now
I`m getting good use of my truck !
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I've had my 04 f150XLT for 2 years now. Bought it from the original owner who owned the dealership so i'm guessing he took really good care of it. Bought it with 19,000 miles and just rolled over 40,000. So far, the truck has ran great. Besides changing oil, rotating tires, and replacing the battery once no major work has been performed. I average about 17.6 mpg. Hauled a 20 ft. trailer full of books from SC to IL without a problem. Now that I've recently hit 40 k miles w/o any problems it's time to start the mods 
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Wow - quite the range of posts here.
My 04 is just about to the 93K mark, and I have had NO major issues, and very few minor issues that are common to the model year like intermittent power rear window operation, cold weather high pitch at 1800rpm, and the original factory gasket in the 3rd brake light leaked when it rained until I changed it.
I have NOT changed my spark plugs yet, so I may be back in the spring to complain about that, but my truck is solid and not much different than when I bought in new in May of 2004.
As far as I'm concerned, the 04-05 are the best looking trucks ever made, and the new front ends and rice grinding tail lights on the latest version look terrible. I don't think I'll ever buy another new light duty truck again as this one does everything I need it to do, and it still runs great.
This truck is always garaged with a 2 month exception, and it's not my daily driver (I have an 08 F-350 V-10 for work), so that may be why it's been close to flawless. Oil is changed every 3-4K, and fuel filter every 15K. I only use it for long trips, pulling the boat, hauling firewood, and on the weekends for whatever I'm doing.
This truck will remain a one-owner truck for a very long time.
My 04 is just about to the 93K mark, and I have had NO major issues, and very few minor issues that are common to the model year like intermittent power rear window operation, cold weather high pitch at 1800rpm, and the original factory gasket in the 3rd brake light leaked when it rained until I changed it.
I have NOT changed my spark plugs yet, so I may be back in the spring to complain about that, but my truck is solid and not much different than when I bought in new in May of 2004.
As far as I'm concerned, the 04-05 are the best looking trucks ever made, and the new front ends and rice grinding tail lights on the latest version look terrible. I don't think I'll ever buy another new light duty truck again as this one does everything I need it to do, and it still runs great.
This truck is always garaged with a 2 month exception, and it's not my daily driver (I have an 08 F-350 V-10 for work), so that may be why it's been close to flawless. Oil is changed every 3-4K, and fuel filter every 15K. I only use it for long trips, pulling the boat, hauling firewood, and on the weekends for whatever I'm doing.
This truck will remain a one-owner truck for a very long time.
