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150 platform

2004 Ford F-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 F.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Ford F‑150 rides on the 150 platform with an automatic four‑speed transmission and a 6.0‑quart oil capacity spec’d for 5W‑20 API, delivering EPA estimates of 11 city, 15 highway and 13 combined mpg. Owner‑reported issues total just 14 complaints, with the electrical system the leading concern and no recalls issued for the model year. In the broader 1990‑2009 complaint record, that figure sits far below the 1997 peak of 2,991 complaints and only slightly above the 1990 low of 21, placing the 2004 edition among the more reliable iterations of the F‑150 lineage.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy11/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 59 · 540 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 59 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-70R17OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.8 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	69.3 in
Wheelbase	103.1 in
Curb weight	3181 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	11 / 15 / 13 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Natural Gas

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9–9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2004 F-150 FX4 SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	F-150 FX4 SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	8.90 sec	16.30 sec	300 hp	4x4
2004	F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	9.30 sec	17.00 sec	300 hp	4x4
2004	F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	300 hp	4x4
2003	F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.4 ft. Bed) 5.4L Supercharger V8	5.96 sec	14.39 sec	340 hp	RWD
2003	F-150 Lariat SuperCab Styleside (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	8.20 sec	16.30 sec	260 hp	RWD
2002	F-150 Lariat SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	9.30 sec	16.70 sec	260 hp	4x4
2007	F-150 FX4 SuperCab (5.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	8.80 sec	16.70 sec	300 hp	4x4
2000	F-150 XLT SuperCab (6.6 ft. Bed) 5.4L V8	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	260 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	13.9
Engine Coolant	USE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	ATF
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)	Light Duty: 85.0, Heavy Duty: 184.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket	222.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle	98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket	98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Except Heritage, 2.31; Heritage, 2.06. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	Except Heritage, 8.00; Heritage, 9.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	59
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65 - CANADA OR OPTIONAL

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	28-45 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	35-45
RPM	28-45 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	40-125 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Other	Heavy Duty / Light Duty
Torque to Knuckle	136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.100; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 degrees, Step 3: 90

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

32 ft. lbs., Step 2: 105

32 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

66 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen one turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

66 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

66 ft. lbs., step 2: Loosen one turn., step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

66 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18

1.5 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.4

3 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

7.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 30 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90 degrees

7.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Wheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for this generation of F-150 shows a volatile trend in consumer complaints, characterized by a major peak in 1997 and a secondary surge in 2004. The 2004 model year experienced a substantial spike in reports, recording 2,035 complaints and 150 TSBs, which is a sharp increase from the 462 complaints and 106 TSBs seen in 2003. This trend reversed in 2005, as complaints dropped to 1,121 and TSBs decreased to 96. For 2004, the primary complaint areas include the electrical system, service brakes, and the engine, although the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. With 16 recalls and 4 investigations, 2004 also exhibits higher regulatory activity than the years immediately preceding and following it. Given that 2004 represents a significant localized peak in complaints and TSBs, it is not a recommended year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3

Service Brakes2

Engine1

Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Fuel System, Diesel,Engine1

Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train,Engine1

Steering,Suspension,Service Brakes1

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 15 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
ASI-44408	2014-02-01	Equipment Adaptive/Mobility	FORD: THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) WHEN USING VCM II, WOULD HAVE AN ERROR CODE 35…
TSB-12-7-4	2012-07-10	Engine	FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: IF BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED OR DEAD, VEHICLES/TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE…
TSB-10-12-6	2010-06-11	Fuel System, Gasoline	FORD: RUNS ROUGH, LACKS POWER, HARD START, NO START. SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED…
TSB-09-15-6	2009-12-09	Engine And Engine Cooling	FORD: SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 6.0L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A P006A, P132, P0401 OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 59 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt 150-platform vehicles

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 F take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the F get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.