Ford F-150 2004–2008 problems by year and mileage
11th generation · P221
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,583 complaints, 3,963 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2004 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,029
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2004
- Visibility equipment841 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline232 reports · median 35,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system167 reports · median 76,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — storage · Air bags — frontal · Vehicle speed control
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 61,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,112
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2005
- Visibility equipment260 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Engine117 reports · median 116,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline112 reports · median 66,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist · Interior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 585
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2006
- Engine and its cooling system77 reports · median 59,000 mi
- Engine74 reports · median 99,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit68 reports · median 19,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist · Interior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 57,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 488
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2007
- Engine105 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline57 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control54 reports · median 44,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Ford F-150
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 369
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2008
- Engine53 reports · median 105,000 mi
- Steering53 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline50 reports · median 50,000 mi
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2007, and the 2007 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2004–2008 Ford F-150 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 61,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 130,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 3,963
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Visibility equipment24.7% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline10.8% of complaints · median 52,000 mi
- Engine9.6% of complaints · median 105,000 mi
Owners filed 4,583 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2008 Ford F-150; visibility equipment leads with 24.7% of them, and half of the 3,963 that record an odometer reading came by 61,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 32,000 to 92,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2004–2008 Ford F-150 last?
On the 2004–2008 Ford F-150, half of the 3,963 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 61,000 miles and 90% by 130,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
237 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 59 past 200,000 — each one proof that a F-150 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford F-150 2004–2008 · 3,963 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 341 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 59 complaints (1.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 7,000
- 25%
- 32,000
- Median
- 61,000
- 75%
- 92,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 341 | 8.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 125 | 3.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 121 | 3.1% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 108 | 2.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 119 | 3.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 100 | 2.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 146 | 3.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 176 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 162 | 4.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 161 | 4.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 199 | 5.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 174 | 4.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 181 | 4.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 164 | 4.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 198 | 5.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 131 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 144 | 3.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 134 | 3.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 139 | 3.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 117 | 3.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 105 | 2.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 68 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 69 | 1.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 68 | 1.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 52 | 1.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 55 | 1.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 39 | 1.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 42 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 57 | 1.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 31 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 36 | 0.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 22 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 24 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 20 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 20 | 0.5% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 13 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 23 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 12 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 59 | 1.5% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common F-150 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford F-150 2004–2008
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit299 reportsmedian 19,000middle half 5,000–40,000
- Transmission and driveline497 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 15,000–89,000
- Visibility equipment1,131 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 41,000–79,000
- Electrical system303 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 30,000–101,000
- Engine and its cooling system418 reportsmedian 66,000middle half 35,000–96,000
- Airbag system290 reportsmedian 78,000middle half 47,000–112,000
- Engine441 reportsmedian 105,000middle half 75,000–140,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility equipment | 1,131 | 24.7% | 60,000 | 41,000–79,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 497 | 10.8% | 52,000 | 15,000–89,000 |
| Engine | 441 | 9.6% | 105,000 | 75,000–140,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 418 | 9.1% | 66,000 | 35,000–96,000 |
| Electrical system | 303 | 6.6% | 65,000 | 30,000–101,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 299 | 6.5% | 19,000 | 5,000–40,000 |
| Airbag system | 290 | 6.3% | 78,000 | 47,000–112,000 |
| Body structure | 279 | 6.1% | 72,000 | 42,000–115,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 253 | 5.5% | 44,000 | 9,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 246 | 5.4% | 61,000 | 30,000–94,000 |
Known problems with the 2004–2008 F-150
Engine 2004–2007
5.4L 3-valve Triton two-piece spark plugs seize and break off in the cylinder head on removal. Carbon builds in the gap between the plug shell and the head; the porcelain-tipped lower section separates from the upper body during service. Ford reverted to a one-piece plug for 2008.
Engine 2004–2008
5.4L 3V variable cam timing phaser rattle and timing chain tensioner/guide wear, producing a cold-start rattle and eventual cam timing codes.
Fuel System 2004–2008
Fuel pump driver module corrosion causing intermittent stall and no-start.
Before you buy a 2004–2008 F-150: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,963 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2004–2007 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine on 2004–2008 cars.
- Check fuel system on 2004–2008 cars.
- Years differ here: from 369 to 2,029 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
F-150 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi49% below | At 90k mi73% below | At 120k mi87% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility equipment | 41,000–79,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 15,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 75,000–140,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 35,000–96,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 30,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 5,000–40,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 47,000–112,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford F-150 2004–2008 · 3,963 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 49% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 73% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2004–2008 Ford F-150 recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (4), the airbag system (1), the engine and its cooling system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jul 2011 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineAs a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford F-150, 2004 model year Ford F-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year F-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from…
What can happen. As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this…
Feb 2011 · 2004–2006 · Air BagsThe driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 F-150 pick up trucks as well as certain model year 2006 Lincoln mark lt vehicles. If the clockspring jumper wire comes in contact with the driver side frontal air bag lower horn plate, the wire insulation may…
What can happen. The driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle control if occurring while in motion.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have a new clockspring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover. Repairs…
Oct 2008 · 2007–2008 · Engine and Engine CoolingThis failure may result in a loss of performance, illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and…
The defect. Roush is recalling 213 my 2007-2008 Ford F-150 trucks altered to operate using liquid propane injection. The hydro-carbon paper affixed to the inside of the airbox lid with adhesive may become dislodged during operation.
What can happen. This failure may result in a loss of performance, illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) and, in extreme cases, a stalling of the vehicle during operation without notice, which could…
The free fix. Dealers will replace the airbox lid with a new one that includes the hydro-carbon paper which has been affixed using an adhesive promoter and greater pressure as recommended by the manufacturer free…
May 2008 · 2005–2006 · Service Brakes, HydraulicOnce the brake booster vacuum reserve is depleted, the driver will have foundation brake function, but with…
The defect. Ford is recalling 605,684 my 2005-2006 F-150 and Lincoln mark lt vehicles equipped with 5.4L 3-valve engines. The brake booster vacuum supply hose attached to the intake manifold fitting may swell over time and lose retention force. This condition could allow…
What can happen. Once the brake booster vacuum reserve is depleted, the driver will have foundation brake function, but with increased brake pedal effort. Reduced vehicle braking could lead to a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace a rubber hose on the brake booster vacuum supply tube assembly. The recall began on june 27, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Aug 2007 · 2004 · Vehicle Speed ControlThis could result in an underhood fire.
The defect. On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
What can happen. This could result in an underhood fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation…
Jun 2007 · 2007 · Fuel System, GasolineIf left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop.
The defect. On certain trucks built with 26 gallon fuel tanks, the fuel tank may have a depression at the seam between the top and bottom halves of the tank (not visible from outside the fuel tank). If a depression is large enough, fuel may permeate the fuel tank wall…
What can happen. If left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on june 25, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Feb 2006 · 2005–2006 · Interior LightingThis error could prevent the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light from illuminating if the ABS module…
The defect. Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with either the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 105, 'Hydraulic and electric brake systems' or fmvss no. 135, 'Passenger car brake systems.' These vehicles were built with a software error…
What can happen. This error could prevent the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light from illuminating if the ABS module ever became inoperative.
The free fix. Dealers will recalibrate the instrument cluster in these vehicles. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 2005 · 2006 · VisibilityAfter a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause…
The defect. On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
What can happen. After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function.…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or…
Sep 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. On certain trucks equipped with 4.2L, 4.6L and 5.4L gasoline engines, the fuel tank may have a depression at the seam between the top and bottom halves of the tank. If a depression is large enough, fuel may permeate the fuel tank wall resulting in a fuel…
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall began september 17, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Apr 2004 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineIf left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop.
The defect. Certain pickup trucks may have a fuel tank with localized depressions in the fuel tank wall at the seam between top and bottom halves of the tank. If a depression is large enough, fuel may permeate the fuel tank wall resulting in a fuel odor, or the "service…
What can happen. If left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel tank on these vehicles. Owner notification began on may 6, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-248-0186.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,583 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 262 (5.7%)
- Fires
- 112
- Injury reports
- 194
- Fatality reports
- 11
F-150 problems by model year
The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 2,029, most of them about visibility equipment, and the 2008 the fewest, 369. A typical year drew about 585.
That makes the 2004 stand out at roughly 3.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,029 | 1,745 | 61,000 | Visibility equipment (841) | 5 |
| 2005 | 1,112 | 969 | 61,000 | Visibility equipment (260) | 3 |
| 2006 | 585 | 500 | 60,000 | Engine and its cooling system (77) | 4 |
| 2007 | 488 | 430 | 57,000 | Engine (105) | 2 |
| 2008 | 369 | 319 | 62,000 | Engine (53) | 1 |
What F-150 owners reported
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the seatbelt pretensioners for all seats failed, and the frontal airbags for the driver seat and front passenger seat were inoperable. The seatbelt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with faulty…
2004 · 50,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2006 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's son lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail and landed on its…
2006 · 200,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact pulled the vehicle into a Home Depot parking lot, exited the vehicle, and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. The Home Depot employees came…
2005 · 360,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact shifted the gear shifter into park and turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle rolled backwards again. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed…
2005 · 260,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 3,963 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other F-150 generations
- F-150 1992–1996 506 reports with mileage, most about the fuel system
- F-150 1997–2003 4,313 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- F-150 2009–2014 7,521 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- F-150 2015–2020 4,604 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- F-150 2021–2025 558 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline