Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Ford F-650 SD
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
433.3%
Median failure at 9,000 miles
Tires
216.7%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Brakes
216.7%
Median failure at 20,341 miles
Equipment & Accessories
18.3%
Suspension
18.3%
Median failure at 3 miles
Body & Structure
18.3%
Electrical System
18.3%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
342.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
114.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
114.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2003peak 2Aug 2024
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Mocksville, NC1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact works for a trucking company that owns a 2004 Ford F-650 SD 3-Ton Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter rubber boot was not securely mounted onto the floorboard, resulting in a gap that allowed the driver to see underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong engine oil odor and carbon monoxide odor entering the cabin through the gap in the floorboard. The contact stated that he had headaches due to the failure. The contact notified an independent Diesel mechanic of the engine oil leak, but the mechanic declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive and should no longer be driven on the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11607314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mocksville, NC1 injured
STRUCTURE
The contact works for a trucking company that owns a 2004 Ford F-650 SD 3-Ton Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter rubber boot was not securely mounted onto the floorboard, resulting in a gap that allowed the driver to see underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong engine oil odor and carbon monoxide odor entering the cabin through the gap in the floorboard. The contact stated that he had headaches due to the failure. The contact notified an independent Diesel mechanic of the engine oil leak, but the mechanic declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive and should no longer be driven on the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11607314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mocksville, NC1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact works for a trucking company that owns a 2004 Ford F-650 SD 3-Ton Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter rubber boot was not securely mounted onto the floorboard, resulting in a gap that allowed the driver to see underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong engine oil odor and carbon monoxide odor entering the cabin through the gap in the floorboard. The contact stated that he had headaches due to the failure. The contact notified an independent Diesel mechanic of the engine oil leak, but the mechanic declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive and should no longer be driven on the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11607314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mocksville, NC1 injured
STRUCTURE
The contact works for a trucking company that owns a 2004 Ford F-650 SD 3-Ton Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter rubber boot was not securely mounted onto the floorboard, resulting in a gap that allowed the driver to see underneath the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong engine oil odor and carbon monoxide odor entering the cabin through the gap in the floorboard. The contact stated that he had headaches due to the failure. The contact notified an independent Diesel mechanic of the engine oil leak, but the mechanic declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive and should no longer be driven on the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11607314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesEdgewood, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LIGHTS ON THE UNIT WILL JUST SHUT OF RANDOMLY I BOUGHT THIS NEW AUG 24 2007 DEALER LOOKED AT IT SAID ITS A FORD ISSUE I CONTACTED FORD TO GET REPAIRED FORD SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER HAD TO SEND IN A FORM ON LINE TO GET WARRANTY STARTED TAKES 7 WORKING DAYS THEY SAID. I HAVE WAITED 2 WEEKS AND STILL NO WAY TO FIT IT FIXED CALLED FORD IN DEARBORN THEY WONT DO ANYTHING FOR ME AS THERE SYSTEM IS RUNNING SLOW. I STILL HAVE NO HEAD LIGHTS THAT WILL STAY ON.
NHTSA complaint #10238408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
TIRES
HANKOOK TIRES ARE BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLES WHICH REQUIRE A LOAD RANGE HIGHER THAN A PASSENGER TIRE P235/R16 SL. THESE VEHICLES WEIGH IN AT 24,000 LBS GVW AND AT TIMES CAN BE OVERLOADED. THEY ALSO DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 5% SAFETY FACTOR SINCE THE REARS ARE ON DUALS. TIRES WERE WEARING EXTREMELY FAST AND SOME WERE DEVELOPING SEPARATIONS IN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL AREAS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF THEM BLEW OUT. IT WAS RECOMMENDS THEY MOVE TO A RADIAL TRUCK TIRE LR E AND THEY WERE CONVINCED THIS WAS THE WAY TO GO SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE A RETREADABLE CASING AND MORE CARRYING CAPACITY. I INSTALLED GOODYEAR RADIAL LT ON ALL SIX POSITIONS. I WAS CHASTISED ALONG WITH MY ASSISTANT FOR DOING SO BY (SHAWNEE MISSION FORD) FOR PUTTING RADIAL TRUCK TIRES ON WHICH WOULD LAST THREE TIMES AS LONG AND CUT INTO THEIR PURCHASES WHICH THEY HAD A QUOTA BASED ON A FORD MOTOR COMPANY PROGRAM THAT PUSHED TIRE SALES. FAILURE TO MEET THE OBJECTIVE CREATED CONSTERNATION WITHIN THE LOCAL DEALER AS THEY SOLD THIS ACCOUNT MORE TIRES THAN ANY OTHER AND IT WOULD CUT INTO THEIR TIRE SALES BY 1/3 ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEIR GOAL AND I QUOTE "WE ARE HERE TO SELL AND YOU [XXX] WELL BETTER NEVER PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT AGAIN." THE ACCOUNT USING THE TIRES WAS RUNNING BOX VANS USED FOR DELIVERY OF MAGAZINES VIA INTERSTATE AND STATE HIGHWAYS. I ADVISED THEM THIS WAS NOT APPROVED AND COULD PROVE HAZARDOUS. THEY SAID WE LET SHAWNEE MISSION FORD HANDLE OUR VEHICLE NEEDS AND TRUST THEY ARE PUTTING ON ADEQUATE TIRES. THEY WERE NOT AND ARE STILL NOT. I WILL HAVE PICTURES OF VEHICLES AND TRUCKS WEDNESDAY VIA E-MAIL TO YOU. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10181710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
EQUIPMENT
HANKOOK TIRES ARE BEING INSTALLED ON VEHICLES WHICH REQUIRE A LOAD RANGE HIGHER THAN A PASSENGER TIRE P235/R16 SL. THESE VEHICLES WEIGH IN AT 24,000 LBS GVW AND AT TIMES CAN BE OVERLOADED. THEY ALSO DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 5% SAFETY FACTOR SINCE THE REARS ARE ON DUALS. TIRES WERE WEARING EXTREMELY FAST AND SOME WERE DEVELOPING SEPARATIONS IN THE TREAD AND SIDEWALL AREAS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF THEM BLEW OUT. IT WAS RECOMMENDS THEY MOVE TO A RADIAL TRUCK TIRE LR E AND THEY WERE CONVINCED THIS WAS THE WAY TO GO SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE A RETREADABLE CASING AND MORE CARRYING CAPACITY. I INSTALLED GOODYEAR RADIAL LT ON ALL SIX POSITIONS. I WAS CHASTISED ALONG WITH MY ASSISTANT FOR DOING SO BY (SHAWNEE MISSION FORD) FOR PUTTING RADIAL TRUCK TIRES ON WHICH WOULD LAST THREE TIMES AS LONG AND CUT INTO THEIR PURCHASES WHICH THEY HAD A QUOTA BASED ON A FORD MOTOR COMPANY PROGRAM THAT PUSHED TIRE SALES. FAILURE TO MEET THE OBJECTIVE CREATED CONSTERNATION WITHIN THE LOCAL DEALER AS THEY SOLD THIS ACCOUNT MORE TIRES THAN ANY OTHER AND IT WOULD CUT INTO THEIR TIRE SALES BY 1/3 ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEIR GOAL AND I QUOTE "WE ARE HERE TO SELL AND YOU [XXX] WELL BETTER NEVER PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT AGAIN." THE ACCOUNT USING THE TIRES WAS RUNNING BOX VANS USED FOR DELIVERY OF MAGAZINES VIA INTERSTATE AND STATE HIGHWAYS. I ADVISED THEM THIS WAS NOT APPROVED AND COULD PROVE HAZARDOUS. THEY SAID WE LET SHAWNEE MISSION FORD HANDLE OUR VEHICLE NEEDS AND TRUST THEY ARE PUTTING ON ADEQUATE TIRES. THEY WERE NOT AND ARE STILL NOT. I WILL HAVE PICTURES OF VEHICLES AND TRUCKS WEDNESDAY VIA E-MAIL TO YOU. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10181710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesWest Hills, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR LEFT INSIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE ROAD WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP WHERE A USED TIRE REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE. MOST OF THE SEPARATED TREAD WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILED TIRE WAS ONLY THREE WEEKS OLD. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR NEEDED TO BE CONTACTED AND IF THE DISTRIBUTOR WOULD PROVIDE A CREDIT, IT WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THE CONTACT.
NHTSA complaint #10174073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesLakewood, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY BETWEEN 5 -15 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE'S O-RING PISTONS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #10167184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,341 milesBelle Chasse, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
2004 F650 TOW TRUCK BRAKES KEEP EATING ROTOR HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE SYSTEM 2 TIMES , WE ONLY GOT 13,8888 MILES ON THE FIRST BRAKE JOB.
NHTSA complaint #10132044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesLindenhurst, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO INDICATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS DUE TO THE FAILURE.*AK *BF
NHTSA complaint #10117446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,500 milesAllen, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
FORD F650. 17,000 MILES ON TRUCK, HAD SINCE NEW. BEEN IN SHOP FOR PERFORMANCE, POWER, AND FUEL ECONOMY ISSUE`S 4 OUT OF 6 WEEKS. C7 300 H.P. CATERPILLAR ENGINE. CAT ADMITS KNOWN ISSUE WITH COMPUTER NOT ABLE TO CORRECTLY TELL ENGINE PROPER FUEL MEASUREMENTS. ENGINE WEAR MASKS PROPER ALIGNMENT. DOWN TIME HAS LOST ME BUSINESS AND MONEY. FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER 494973. CAT PUT NEW ENGINE IN AT 23,000 MILES, TELLING ME ENGINE WAS NOT ISSUE, AND WAS CLEARLY A COMPUTER AND ENGINE COMBO ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED FOR MONEY BACK ON TRUCK. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY LETS LOOK AT AGAIN. I HAVE TOLD MY CUSTOMERS NO TO MANY TIMES, AND AM NOW NOT GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THEM ANYMORE. I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE BETA TEST TRUCK. IT DOESN`T PAY. NO COMPENSATION BEING OFFERED. NO CALLS FROM FORD MOTOR CO.
NHTSA complaint #10095799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3 milesAnnapolis, MD
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
THIS TRUCK HAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION STARTING AT 53 AND GOING THRU 65 THEN THE INTENSITY LESSONS BUT CONTINUES. SHIFT OF TRANSMISSION IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT TIME, FRONT END HAS PROBLEMS INCLUDING WEARING OF TIRED IN 29960 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10072565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cockeysville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
CONSUMER STATED THAT FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS ABS INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10040431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.