'04 owners how's your truck holding up?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: NY
need to contact Ford to complain about sprak plugs
background: took my '04 for 100K service, at least 4 plugs broke, 1 still unable to remove, now saying they need to take off block, dealer's had truck 3 full days, been without it for 5
I just called Ford and their basic reply was (with my coments and preceptions thrown in) ...."we know there is a problem" (they didn't say that, but they do know), "but we cannot do anything until we get actual complaints that can be routed up the chain of command and a list can be created". The lady said all of the complaints and b!tching on forums like these does no good at all (eventhough Ford and the "engineers" obviously know about the issue - they fixed if for cryin' ou loud on newer models!!) and people need to call Ford Customer Service". If they get enough actual complaints then maybe Ford will do something - basically I/we are SOL unless Ford deems it "worthy". Keep your receipts in case Ford does eventually decide to do the right thing.
So please, if you haven't called, do so now and tell anyone you may know to do the same. Let's make Ford take notice and step up to the plate to reimburse owners/dealerships for their p!ss-poor design.
Ford Customer Service: 1-800-392-3673
also use the link for the class action suit (can't hurt): http://gsglawsparkplugdefect.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just called Ford and their basic reply was (with my coments and preceptions thrown in) ...."we know there is a problem" (they didn't say that, but they do know), "but we cannot do anything until we get actual complaints that can be routed up the chain of command and a list can be created". The lady said all of the complaints and b!tching on forums like these does no good at all (eventhough Ford and the "engineers" obviously know about the issue - they fixed if for cryin' ou loud on newer models!!) and people need to call Ford Customer Service". If they get enough actual complaints then maybe Ford will do something - basically I/we are SOL unless Ford deems it "worthy". Keep your receipts in case Ford does eventually decide to do the right thing.
So please, if you haven't called, do so now and tell anyone you may know to do the same. Let's make Ford take notice and step up to the plate to reimburse owners/dealerships for their p!ss-poor design.
Ford Customer Service: 1-800-392-3673
also use the link for the class action suit (can't hurt): http://gsglawsparkplugdefect.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 5
From: Rhode Island
Hey all, first post EVER 
My 04 F150 Lariat 5.4L is at 127,500 miles on original engine, and transmission, just have replaced spark plugs, ignition coil boots, fuel filter, cleaned throttle body, and clean my K&N air intake religiously. Only have one problem I can't pinpoint yet... I get the CEL after rain and the the engine dies when coming to a rolling stop sometimes... could be water getting on my wires from my PCM to the ignition coils on cylinder 1 and 6 or fuel injector problem. anyone gots ideas? pulling P0351 and P0356 codes. (It is NOT the ignition coils or spark plugs i've replaced them twice now and have used the dielectric grease. Thanks all
My 04 F150 Lariat 5.4L is at 127,500 miles on original engine, and transmission, just have replaced spark plugs, ignition coil boots, fuel filter, cleaned throttle body, and clean my K&N air intake religiously. Only have one problem I can't pinpoint yet... I get the CEL after rain and the the engine dies when coming to a rolling stop sometimes... could be water getting on my wires from my PCM to the ignition coils on cylinder 1 and 6 or fuel injector problem. anyone gots ideas? pulling P0351 and P0356 codes. (It is NOT the ignition coils or spark plugs i've replaced them twice now and have used the dielectric grease. Thanks all 
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: san antonio, texas
110k
2 spark plugs broke off in head @ 90k when I had them replaced
my cam phasers are donskies but I don't mind the ugly idle- kind of sounds like a diesel lol
sometimes my backup sensors act funny when it rains
my trans makes some noises sometimes as well
2 spark plugs broke off in head @ 90k when I had them replaced
my cam phasers are donskies but I don't mind the ugly idle- kind of sounds like a diesel lol
sometimes my backup sensors act funny when it rains
my trans makes some noises sometimes as well
Last edited by 258productions; Mar 16, 2011 at 12:33 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: san antonio, texas
and both of them dropped when it was raining 
Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Dallas area
80k f150
Replaced 1 cam phaser and headliner under warranty. Had a bad BF Goodrich Lontrail tire and Ford would not replace even with a tire warranty. Bought a life time balance from Goodyear for $60 and that resolved the out of balance issue. Replaced frt brk pads at 50K, rear at 80K. One battery and avg 17.4 mpg on Supercab. Overall, light use, pulls ATVs on weekends. Could use more midrange power. Leather interior holding up nicely, better than my G35. Also the autoair works better than the G35. Oil is changed every 5K, switched to full Syn - Royal Purple - at 65K. Shows no oil consumption.
What is a Butyl Pad?
Duggins
What is a Butyl Pad?
Duggins
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Lake Worth, Florida
Update at the 160,0000 mile mark. Finally had to deal with a major repair. Tranny had to come out for broken valve body and over drive band replacement. Plus one coil pack gone bad. Big$ but the truck has been trouble free for 160k and paid for for over 5 years. Think I will keep it for another 90k. Plus tje exterior looks great, interior showing some wear but not bad at all. Great truck, best vehicle I've ever owned.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Sugarland, TX
201,000 miles, original owner on my '04 Screw Lariat 4WD with the 5.4L
4WD Actuator went out around 120K. Left Exhaust Manifold had to be replaced ~135K. Limited Slip clutch packs went out around 80K and were replaced under 100K mile warranty. Other than that, no real issue's other than one of the plugs breaking off @100K mile tuneup while in the Ford service shop. Been one hell of a truck. It tows an average of 4 days out of the week. Used nothing but full synthetic since the 3rd oil-change. She burns a little oil now, but nothing a 200K mile engine can't handle. I won't plan on getting rid of her. I'll put a rebuilt engine/trans in to keep her on the road when/if necessary. Heck, my kids may be driving her for their first vehicle in 13 years?
4WD Actuator went out around 120K. Left Exhaust Manifold had to be replaced ~135K. Limited Slip clutch packs went out around 80K and were replaced under 100K mile warranty. Other than that, no real issue's other than one of the plugs breaking off @100K mile tuneup while in the Ford service shop. Been one hell of a truck. It tows an average of 4 days out of the week. Used nothing but full synthetic since the 3rd oil-change. She burns a little oil now, but nothing a 200K mile engine can't handle. I won't plan on getting rid of her. I'll put a rebuilt engine/trans in to keep her on the road when/if necessary. Heck, my kids may be driving her for their first vehicle in 13 years?
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
I've got a 04 XL 2wd 4.6L 2 valve with 120K. Repairs / problems include the following:
1) New throttle body and PCM flash first week of ownership
2) OEM warped rotor issues after 30K replaced with Autozone brand Lasted to 60K hopefully fully fixed with Centric Hub replacement kit and Centric Rotors...so far so good
3) limited slip clutch pack replacement at 120K
4) pesky torque converter locking unlocking from 1-2 or 3-2 since the beginning (diagnostic guess)....slip yolks check out fine
1) New throttle body and PCM flash first week of ownership
2) OEM warped rotor issues after 30K replaced with Autozone brand Lasted to 60K hopefully fully fixed with Centric Hub replacement kit and Centric Rotors...so far so good
3) limited slip clutch pack replacement at 120K
4) pesky torque converter locking unlocking from 1-2 or 3-2 since the beginning (diagnostic guess)....slip yolks check out fine
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
My 04 Lariat is the biggest POS I have ever owned. It only has 52000 miles. I've fixed a leaky front diff. I currently have a bad Airbag sensor, bad rear ABS sensor, one bad front ABS sensor, bad fuel pressure regulator, changed TPS sensor and changed the PCM. Mt dash looks like a christmas tree...lights lit up all over the place. Also the 4 wheel drive does not work. Right now the gauges will just all go dead when you are driving down the road. Got home tonight to find out something under the hood was running with the key turned off. Raised the hood to find the ABS pump (I think) was running and the only way I could turn it off was to disconnect the battery cable. I am so pissed right now....I will NEVER buy another Ford again.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Petawawa Ont
04 4x4 xlt
so far it has been a love hate relationship but i do beat her like a cheep Parisian hooker.
changed computers 3 times under warrante due to water before they found out there was water bleeding in through one of the harnesses.
blew the rear diff and tranny at 110k while drifting a long corner center pin flew out so i drove it home in 4x4 and chewed everything to shut.
broke off passenger side manifold bolt and am fixing it now "its a real b*tch to get at though so its taking a little longer than expected."
all in all its a great truck very few problems for the abuse. I have had over a tonne in the back and pulled way more than the recomended loads and she just keeps going.
Off road it has cut more than its fair share of trails through some fairly rough terrain LS kinda sucks in real bad conditions so I plan on installing OX LOX rear end this summer just to get a bit more traction.
so far it has been a love hate relationship but i do beat her like a cheep Parisian hooker.
changed computers 3 times under warrante due to water before they found out there was water bleeding in through one of the harnesses.
blew the rear diff and tranny at 110k while drifting a long corner center pin flew out so i drove it home in 4x4 and chewed everything to shut.
broke off passenger side manifold bolt and am fixing it now "its a real b*tch to get at though so its taking a little longer than expected."
all in all its a great truck very few problems for the abuse. I have had over a tonne in the back and pulled way more than the recomended loads and she just keeps going.
Off road it has cut more than its fair share of trails through some fairly rough terrain LS kinda sucks in real bad conditions so I plan on installing OX LOX rear end this summer just to get a bit more traction.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Hey fellow Ford F150 owners, I am new here actually today is the first day I registered, have browsed through the site quite often and figured I would join up!
I have a 2004 F150 XLT Supercab. I bought it used in december of '10 I just hit 50k yesterday and Ive had one prbolem since about two weeks after i bought it. The washboard syndrome. When starting to go up hills to the left or the right it has a chatter or shuddering effect on the rear end, just feels like you are driving on a washboard. I took it to my local mechanic who replaced the fluid and said thats fine just drive it...lol Well after doing some research of my own i have found out that the clutch packs are bad and need replaced. Im actaully set back by this being that there is very litlle miles on the truck but from what Ive read this is a rather common problem fro this model. So, I will be getting that fixed soon and then im sure to be happy with my new Ford. I do have plans in the future for mods, and I will post them in the right areas when I get them done.
Good luck to all you F150 owners out there!
I have a 2004 F150 XLT Supercab. I bought it used in december of '10 I just hit 50k yesterday and Ive had one prbolem since about two weeks after i bought it. The washboard syndrome. When starting to go up hills to the left or the right it has a chatter or shuddering effect on the rear end, just feels like you are driving on a washboard. I took it to my local mechanic who replaced the fluid and said thats fine just drive it...lol Well after doing some research of my own i have found out that the clutch packs are bad and need replaced. Im actaully set back by this being that there is very litlle miles on the truck but from what Ive read this is a rather common problem fro this model. So, I will be getting that fixed soon and then im sure to be happy with my new Ford. I do have plans in the future for mods, and I will post them in the right areas when I get them done.
Good luck to all you F150 owners out there!