2004 Ford Expedition
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 296
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2004
Opened by NHTSA
17% of complaints
Complaints per year
2004: 296 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 853 |
| 1998 | 836 |
| 1999 | 946 |
| 2000 | 890 |
| 2001 | 578 |
| 2002 | 340 |
| 2003 | 615 |
| 2004 | 296 |
| 2005 | 315 |
| 2006 | 299 |
| 2007 | 215 |
| 2008 | 146 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2012 | 118 |
| 2013 | 92 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2015 | 164 |
| 2016 | 216 |
| 2017 | 357 |
| 2018 | 376 |
| 2019 | 503 |
| 2020 | 410 |
| 2021 | 236 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 65 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 10 |
| 2027 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
17% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
I was in a car accident I hit a concrete wall at 50 miles per hour head on and my airbags never deployed I was on a high way
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-29
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when a second vehicle crashed into the contacts vehicle, causing damage to the front driver's side bumper. The air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-26
Service brakes
14% · 42 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. While the vehicle was parked, it rolled down an incline and struck a boulder at the end of the driveway. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The dealer was not contacted.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-09
Also filed under Power train
Electrical system
13% · 37 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the cigarette lighter had become inoperable. The TPMS warning light was illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-06
Also filed under Exterior lighting and tires
Engine
10% · 29 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, a popping noise emitted from the front passenger's side of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-23
Power train
9% · 28 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and gear position indication (prndl).
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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R
2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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R
2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…
Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.
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I
2008-12-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-04-15 Steel wheel fracture
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R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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R
Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.
Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.
Buy-smart checklist
2004 Ford Expedition — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 49 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 42 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 37 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2004 Ford Expedition reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Expedition is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Expedition?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Expedition have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.