MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford F-250 SD

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Ford F-250 SD
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
254
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1996 1997: 39 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2004 254 2005: 295 complaints 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2011 2012: 57 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 14 complaints 2016 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 37 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1997: 39 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 288 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2004 254 2005: 295 complaints 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2012: 57 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 14 complaints 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2018 2019: 11 complaints 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 37 complaints 2024 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1993 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1995 1996: 11 complaints 1997: 39 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2001 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2004 254 2005: 295 complaints 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2007 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2011 2012: 57 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 14 complaints 2017: 73 complaints 2017 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2019 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 37 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints

2004: 254 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19911
19923
19934
19942
19959
199611
199739
19981
1999249
2000233
2001288
2002245
2003178
2004254
2005295
2006274
200754
2008141
200923
201032
2011122
201257
201321
201426
201523
201614
201773
201815
201911
202011
20217
20229
202343
202437
202517
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

42% · 107 reports

Most commonly citing diesel and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine was cold, sat over night, in the morning tried to start vehicle, glow plug light turned off and engine was cranked, engine cranked slow but did not start and within seconds engine compartment burst into flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-22

Electrical system

24% · 60 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and cables.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Our 2004 F250 diesel 4X4 super duty was parked in the driveway overnight, properly plugged in due to the cold. A neighbor woke us up to state it was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-26

The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall regarding the battery cable and subsequently the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle proceeded to burn even when extinguished with a fire extinguisher.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-22

Power train

9% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

Fuel system, diesel

7% · 18 reports

Vehicle speed control

7% · 17 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 254 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2004-10-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-02-15 Engine stalling
  3. I
    2005-02-15Engineering analysisClosed 2005-11-02 Engine stalling
  4. R
    2005-07-22Electrical system05V270000 Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0L diesel engines may experience stalling without warning while driving and may or may not restart.

    Remedy: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (Ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (Icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  6. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2008-02-07Wheels07E106000 Certain federal-mogul replacement wheel hub assemblies with the brand names: national, carquest p/nos. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, and 515060, shipped between January 23, 2006…

    Remedy: Federal-mogul will notify customers and will replace the hub assembly free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2008. Owners can contact federal-mogul toll-free at 877-489-6659.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011 at the twin cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on August 15, 2011. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 107 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 60 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V270000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E106000 · Wheels
  • Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford F-250 SD is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford F-250 SD?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford F-250 SD have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.