2004 Ford Explorer Sport Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport. The part named most often is body and structure, with 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and air bags (2). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure11 61%
- Air bags2 11%
- Other or unknown2 11%
- Exterior lighting1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The rear lift glass hinges on our 2004 Ford explorer broke during use of the lift glass. The pin broke right through the hinge. We were not driving it at the time thankfully, and also caught the glass before it had a chance to hit the ground.”
NHTSA complaint #10323633, filed 2010-04, 127,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “We have a 2004 Ford explorer v8 sport. We have had two major transmission problems and now we have a shaking in the front end after the latest repair to the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10169810, filed 2006-10, 15,000 milesAir bags: “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 not????”
NHTSA complaint #10510305, filed 2013-05Other or unknown: “Was driving 2004 Ford explorer on highway, and had sudden loss of power and excessive vibration. Brought to Ford dealership and was told that the mechanic on hearing the engine start up, knew the problem was in the timing chains as he has seen that problem before. Service dealer gave three options, one was for around $3000 they would replace timing chains, guides, and tensioner, but with no guarantee as the timing chain problem could have caused other damage. The other two options were to replace the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10383019, filed 2011-02, 69,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,133 and 62,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport.
Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 94,408 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 18 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 65 | 82,250 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 133 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 188 | 66,522 | 5 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 71 | 66,556 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 93 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 121 | 100,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 37 | 98,250 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 5 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Explorer Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 11 complaints (61% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,133 and 62,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.