2004 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2004 Ford F-150, 4% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 41,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “steering shaft” (12% of reports).
- 75steering complaints
- 41,000median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 44%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.
- Steering shaft: mentioned in 9 of 75 complaints (12%)
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 6 of 75 complaints (8%)
- Rear end: mentioned in 5 of 75 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 61 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 75 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 3 an injury.
Ford F-150 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 F-150 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2024 F-150 | 4 | 2% | 9,250 |
| 2023 F-150 | 17 | 4% | 108,050 |
| 2022 F-150 | 9 | 2% | 10,100 |
| 2021 F-150 | 42 | 4% | 64,500 |
| 2020 F-150 | 10 | 1% | 54,279 |
| 2019 F-150 | 22 | 2% | 11,800 |
| 2018 F-150 | 83 | 4% | 16,075 |
| 2017 F-150 | 59 | 4% | 30,500 |
| 2016 F-150 | 64 | 3% | 48,500 |
| 2015 F-150 | 84 | 5% | 38,200 |
| 2014 F-150 | 159 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 216 | 7% | 74,500 |
| 2012 F-150 | 204 | 11% | 72,000 |
| 2011 F-150 | 419 | 19% | 76,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 48 | 6% | 60,500 |
| 2009 F-150 | 29 | 9% | 57,500 |
| 2008 F-150 | 53 | 14% | 63,184 |
| 2007 F-150 | 29 | 6% | 69,250 |
| 2006 F-150 | 55 | 9% | 60,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 34 | 3% | 80,000 |
| 2004 F-150 | 75 | 4% | 41,000 |
| 2003 F-150 | 15 | 4% | 46,610 |
| 2002 F-150 | 25 | 3% | 82,759 |
| 2001 F-150 | 33 | 3% | 75,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 68 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 1999 F-150 | 50 | 5% | 61,000 |
| 1998 F-150 | 96 | 7% | 84,926 |
| 1997 F-150 | 202 | 7% | 111,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 20 | 6% | 122,848 |
| 1995 F-150 | 25 | 4% | 37,385 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists steering for the 2004 Ford F-150. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
There are large holes in the frame, and the shackles are ready to fall off. Suspension is falling apart. Brakes are not safe for stopping power for the vehicle. Mastertech at ziegler tire.
My vehicle has developed what i would refer to as a death wobble. At speeds from 40 to 55 mpg the front of the trick shakes as though it's going to rattle apart. This is clearly a ford issue and is now getting a good share of attention on you tube. There are a lot of us out there who have…
Truck was sold with defective parts on the driver side of vehicle. Steering knuckle, abs sensors, etc. Having to be replaced 2 weeks after buying. Repair shop said vehicle was not maintained, sold in this condition when it could've been noticed and fixed. While driving a week after purchase truck…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Ford F-150s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 75 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
No recall currently lists steering for this vehicle.
At what mileage do steering problems start?
The median reported mileage is 41,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about steering problems on the 2004 Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “steering shaft”, in 9 of 75 complaints, followed by “rack pinion” (6).
Other 2004 Ford F-150 problems
See all 2004 Ford F-150 problems or steering problems across all F-150 years.