VehicleVerdict

2004 Ford Explorer Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

23

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Explorer Sport years?

Explorer Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted243 complaints1993: 5 complaints1997: 44 complaints1998: 145 complaints1999: 127 complaints2000: 102 complaints2001: 243 complaints2002: 160 complaints2003: 85 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 5 complaints
Explorer Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Ford Explorer Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1148%
Transmission417%
Visibility & Wipers29%
Other29%
Airbags29%
Seat Belts14%
Lighting14%

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

“DRIVING 65 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE SWITCHING LANES TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND ME. RAN IN TO A MEDIAN 2 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING FACED TRAFFIC HEAD ON. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T CRITICALLY INJURED, BUT SERIOUS ENOUGH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 30, 2013 · crash

“2004 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY INTO REVERSE AND THIRD GEAR. CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE IN JUNE, 2004 AND DID NOT MOVE UNTIL A FEW SECONDS LATER, AND THEN LUNGED BACKWARDS, HITTING MY WIFE AND BREAKING HER ARM. STILL SHIFTS ROUGHLY TO THIS DAY. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2004 · crash

“LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES BOTH BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OFF OF REAR DOOR AND NOW GLASS CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002-2003 FORD RECALL #04S20. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2004 EXPLORER IN THEIR RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 14, 2014

“DEFECTIVE BODY MOUNTS AND BUSHINGS. I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORD SPORT TRAC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS AND BUSHINGS ARE DETERIORATED AND CRUMBLING. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SPORT TRAC YEARS 2001-2005. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 27, 2013

“DRIVING 65 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE SWITCHING LANES TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND ME. RAN IN TO A MEDIAN 2 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING FACED TRAFFIC HEAD ON. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T CRITICALLY INJURED, BUT SERIOUS ENOUGH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 30, 2013 · crash

2004 Ford Explorer Sport — common questions

Is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Explorer Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (11 complaints), transmission (4 complaints), other (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford Explorer Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer Sport years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Explorer Sport years belongs to 2005.

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.