2004 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,950miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,950 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I currently own a 2004 Ford Explorer and purchased new in 2005. Have had to replace, the 2 front hubs 3 times, the rack and pinion steering and the transmission slips excessively. This vehicle is driven by my wife to school and home and used for transporting my family. I keep seeing the same problems online but no action by Ford. Can you say piece of junk?”
NHTSA complaint #10425157, filed 2011-09, 80,000 miles“Rear differential failure-I think this should be looked into as I have searched the internet and there are too many complaints about this. Maybe it was not the tires causing all the crashes but the bad rear ends that Ford is aware of. Rear whining noise and grinding from all SUV models.”
NHTSA complaint #10326789, filed 2010-04, 45,000 miles“Without warning my rear wheel hub assembly keep braking. Suddenly the vehicle starts to shimmy and pull and make grinding noises and the wheel is practically falling off by the time I get home. This has happened to me 6 times in the past year! So far I have been lucky and my wheel hasn't fallen completely off, only because I have replaced the rear differential twice in the last 2 years so as soon as I feel something out of the ordinary I have it checked! It is terrifying when it happens, the whole wheel wobbles and going slow only makes it seem worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10394355, filed 2011-04, 117,000 miles“Easter sunday, my family was on their way back home on the freeway. Out of no where they hear loud snapping noises and next thing they knew the rear passenger tire came off. The cars skidding on the road and finally comes to a stop. Luckily for my family they walked away unharmed. The car is currently at my home, won't turn on anymore, the wheel studs are all broken off, the rotor along with the rest of the assembly is damaged. The car is a mess and now I'm trying to figure out how im supposed to deal with the situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10265480, filed 2009-04, 81,100 miles“I purchased my 2004 Explorer and at about 36,000 miles I had to bring the vehicle in to have the wheel bearings replaced. Now at 65,000 miles once again the wheel bearings are going bad. I have never owned nor have I ever heard of a vehicle where the wheel bearings only lasting about 30,000 to 40,000 miles. The first time the dealer replaced the bearings however this time the vehicle is not under warranty. To buy a new vehicle and have to replace the wheel bearings every 30,000 to 40,000 miles is not acceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10213845, filed 2008-01, 64,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018064Oct 7, 2005Noise from rear wheel hub bearings.
- 10016789Jan 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 36 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% |
| 1994 | 65 | 5% |
| 1993 | 59 | 6% |
| 1992 | 60 | 9% |
| 1991 | 33 | 5% |
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