2004 Ford F-150: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 15, 2017 · Body · 190,000 miles · ME

Brought my 2004 f150 xlt to have some service work done, the truck needed a muffler and a new front upper control arm, I was advised by the service manager that I should have my frame looked at before going any further, both right and left sides of the frame in the middle of the truck have severe rust and I believe the structure is doomed to fail, I had planned on driving this truck for several more years as it is my daily driver. I am now left with a truck that cannot be certified for resale and has lost its value and further it is no longer safe. By the way the truck only has 190 thousand kms on it.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Suspension · 136,000 miles · ND

Lower control arm mount is broken ,mount is welded to the frame,I just noticed it on 2-20-2016 while replacing my front shocks.

Filed Jun 11, 2012 · Steering, Wheels · 70,000 miles · NY

Shaft assembly part #8l32-3b676-b on 2004 ford f-150 needed to be replaced. Mechanic told me there was a technical service bulletin (tsb) . Steering wheel would stick badly especially at low speed turns and intermittently at high speed turns, as well, causing two near accidents. Still having problems...one mechanic tells me it the tie rods that require replacing and another tells me lower steering shaft needs replacement.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Suspension · 24,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was having unrelated repairs performed by an authorized dealer, when the dealer stated that the front end could not be aligned properly because the ball joints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,500. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 11, 2011 · Steering · 40,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a loud rattling noise coming from the steering column. The contact continued to drive and later discovered that the failure was contributed to the tie rod ends, which were extremely loose. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls associated with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2011 · Suspension · 65,000 miles · KY

My truck is a 2004 ford f150 fx4, the suspension on the front is bad. I bought it with 65,000 miles and it was bad. I have had to replace it after nearly hitting a semi head-on after hitting a bump and it about bounced me off of the road. This has been an ongoing problem that I couldn't figure out at first. I have called ford corporate office with no return phone call. After looking on the internet at the forums about this truck and year, I determined that this is common. I don't know if ford knows but they should. It has cost me over $850 to get the sway bar bushings replaced, tie rod ends, upper and lower control arm and shocks. I drive alot a miles in a year.

Filed Nov 12, 2010 · Suspension · 64,460 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the inside of both front tires was wearing unevenly. The contact replaced the tires and took the vehicle to an authorized dealer to have an alignment performed. The contact was informed that the alignment could not be done because both front ball joints were worn. The ball joints were not replaced but the tires were balanced and aligned. The current and failure mileages were 64,460.

Filed Oct 19, 2010 · Suspension · 23,650 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford f150. During routine maintenance the mechanic noticed that the left lower control a-frame was cracked. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where they confirmed that the lower control arm was cracked and they could not tell if it was only cracked on the side. They informed her that she would be responsible for the repair since there was no warranty or related recall. The manufacturer was notified and informed her there was nothing they could do since the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 23,650. Updated 02/09/11*lj the consumer stated ford finally agreed to help pay for the repairs. Updated 05/06/11

Filed Jul 29, 2008 · Steering · 52,987 miles · NY

I have a 2004 f150 pu I purchased the truck used,supposedly a demo. Driving home the steering locked up I thought maybe a belt after nursing the truck home I looked and the belt was intact I got some info from a mechanic friend he suggested the power steering pump I changed that (the truck is no longer under warranty it only has 52000 miles on it) after checking it out further I noticed it has two different style tierods on it and noticed that both upper ball joints ar bad the truck was a just inspected in nov. Nothing was said that the was any trouble with anything any way I tried to e mail ford customer relations center I was told to contact dealer( I had problems with another ford truck and when I complained about that truck the manger told me I was nuts his service than test drove the truck and stated that there was a problem with the shimmy in the front end of the truck but could not find cause)so I did not talk to this person my point is with only 52,000 miles on it the ball joints should not be bad and should not have to be replaced and with paying 500. A month for a payment I cannot afford to repair the truck on my own(or should not have to) can you help in any way?

Filed Jul 17, 2006 · Suspension · 32,000 miles · MI

Took vehicle to the dealership six moths ago had vibrations coming from the car and steering. Took car to the dealership and was advised there was no problem. Six months later problem kept recurring and took car to independent shop and was advised I needed right upper and lower ball joint. This is a 2004 f150 fx4 this should not be happening on a barely 2 year old car. I'm lucky my car did not buck on me on the road.

Filed Dec 20, 2005 · Suspension · MI

Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle became impossible to steer. He pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to a dealership. They found the front driver side wheel tilted in, and the ball joint nut was missing. The vehicle is currently getting repaired at the dealership.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Steering, Tires · 10,000 miles · FL

Dt: the vehicle has been to the dealer 3 times. They didn't know what was wrong with it. There was bad vibration ,like a tie rod end going bad or the wheel coming off. They replaced all the tires , and put a new rim on the passenger's side, and put in a new driveshaft. This started around june 15, 2005. The vehicle was going back to the dealers for the fourth time. Haven't contacted the manufacturer but got information on the lemon law. *ak