2004 Ford F-150 Vehicle Speed Control Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · 70 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2004 Ford F-150, 3% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 39,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (24% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Cruise control: mentioned in 17 of 70 complaints (24%)
  • Unable duplicate: mentioned in 5 of 70 complaints (7%)
  • Foot brake: mentioned in 5 of 70 complaints (7%)
  • Applied brakes: mentioned in 5 of 70 complaints (7%)

At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?

Based on 54 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles17 · 31%
10k–25k miles5 · 9%
25k–50k miles10 · 19%
50k–75k miles8 · 15%
75k–100k miles4 · 7%
100k–150k miles6 · 11%
150k+ miles4 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 70 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 7 an injury.

Ford F-150 vehicle speed control complaints by model year

Peak: 2013, with 302 complaints
1995: 7619951996: 361997: 2231998: 11619981999: 792000: 1882001: 18020012002: 862003: 322004: 7020042005: 572006: 312007: 5420072008: 412009: 542010: 3920102011: 2132012: 1942013: 30220133022014: 1022015: 1452016: 10020162017: 662018: 732019: 4420192020: 162021: 202022: 1620222023: 182024: 72025: 1120252026: 1

n = 2,690 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearVehicle Speed Control complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 F-15018%—
2025 F-1501110%6,500
2024 F-15074%13,290
2023 F-150184%22,000
2022 F-150163%18,000
2021 F-150202%—
2020 F-150162%23,000
2019 F-150443%35,000
2018 F-150733%15,500
2017 F-150665%14,000
2016 F-1501005%38,869
2015 F-1501458%44,000
2014 F-1501027%52,000
2013 F-15030210%69,074
2012 F-15019411%30,500
2011 F-15021310%57,000
2010 F-150395%52,000
2009 F-1505417%36,370
2008 F-1504111%27,225
2007 F-1505411%44,500
2006 F-150315%50,000
2005 F-150575%50,251
2004 F-150703%39,500
2003 F-150328%85,000
2002 F-1508610%120,000
2001 F-15018015%103,000
2000 F-15018817%100,000
1999 F-150798%78,500
1998 F-1501168%108,500
1997 F-1502238%120,000
1996 F-1503611%130,000
1995 F-1507612%121,382

When owners reported it

Peak: 2005, with 20 complaints
2003: 1200312004: 11112005: 202005202006: 222007: 3200732008: 442009: 5200952010: 552011: 2201122012: 442014: 2201422015: 442016: 2201622017: 112018: 3201832019: 11

n = 70 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Vehicle speed controlAug 3, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V336000 · 3,600,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.

Fix: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the accelerator pedal hesitated when depressed. As a result, the vehicle made an abnormal puttering sound while in drive. In addition, the electrical system failed. The spark plugs were changed multiple times…

Received May 21, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11209100

This 2004 ford f 150 that i have driven since new as i am about to merge with traffic to get on the xway began to rev up engine . I remove my foot away from the gas to see that the %$#&* is going on. Pat the gas thinking " stuck" still reving up now i am over 60. I use my heels to see if mat or…

Received Oct 21, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11141648

Speed control doesn't work. I have heard reports of it being recalled. I also have heard of this causing fires

Received Apr 10, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11084355
Ford F-150
Ford F-150 (fourteenth generation) at Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2004 Ford F-150s have vehicle speed control problems?

No. NHTSA has 70 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2004 Ford F-150 (3% 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 vehicle speed control?

Yes: 1 safety recall list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?

The median reported mileage is 39,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2004 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 17 of 70 complaints, followed by “unable duplicate” (5).

Other 2004 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2004 Ford F-150 problems or vehicle speed control problems across all F-150 years.