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2004 Ford Explorer SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport, most often about the structure. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints187 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage51kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 24, 2014. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport has problems

18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure112
Power train41
Visibility/wiper20
Air bags22
Seat belts10
Exterior lighting11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2004 Ford Explorer Sport recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Explorer Sport year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer Sport median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport, and the recalls they led to.

  1. VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSPE09020 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    No recall
  2. REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURERQ08003 · closed Oct 24, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer Sport owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE REAR LIFT GATE ON MY EXPLORER CRACKED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE GATE CRACKED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A HABIT OF LOOKING OVER MY VEHICLE. THE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I INSPECTED MY VEHICLE BEFORE GOING INTO MY HOME. ON MY NEXT SERVICE VISIT I ASKED MY FORD…
Complaint 10660711 · Nov 24, 2014 · 51,000 miles
LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES BOTH BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OFF OF REAR DOOR AND NOW GLASS CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002-2003 FORD RECALL #04S20. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2004 EXPLORER IN THEIR RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. *TR
Complaint 10609472 · Jul 9, 2014 · 58,795 miles
DRIVING 65 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE SWITCHING LANES TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND ME. RAN IN TO A MEDIAN 2 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING FACED TRAFFIC HEAD ON. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T CRITICALLY INJURED, BUT SERIOUS ENOUGH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY…
Complaint 10510305 · May 1, 2013

Own a 2004 Explorer Sport?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.