Complaints
108
Crashes
21
Fires
1
Injuries
35
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:43,520 mi
#27 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:78,967 mi
Crash-related:5
#37 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:347,650 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 9 | — | — | 43,520 mi | |
| Airbags | 7 | 5 | — | 78,967 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | — | — | 347,650 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | 1 | — | 54,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | 1 | — | 83,333 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | 96,434 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | 1 | — | 12,518 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,520
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,967
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
347,650
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,000
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,333
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
96,434
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,518
Air Bags:Side/Window
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Trac Years
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac has 108 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (9 complaints, avg 43,520 mi); Airbags (7 complaints, avg 78,967 mi); Body Structure (7 complaints, avg 347,650 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 104,364 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac include 21 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 35 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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