2004 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
86 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
43,768 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 86 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 11.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Suspension:Front | 5 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Air Bags: 7; Structure:Body: 7; Suspension: 7; Tires: 6; Electrical System: 5; Suspension:Front: 5; Air Bags:Side/Window: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 10; 2005: 13; 2006: 12; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 6; 2010: 4; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 7; 2015: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10090748 · 2004-09-10 (September 10, 2004)
GRINDING FEEL FROM THE REAR END RESULTED IN A REPLACED AND UPDATED COMPLETE REAR END FROM FORD. STILL HAVE VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS IN FIRST GEAR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND I HAVE TO GET USE TO IT. ALSO HAVE NOTICABLE THUMPING FROM TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT AREA WHEN BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. DEALER HAS VERIFIED NOISE AND IS CONSIDERING A NEW DRIVE SHAFT. CAR IS NEW AND HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 31 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100246 · 2004-11-20 (November 20, 2004)
2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-TRAC, TRANMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND THE LIMITED SLIP DIFERENTIAL ACTS STRANGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073971 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING OVER STANDING WATER OR SNOW REAR ABS BRAKES FAILINTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098298 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
OCTOBER 28, 2004, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, CHAIN REACTION 3 VEHICLE, I WAS AT FULL STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE BEHIND ME STOPPED, NEXT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, PUSHED VEHICLE BEHIND ME INTO AND UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. BUMPER DAMAGE, TRUCK BED TWISTED SEVERAL INCHES, ETC. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD/CATCH OR STOP MY FORWARD MOVEMENT. I WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN SNAPPED BACK, INJURING MY HEAD, NECK, MID AND LOW BACK, I HAD NUMBNESS AND TINGLING BILATERAL LOWER EXTREMITIES, AND BILATERAL UPPER EXTREMITIES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 21,724 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117867 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)
2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC RAN INTO GUARDRAIL TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *MR WHILE DRIVING 70 KM A CROSS WIND BLEW THE REAR OF THE TRUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A GUARDRAIL. ANOTHER TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 55 KM WITH THE 4WD ON WHEN THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *NM WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL GRABBED THE SLUSH ABOUT 1 INCH THICK, THE CONSUMER RELEASED OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, SLIGHTLY CORRECTED THE STEERING TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT G…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150428 · 2006-02-16 (February 16, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH AND BELOW, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. THIS OCCURRED PRIMARILY WHEN THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160843 · 2006-06-27 (June 27, 2006)
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2004. SIX MONTHS ALONG THE CAR SHUT DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING AND FAILED TO TURN OVER. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED AND AFTER FOUR DAYS CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. HAD NO PROBLEMS FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS. IN FEBRUARY 2006 ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING, THE CAR STALLED ONCE AGAIN . SAME SITUATION . I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER. THREE DAYS LATER GOT IT BACK, THEY CLAIMED THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. YESTERDAY JUNE 26TH I WAS ABOUT TO GET…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10410739 · 2011-07-06 (July 6, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618811 · 2014-08-04 (August 4, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY THE CONTACT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10618811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103872 · 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE LOT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103872 at NHTSA ↗