2004 Ford F-150 Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2004 Ford F-150, 4% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 68,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (41% of reports).
- 85air bags complaints
- 68,500median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 35mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 22%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 35 of 85 complaints (41%)
- Bags frontal driver: mentioned in 10 of 85 complaints (12%)
- Side inflator: mentioned in 9 of 85 complaints (11%)
- Upon impact: mentioned in 7 of 85 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 62 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 85 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 35 an injury.
Ford F-150 air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 F-150 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2024 F-150 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 2023 F-150 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2022 F-150 | 4 | 1% | 15,400 |
| 2021 F-150 | 5 | 0% | 59,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 10 | 1% | 39,000 |
| 2019 F-150 | 24 | 2% | 51,407 |
| 2018 F-150 | 38 | 2% | 27,500 |
| 2017 F-150 | 23 | 2% | 27,220 |
| 2016 F-150 | 35 | 2% | 46,419 |
| 2015 F-150 | 35 | 2% | 52,128 |
| 2014 F-150 | 31 | 2% | 45,892 |
| 2013 F-150 | 39 | 1% | 76,750 |
| 2012 F-150 | 37 | 2% | 49,500 |
| 2011 F-150 | 14 | 1% | 60,992 |
| 2010 F-150 | 19 | 2% | 75,000 |
| 2009 F-150 | 12 | 4% | 78,000 |
| 2008 F-150 | 29 | 8% | 98,000 |
| 2007 F-150 | 27 | 6% | 62,000 |
| 2006 F-150 | 48 | 8% | 82,150 |
| 2005 F-150 | 101 | 9% | 79,500 |
| 2004 F-150 | 85 | 4% | 68,500 |
| 2003 F-150 | 29 | 7% | 90,000 |
| 2002 F-150 | 35 | 4% | 84,000 |
| 2001 F-150 | 66 | 5% | 62,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 69 | 6% | 91,000 |
| 1999 F-150 | 69 | 7% | 108,450 |
| 1998 F-150 | 42 | 3% | 165,569 |
| 1997 F-150 | 99 | 4% | 142,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 23 | 7% | 100,000 |
| 1995 F-150 | 35 | 6% | 100,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 f-150 pick up trucks as well as certain model year 2006 lincoln mark lt vehicles. If the clockspring jumper wire comes in contact with the driver side frontal air bag lower horn plate, the wire insulation may become chafed, creating a potential for a short circuit. If this occurs the air bag warning lamp may illuminate indicating that service is required.
Risk: The driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle control if occurring while in motion.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln/mercury dealer to have a new clockspring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This safety recall began on some vehicles in march 2011. The recall campaign on the expanded population is expected to begin on or about may 9, 2011. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle was in an accident with major front and damage and none of the airbags deployed
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the seatbelt pretensioners for all seats failed, and the frontal airbags for the driver seat and front passenger seat were inoperable. The seatbelt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…
There is a recall on this vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Ford F-150s have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints about air bags for the 2004 Ford F-150 (4% of the 2,029 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford F-150 air bags?
Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do air bags problems start?
The median reported mileage is 68,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2004 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 35 of 85 complaints, followed by “bags frontal driver” (10).
Other 2004 Ford F-150 problems
See all 2004 Ford F-150 problems or air bags problems across all F-150 years.