Three problems related to diesel engine have been reported for the 2004 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2004 F-150.
Within a few weeks of purchasing my vehicle in February after pulling into a parking lot the check engine light came on. I also noticed it was making a ticking noise like a diesel engine but it's not a diesel. I went to get the codes and found it was a retarded variable valve timing issue code p0022. I looked online and went to multiple shops and mechanics to figure out the problem. After paying to replace the vct solenoids it was apparent that that was not the issue causing the timing problem. For weeks I noticed the truck shaking and at one point it actually stalled as I was pulling out of a parking lot into a busy road and it stalled as I was going into the road which caused the on coming traffic to slow and stop to avoid hitting me in the middle of the road. After spending weeks in the dealership service shop and a large sum of money they found they needed to replace the engine entirely. I have witnessed this issue happening to many many others online and in person who have the same year range with the 5. 4l 3 valve triton engines. This is absolutely unacceptable for so many vehicle to have the same issue especially when it has under 100,000 miles. It is not only very poor quality for such a large price but also a safety hazard to the owner and others around these vehicles.
2004 f150 5. 4 triton sounds like a diesel engine took to dealer for diagnosis at aprox. 30,000 miles. Dealer stated that this is normal. Engine failed at 98,000 miles due to valve timing issues, related to cam phasers. Thus cam shaft quit rotating allowing pistons to collide with vales causing engine failure. Dealer now wants 7624. 00 to replace engine. The Ford dealership states that they have not seen this type of engine failure. But after reviewing the complaints on this site along with many other web sites related to this issue it seems that fomoco knows that this is a serious issue and they are unwilling to address the issue. What can be done to have fomoco address and compensate for these issues.
At ~ 30,000 miles, the engine (a 5. 4 triton v8) began sounding like a diesel engine. Took the truck to the dealer. The dealer ". . Recalibrated the cam sensor. . . " and stated the sound(s) were normal for this engine. I called Ford motor company and they customer service rep told me same thing. The noise is getting louder indicating the problem is worsening. Is there anything that can be done to correct this issue before the engine suffers a catastrophic failure?.