2004 Ford Explorer
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 464 of 1,322 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (38) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 1,196 in 2003 to 1,322 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–4,450 | 3,650–4,150 | 3,900–4,150 | 3,900–4,450 | 3,900–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–17 | 15–17 | 15–16 | 14–16 | 15–16 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–16 / 17–20 | 13–15 / 17–20 | 13–14 / 18–20 | 13–14 / 17–19 | 13–14 / 18–19 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–635 | 523–592 | 555–592 | 555–635 | 555–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 3,428 | 1,196 | 1,322 | 502 | 630 | |
| Recalls issued | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 154 | 64 | 61 | 22 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 64 | 11 | 15 | 6 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 201 | 61 | 87 | 14 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Explorer have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Ford Explorer?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 464 of 1,322 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Explorer get?
EPA rates it 15–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Ford Explorer?
EPA estimates $3,900–$4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $4,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | 16 mpg (high) | $3,900 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 114 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 464 | 18 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 55 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 56 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 41 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 95 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 48 | 24 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 76 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 456 | 4 | 1 | 27 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 121 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Other | 51 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 07E104000 · Dec 11, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
Remedy: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E049000 · Jun 5, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.