MYRModel Year Report

2004 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,304
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 1,304 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 1999 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 1,304 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2011 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2017 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1992 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 1,304 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2018 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2022 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

2004: 1,304 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012826
20132,233
20141,679
20151,786
20162,455
20171,690
2018727
2019296
20201,224
2021432
2022267
2023110
202421
2025100
202639
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

36% · 473 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Structure

34% · 439 reports

Most commonly citing body and hinge and attachments.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The left rear lift gate window hinge broke causing the window to fall and bruise my daughter's arm. Terrible design and fraught with peril.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-22

Visibility

8% · 102 reports

Most commonly citing glass, side/rear and power window devices and controls.

INJURY

Vehicle speed control

6% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While reversing, the contact's vehicle accelerated on its own and crashed into a Chevrolet cobalt. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-09

While turning left at low speed, without warning the vehicle accelerated. The driver was not able to control the vehicle and collided into a garage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-26

I was parking in an underground garage at jefferson/woodward in detroit. I was traveling about 5-7 MPH looking for a parking spot. I found and spot and began to turn into it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-19

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 72 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On 1/17/12 driving on highway and noticed a burning smell. It was a strong smell. Noticed a glow under the dashboard and pulled into a empty parking lot. The truck went up in flames. Called Ford and they said prove what happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-26

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 1,304 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  3. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2008-01-15Visibility07E104000 Certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by hangzhou safety glass ltd and supplied to safelite by auto temp inc., identified as DOT-430, and sold for use on certain domestic and…

    Remedy: Safelite will notify its retail customers and replace the glass free of charge. Retail customers can contact safelite toll free at 1-888-843-2906. Safelite will notify its wholesale customers and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2008-06-23Recall queryClosed 2008-10-24 Rear liftgate glass hatch failure
  7. I
    2009-04-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-08-19 Vehicle rollaway allegations
  8. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 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: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2009-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2013-02-12 Vehicle Rollaway Allegations

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 473 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 439 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 102 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E104000 · Visibility
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Ford Explorer is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Explorer 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.