2004 Ford Explorer Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car was parked in front of my residence on the street, it had not been driven that day. The back window in the tailgate exploded, causing damage to the tailgate. No one was driving it, it had not been touched that day. There was a prior crack in the tailgate which I have seen on other Explorer's, and since learned that it is a defect in the care.”
NHTSA complaint #10781412, filed 2015-10, 163,225 miles“I get a strong smell of rotten eggs when driving. It only happens when I drive for a long time. My back hatch is cracking in 3 or more spots I am afraid that it will probably fall off and cause damage to someone driving behind me.”
NHTSA complaint #11097563, filed 2018-05, 143,000 miles“I was getting stuff out of my back seat and my rear window just blew out shattering glass all over .the bottom piece that secures the glass to the door warpred about 6 inched on each side exploding the glass”
NHTSA complaint #11174673, filed 2019-02, 170,000 miles“The car was running fine and no warning light of any kind came on. We went to go start it today and it start up fine. When we tried to put it in all the gears and pressing on the gas it didn't do a thing. I mean it won't move at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11000945, filed 2017-06, 162,330 miles“While traveling on the i285 interstate we heard a loud pop/ snap and we were trying to figure out where it came from, my daughter noticed glass shards on clothes and that ts when we looked up and realized the moonroof had shattered.”
NHTSA complaint #10983683, filed 2017-05, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018934Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability -- service kit requirements.
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 26% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2024 | 4 | 19% |
| 2023 | 26 | 23% |
| 2022 | 58 | 21% |
| 2021 | 90 | 20% |
| 2020 | 212 | 17% |
| 2019 | 48 | 16% |
| 2018 | 168 | 23% |
| 2017 | 374 | 22% |
| 2016 | 434 | 18% |
| 2015 | 407 | 22% |
| 2014 | 343 | 20% |
| 2013 | 351 | 16% |
| 2012 | 108 | 13% |
| 2011 | 118 | 10% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 6 | 18% |
| 2008 | 12 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 16 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 48 | 4% |
| 2002 | 44 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 27 | 3% |
| 1999 | 27 | 2% |
| 1998 | 43 | 2% |
| 1997 | 40 | 2% |
| 1996 | 33 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 16 | 1% |
| 1993 | 11 | 1% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 16 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsWheels
41 complaintsAir bags
39 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