2004-2007 Ford F-150 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Ford F-150. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Ford F-150.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Review

Ford redesigned America's best-selling pickups for 2004, giving them roomier cabs, more power, fresh styling, and new features. Regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles returned. All cabs now had four doors and were 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than their predecessors. The regular cab joined the SuperCab (extended cab) with rear-hinged "half doors" as standard. The SuperCrew crew cab returned with four front-hinged doors. Both extended and crew-cab models contained a rear bench seat for six-passenger capacity. The added cab length in extended models allowed the rear seatback to recline to the same angle as in the crew cabs. Crew cabs used a 5.5-foot cargo bed. Other F-150s had beds of 5.5, 6.5, and 8-foot length, depending on model. All pickups came in flat-side Styleside form; the 6.5-foot bed also was offered as a flare-fendered Flareside model. Ford's base engine was a 231-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Optional was a 5.4-liter V8 rated at 300 horsepower, versus 260 in 2003. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission--available for the first time with a floor-mounted shift lever. All models could be equipped with rear-wheel drive or with 4WD that had to be disengaged on dry pavement but included low-range gearing. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes were standard. No side airbags were available. Ford said a new frame design improved rigidity. The half-doors on extended cabs could be fitted with roll-down windows, unique among full-size pickups. Tailgates had helper springs designed to make them easier to close. Five trim levels were offered: work-oriented XL, sporty STX, mainstream XLT, off-road FX4, and luxury Lariat. Three different instrument-panel designs, along with trim variations, helped differentiate the versions. New features included modular overhead storage compartments inside the cab, which could be added or altered to suit a variety of applications, including DVD entertainment. For a while, the redesigned F-150 was sold alongside the previous-generation F-150, renamed F-150 Heritage. Chief F-150 rivals included the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra.

Year to Year Changes

2005 Ford F-150: Ford's new base engine was a 4.2-liter V6 that developed 202 horsepower and came with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. A new super-exclusive King Ranch edition of the F-150 debuted this season, along with a Work Truck option package for the XL model.

2006 Ford F-150: A new Harley-Davidson SuperCab model featured special trim and the 5.4-liter V8 engine. Fitted with a 6.5-foot Styleside cargo box and unique 22-inch wheels, the Harley-Davidson could have either 2WD or 4WD. Lariat, King Ranch and FX4 models could now get 20-inch wheels. Satellite radio became available for the King Ranch and Harley-Davidson. Traction control was now available for 2WD V8 models.

2007 Ford F-150: America's best-selling vehicle is available with a navigation system for 2007. A sport-themed FX2 package with specific trim is newly available for 2WD XLT SuperCabs and SuperCrews.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger room (crew cab)	Fuel economy

Cargo room (crew cab)	Passing power (V6, 4.6 V8)

Trailer-towing capability (5.4 V8)

Instruments/controls

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Value for the Money
Various rivals top Ford by offering such laudable features as side curtain airbags, four-wheel steering, and 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement. Even so, the latest F-150 is an advance over the previous model. This version brings its own share of innovation to the class. In passenger room, refinement, and on-road composure, it's more than competitive with any full-size pickup.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Ford F-150 4WD XLT ext. cab 5.4 V8	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	2

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	6

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	9

Room/Comfort (rear)	5

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	10

Total:	56

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Brake noise: Brake shutter or judder may be caused by rotors and/or calipers and/or steering rack-and-pinion steering gear, which may require updated replacement parts. (2004-05)

Check-engine light: The throttle position sensor on the 4.6L V8 may go bad causing the check engine light to come on. (2004-05)

Clutch: The fan clutch may be rather noisy, especially after a cold start. A quieter one has been released. (2004-05)

Door handles: The inside door handle may not work because the cable comes disconnected and for which there is a locking clip now available. (2004)

Engine noise: Chirping or squealing from the engine comportment is due to serpentine drive belt and an improved belt is available. (2004)

Suspension noise: Noise from the rear suspension in cold weather (below 15 degrees F) requires revised shock absorbers. (2005-06)

Vehicle noise: The limited slip differential may chatter on slow turns, for which there are improved clutch packs. (2004)

Vehicle shake: A vibration at highway speed felt in the floor and/or steering wheel may be corrected by installation of a frame-mounted damper kit. (2004-05)

Water leak: A campaign was issued to replace the right side panel of the pickup box on 6-1/2 ft. bed trucks because water gets trapped and can lead to rust-through. (2004)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$920

Alternator	$390

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$2,890

Brakes	$650

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$650

Constant Velocity Joints	$870

Exhaust System	$505

Radiator	$530

Shocks and/or Struts	$750

Timing Chain or Belt	$1,650

NHTSA Recall History

2004 F-150: Depression in fuel tank could lead to illumination of check engine light, odor, or fuel leak. Dealer will inspect and replace fuel tank.

2004-06 F-150: Certain Anzo replacement combination lamps lack amber side reflectors.

2005-06 F-150: ABS warning light may fail to illuminate if unit becomes inoperative.

2005-06 F-150: Tires on some vehicles could wear prematurely.

2006 F-150: Windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to output shaft gear, which could lead to loss of wiper function.

2007 F-150: These trucks may have a fuel tank with a depression at the seam between the top and bottom halves of the tank (not visible from outside the fuel tank). If a depression is large enough, fuel may permeate the fuel tank wall resulting in a fuel odor, or a "service engine soon" indicator light. If left uncorrected, a fuel leak could eventually develop. Dealers will replace the fuel tank.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

2004
F-150	$9,500-15,000	$8,600-13,500	$4,900-7,800
F-150 SuperCab	$11,500-17,000	$10,400-15,300	$6,300-9,400
F-150 SuperCrew	$14,500-18,000	$13,200-16,400	$9,000-11,200

2005
F-150	$11,000-17,000	$9,900-15,300	$5,900-9,200
F-150 SuperCab	$13,200-18,500	$12,000-16,800	$7,700-10,700
F-150 SuperCrew	$16,700-20,500	$15,200-18,700	$10,700-13,100

2006
F-150	$12,700-19,500	$11,400-17,600	$7,400-11,300
F-150 SuperCab	$15,000-22,000	$13,700-20,000	$9,500-13,900
F-150 SuperCrew	$19,000-23,500	$17,500-21,600	$12,400-15,300

2007
F-150	$15,000-23,000	$13,700-20,900	$9,500-14,500
F-150 SuperCab	$18,200-25,000	$16,700-23,000	$11,600-16,000
F-150 SuperCrew	$22,500-28,000	$20,700-25,800	$14,600-18,200

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

2004-2007 Ford F-150 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	crew cab	ext. cab w/ 5.5-ft bed	reg. cab long bed	reg. cab short bed

Wheelbase, in.	138.5	132.5	144.5	126.0

Overall Length, in.	224.0	217.8	229.8	211.2

Overall Width, in.	78.9	78.9	78.9	78.9

Overall Height, in.	73.1	73.1	72.9	72.8

Curb Weight, lbs.	5176	4979	4747	4615

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	--	--	--	--

Standard Payload, lbs.	1710	1740	3020	1890

Fuel Capacity, gals.	27.0	26.0	27.0	26.0

Seating Capacity	6	6	3	3

Front Head Room, in.	40.1	40.9	40.9	40.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3	41.3	41.3	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	39.6	39.6	--	--

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.0	32.7	--	--

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

After the 2004 model year, Ford's F-150 came with a choice of four powertrains. The 202-horsepower 4.2-liter V6 engine works with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Only the four-speed automatic has been available with the 231-horsepower 4.6-liter V8, or the 300-horsepower 5.4-liter V8. Initial F-150s did not have a V6 choice.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V6	4.2 / 256	202	260	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

ohc V8	4.6 / 281	231	293	4-speed automatic: 15/19	4-speed automatic: --

ohc V8	5.4 / 330	300	365	4-speed automatic: 15/19	4-speed automatic: 13.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	2006 F-150	2005 F-150	2004 F-150

Front Impact, Driver	5	5	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5	5	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

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Also in the 2004-2007 Ford F-150 Review:

Ford F-150

Ford F-150 Road Test

Ford F-150 Reliability

Ford F-150 Prices

Ford F-150 Specs & Safety

Ford F-150 Photos

Ford F-150 Full Review