2004 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In 2004 Ford Explorer with v8, the cruise control turns off engine when traveling 35~45 MPH and going down a hill or decline. This affects power steering and brakes making it difficult to control and slow down the vehicle. This has happened repeatedly for the past 10 years, so I am used to this defect. My workaround is to put the vehicle in neutral and restart the vehicle and then continue.”
NHTSA complaint #11099163, filed 2018-06, 212,000 miles“Had my used 2004 Ford Explorer for a week and I noticed the transmission jerking when it shift into the last gear. Sometimes when I put it in reverse, I have to wait for a full minute for it to finally reverse. Sometimes it jerks hard when I put it in reverse or drive. I'm sure the dealership knew about all this but never revealed it. Of course when you buy as is, your screwed.”
NHTSA complaint #10694706, filed 2015-03, 139,939 miles“The back hatch window doesn't seem to line up with the latch. The back hatch also cracked right near the Ford logo. I have seen many of the explorers that this has happened to. Its time Ford fixes this defect. Also while doing around 60-65 MPH my timing chains broke, all 3 of them at the same time. I could understand 1 maybe but all 3 ? This to has to be a manufacturer defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10605586, filed 2014-06, 150,000 miles“Car starts but will go forward when shifted in reverse. Turned the car off then back on, but when I would put the car back in reverse or drive, it stalled out. Had it towed and then it was fine after that. Now its about 6 months later, now my orange wrench light pops up and cruise control shuts off at 65mph. Then it jerks a couple times. Have had it checked and came back with 14 codes mainly for transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10721201, filed 2015-05, 140,000 miles“Transmission is slipping, not fully gone yet, only a matter of time before it completely goes. I do not have the $2500.00 to replace the transmission. Every person I have talked to say this is a common problem with the Ford explorers. I have taken into the garage over 10 times. Ford should be forced to recall these transmissions and Ford should have to pay for it.”
NHTSA complaint #10466556, filed 2012-07, 150,000 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…
- 10048099Aug 1, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling rpm fluctuation and hard starts or battery disconnect or dead battery…
- 10045340Jul 10, 2012Ford/lincoln/mercury: if battery was disconnected or dead, vehicles/trucks may experience hard starts and engine idle rpm fluctuation and exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 8 | 7% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 | 30 | 11% |
| 2021 | 50 | 11% |
| 2020 | 117 | 9% |
| 2019 | 19 | 6% |
| 2018 | 96 | 13% |
| 2017 | 241 | 14% |
| 2016 | 382 | 16% |
| 2015 | 227 | 13% |
| 2014 | 198 | 12% |
| 2013 | 225 | 10% |
| 2012 | 79 | 10% |
| 2011 | 83 | 7% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 4 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 14% |
| 2007 | 28 | 13% |
| 2006 | 58 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 3% |
| 2004 | 44 | 3% |
| 2003 | 22 | 2% |
| 2002 | 49 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 2% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 3 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Explorer
460 complaintsBody and structure
426 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
112 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsEngine cooling
71 complaintsElectrical system
55 complaintsBrakes
53 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