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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,304Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
15Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
90Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train473 complaints

473 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure439 complaints

439 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine116 complaints

116 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility114 complaints

114 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control76 complaints

76 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes54 complaints

54 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA09013Opened August 18, 2009 - Closed February 12, 2013

Vehicle Rollaway Allegations. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09020Opened April 21, 2009 - Closed August 19, 2009

VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ08003Opened June 23, 2008 - Closed October 24, 2008

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ08003Opened June 23, 2008 - Closed October 24, 2008

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ08003Opened June 23, 2008 - Closed October 24, 2008

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ08003Opened June 23, 2008 - Closed October 24, 2008

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200488
2005111
200660
200794
2008136
2009186
2010175
2011124
201288
201355
201467
201546
201623
201719
201810
201910
20201
20216
20221
20232
20242
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.