2004 Ford F-450 SD problems
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford F-450 SD. Fuel system is the most reported problem area, at 47% of complaints. After that come engine (19%) and drivetrain & axles (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 43 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Fuel system 47% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 59,000 miles 31 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 31 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 59,000 miles. For fuel system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 71,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 86% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Ford F-450 SD with enough data (25 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Dt: consumer states her 2004 ford f450 caught on fire while in operation. Smoke was coming from under the hood before the fire. The vehicle was last serviced on april 11, 2005. The fire department did respond. The engine compartment and cab melted. Therefore, there was no investigation as to why this occurred. This was not the consumers personal vehicle, but it belonged to her employer, and they were aware that she was filing the complaint. Gem air distributors leased the vehicle.
Dt: ford 450 2004,a braking systemproblem. Consumer took vehicle to ford dealership and they repaired pressure release valve. Consumer found that the vehicle was still dripping brake fluid even after taking to dealership, consumer took to the dealership again, dealership said they could find no problem. Consumer noticed red fluid still dripped. Dealer said it was residual fluid which continued to drip for two weeks. Problem stopped. Then when consumer had to make a sudden stop the brakes would not work.
Purchased 2004 ford f-450 deisel truck 5/31/04 - first had at dale jarrett ford in monroe, nc in july regarding problem with turbo but have no documentation for first visit - 8/12/04 dale jarrett ford examined truck for loss of power and problem with turbo - result: operating to specs according to service dept. 8/27/04 examined by dale jarrett ford again for lack of power and problem with turbo - result: replaced turbo kit and core return, truck operating to specs according to service record 8/31/04 examined by…
Vehicle looses power, no acceleration, occurs most frequently under heavy load or high acceleration demand, told by ford dealer the problem is caused by de-laminating fuel tank resulting in fuel tank coating entering the fuel system and obstructing diesel fuel flow to motor when high demand for duel occurs. Near collision at freeway speeds and was very dangerous to pull over when there was no shoulder.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the fuel tank lining had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 05v270000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.