This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The underbody frame is 95% rusted out, this vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I could have been fatally injured, not knowing the under frame was gone, until vehicle was taken in for new tires. The vehicle was inspected by Firestone tire and Gene Butman Ford. There were no warning messages and the problem was first noticed in 2019 and was told the vehicle was unsafe to drive, a hazard and should not be driven.
The truck has had a complete body frame failure. The entire frame is rusted through with large holes. I am unable to put it on a jack to change the tires. It has failed inspections and has not been inspected since 2019. I have a 1992 ford truck that has NO rust issue on the frame. This year is a complete design failure where they used substandard steel or other garbage. It is a safety hazard.
The frame is rotted completely. It is a safety issue that when discovered and searched seems to a huge issue. I was advised not to drive the vehicle as it not safe to drive. I bought this two days ago.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while routine maintenance was being performed on the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was extremely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
- Dauphin, PA, USA
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This vehicle is otherwise in good condition with very little body rust limited to the back corner of the passenger cabin. However the left frame rail starting 14 inches ahead of the front attachment point of the leaf spring. The rust hole extends the width of the frame rail for a distance of 17 inches. One finger size hole was observed. The frame bottom steel was easily stripped away with two fingers and a thumb to the length and width described. The remainder of the frame has extensive surface rust but no hole and otherwise fair condition. The licensed state vehicle inspection shop failed the vehicle due to the frame rust at this location. Otherwise, with some minor mechanical issues, the truck is in good condition and could be safely used for a number of more years. Online this rust problem at this point has a large number of complaints in Ford F-150 trucks in 2004 and 2005. Obviously there was a manufacturing issue frame forming to cause this rust through in so many trucks at this frame location and not elsewhere.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the independent mechanic discovered that the frame and chassis of the vehicle were rusted and corroded. Flagship Ford (850 fern dr, baldwin, wi) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.
My 2004 Ford F-150 has 61,000 miles and no rust on the outside of the vehicle. I've kept the truck well maintained and it looks almost new. The frame however right where the rear leaf spring attaches to the frame is rusted right through. It is incredible that this has not been recalled as of yet. Hopefully it will be recalled. While driving a part of the exhaust heat shield fell onto the driveshaft. When I went to inspect the underside I found a hole in the frame and I was able to put my finger right through it. Consumer stated one important fact that I forgot to add to my complaint is the section of the frame that rusted through has the exact same issue in the same spot on both the passenger frame rail as well as the driver's side frame rail. The 2004 Ford escape was recalled for similar issues that year but in the front of the vehicle. My truck has only 61,000 miles on it and from forums and posts I've read it seems to be a major issue for that year vehicle.
The main frame rails( that run from front back) have an extra cladding that is welded to the main frame rails. This area I am referring to is where a cross member( holding the weight of the rear engine and transmission) is welded to the cladding and the two main frame rails. The cladding was not completely welded so water has gotten between the cladding and main frame rails causing severe corrosion and failure of that connection point. Even though it could be said I take extremely good care of my vehicles this area suddenly presented as a bulge and subsequent discovery of an extreme failure. This consistent failure happened on both frame rail connection points. I feel that this failure will be overlooked as it was with me....and could cause frame failure causing public harm.
Same deal as every other memo I read. Major highlighting points: - premature frame corrosion and rust. - mechanic informed me that the frame on the rear half. - rusted and cracked under bed and rear wheel wells - frame would no longer support weight of vehicle - rust thru holes and longitudinal cracks formed on the bottom and side frame surfaces at the stress point before the rear wheel bend. - extremely unusual, truck has been generally been garage kept and maintained in good mechanical condition. - the exterior body does not exhibits spots or surface rust on visible body panels. - no evident signs of rust or degradation of structure. - meticulously maintained vehicle otherwise. (new transmission, drive shaft, engine retimed, spray bed liner, etc.) - catastrophic failure of the frame structure was imminent and that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive. - cannot be repaired and is unsafe. - cannot pass a state safety inspection. - cannot even be put on a lift because it has no structural strength.
This a.M. as I entered my driveway, a neighbor stopped me to talk. I stopped and rolled down my window. He went on and on. Suddenly, my truck accelerated at full throttle toward my garage 70 feet away. My foot was on the brake to no avail. I turned slightly to the right and hit the corner of the garage. The air bags deployed. My glasses went flying. I was not hurt. A tree had soften the impact. I was severely shaken. My blood pressure was elevated. Ford Motor Company is not helpful. My insurance company, geico, is handling the issue.
The truck was taken into mechanic. The mechanic put it up, and saw that entire frame was rusted. It is not fixable. Contacted john lance Ford, where it was purchased. They advised to take truck to nearest Ford dealer. We took it to Ford in port clinton, Ohio. The service manager took pictures and sent it to corporate office. It has been longer than 6 weeks, and have not heard back.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repairs. Once the vehicle was placed on a lift, the mechanic noticed that the main rails that support the frame and the frame of the vehicle had extensive rust. The failure could cause the structure to potentially fracture or disintegrate. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
My trucks frame has rusted out from the cab corners to the rear part of the frame rails. Ford Motor Company wont do anything about this problem. Numerous complaints have been filed, yet they wont do anything about it. Im not selling my truck because its a rare version of the 04 new style F-150. This is a very serious problem that people can die from and Ford wont back them up on the 04-08 trucks.
The frame on my truck has split in half always been taken care of. Ive had it for 6 years and it been good. Until recently the bed has started to shake very violently. My dad and I have figured out that the frame on my truck has split in half! I did some research on this issue of frames failing. Most 11th gen owners like me have or had this kind of problem. Some frames have rotted out completely due to Ford. This truck is very unsafe! and ive asked Ford if they could do anything and they couldnt do anything. They wont back up their products.
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.
I have a 2004 Ford F-150 XL extended cab pick up with 140,000 miles. I recently purchased new tires and an exhaust. Dropped of the truck at the mechanic to have items installed. Received a call the next morning that there was a problem, so went in to see what the issue was. Turns out the frame of the truck has rotted on both the passenger and drivers side, where the bed meets the cab. When they tried to lift the truck to install the tires the truck didn't move, the lift just started crushing through the frame rail. Quite devastating news to receive since the truck runs and drives great, but is now a big hunk of scrap. Worrisome also as I had just taken my family on a 7 hour trip in the truck a month earlier and hate to consider what could have happened if we had been involved in an accident. I feel that in this day and age a 13 year old truck should not experience this issue and the manufacturer should step up and take some responsibility for their product. Built Ford tough. Yeah, right.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the rear driver side frame of the vehicle was rusted out near the fuel tank. The contact took the vehicle to the langley Ford dealer who stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall regarding the frame. The vehicle was not officially diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the dealer's information. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 08/09/17
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. While performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, the contact became aware of extreme corrosion to the subframe of the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could fracture and separate at the center between the bed and the cabin. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA