2004 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 71about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 71 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 2004 Ford Explorer from a toyota dealership on 1/28/11. The car was a certified / warranted vehicle. I was assured by the toyota salesman that any problem with the car would be fixed under the warranty. Several problems which the car has include: mismatched tires, inoperable sunroof, leak in the differential seal & noise in the differential. I had the car inspected at a Ford dealership & was told these problems needed repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10384752, filed 2011-02, 72,000 miles“I backed SUV out of garage and put in park, got out of vehicle while still running (to close garage door), closed the SUV door, turned around and saw that SUV was moving forward into my garage. I opened the SUV door while it was moving and jumped in the drivers seat, pushed on the brake and SUV did not stop, I was looking down at the floor to see why SUV did not stop, pulled up my foot and placed it back down on the brake. Suv still did not stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10368953, filed 2010-12, 91,031 miles“I own a 2004 Ford Explorer that has experienced two overheating incidents, the second resulted in replacing the engine. The first incident was caused by a stuck thermostat and the second by a leaking hose between the thermostat housing and the engine. In both incidents when the engine temperature warning activated, the temperature was buried in the hot end of the gauge. In both incidents, I immediately decelerated and pulled off the road but in the second incident, the engine was already ruined. …”
NHTSA complaint #10339840, filed 2010-06, 10,500 miles“On my way to the airport for a business trip, I was driving the vehicle on the interstate when all of a sudden and without any warning, the engine stopped. I had to maneuver onto traffic and stop to try to start the engine without success. I called aaa and they had the vehicle towed to my home. When I came back I sent it to the shop and the mechanic advised me that the timing chain sprocket retainer pin broke, and because of that all valves bent, so I have to replace the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10245741, filed 2008-10, 72,900 miles“I own a 2004 Ford Explorer, purchased in august. The truck sat for 16 months while I was deployed to iraq. While driving on a 3 hour trip, I heard a metallic clatter noise from my vehicle. I took it to the dealer and was informed that the #2 wrist pin had failed., requiring replacement of the engine. Total cost would be $5500. This seemed excessive for such a young vehicle, considering that is was driven infrequently for over a year, and most of the mileage was highway. Mileage at failure: 55,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10220151, filed 2008-03, 55,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017931Jun 7, 2005No start/hard start on cold soak - 4.0l engine.
- 10017882Apr 1, 2005No start/hard start on cold soak.
- 10012953Feb 21, 2005Mil on and/ or runs rough/misfire dtcs p0300-p0308 p0316 and or p0171/p0174 4.6l engine.
- 10012947Feb 21, 2005Maf diagnostic service tip - vehicles equipped with egr system module (esm).
- 10013399Dec 31, 2004Throttle pedal response on tip in vehicles built before 10/4/2004 equipped with a 4.0l engine.
- 10013383Nov 1, 2004Rough idle in drive.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Explorer
460 complaintsBody and structure
426 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
112 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsElectrical system
55 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsWheels
41 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsSuspension
37 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology