VehicleVerdict

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 108 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Explorer Sport Trac year — the 2004 model ranks #4 of 14 Explorer Sport Trac years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 35 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (15), transmission (13), and airbags (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

108

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

35

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Explorer Sport Trac years?

Explorer Sport Trac NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted229 complaints1997: 6 complaints1998: 8 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 229 complaints2002: 190 complaints2003: 93 complaints2004: 108 complaints2005: 85 complaints2006: 6 complaints2007: 122 complaints2008: 34 complaints2009: 7 complaints2010: 38 complaints
Explorer Sport Trac NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1514%
Transmission1312%
Airbags1312%
Body & Structure98%
Speed Control87%
Electrical System87%
Engine87%
Tires & Wheels76%
Seat Belts55%
Other55%
Fuel System44%
Brakes44%
Steering33%
Lighting22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Seats11%

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH FRONT OF VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIPPED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SKID AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 25, 2005 · crash

“HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE 2004 FORD SPORT TRAC TRUCKS. ONE WHICH WAS FLIPPED ONTO MY DRIVER SIDE AND TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT DOING 25MPH DOWN A BACK ROAD WHITH A STOP SIGN INTERSECTION, NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME WAS MY SEAT BELT FROM WORSE INJURES. MY CURRENT TRUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 27, 2014 · crash

“ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 5, 2009 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE TIRE WELL FROM UNDER THE CARRIAGE. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A FRACTURED CABLE HARNESS. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 26, 2013

“CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE LOT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2004 · fire

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — common questions

Is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 108 complaints put the 2004 model at #4 of 14 Explorer Sport Trac years. It is one of the Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Explorer Sport Trac problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (15 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), airbags (13 complaints).

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Explorer Sport Trac years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer Sport Trac years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2005. The cleanest record among Explorer Sport Trac years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.