2004 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 76about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,500 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 5 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“I was driving at approximately 45 mpg and the vehicle started to slow down on it's own in the middle of traffic. I was close to home and able to get it into my driveway. I had to have it towed to the shop where they diagnosed that the electronic throttle body module was bad and replaced it at a cost of repair of $644.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10575465, filed 2014-03, 131,878 miles“I have a 2004 Ford Explorer (v8 eddie bauer) I recently ran into a strange situation. I set the cruise control at 35 MPH and as I was going down a small hill, the car stalled. I put it into neutral and it started with no problem at all. It is very dangerous when the 2004 Explorer stalls whenever the cruise control is set and it is going at a slow speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10308778, filed 2010-02, 62,000 miles“When pressing on the accelerator there is a sometimess a delayed reponse when the vehicle moves it is sudden and unxpected. As result of this I recently backed into a fence causing damage to my car and the fence”
NHTSA complaint #10839265, filed 2016-03, 119,000 miles“I have a 2004 Explorer limited and just turned 14,000 miles and my ABS light comes on every time I start the car and accelerate. Also the cruise stopped working. From what I have read it sounds like the ABS module which Ford has apparently been aware off. Not happy!! I would not expect this sort of problem with only 14,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10245737, filed 2008-10, 14,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 29 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 76 | 3% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 29 | 2% |
| 2013 | 38 | 2% |
| 2012 | 17 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 28 | 4% |
| 2005 | 44 | 9% |
| 2004 | 76 | 6% |
| 2003 | 37 | 3% |
| 2002 | 152 | 5% |
| 2001 | 36 | 10% |
| 2000 | 113 | 12% |
| 1999 | 148 | 11% |
| 1998 | 281 | 14% |
| 1997 | 202 | 12% |
| 1996 | 148 | 10% |
| 1995 | 81 | 10% |
| 1994 | 51 | 4% |
| 1993 | 38 | 4% |
| 1992 | 14 | 2% |
| 1991 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Explorer
460 complaintsBody and structure
426 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
112 complaintsEngine cooling
71 complaintsElectrical system
55 complaintsBrakes
53 complaintsEngine
44 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 29, 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