2004 vs Newer model years
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 39
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The OEM Goodyear Wranglers maybe lasted 50k on my 97 F150 Scab 4x2. I replaced them with Michelin Cross Terrain SUV's and they had a lot of life left when we sold the truck with 112,xxx (thats greater than 62k on the Michelin's. I LOVE THOSE TIRES)
neil
neil
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 201
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From: Boise, ID
My August built 04 has been very good. One ECM reflash and A/C re-charge and that is it. Just due to shear numbers, there are bound to be some very good and very bad trucks. The odds are better the longer the truck is production, but I bet there are several on this board who advise not to buy an 04 will be the first to order the new 09. especially if the "Boss" motor is available.
New User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6
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I have an 04 2wd scab. I just hit 60k miles and have no problems, except the 3rd brake light leak. I fixed that myself with some common sense. still on original tires, although they will need to be replaced soon. other than that, no problems. I'm sorry to hear about your problems. maybe it's the FX4 that had the issues because it seems like the 2wd owners on here are doing fine with the 04's so far.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
I have an 04 FX4 Supercab...51000 miles so far, no really major issues, rear window rattle, then 3rd brakelight leak, still have original tires/brakes. Have a little rear end shutter, but overall I'm happy with the truck so far...done 2 tranny flushes so far, and oil change every 4k. Great in the snow in the Northeast. I will DEFINITELY buy another Ford down the road, but not until this one has not a breath of life left in it.
Chevy? Come on.
Chevy? Come on.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I've got a 2004 SuperCrew 5.4L w/ 44,000 miles on it. NO issues so far.
Your right, it is generally advisable to not buy the first year of a major design change....but Ford made +900,000 F-series trucks in 2004. Mine was built in Sepember 2004.
I do know the early production trucks had an issue with warping front brake rotors...Ford started putting a beefier front rotor on the trucks to help address the problem. Cam Phasors was another slight design change. Anyone know the date when the cam phasor redesign went into effect?
Your right, it is generally advisable to not buy the first year of a major design change....but Ford made +900,000 F-series trucks in 2004. Mine was built in Sepember 2004.
I do know the early production trucks had an issue with warping front brake rotors...Ford started putting a beefier front rotor on the trucks to help address the problem. Cam Phasors was another slight design change. Anyone know the date when the cam phasor redesign went into effect?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
avoid the 04 to mid year 05's like they have the plague. alot of guys never have issues, and then alot of guys do have issues.
the 06+ trucks seem fairly trouble free. There is the odd isolated case, but I'd say you could expect 90% or better of the 06 and newer to have 0 problems.
My 06 with 13,500 has 0 issues drivetrain wise. They forgot to paint a few spots that I had them fix.
the 06+ trucks seem fairly trouble free. There is the odd isolated case, but I'd say you could expect 90% or better of the 06 and newer to have 0 problems.
My 06 with 13,500 has 0 issues drivetrain wise. They forgot to paint a few spots that I had them fix.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Over 80K miles (140K km) on my 04 Screw 5.4l
The engine did drop a valve at 133K km, however up to that point; everything was perfect with ZERO problems...
OK, I did have a problem with the back-up sensors going off when I washed the vehicle in the winter, but this isn't really a "problem" more than an annoyance.
I have over 6,000km on the "new" engine and other than the light in the power door lock switch on the drivers door burning out, the truck is a solid as ever.
Doug
The engine did drop a valve at 133K km, however up to that point; everything was perfect with ZERO problems...
OK, I did have a problem with the back-up sensors going off when I washed the vehicle in the winter, but this isn't really a "problem" more than an annoyance.
I have over 6,000km on the "new" engine and other than the light in the power door lock switch on the drivers door burning out, the truck is a solid as ever.
Doug
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by 519DVX
Brakes at 70, tires at 60, and you're complaining???
What issues have I NOT had?
I have 33k on my '04 FX4 right now. Here's a basic rundown of what I can remember off the top of my head (I have it all recorded too, just not with me)
Blower motor for air condition/heater gone bad
front automatic hub on right side engaging at highway speed causing grinding sound, in dealership FIVE times, once replacing the trucks computer, other times doing TSB's on vacuum system, vibration issues, multiple trips for broken tailgate torsion spring lift assist, limited slip clutch packs shot and replaced, broken shift lever on floor shifter, stone chips in paint when I took delivery, needed to repaint tailgate. I can't even remember all of them. Besides all that, the service SUCKS! I'm so fed up with my entire ownership experience. I will stick with a Ford because it sounds like they've fixed the issues and I can't stand the Dodge's and I won't buy a Chevy.
What issues have I NOT had?
I have 33k on my '04 FX4 right now. Here's a basic rundown of what I can remember off the top of my head (I have it all recorded too, just not with me)
Blower motor for air condition/heater gone bad
front automatic hub on right side engaging at highway speed causing grinding sound, in dealership FIVE times, once replacing the trucks computer, other times doing TSB's on vacuum system, vibration issues, multiple trips for broken tailgate torsion spring lift assist, limited slip clutch packs shot and replaced, broken shift lever on floor shifter, stone chips in paint when I took delivery, needed to repaint tailgate. I can't even remember all of them. Besides all that, the service SUCKS! I'm so fed up with my entire ownership experience. I will stick with a Ford because it sounds like they've fixed the issues and I can't stand the Dodge's and I won't buy a Chevy.
I would def check your state's lemon law. In CT, after three attempts at a same problem or 30 days your car spends in the shop gets you qualified for a lemon. Check it out
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, CT
Originally Posted by tylus
I'm pretty sure the Lemon law only applies on new vehicles...not a 3 yr old model, and especially not if it's out of warranty.
sorry.
sorry.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
I have checked out the lemon law in NY. It needs to be in 5 or more times for the same problem. The one big problem I had with the front hub, they fixed it the 4th time in. I met with a Ford rep one time about all the problems and all I got from him was some line about how there's no reason to replace it because the problems are being fixed every time, it doesn't matter how many problems I have, just that they fix them in a reasonable time frame (4 trips or less). If it weren't for the problems, this would be the best of the 3 trucks I've owned, by far. Time to trade up.
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
I'd be upset if my truck had that many problems. None for my 04 so far, except my tires were done by 22K and I drive like a sissy. Hmmmm, is it because my XLT had inferior tires and the others that got 3x's the distance had better models with better tires? Curious.