Howdy,

I am going to look at a 2004 F-150 FX4, but this year appears to be the most problematic of all according to this Ford F-150 Problems & Complaints | FordProblems.com. Most of the problems are windows. THat is not a concern as much as say cam phaser. At 86,000 miles should most of the know problems be worked out? Thanks for any advice.

 

To paraphrase another person's post. A forum brings out mostly the bad feedback on vehicles. People with no issues generally aren't here looking for solutions. With that said, I own an 04 that had some issues in the past. I have included a list of repairs. I will say the last year has been pretty good and I hope to be out of the woods with this one. I am just about 100,000 miles now. I am a lifetime Ford guy and even with the experience had with this pickup, I will stick with Fords. I drove a 91 300 inline 5 speed for 14 years and kind of miss the bullet proof reliability of that machine. If it wouldn't have rusted out so bad I may still have kept it. My nephew still drives it. I suggest if you find one that somebody takes care of you should be ok.
7/11/2011 71890 Purchased 17010
7/15/2011 71890 New rear tires 0
7/17/2011 71930 floor mats 20
7/26/2011 72090 key, code for door 69
7/26/2011 72090 lens for box light 95
8/15/2011 72350 new shocks rear 124
9/2/2011 73550 seems noisy in 0
9/14/2011 73744 new noise?! 37.5
9/17/2011 73842 noise from right front wheel 862
9/23/2011 73850 engine noise, cam phasers 1262
9/23/2011 73850 spark plugs 535
11/14/2011 75200 tonneau cover 275
5/27/2012 79115 new engine belt 41
6/15/2012 79345 ball joint, rotors surface, 824
8/4/2012 80856 replace front rotors 80
8/6/2012 80941 replace rear rotors 120
4/17/2013 86252 noise from left front, see note 1596.12
6/30/2014 95940 installed VCT solenoids 194

 

I had a 2004 that I bought new, had it for 7 years, and put over 100,000 miles on it. During that time the only problems I had with it was one of my window regulators broke and I had to get the fuel door assembly replaced because the spring broke inside of it. I did change the rotors twice on it as well even though I never wore the pads down to metal.

All in all, it was the best truck I've ever had to date. I regret getting rid of it.

 

I have a 2004 Super Cab, 4X4 with most all accessories available. 73,000 miles. The only issue to date was the moonroof track broke. I repaired myself it for $110 and 3 hours work.
Great truck - I love it!

 

I looked at a lot of 04's last year and finally bought an 02 in good shape. Just too many issues with those cam phasers. My own opinion of course...but I think 02-03 were the best years.....but I am also partial to the round body. Didn't 04 start that 2-piece plug problem also?

 

Feedguy, looks like you did mostly maintenance.
Agreed 100%, at the same time you can also find that some people have very little to complain about on some models.

J MCM, no big deal on the sunroof.

Coasty, the rotors are no big deal.

Spotty, I am with you there on both looks and the cam phaser issue. I had seen one for sale on Craigslist where the engine had been replaced due to cam phaser.

Thanks for the input. The truck I wanted to look out turned out not to be 4wd.

 

Well mine's a '06 4.6L 4x4, so not exactly what you're looking at, but still...

Built in OCT '05. Right after I bought it (OCT 10, 44K miles, private seller) the IWE buzz noises started (seller might have known?). I came to these forums to diagnose and repair the issue, and saved hundreds $$ in labor cost by doing my own repairs.

Since then, at 109K miles and counting, nothing but routine maintenance. Very happy with this truck.

 

I've had my 04 since new. it has 105,000 on it now. its been a good solid truck. other than routine maintenance I've only had the dreaded passenger exhaust manifold leak. and a seal between the transfer case and tranny went. had them fixed at the stealership. changed the plugs myself at 70,000 none broke. changed the fpdm before it went out.it was corroded tho.other than that tires and brakes. no noise from the phasers.

 

Thought I would chime in. My "04, which I have handed down to my Son, Is probably the best and most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. Sure, routine maintenance, a tranny rebuild and front end work. But at 270,000 miles, it is still a great truck. I would not hesitate to jump in it right now and go cross country. However, I don't think my son will let me have it back. By far, the best looking truck on the campus of The University of Tennessee.

 

I just replaced my 5.4 motor @ 88k. My truck spent waaaay too much time at the dealer being repaired during it's first two years.

 

What happened to Ford in 2004? New designs? I looked at an explorer with a v8 thinking I would avoid the problems with the v6 tranny, but it too had a bunch of document problems.