2004 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,304 owner complaints about the 2004 Ford Explorer, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 28, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Where the 2004 Ford Explorer has problems
1,304 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 460 | 21 |
| Structure | 426 | 24 |
| Visibility | 100 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 76 | 14 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 71 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 55 | 2 |
| Engine | 44 | 3 |
| Wheels | 41 | 5 |
| Steering | 41 | 3 |
| 20 other systems | 258 | 47 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2004 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do power train problems start?
50kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 379 power train complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
55 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Structure
33 owners mentioned a cost$400median
Visibility
9 owners mentioned a cost$500median
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
2004 vs. every other Explorer 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 median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2004 Ford Explorer safety ratings
2004 Ford Explorer 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADNo recall
- Vehicle Rollaway AllegationsNo recall
- VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONSNo recall
- REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURENo recall
What Explorer owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS RECENTLY AND QUICKLY BEGAN SHIFTING VERY BADLY. I ALWAYS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BECAUSE WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM P OR D, IT ALWAYS TAKES A WHILE, THEN CLUNKS AGGRESSIVELY INTO PLACE. WHILE DRIVING…
MY STEERING COLUMN BROKE RIGHT OFF! TRYING TO PUT IT IN DRIVE @99,735 MI. HAD TO TOW IT TO SHOP, AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS!!! I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION @ 103,000 MILES IT WOULD SKIP 3RD GEAR. SEEMS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED TOO HARD AND FRACTURED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS CURRENTLY TOO LOOSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT…
Own a 2004 Explorer?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.