121 of the 2,431 complaints about the 2004 Ford F-150 are about the suspension — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 16,362 miles.
121
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
THERE ARE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME, AND THE SHACKLES ARE READY TO FALL OFF. SUSPENSION IS FALLING APART. BRAKES ARE NOT SAFE FOR STOPPING POWER FOR THE VEHICLE. MASTERTECH AT ZIEGLER TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11544511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Frame Failure, A licensed technician said my vehicle is dangerous to drive and cannot be fixed because of the advanced rusting of the frame. As I read the history of some Ford Trucks I find this is a continuing problem with no recalls and wonder why they can continue to manufacture faulty, dangerous products
NHTSA complaint #11502560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
There hasn't been any accidents but the rails underneath of the truck bed are rotting completely off the truck and I feel that would be a safety problem if it collapses and I don't understand why they're so rusty when the rest of the truck is not it this could be a problem!
NHTSA complaint #11460277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Hitch broke off due to ford common frame rot. Frame is rotted from leaf spring shackle and back
NHTSA complaint #11456278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRONT SPRINGS TO LOW
NHTSA complaint #11311008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY 2004 FORD F-150 HAS 61,000 MILES AND NO RUST ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I'VE KEPT THE TRUCK WELL MAINTAINED AND IT LOOKS ALMOST NEW. THE FRAME HOWEVER RIGHT WHERE THE REAR LEAF SPRING ATTACHES TO THE FRAME IS RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE RECALLED. WHILE DRIVING A PART OF THE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD FELL ONTO THE DRIVESHAFT. WHEN I WENT TO INSPECT THE UNDERSIDE I FOUND A HOLE IN THE FRAME AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY FINGER RIGHT THROUGH IT. *DT CONSUMER STATED ONE IMPORTANT FACT THAT I FORGOT TO ADD TO MY COMPLAINT IS THE SECTION OF THE FRAME THAT RUSTED THROUGH HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE SAME SPOT ON BOTH THE PASSENGER FRAME RAIL AS WELL AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME RAIL. THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE WAS RECALLED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES THAT YEAR BUT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 61,000 MILES ON IT AND FROM FORUMS AND POSTS I'VE READ IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THAT YEAR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11205939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED WHAT I WOULD REFER TO AS A DEATH WOBBLE. AT SPEEDS FROM 40 TO 55 MPG THE FRONT OF THE TRICK SHAKES AS THOUGH IT'S GOING TO RATTLE APART. THIS IS CLEARLY A FORD ISSUE AND IS NOW GETTING A GOOD SHARE OF ATTENTION ON YOU TUBE. THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE WHO HAVE INHERITATED THIS FROM FORD WHO IS IN CONSTANT DENIAL OF IT'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION TO REPAIR THE BUCKLEING OF THE FRONT END. HOW MANY MORE ACCIDENTS NEED TO HAPPEN OR FORD'S DILIGENCE ON PREVENTITIVE MEASURES MAY JUST SAVE LIVES AND CUSTOMERS. PLEASE HELP IN RESOLVING THIS MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11132049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TOOK TRUCK GET NEW TIRES, MECH SAID, NEEDED NEW COIL SPRINGS, SPRINGS BUSTED. (MECH STATED SEEN MANY FORD F150 SAME PROBLEM, ).
NHTSA complaint #11078892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
EXCESSIVE SHAKING AT 40 MPH+ , TRANS FAULT LIGHT CAME ON & OFF . TROUBLE USING REVERSE WOULD JERK & SLIP. HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS RECENTLY
NHTSA complaint #11058426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHEN BRAKING SPRINGS MADE NOISE AND IT TAKES SEVERAL BRAKES TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #11045980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
112000 MILES 90% DRIVEN IN SUMMER MONTHS. GARAGED EXTENSIVE RUST AND FRAME DAMAGE FROM CORROSION .BODY AND INTERIOR FLAWLESS ALL SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS BY FORD FOLLOWED
NHTSA complaint #10924407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE WAS NEARLY RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10917856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRAME RUSTING OUT PREMATURELY CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10851324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT IS BROKEN ,MOUNT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME,I JUST NOTICED IT ON 2-20-2016 WHILE REPLACING MY FRONT SHOCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10837631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #10811144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ORIGINAL OWNER OF 2004 FORD F150 FX4. FROM STOP THE REAR END WILL VIBRATE AS I ACCELERATE. IT'S BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. I BELIEVE IT STARTED AROUND 40000 MILES. I ONLY HAVE 54000 ON IT CURRENTLY. SO IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AT LEAST 3 OR 4 YEARS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE. DOES SHOULD DEFINITELY FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10703086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I OWN A 2004 FORD HERITAGE 4X4 AND THE FRAME IS LITERALLY RUSTING AWAY ON OR ABOUT THE 10TH OF MARCH THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING ROTTED AWAY AND PUNCHED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY BED. I WAS ONLY GOING 30 WHEN IT HAPPENED SO EVERYONE WAS SAFE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS SO ROTTED AWAY. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO GO I SAW MY TRAILER JUST GO UP AND SLAM BACK DOWN ON THE GROUND. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING 65 MPH OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HAD A ACCIDENT. THE BACK OF THE FRAME NOW IS PAPER THIN. FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE FRAMES. I HAVE OWNED MANY FORD AND NEVER HAD RUST THIS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10700675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BOUGHT A 2004 FORD F-150 FROM A NEIGHBOR RECENTLY. FRONT END WAS DROOPING. WENT TO PUT A "LEVELING KIT" ON IT AND FOUND BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN THE SAME PLACE. THIS CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE. CAN'T REALLY AFFORD NEW SPRINGS RIGHT NOW BUT LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10668514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
A NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION REVEALED TWO BROKEN SPRINGS ON FRONT END OF 2004 FORD F150. THE COST TO REPLACE IS NOT CHEAP AND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES BASED ON SAFETY ISSUE. I HOPE OTHERS WILL DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10644281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A GARAGE TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED. WHILE UP ON THE RACK THE RUST WAS NOTICED BY MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BETTER HAVE IT FIXED. I CONTACTED A PROFESSIONAL WHO CAME TO MY HOUSE AND LOOKED AT IT WITH THE BED OFF. UPON HIS INSPECTION HE FOUND IT WAS UNREPAIRABLE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ORIGINAL METAL LEFT TO WELD TO. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO WARRANTY, NO RECALL, SORRY FOR YOUR LUCK AND GOT HUNG UP ON. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS A RECALL ON 2004 ESCAPES FOR THIS VERY SAME REASON "THE FRAMES ARE RUSTING OUT" IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A BAD BATCH OF METAL USED IN THE BUILDING OF THESE FRAMES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY MORE 2004 VEHICLES FROM FORD HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10644310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
-REPAIR SHOP-2004 FORD F150 CREW CAB, FRAME COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH, FRAME REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. CUSTOMER WILL NOT HAVE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10641757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR STATE INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE COATING APPLIED TO THE SPRINGS ACTUALLY CAUSED RUST AND MADE THEM FAIL. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURING AND SAFETY DEFECT BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY HELP TOWARD THE $400 BILL TO REPLACE THEM. I DON'T FEEL THAT A CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A STRUCTURAL DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10638544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRONT COIL SPRINGS BOTH BROKE IN SAME PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10627834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT COIL SPRINGS BOTH BROKE IN SAME PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10627834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
IM SURE OF THE EXACT DATE ORIGINALLY BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN 2004 BRAND NEW WITH 60 MILES ON IT I HAD IT LESS THAN A WEEK AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE EGG SHAPED. AND THIS IS WHY IT SHOOK OR VIBRATED AT 55/70 MPH IT WENT AWAY FOR AWHILE. THEN I KEPT ROUTINE OIL AND TIRE ROTATIONS AND BALANCING ON IT BUT THE VIBRATION KEPT COMING BACK. THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACE ON THE TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES COST ME A FORTUNE WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST UNTIL 150,000. THE SHOCKS, STRUTS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS AND BEARINGS WERE ALL REPLACES TWICE NOW FIRST FOR VIBRATION IN 2007/2008 SPENT THOUSANDS DIDN'T WORK REPLACED TIRES AND RIMS WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT SIX MONTH THEN CAME BACK AGAIN EVERY TIME WE ROTATE THE TIRES THE VIBRATION GOES AWAY FOR LIKE A DAY OR TWO THEN COMES BACK IN 2010 I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE AND BEARINGS AND SEALS FOR A SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY LOCKED UP IN 2011 I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, SHOCKS, ROTORS AND STRUTS, BECAUSE OF VIBRATION GUESS WHAT DIDN'T WORK NOW WERE LOOKING AT TIRES AND RIMS AGAIN AND FORD TELLS ME THAT MY REAR SEALS AND BEARINGS NEED REPLACED FOR LEAKAGE AND THE POSSIBLE SHAKING IS MY DRIVE SHAFT I BOUGHT A 30,000 TRUCK THAT I HAVE PUT 10,000 GRAND IN JUST ESTIMATING OH AND THEY JUST FIXED THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG HARNESS AND TELL ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING BUT IT ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL AND IT WASN'T FLASHING WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF. I HAVE TWO FORDS I HAVE A FORD ESCAPE I BOUGHT AT THE SAME DEALER IN 2005 THAT THEY KEPT A REVOLVING DOOR FOR IN SERVICE BECAUSE OF ALL ITS PROBLEMS AND EVERYONE TELLS ME IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN NOW I KNOW WHY PEOPLE JOKE ABOUT THE FIX OR REPAIR DAILY.
NHTSA complaint #10604769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WE HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN OUR TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REGULAR SERVICE. TOOK IT TO A 3RD PARTY MECHANIC TO HAVE BRAKES DONE AND THEY SHOWED US THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, COMPLETELY SEVERED AND HAD BEEN THAT WAY FOR QUITE A WHILE EVIDENT BY RUST AND CORROSION AT BREAKING POINT. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR. I AM DOING SEPARATE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SPARK PLUGS AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10596808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA complaint #10584413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10562950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECURRING FAILURE OF THE HUB AND CALIPERS AS WELL AS THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE SPORADICALLY BECOMING FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA complaint #10558375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ON PREPARING TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING HAS SNAPPED. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE AND MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, IT SEEMS THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON ON 2004 FORD F150 VEHICLES, AND IT INDICATES THAT FORD IS NOT PREPARED TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY REALIZE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PHOTOGRAPH AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISES THEY NEED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT ROAD SPRINGS AT A COST OF $575.00, BUT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS MIGHT NEED REPLACING ALSO WHICH WOULD BE ADDITIONAL MONIES. A BROKEN ROAD SPRING ON THE FRONT CAN SEVERELY EFFECT THE HANDLING AND SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10554394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.