2004 Ford F-150: harsh or hard shifting

Filed May 1, 2014 · Brakes · 201,000 miles · VA

It appears that there was an issue with the parking brake linkage. There had been small noticeable shimmy with the brakes, which having been fairly recently replaced, did concern me. However, on the way home, I tapped the brake at approx 35 MPH, I got a very large clunk in the rear. I continued to drive, very concerned over what may have occurred. However, I was on open road, 40 miles from home. As I continued to drive, I could tell there were major issues. It was bad weather, and I was in middle of nowhere. I continued home to my repair shop. They informed me the next day, that the parking brake linkage got fouled up, wrapped around a brake or something, eventually tearing it all up. This is costing me approx $500 to replace. After research, I see a tsb 08-11-1 was issued. Why not owners notified? This is an issue that should have been sent to owners for a fix. I blame ford.

Filed Mar 27, 2014 · Engine · 231,000 miles · NY

Attempted to start vehicle. Engine made a clunk and hydrolocked with no warning. Changed starter assuming the starter set up. Attempted to start vehicle again with same result. Now in process of finding a motor. I looked into this issue. Seems like this is common issue???

Filed Jul 5, 2012 · Body, Electrical · 54,360 miles · TX

In late-june 2012 a loud clunk/thud/pop/small explosion occurred in the passenger-side door of my 2004 ford f-150 regular cab truck, while the vehicle was stopped and idling, and the window dropped into the door frame. When I returned home I removed the door panel and discovered that a small piece of molded plastic, 1 1/8" x 1 7/8" (probable cost to ford about 39 cents) on the window regulator had disintegrated/failed, allowing the regulator cable to release the window. I have found a replacement window regulator on the internet for $70 (ford charges $175 for the part) and will repair the defective item myself. I notified ford of the failure of a less-than-quality plastic piece on the regulator and asked for reimbursement. Ford responded: "there are no factory warranties or programs in effect on your vehicle that would provide financial assistance for your current vehicle concern." however, they did add: "recommend that you keep your repair receipts in case ford initiates a recall or customer satisfaction program in the future based on customer feedback or further engineering review of similar complaints." I see from the large number of complaints on this website by ford truck owners that I am but one of hundreds who have been affected, and obviously, there will be hundreds more; the odds are very high that the majority of the plastic pieces on ford truck window regulators will fail sooner or later, and I seriously doubt that the 2004 ford f-150 truck is the only model year that contains plastic parts in the window regulators. $70 to replace a failed piece of plastic that initially probably cost ford about 39 cents to produce is a sad commentary on quality.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · MN

(summer, 2007, 28k) at highway speed (60 MPH) huge grinding noise and vibration, light in dash came on by itself showing, "4x4" turned on, slowed to 20 MPH, huge clunk as 4 wheel drive system engaged without drivers requesting it to engage. Ford roadside assistance was contacted and ford towed vehicle to ford dealer, ford dealer "reprogrammed" something, said it had moisture in a sensor, causing the 4x4 to try to engage. (september 12, 2011, 69,980 miles) at highway speed, (58 MPH) during mild acceleration, 1500 - 1800 RPM, a mild grinding sound from under front end, by taking foot off gas peddle then reapplying gas the grinding sound stops. Contacted ford dealer, they said drive it in, contacted ford customer satisfaction department, they said to have dealer check it out, ford dealer investigated and said there is a problem with volume of vacuum that is necessary to prevent the 4x4 system from engaging while driving on the highway at highway speeds. Ford dealer indicated that it maybe unsafe to drive like this and that this is normal for the vacuum system to fail like this, representative at ford customer satisfaction department said that their dealer knows how to diagnose and cure problems best, and since the vehicle has more than 36k it is not a concern to ford. My concern is that steel gears that are suggested to be engaged at a walking pace on soft pavement are automatically forcing themselves to lock together on dry pavement at 60 MPH, and ford and the ford dealer show little concern for this condition since the vehicle has more than 36k and since no extended warranty purchased from the dealership.

Filed Jan 29, 2010 · Visibility · 54,000 miles · VA

Pass. Side electric window failed and went down into the door on it's own proceeded by a clunk sound from the door as ii was driving. The window did not respond to any commands from the control panel on the drivers door. Upon examination of the door the next day I found cable laying in the door and the window not working.

Filed Oct 25, 2009 · 65,000 miles · CA

I bought a 2004 ford f-150 supercrew truck last october. When I took it home from the dealer, I rolled down the passenger-side rear window and it just dropped inside the door. I took it back to the dealer and they fixed it. I thought it was just a random incident or that it just came off the track and no big deal. Well, a couple days ago (now that I've had it for 1 year and no warranty) I picked up my kids from school and as we were driving home the driver-side rear window (the other one this time) fell down inside the door. I had no warning, didn't hit any button, and suddenly wondered where the wind was coming from. At first I thought my kids rolled it down but hey didn't. I tried to roll it up with the power control button on my arm-rest and nothing happened. All I heard was a grinding sound and remembered what happened the first time around and went "awww great!" this is the second window in a year and after researching heavily online I discovered I'm not alone. I am dumbfounded as to how this issue with ford window regulator/motors and cable/pulley assemblies has not forced a recall!!! How is this possible with all of the complaints posted with the federal safety agency and online forums? I have been told this isn't a recall issue because it doesn't affect emissions or safety, but if that's the case, how is this not a safety/security issue??? I'm lucky that my window didn't shatter and hit me or, more importantly, my children! Not only that, but what if this had caused an accident? Nobody should be driving down the road, hear a loud clunk, freak out, and swerve off the road! Not a safety issue? Seriously? And what about this being a security issue? How in the hell do I keep my window up and lock my truck while I'm shopping for groceries or something? Not only could someone steal something inside but they could steal my truck! If this isn't a security issue then why do I have remote locks/alarm? Something has to be done about this! I don't have $400 to throw away in this economy!

Filed Sep 7, 2009 · Visibility · 75,040 miles · MS

2004 f-150 fx4 - drivers side window fall down due to cable - repaired under warranty . Rear passenger and rear drivers side windows fell down within a week apart due to cable coming off tracks, or rollers. Notified ford motor company of this problem and I was advised to take it to a local dealer to see if it could be a malfunction. Dealers charge to diagnose generally and I should not have to pay for something that is not my fault, as they are rarely used, especially at the price they charge. I noticed a lot of complaints to ford for this same problem. Please look into this, or is this a clunker they want you to trade for a new clunker.

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Visibility · 27,000 miles · CA

I opened the driver's side front door of my 2004 ford f-150 with only 27,000 miles on the odometer and I heard a clunk sound in the door. The window was no longer in place and had fallen into the door. Took the door panel off and confirmed that the window regulator had failed prematurely. It should last a whole lot longer than it did. I read online that this is a widespread problem, latent defect in the design, and ford will not fix it once the vehicle is out of its basic warranty. I need ford to recall the vehicle to fix this latent defect.

Filed Nov 19, 2007 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · MI

I had a clunking sound under my 2004 f150 4x4. Pulled off the road and found out that the center support bearing on my drive shaft had worn out. Luckily I found out before getting on the highway for a long trip or the shaft would have eventually eaten through and caused major harm to the truck and possibly ourselves and any others involved from an accident. I cannot find any parts to replace the center support bearing (csb). All after market parts suppliers cannot find a replacement part that is even made. The ford dealership wants to sell me the entire drive shaft for $700 when the csb is only a $20-30 part - if ford would supply/make the part. This is not the first part I have had a very difficult time finding for this truck!

Filed Aug 8, 2006 · Transmission · 100 miles · PA

This truck has a serious problem in the drive train and the dealer is now refusing to even attempt to repair the problem any longer, claiming that it is a "characteristic of the truck." the problem can be described as a violent lurching of the whole truck accompanied by a loud, metallic "clunk" sound in the drive train. This occurs frequently during normal driving conditions but especially when accelerating up a hill, out of a turn, or up out of a dip in the road. The problem has existed in the truck since I purchased it new in may 2005. I've had the dealer attempt to repair the problem at 3,000, 6,000, 12,000, 18,000, and at 22,000. They've attempted various repairs, but nothing has corrected the problem. At one point they told me that the wrong size driveshaft was installed at the factory. They replaced it with a shorter one, but this did nothing to correct the problem. At first I thought I was just facing a problem that was difficult to solve, but after doing some research on the internet, I know now that this is absolutely a known problem and the manufacturer has instructed all dealerships to not even attempt repair. (the service manager actually showed me this in writing.)

Filed Jun 9, 2006 · Transmission · 27,563 miles · TX

Experience consistent significant jerk/clunk/slam after coasting in 3rd gear and accelerate down shifting into 2nd gear. Service bulletin says normal and to not repair, yet my issue is not intermittent and is a significantly noticeable and uncomfortable jerk in the driveline that is definitely not normal performance from any transmission aware of without a very aggressive shift kit installed and a plethora of horsepower. Took to dealer and service tech handed me service bulletins and didn't even log into computer that vehicle was taken in for the issue. Made notes and sent to shop foreman as communication of my concern about the lack of paperwork and record, and the lack of service. Technician drove truck and said this was normal...would never buy a vehicle knowing that it would end up shifting like this as normal wear and tear while under warranty.

Filed Aug 13, 2005 · Transmission · 11,000 miles · OK

Drive train vibration thought the cab floor and steering wheel of vehicle. After numerous attempts to repair and 6 new tires, driveshaft and new clutch locking plates. New ring and pinion gear the problem still is there. The vibration progressively gets worse after long trips. Also there is a clunk in the drive line on acceleration and a severe to moderate shudder . Ford says that this is normal for the new body style trucks which is totally false. Ford seems to set their standard and customer satisfaction is set aside. The live with it attitude will not be tolerated. I am going through the bbb arbritration process and hopefully the arbritrator will see the history of this problem. Anyone with similar problems should e-mail me at [email protected]