Ford F-150 11th Generation 2004-2008 (P221) Review

A very minor facelift was applied for the 2006 model year. Ford never made any wholesale changes to the eleventh-generation F-150 during its five years on the market.

The air intake in the chrome-finish lower front bumper is no longer open at the top where it meets the body-color bumper molding, but now fully framed in chrome¹. On trims with fog lights, these are new round units instead of the previous large, rectangular ones².

No changes are made to the rear at all.

In profile, the F-150 still looks the same, but there have been some new alloy wheels. The steel wheels stay the same¹.

Besides additional color schemes and trims, the interior design remains the same.

The base engine of the 11th-gen Ford F-150 - a 4.2-liter version of the well-known Canadian-built Essex V6 with 202 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque - was only available for fleet sales for the 2004 model year and became available for sale to the public from the 2005 model year. Two V8 engines were offered from the 2004 launch and they are both members of the Ford Modular V8 engine family. In the 11th-generation Ford F-150, the SOHC derivatives of the Modular V8 are used - a 4.6L with two valves per cylinder, and a 5.4L with three valves per cylinder. The former has 231 hp and 293 lb-ft for the 2004-2006 model years, whereafter outputs were improved to 248 hp and 294 lb-ft. The 5.4-liter V8 has 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. All engines transmit their power through a four-speed automatic transmission; this is the Ford 4R70E in the V6s and 4.6s and the 4R75E in the 5.4s. A five-speed manual transmission is available on the V6 only. The rear wheels are driven by default, but 4WD drivetrains are also available - this option was dropped on the underpowered V6 after the first model year. Due to its considerable weight, the V6 is slow and even the V8s don't offer sparkling performance.

Powered by large naturally aspirated gas V6 and V8 engines, the heavy-bodied F-150 was never going to be economical. The best you can hope to do according to the EPA is 20 mpg on the highway and the V6 manual is the only one to achieve that. Average fuel consumption hovers between 14 and 16 mpg and owners' real-world figures demonstrate that there isn't a big variance, on average, from the EPA's estimates, although all F-150s can improve on those figures with careful driving. Interestingly, two directly comparable models - the V6 RWD automatic and the 4.6 V8 RWD automatic - are virtually identical according to the EPA and owners, so there is little point in going for the underpowered V6 unless you want the manual transmission.

Gas-tank sizes vary from 26 to 30 gallons depending on the body style, so the minimum and maximum driving range on the combined cycle varies from 364 to 480 miles. A 35.7-gallon tank was optional on the Regular Cab with the 126-inch wheelbase and the SuperCab with the 133-inch wheelbase, extending the fuel range to a maximum of 571 miles, but you'll have to check whether this has been fitted. Select flex-fuel E85-capable 5.4-liter V8 models were available from 2006.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The 11th-generation Ford F-150 was only ever subjected to the less-strict pre-2011 NHTSA crash-test regime, in which it fared very well. The earliest years were tested most comprehensively, so we list them. In the later years, some of the tests were omitted but the ones that were performed retained the below ratings, so we list the 2004 and 2005 ratings here.

Not many safety features were standard across the board in 2004 and the sum total of these amounts to four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution, child-seat anchors, and two front airbags. Rear parking sensors were available as part of the Trailer Tow package. Automatic headlights and remote keyless entry are fitted from XLT level and up. Only the Lariat gets the keyless-entry keypad on the driver's door. For 2007, all trims get a standard tire-pressure monitoring system. From 2008, from the XLT trim and up, a rear-view camera becomes available for all body styles except the Flairside box. No side or curtain airbags were ever available, not even optionally.

在发射,XL, STX, XLT FX4,套索修剪回答e available, as well as a supercharged 380-hp Lightning. At the bottom of the range, the base XL could also be had with a stripped-out Work Truck delete package, and the King Ranch package could be applied to the Lariat at the top end of the range from 2006. A Limited trim was added to the top of the range in the last model year, but since only 5,000 numbered examples were made, this is a special edition, not a normal trim.

Some changes applied to the entire range or just some body styles, not trims. These include:

2006:

• A flex-fuel version of the 5.4-liter V8 becomes available
• The 6' 5" box becomes available for the SuperCrew
• A small facelift is applied to all trims
• Redesigned front seats with more side bolstering ensure better comfort
• Sirius satellite radio becomes available on all trims except XL
• A traction-assist system becomes optionally available on all V8 4x2 models

2007:

• A tire-pressure monitoring system becomes standard across the board
• An MP3 auxiliary input jack is added to the audio system of all trims except the XL
• A DVD-based navigation system with six new colors becomes available

2008:

• An optional cargo-management system becomes available on all trims
• A rearview camera becomes available from XLT and up

There were also a few special editions along the way:

• 2006-2007 Harley-Davidson edition. This special edition based on the Lariat is available with the SuperCab body only for 2006, in 2WD or AWD, not the normal 4WD system used on all other F-150s. It features 22-inch alloy wheels, a monochrome paint job, a billet-style chrome grille, aniline black leather upholstery, and a variety of model-specific trim pieces inside and out. For 2007, it is available with the SuperCrew body with either RWD or AWD, but no longer on the SuperCab body.
• 2008 60th Anniversary edition. To celebrate 60 years of F-150, this special edition, based on the XLT SuperCab or SuperCrew, boasts two-tone black/gray paint, a chrome H-bar grille, five-inch chrome tubular sidesteps, 20-inch alloys, sports cloth front captain's chairs with electric adjustment for the driver, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a model-specific gauge cluster, and bespoke badging inside and out.
• 2008 105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson edition. Based on the Lariat SuperCrew and meant to celebrate 105 years of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, this special edition has black paint with unique body-side graphics, black bezels for the headlights, smoked taillights, 22-inch model-specific alloys, sport-tuned suspension, Black/Dusted Copper leather upholstery, and many '105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150' badges inside and out.
• 2008 Limited. A new flagship F-150 is launched, but as a limited edition, with only 5,000 built. Each has a numbered plaque. Based on the Lariat SuperCrew with the 5.5-foot box, the Limited additionally gets standard 22-inch alloy wheels, four-inch stainless-steel tubular sidesteps, dark-gray headlight bezels, smoked taillights, a billet-style body-color grille with a chrome surround, sport-tuned suspension, two-tone leather upholstery, a leather-trimmed flow-through center console, and special badging inside and out.
• 2008 Foose edition. Based on the 2008 FX2 SPORT, the Foose edition, developed by Chip Foose from Overhaulin', adds a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 with 450 hp and 500 lb-ft, 22-inch chromed alloys, flared arches, special striping, a unique grille, a bespoke body kit, and lots of special badging. Only 500 were made.

内部被视为更胜一筹rest at the time and is still decent today. Material quality will still pass muster even in the 2020s, as long as you don't expect the world and you keep in mind this is a 2000s truck. The upper trims' plush leather, wood-look trim, and chrome really lift the ambiance. It's spacious in there too and rear-seat passengers can really stretch out in comfort in the SuperCrew body. If that's important to you, look for one with the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

除了基本的短时间间隔服务描述in the next section, the F-150 is pretty easy on the pocket. The maintenance schedule requires the brake fluid to be replaced every 30,000 miles, along with the engine's air filter, while the mass air flow (MAF) sensor must be cleaned. This service typically costs $1,200 at Ford or $850 at an independent shop. At 50,000 miles, the throttle body must be cleaned. A bigger service is due at 60,000-mile intervals, also requiring new automatic transmission fluid. This is a more expensive service, setting you back around $1,500-$2,000 at a Ford dealer and 1,100-$1,500 elsewhere, depending on the engine. Spark plugs are only due at 80,000 miles and engine coolant at 100,000 miles. You can replace the spark plugs yourself. They cost only around $31 a set for the V6 and $41 a set for the 4.6 V8. The 3-valve 5.4 uses more expensive spark plugs at a price of around $129 for eight - or close to $200 for a set of Champion one-piece spark plugs that should not become stuck in their threads - and won't break in two pieces when they do.

Your F-150 should get a basic lube service at least every 10,000 miles, during which the engine oil and filter must be replaced. This might be fine for running around town but a hard-working pickup will need more regular attention and 7,500-mile intervals would be more sensible - reduced further to 5,000 miles under harsh conditions, such as sub-zero temperatures and a dusty environment, or if the vehicle is likely to idle excessively.

Both the 4.2 V6 and 4.6 V8 engines take six quarts of 5W-20 synthetic motor oil and an oil change with filter should not cost much more than $73. Having this service done at Ford will cost around $300 and an independent shop might ask less than $180. The 5.4 V8 takes seven quarts of the same oil at a total cost of around $83 - or around $320 or $190 at Ford or an independent shop, respectively. All engines have cam chains and hydraulic lifters, so no other routine maintenance is necessary at short intervals.

There were a lot of eleventh-generation 2004-2008 Ford F-150 P221 recalls with 16 applicable to the 2004 model alone. The 2004, 2005, and 2006 Ford F-150 airbag recall was to fix shorting clock-spring wiring in the steering wheel that may cause the driver's airbag to deploy inadvertently. 2004 models were recalled to replace rusting fuel-tank straps that may cause the tank to detach. A fuel-tank recall to replace a tank that may leak at a seam affected the 2004 model year and is applicable to the 26-gallon fuel tank only. 2004 and 2005 F-150s were also recalled for fuel-filter connectors that may leak fuel. 2004-2007 11th-gen F-150s were recalled for non-compliant replacement and/or aftermarket headlights, reflectors, or combination lights. Some 2004 F-150s were recalled to replace an under-hood speed-control deactivation switch that may overheat and catch fire as part of a recall that affected 3.6 million vehicles from many manufacturers.

Some 2005-2006 F-150s with the 5.4-liter V8 were recalled to replace a brake-booster vacuum-supply hose that may swell and cause braking effort to increase due to a lack of braking assistance. Some 2005 F-150s were recalled to recalibrate the instrument cluster to fix a fault that may prevent the ABS warning light to illuminate when the ABS module fails. There isn't actually anything wrong with the ABS module and there aren't any frequently reported 2004-2008 Ford F-150 problems pertaining to the gauge lights, parking-brake light, gas gauge, speedometer/speed gauge, or instrument cluster in general - this is essentially just a calibration fault. The 2006 wiper-motor recall is for greasing or replacing wiper motors that may fail and cause the wipers to stop working.

Here are some OBD-II error codes you may typically encounter when working on an F-150:

• 2004年-2008 Ford F-150 P0010, P0011, P0012, P0016, P0020, and P0022 error codes indicate that there are problems with the variable valve timing (VVT) system's cam position, cam-position actuator, actuator valve, or cam-position sensor. On any 2004-2008 F-150, P0340, P0344, P0345, and P0349 are also cam-position errors.
• P0059, P0133, P0153, P0420, P0430, P2195, and P2197 on 2004-2008 F-150s indicate issues with the oxygen sensors' readings.
• P0106 is a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor error code.
• P0119 and P0128 on 2004-2008 F-150s are engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor error codes.
• On a 2004-2008 F-150, P0171 and P0174 indicate a too-lean fuel mixture.
• On any 2004-2008 F-150, P0190, P0191, and P0193 are for fuel-pressure sensor errors.
• P0198 and P1184 on 2004-2008 F-150s is an oil-temperature error code.
• P0203 is a fuel-injector error code.
• On all cars, including the 2004-2008 F-150, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, and P0308 are misfire error codes. P0300 is a random misfire and the others all indicate the specific number of the misfiring cylinder in the last digit. P0316 is also a misfire-related error.
• Ignition-coil failures are quite common and on a 2004-2008 F-150, P0351, P0352, P0353, P0354, P0355, and P0356 are typical ignition-coil error codes, with the last digit indicating which ignition coil from one through six is at fault.
• On a 2004-2008 F-150, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, and P0455 are all error codes related to the evaporative emissions (EVAP) control system.
• On 2004-2008 F-150s, P0480 means there is an issue with the engine's cooling fan.
• The P0505 and P0506 codes on 2004-2008 F-150s indicate problems with the idle-speed control.
• On 2004-2008 F-150s, P0606, P0622, and P062C mean there are problems with the powertrain control module (PCM).
• On a 2004-2008 Ford F-150, P0705, P1702, P1703, P0715, P0730, and P0750 are automatic transmission error codes. P0705 and P1702 indicate a problem with the transmission-range sensor and P0715 with the turbine-speed sensor. P0730 is for an incorrect gear ratio detected, P0750 for a shift-solenoid problem, P1703 for a brake-pedal position error, and P1715 for a valve-body error.
• The P1000 error code means the emissions system could not complete its diagnosis cycle, usually due to the battery having been disconnected.
• P1285, P1289, P128A, and P1299 are cylinder-head temperature error codes.
• P1405 is an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system error code.
• P1500 is a vehicle speed-sensor error code.
• P1550表明power-steering pressure problem.
• P2106 indicates that there is a problem with the throttle actuator control system.

Remember that these F-150s are now all quite old and might have led hard work-truck lives, so any of the engines may suffer worn-out ignition coils, injectors, and starters. EGR systems are also likely to become blocked with age, fuel-pressure regulators may fail, the cooling system may develop leaks, and any of the engine sensors may fail - these include camshaft position, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and mass air-flow (MAF) sensors. Fuel pumps have a tendency to corrode and fail if low-quality fuel is used and fuel-pump modules often last only five years, the latter often triggering the error codes P1233, P1234, and P1237 on 2004-2008 F150s. The 2006 5.4 V8 was more prone to fuel-pump failure than the other years or engines. Leaking fuel injectors are sometimes misdiagnosed as oxygen-sensor problems and may damage the catalytic converter. A full service history, meaning the timeous replacement of such parts, should avoid most issues. Some exhaust manifolds may crack, so be on the lookout for ticking sounds and under-hood exhaust fumes.

The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is generally reliable, but the blend-door actuator can fail, cutting off the heater's hot air from the interior. There doesn't seem to be a good reason other than the stock part being of substandard quality. A good aftermarket blend-door actuator can be used instead. This problem is most commonly reported on 2008 models.

The F-150 is mostly durable and the following systems rarely give a reason for concern:

• Fast-wearing brakes and rotors warping are generally a function of usage patterns and towing and not a general deficiency of the braking system. In fact, very few 2004-2008 Ford F-150 brake, emergency brake, or ABS problems are reported.
• Besides the recalls for the fuel tank and fuel leaks on the early models, there were no other problems with the 2004-2008 Ford F-150's fuel system or gas-cap door to speak of.
• The HVAC system is reliable despite isolated cases of 2004-2008 AC and heater problems, the latter usually related to an inoperative air-blend door.
• The electrical system holds up well and besides the notable exception of the failing window regulators mentioned earlier, there are almost no problems with the 2004-2008 Ford F-150's PCM, alternator, starter, radio, CD player, security system, or sunroof.
• As long as the system is kept in good condition and leaks attended to, there are virtually never any 2004-2008 Ford F-150 steering problems.

Unless you really want a stick shift or you are not inclined to any impatience when pulling away from the traffic lights, we'd give the V6 a wide berth. It is overwhelmed by the F-150's weight and when working hard, it's hardly more economical than the V8s. The ancient Essex V6 is out of its depth and shown up by the more modern V8s. The XL is also very bare-bones and basically a workhorse, so we wouldn't even look at it, because it's seriously short on standard equipment. Avoid the 2004 models, as they exhibit by far the most problems. The 2005 model year is not a lot better, so we'd skip that too.

The Lariat is by far the nicest model to spend time in and its finishes and equipment do a good impression of truck luxury, especially now that the 11th-gen F-150 is quite cheap to buy used. However, an XLT will do the job and it can be kitted out nicely via the options packages, so check what has been fitted. The FX4 is obviously the one to go for if you want to venture off the beaten track. The 2006+ models benefit from the facelift, have the most standard equipment, and exhibit the fewest problems.

The 11th-generation Ford F-150 continued where previous F-150s left off and offers a compelling package in its class, with a spacious, attractive interior, a decent level of standard features for its era, and a genuinely pleasant driving experience that was a cut above the rest and will still satisfy today. With its old-fashioned four-speed automatic transmission and considerable weight, performance is not at the top of the class and some important safety features such as side airbags are lacking. Other than that, it's a solid buy if you keep our review in mind and avoid the common pitfalls.