2004 Ford F-150 Vehicle Speed Control Problems
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).
- 70vehicle speed control complaints
- 39,500median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 43%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.
- 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.
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
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 F-150 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 F-150 | 11 | 10% | 6,500 |
| 2024 F-150 | 7 | 4% | 13,290 |
| 2023 F-150 | 18 | 4% | 22,000 |
| 2022 F-150 | 16 | 3% | 18,000 |
| 2021 F-150 | 20 | 2% | — |
| 2020 F-150 | 16 | 2% | 23,000 |
| 2019 F-150 | 44 | 3% | 35,000 |
| 2018 F-150 | 73 | 3% | 15,500 |
| 2017 F-150 | 66 | 5% | 14,000 |
| 2016 F-150 | 100 | 5% | 38,869 |
| 2015 F-150 | 145 | 8% | 44,000 |
| 2014 F-150 | 102 | 7% | 52,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 302 | 10% | 69,074 |
| 2012 F-150 | 194 | 11% | 30,500 |
| 2011 F-150 | 213 | 10% | 57,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 39 | 5% | 52,000 |
| 2009 F-150 | 54 | 17% | 36,370 |
| 2008 F-150 | 41 | 11% | 27,225 |
| 2007 F-150 | 54 | 11% | 44,500 |
| 2006 F-150 | 31 | 5% | 50,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 57 | 5% | 50,251 |
| 2004 F-150 | 70 | 3% | 39,500 |
| 2003 F-150 | 32 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 2002 F-150 | 86 | 10% | 120,000 |
| 2001 F-150 | 180 | 15% | 103,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 188 | 17% | 100,000 |
| 1999 F-150 | 79 | 8% | 78,500 |
| 1998 F-150 | 116 | 8% | 108,500 |
| 1997 F-150 | 223 | 8% | 120,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 36 | 11% | 130,000 |
| 1995 F-150 | 76 | 12% | 121,382 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
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…
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…
Speed control doesn't work. I have heard reports of it being recalled. I also have heard of this causing fires

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.