2004 Ford F-150 Review: One of the Best Model Years for One of the Best Used Pickups

The 2004 Ford F-150 hit the market with revised steering, delivering the same reliable, powerful powertrain but with a better feel on the road. Just about anything you can criticize comes down to the fact that it’s a twenty year old full-size, meaning you’ll spend a little extra on maintenance and fuel.

Is the 2004 Ford F-150 a Good Used Truck?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – Still one of the best pickups on the market.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – A pioneer of the SUV-like interior, the 2004 F-150 is still one of the most comfortable, spacious vehicles on the market. You’ll have to look into buying a luxury car if you want more comfort than this.
• Reliability 8/10 – By this point you’ll probably be spending a few hundred bucks here and there for new starters, AC compressors, and control modules, but the powertrain and engine might keep running for another ten years.
• Safety 7/10 – Onboard safety tech is dated and crash test scores are mediocre, but the F-150 is a tank.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – 17/20 miles to the gallon, city/highway, isn’t bad for a 2004 full-size, but it’s still a 2004 full-size.
• Value 7/10 – The 2004 F-150 is priced fairly. Typically listing in the seven thousand dollar range, the truck is worth the price, but it’s hardly a steal.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Ford F-150?

Consumer Reports praised the 2004 F-150 as a “significant improvement” over previous models. They note the comfortable ride, nimble handling, and improved build quality. CR’s reviewers had few real complaints regarding the truck, remarking that the full-size is more fuel efficient than you might expect in this size class.

Edmunds were impressed with the handling and the smooth ride, and they liked the new look for the truck. They note that acceleration is a bit slower than you hope to find in a V8.

Kelley Blue Book users like the handling and reliability, they appreciate the power and comfort, but a few reviewers note that you may have to shell out for a big repair like an AC pump or a control module now and then.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Ford F-150 Have?

Structure and visibility issues are a big problem for 2004 F-150 drivers. There are 103 structure complaints on file and 844 for visibility, making up around half of the 2,012 total complaints. These complaints range from side mirrors falling off of the truck to sunroofs exploding right out of the frame.

Drivers have reported powertrain issues like failure to start and engine stall while in traffic. There are 232 powertrain complaints on file, which sounds like a lot, but remember that the F-150 was the best selling vehicle in the world in 2004, so any issues are going to be amplified by volume.

Corroded fuel tank straps have been a recurring problem with early ’00s model F-150s. If you live in a colder state where you see a lot of road salt, there’s a chance your strap has rusted through and could leave the gas tank dragging on the highway. Check your VIN for any applicable recalls.

The 2004 F-150 has 16 recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is higher than average for a twenty year old vehicle, especially since they were all recalled in the truck’s first decade. But, for the most part, these recalls have been administered without incident and should point to an attentive, safety-conscious manufacturer.

How Long Will the 2004 Ford F-150 Last?

200,000 has been reported as a low average life expectancy for a 2004 F-150, with 300,000 being frequently reported on the high end. Split the difference and expect to get about 250,000 miles out of your F-Series. If you can find one in like-new condition, 300,000 or more isn’t unrealistic, but you’ll need a bit of luck to hit that number.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $788 for an F-150, with new AC evaporators being the most expensive common fix, starting at $943.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is adequate for a 2004 pickup. You get a radio with four speakers in the entry level models, and a six-disc CD player in the higher trim levels, and that’s about as fancy as it gets.

Safety features are, likewise, adequate considering the age. You get power anti-lock brakes and full airbags with a deactivation switch. Fine for 2004, but hardly cutting-edge.

Is the 2004 Ford F-150 a Good Value?

A 2004 F-150 is a fair value. At a typical listing price of $7,378 for an entry level supercab, the truck is worth every penny assuming mileage under 170,000, but when you add fuel and maintenance costs into the equation, you may wind up wondering if you really need a full-size pickup in the first place.

The 2004 Silverado LS sells in around the same range with the same mileage, so if you think seven grand sounds a bit high, that’s just the going rate for a full-size pickup from 2004 these days.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Ford F-150?

The 2004 F-150 is available in six trim levels, from the base XL to the special edition Lightning.

With the entry-level XL you get:

• Manual air conditioning
• AM/FM radio with four speakers
• Cloth seat trim

Next up, the STX adds:

• Remote keyless entry
• Lumbar support in the front seats

The mid-range XLT features:

• Power windows and door locks
• CD player
• Leather wrapped steering wheel

With the high-end Lariat you’re adding:

• Leather and vinyl seat trim
• Power driver seat
• Steering wheel mounted controls for audio and climate
• Automatic air conditioner
• Driver side keypad entry

The off-road FX4 adds:

• Black leather steering wheel
• Off road shock absorbers

The special-edition Lightning features:

• Fog lights
• Heated mirrors
• Cloth and leather seat trim

What Engines Come In the 2004 Ford F-150?

• The base engine in the 2004 F-150 is a 4.6L V8 delivering 231 horsepower and 293 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in rear/four wheel drive. It averages 17/20 miles to the gallon and tows up to 5,900 pounds.
• If you want a little more muscle, you’ve got a 5.4L Triton V8 delivering an incredible 300 horsepower and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. This is configured in four wheel drive and averages 14/18 miles to the gallon. Depending on your options you could tow up to 9,500 pounds with this engine.

What Colors Does the 2004 Ford F-150 Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Ford F-150?

The The Extended cab can comfortably seat the entire family. This is from the era when trucks were first transitioning into SUV-like interiors, and the F-150 led the way with a whopping 63.8 inches of hiproom.

You’ve no doubt heard of the “death wobble,” where an F-150’s suspension goes loose and leaves you vibrating all over the road. This is more of an issue with lifted trucks and you won’t see it too frequently in the stock 2004 model F-Series. But, don’t skip the test drive, and make sure to see how it performs on rocky roads.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Ford F-150 Have?

With the long bed you’re getting 81.3 cubic feet of storage space. That’s about enough to load a compact car up into the box and drive around with it. It’s a full-size truck, you’re not going to have any problem hauling whatever it is you need to haul in this thing.

With a 5.5 Extra Short you’ve got 52.8 cubic feet, and the 6.5 Short Bed gives you 65.5, or 59.1 with a flareside.. No matter your bed length, 5.5′, 6.5′, or 8′) you get 50 inches across and 22.3 inches deep..

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2004 F-150 was the final year of the truck’s 10th Generation, launching in the 1997 model year..

1999: The Supercab was introduced in 1999, ushering in an era of SUV-like pickups.

2000: Ford debuted the supercharged Harley-Davidsion model in 2000, and they expanded the cab options with the new Supercrew, truly bringing the pickup into the modern age.

2001: The King Ranch was introduced for 2001.

2002: Ford gave the suspension an overhaul, dropping the truck by about an inch.

2003: The Sporty STX trim and the Z828 Kenwood stereo both debuted in 2003.

2004: Steering was vastly improved by a new rack-and-pinion system, and the exterior got some minor redesigns, including sleek new headlights.

How Does the 2004 Ford F-150 Compare to the Competition?

Ford vs. Chevy is generally a matter of preference, and that certainly applies to their respective 2004 full-size pickups. The F-150 outclasses the Silverado for max towing capacity, with the Chevy tapping out at 7,600. The Silverado generally sells for a few hundred dollars cheaper. We’re splitting hairs here. If you don’t already have a favorite, test-drive both and see what you think.

A mid-range 2004 Dodge Ram can list for well over ten grand, and it towing capacity comes up a few hundred pounds short of comparable Fords. There’s a lot to like about a used Ram, but if you’re looking at value, the F-150 and the Silverado both leave Dodge in the dust for 2004.

Almost any model year F-150 is going to be one of the best used trucks on the market, and the 2004 edition is no exception.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Ford F-150?