The Lemon Index2004 Ford Explorer.
The 2004 Ford Explorer is worse than average by owner complaints: 353 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 117, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,304 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 93K miles on the car (1,087 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 17K–80K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 50K–93K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 51K–99K miles
Recalls 4
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- visibility 2007
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 BRE…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 4 recalls
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Chatter, shudder, a binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turns on vehicles…
- Rear axle date code inspection and service
- Rear 3.55 axle noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle rollaway allegations2009–2013
- ClosedVehicle rollaway allegations2009
- ClosedRear liftgate glass hatch failure2008
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Ford motor company regarding dissatisfaction with lack of performance, reliability and quality of 2004 Ford Explorer xlt*
2004 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 10189018
More owner reports
Placing the vehiclw in reverse, vehicle hesitates and then engages with a "clunk"; shifting into drive the same phenomenon occurs randemly. The major concern is that this jumping into gear happens sporadically as well !
NHTSA complaint 10092994
When shifting to reverse- step on gas - does not engage then suddenly a clunk and takes off very fast in reverse- worried about hitting someone- dealer has reflashed & then replaced solenoid in transmission problem still exists.
NHTSA complaint 10093818
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Ford Explorer reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 117; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (59%), body structure (13%) and engine (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Explorer have?
4 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 93,800 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 1,087 complaints.
Does the 2004 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 59% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works