2004 Ford Explorer Reliability & Recall Report
Based on 4 NHTSA recalls and 1,408 owner complaints. All data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — free, no signup required.
F
30/100
Avoid This Year — 2004 Ford Explorer
The 2004 Ford Explorer is among the worst-performing model years for this vehicle. NHTSA data shows high complaint and recall activity. Strongly consider a different model year.
4
NHTSA Recalls
4 recalls on record
1,408
Owner Complaints
Filed with NHTSA
75
Crashes + Injuries
16 fire reports
Own or buying a 2004 Ford Explorer?
Check your specific VIN for open recalls, market value, full specs, and a free AI buyer summary.
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NHTSA Recalls — 2004 Ford Explorer (4)
All recalls listed below must be repaired by an authorized Ford dealer at no charge to the owner.
🔧 Unknown Component
🔧 Unknown Component
🔧 Unknown Component
🔧 Unknown Component
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Most Common Problems — 2004 Ford Explorer
Based on 1,408 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Bars show relative complaint frequency.
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Frequently Asked Questions — 2004 Ford Explorer
Is the 2004 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2004 Ford Explorer has 4 recalls and 1,408 owner complaints. This model year shows elevated issues — consider alternatives or a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Explorer have?
The 2004 Ford Explorer has 4 NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include: see recall details above. All recalls are repaired free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer?
The most commonly reported problems for the 2004 Ford Explorer are: Power Train, Structure, Visibility, Engine And Engine Cooling. See the complaint breakdown above for full details.
Is the 2004 Ford Explorer safe to buy?
The 2004 Ford Explorer has some safety and reliability items to review before buying. Ensure all 4 recalls are completed at a dealer. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is strongly recommended.
What year Ford Explorer should I buy?
Use the year comparison chart above to identify which model years have the fewest reported problems for the Ford Explorer.
Data source: All recall and complaint data is sourced directly from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public API. Data is cached and refreshed every 7 days. Recall and complaint counts reflect data available at the time of last cache update.
For the most current recall status on a specific vehicle, enter the VIN above or visit
NHTSA.gov/recalls.