MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford F-250 SD

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Ford F-250 SD
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 SD Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1991: 1 complaints 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1996 1997: 39 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2001 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2004 2005: 295 complaints 2006: 274 complaints 2006 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: 22 complaints 2016: 10 complaints 2016 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 9 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 3 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 34 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
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
201522
201610
201773
201815
20199
20203
20210
20223
202343
202434
202515
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15%

15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20041222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
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, 20140126

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 27 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 18 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 254
I 20041007 — PE (closed 20050215)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20050215 — EA (closed 20051102)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20050722 — electrical system

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 BEGAN

Campaign 05V270000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

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, AND

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.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110815 — exterior lighting

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 2004

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.

Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V270000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2001 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

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:engine:diesel, accounting for 15% 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.