2004 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 165,380miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seat belts of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 165,380 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The drivers seat belt has come unlocked on several occasions. It has happened so many times I tug hard every time I buckle up to make sure it's clicked and it has unlocked while driving even though I double check it.”
NHTSA complaint #11145262, filed 2018-11, 189,000 miles“The lift gate on my truck is cracking and getting worse. Two of my seatbelts are hard to get out of the retractor and they are so tight that they are uncomfortable to the wearer.”
NHTSA complaint #11003654, filed 2017-07, 141,760 miles“We rented a Ford Explorer 2004. My 6yr old was in the 2nd row putting on his seat belt when it slipped out of his hand over his shoulder and had him strangled around his neck. We (his parents) could not loosen it. It only became tighter. We drove up to a hotel where they had scissors and cut it off his neck so he breathe properly again.”
NHTSA complaint #10116241, filed 2005-04“Transmission went out at approx 93,000 miles, heat went out around 85,000 miles, seat belts have been replaced once under warranty and again don't work, electric seat doesn't work, misc. Other things”
NHTSA complaint #10839593, filed 2016-03“The consumer was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident in his 2004 Ford Explorer limited in which the seat belts failed to properly restrain him. The air bags also did not deploy. The seat belts had been recalled and fixed prior to the accident. The consumer was not seriously injured and only sustained minor scrapes.”
NHTSA complaint #10181631, filed 2007-01Related service bulletins
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Safety belt retraction speed.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
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 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Explorer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology