NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Ford F-450 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 Ford F-450 SD has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 33 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Ford F-450 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2004 Ford F-450 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford F-450 SD, describing incidents dated December 8, 2003 to December 23, 2013.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 20 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint

Of the 33 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10558711 · Filed January 6, 2014
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…
ODI #10550664 · Filed November 3, 2013
10/17/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE RUNNING FINE AND JUST LOST POWER GOING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING FROM 65 TO 10 MILES AN HOUR. TRAFFIC ZIPPING BY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTERS BUT IT DONE THE SAME AFTER I CHANGED THEM. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HE SAID HE THE TANK…
ODI #10483254 · Filed November 3, 2012
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…

Read all 33 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Ford F-450 SD in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA05-003: ENGINE STALLING
Closed November 2, 2005
- Recall 05V-270

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #11V352000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 26,715 vehicles

Ford campaign 11C18 · Owners notified August 15, 2011

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Safety consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

FORD'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11C18.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS/TOW ASSEMBLIE

NHTSA #07E066000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2007 · CEQUENT ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS

Potentially affected: 175 vehicles

Owners notified September 5, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Safety consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET CEQUENT TOW PACKAGES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER, GMC, OR FORD VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #05V270000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 180,104 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S34 · Owners notified July 22, 2005 · Vehicles built September 29, 2003 – May 31, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S34.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2004 Ford F-450 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

33 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford F-450 SD.

Fuel System, Gasoline; Electrical System

ODI #10558711

Incident: December 23, 2013 · Filed: January 6, 2014

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.

Fuel System, Diesel; Equipment

ODI #10550664

Incident: October 17, 2013 · Filed: November 3, 2013

10/17/13 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH A LOAD OF CATTLE RUNNING FINE AND JUST LOST POWER GOING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING FROM 65 TO 10 MILES AN HOUR. TRAFFIC ZIPPING BY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTERS BUT IT DONE THE SAME AFTER I CHANGED THEM. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND HE SAID HE THE TANK LINER WAS COMING APART NOW IT MESSED UP MY INJECTORS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SEVERLY HURT!!!! IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY SOMETHING ON THIS. *TR

Power Train; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10483254

Incident: November 1, 2012 · Filed: November 3, 2012

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. FORD DEALER STATES THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,500.00 AND OPEN ENDED DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE FUEL TANK COATING ENTERED THE MOTOR OR INJECTORS. THEY WANT TO START BY REPLACING THE HARNESS, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND GO FROM THERE. FORD REFUSES TO HONOR THIS CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10448794

Incident: January 16, 2012 · Filed: February 21, 2012

AT APPX. 80,000 MILES ON OUR 2004 F450 SD FUEL TANK DELAMINATED CAUSING FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. WE HAVE ALWAYS PURCHASED HIGH QUALITY DIESEL FROM REPUTATABLE GAS STATIONS (CHEVRON, SHELL). VEHICLE REPAIRED AT FORD AND HAD CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT OF COST AND WAS DECLINED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10445180

Incident: January 17, 2012 · Filed: January 25, 2012

TRUCK FAILS TO MAINTAIN SPEED (ACTS FUEL STARVED) AND IS AT RISK OF STALLING IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAIN COMPLETELY AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAS HAD NO AFTERMARKET ADJUSTMENTS. AFTER TAKING THIS TRUCK TO THE FORD DEALER (PARR FORD IN BREMERTON, WA) WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS DELAMINATING AND CAUSING PARTICLES TO CLOG THE FUEL SYSTEM. AS WE HAUL A LARGE TRAILER WITH THIS VEHICLE (AS I'M SURE OTHER CONSUMERS DO AS WELL) THIS CAN RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC OUTCOME AS STALLING RESULTS IN LACK OF STEERING ABILITIES AND CAN LEAVE VEHICLE VULNERABLE IN TRAFFIC. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY AND CORRECT VEHICLES CURRENTLY ON THE ROAD AT THEIR COST. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10437565

Incident: March 23, 2011 · Filed: November 28, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL LINER DELAMINATING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 01/11/12

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10412436

Incident: July 1, 2011 · Filed: July 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 F-450 SD. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS DELAMINATION FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK LINING, WHICH WAS FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10403298

Incident: May 2, 2011 · Filed: May 24, 2011

2004 FORD F450 AMBULANCE. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE OF THE FUEL TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS A RESULT OF A SERIOUS STRUCTURAL DEFECT OF THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE STALLED DURING SEVERAL EMERGENCY CALLS. THE COATING IN THE INTERIOR DIESEL FUEL TANK CORRODED AND COLLECTED AS SEDIMENT, WHICH EXTRACTED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINE BECAME CLOGGED AND DAMAGED THE FUEL PUMP AND VALVES. *JB UPDATED 03/01/12 *BF UPDATED 03/16/12 UPDATED 04/18/12

Electrical System

ODI #10339085

Incident: May 25, 2010 · Filed: June 18, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-450. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED FOR INJECTOR CONTROL PRESSURE, SENSOR CONNECTOR FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE INFORMATION SHE HAD FOUND WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND NOT A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,498.

Fuel System, Diesel

ODI #10334111

Incident: March 21, 2010 · Filed: June 1, 2010

FUEL TANK DELAMINATION. TRUCKS STARTED RUNNING BAD, WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP. HAS LEFT ME AND MY EMPLOYEES STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES IN UNSAFE TRAFFIC AREAS. NEW FUEL TANKS INSTALLED, FUEL PUMPS INJECTORS PUT IN NEW. ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED. JUST UNDER $5000.00 EACH TIME. FORD SAYS BIOFUEL IS THE CAUSE. NEVER HAVE USED BIOFUEL IN ANYTHING. *TR

Other Ford F-450 SD model years

Check your 2004 Ford F-450 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-450 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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