2004 Ford Explorer Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 0%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 0% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles.
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.
“Within three days of buying the vehicle, I encountered problems with remote, sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. Driver's rear window , sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. I took it back to dealer three times for same things. Rear end makes a very loud whining noise. It has been to dealer's three times also for fixing. Dealer states that there is nothing they can do and all of them are doing it. Vehicle, while in gear, would jump/jerk. Dealer replaced solenoid, it still does it sometimes.”
NHTSA complaint #10128661, filed 2005-07, 87 miles“Overdrive light starting blinking car started shifting really hard and jerking. This is a known issue with Ford explorers and need to be recalled. I dont have another vehiclebi really need help please”
NHTSA complaint #10744717, filed 2015-07, 178,500 miles“Auto-transmission hesitates when put into reverse then lunges once transmission is engaged. When shifting from reverse to drive there is a loud clunking sound. Automatic transmission shifts hard sometimes while in drive. Ford service said they could not reproduce and found no problem. This began happening at about 15,000 miles. Vehicle now has almost 36,000 miles and problem has gotten much worse. Engine dies when traveling low speeds and using the cruise control. Each time I try to use the cruise control when traveling 40 MPH or less the engine dies. …”
NHTSA complaint #10182792, filed 2007-02, 15,000 miles“Transmission on 2004 Ford Explorer xlt 4.6 awd doesn't engage in reverse or drive without hesitation. On going problem since about 15k. Took to the dealer after receiving recall notice from Ford. Dealer put additive in the transmission fluid said it would take about 3k miles to work out of the problem. I now have 24k on this vehicle and the shifting is getting worse. Worried about pulling out of a parking lot etc, not knowing if the truck will move or not. Leather seat covers were replaced free of charge from the dealer, as after 6 months there were numerous cracks in the leather.”
NHTSA complaint #10131857, filed 2005-08, 16,000 miles“2004 Ford Explorer limited-owned SUV for 38k been in shop repeatedly-from minor to major things. Suv is a $ 34,000 turd. Currently needing to go back to shop for multiple repairs. The day our warranty expires car is gone.”
NHTSA complaint #10208226, filed 2007-11Related service bulletins
- 10014664Mar 7, 2005Front seat(s) slight movement when accelerating and/or decelerating.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 17% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 17 | 4% |
| 2020 | 41 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 1% |
| 2016 | 32 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 0% |
| 2013 | 10 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 20 | 17% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 27 | 18% |
| 2007 | 24 | 12% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 0% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 30 | 1% |
| 2001 | 24 | 6% |
| 2000 | 39 | 4% |
| 1999 | 68 | 5% |
| 1998 | 70 | 4% |
| 1997 | 38 | 2% |
| 1996 | 29 | 2% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 20 | 2% |
| 1993 | 30 | 3% |
| 1992 | 20 | 3% |
| 1991 | 16 | 3% |
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 28, 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