2004 Ford Explorer Sport Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport.

20032005
Complaints
23
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#16 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:71,044 mi
Crash-related:1
#23 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Crash-related:1
#33 complaints

Structural Problems

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport.

Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,044
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Ford Explorer Sport Years

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2004 Ford Explorer Sport — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2004 Ford Explorer Sport has 23 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (6 complaints, avg 71,044 mi); Automatic Transmission (3 complaints); Structural Problems (3 complaints). 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 71,044 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 6 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport 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?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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