Complaints
1,647
Crashes
69
Fires
21
Injuries
100
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1308 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:45,918 mi
Crash-related:13
Fires:1
#2209 complaints
Body Structure
Avg mileage:83,325 mi
Crash-related:2
#3108 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:145,045 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 308 | 13 | 1 | 45,918 mi | |
| Body Structure | 209 | 2 | — | 83,325 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 108 | 2 | — | 145,045 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 80 | — | 1 | 68,242 mi | |
| Visibility | 59 | — | — | 84,329 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments | 58 | — | — | 80,108 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 55 | 7 | 2 | 85,580 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 54 | — | — | 101,934 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 47 | 1 | 4 | 59,323 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 46 | 1 | — | 141,452 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 44 | 1 | 1 | 114,613 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 33 | 1 | 1 | 150,458 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 32 | 3 | 2 | 116,003 mi | |
| Airbags | 30 | 16 | — | 136,599 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 19 | — | — | 48,762 mi | |
| Brakes | 18 | 2 | — | 124,370 mi | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 18 | — | — | 78,106 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 17 | — | — | 90,393 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 17 | — | — | 83,304 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 15 | 1 | 3 | 42,743 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 14 | — | — | 43,291 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 14 | 1 | 1 | 66,612 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 14 | — | — | 57,403 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 14 | — | — | 56,483 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 14 | — | — | 54,709 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 12 | 2 | — | 46,727 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 12 | 1 | — | 48,624 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 12 | — | — | 117,982 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 11 | — | — | 55,536 mi |
Automatic Transmission
308
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
1
Avg Miles
45,918
Body Structure
209
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,325
Transmission / Drivetrain
108
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
145,045
Structural Problems
80
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
68,242
Visibility
59
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,329
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
58
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,108
Unintended Acceleration
55
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Avg Miles
85,580
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
54
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,934
Engine & Cooling
47
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
59,323
Electrical Faults
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
141,452
Engine Problems
44
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
114,613
Steering Defects
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
150,458
Wheel Issues
32
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
116,003
Airbags
30
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,599
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,762
Brakes
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,370
Side/Rear Glass
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,106
Latches / Locks
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,393
Suspension Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,304
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
42,743
Gasoline Fuel System
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,291
Hydraulic Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,612
Structure:Frame And Members
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,403
Suspension:Rear
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,483
Tire Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,709
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,727
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,624
Wipers & Visibility
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
117,982
Other Equipment
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,536
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
2004 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Ford Explorer has 1,647 NHTSA complaints, 69 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 308 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (308 complaints, avg 45,918 mi); Body Structure (209 complaints, avg 83,325 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (108 complaints, avg 145,045 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,993 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer include 69 crash-related reports, 21 fire reports, 100 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Ford Explorer 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?
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 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Explorer
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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