2004 Ford E-150 recalls and problems

5 recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford E-150.

5
recalls
33
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2004 Ford E-150 recalls

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA campaign 09V100000 · reported March 27, 2009 · VAN CONVERSIONS OF LEHIGH VALLEY INC. · 52 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Van conversions is recalling 52 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles," the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
The risk
A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
The fix
Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or van conversions at 610-837-0707.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA campaign 09V102000 · reported March 27, 2009 · VAN CONVERSIONS OF LEHIGH VALLEY INC. · 74 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Van conversions is recalling 74 my 2004-2007 ford e-150, e-250 e-350 and my 2006 gm savanna 3500 vans built on ford and gm chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
The risk
The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
The fix
Van conversions is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or van conversions at 610-837-0707.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA campaign 04V562000 · reported November 26, 2004 · MOBILITY WORKS · 1,660 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
The risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 04V444000 · reported September 13, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 214,849 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
The risk
The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
The fix
Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 04V445000 · reported September 13, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 253,076 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.
The risk
These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 24, 2025 · Power train · 74,000 miles

The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parked when the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards downhill the contact's son attempted to get into the vehicle to make it stop. The trailer's jackknife stopped the vehicle from going onto the road. The contact manually moved the vehicle back into their…

May 4, 2016 · Power train · 176,000 miles

VIBERATION IN REAR AND CLUNKING NOISR IN REAR WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHT THEN TAKING OF WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN

Aug 17, 2015 · Engine · 117,000 miles

2004 FORD 4.6L ENGINE: #2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD. ~$700 TO REPAIR!!!

Jun 8, 2015 · Exterior lighting · 50,000 miles

THERE ARE TONS OF DRIVERS ON PUBLIC ROADS USING OFF ROAD LED LIGHT BARS AND USING AMPLIFIED HID HEADLIGHTS. THEY ARE SO BRIGHT I HAVE TO BLOCK THE LIGHT WITH MY HANDS WHEN THEY DRIVE BY. I KNOW THIS IS ILLEGAL. IT IS TERRIBLY UNSAFE. WHY ARE THERE NOT LAWS BEING ENFORCED TO PREVENT THEIR USE ON THE STREET?

Apr 26, 2015 · Power train · 131,876 miles

AT THE POINT I REACH 40 MPH TRUCK SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL, HAVE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND TAKE TRUCK OUT OF OVERDRIVE TO GET HOME. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING AT THAT RATE OF SPEED. DID SOME OF MY OWN INVESTIGATING AND FOUND MANY WEBSITE HAVE ANGRY PEOPLE WHO ALSO OWN SAME VEHICLES WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE. I SAW THE RANGE OF…

E-150 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 43711
2002 32813
2003 52131
2004 53320
2005 21620
2006 141701
2007 181200

Across all years, the 2000 E-150 has the most complaints (50). All Ford E-150 years →

Questions

Does the 2004 Ford E-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2004 Ford E-150, the most recent reported on March 27, 2009 (Equipment adaptive/mobility). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford E-150?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (7 complaints), followed by power train (4).
How many 2004 Ford E-150 complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 33 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 24, 2025.