Ford Explorer / 2004
2004 Ford Explorer problems
Owners have filed 1,647 complaints about the 2004 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 28.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of structure at 26.7%.
Complaints1,647
Crashes69
Fires21
Injuries100
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 28.7% · 473
Structure 26.7% · 439
Visibility 6.2% · 102
Vehicle speed control 4.6% · 76
Engine and engine cooling 4.4% · 72
Electrical system 3.5% · 57
Engine 2.7% · 44
Wheels 2.6% · 42
Severity
Of those complaints, 69 describe a crash, 21 describe a fire and 100 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Ford Explorer in this data, 2004 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2002 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 65,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from stops. The failure occurred while in drive or reverse. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked violently while shifting gears. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000. Power train · reported at 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms yet the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission solenoid was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 64,000. Power train · reported at 64,000 miles
I have a bad transmission. I shifts terribly into the upper gears and when it shifts into reverse, it often hesitates and then when it does shift, it sounds life the transmission is about to fall out. It shifts into reverse with a loud clank and big jolt. This has been happening since day one, 2004, and it was taken back to the dealer, who said it was an electronic problem, but they didn't fix the problem. Power train · reported at 15,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…