2004 Ford EXPLORER SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 18 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Structure:Body: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Structure: 3; Air Bags: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
2006: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 3
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10169810 · 2006-10-03 (October 3, 2006)
WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER V8 SPORT. WE HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND NOW WE HAVE A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END AFTER THE LATEST REPAIR TO THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10169810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10173542 · 2006-11-15 (November 15, 2006)
2004 FORD EXPLORER. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY INTO REVERSE AND THIRD GEAR. CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE IN JUNE, 2004 AND DID NOT MOVE UNTIL A FEW SECONDS LATER, AND THEN LUNGED BACKWARDS, HITTING MY WIFE AND BREAKING HER ARM. STILL SHIFTS ROUGHLY TO THIS DAY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383019 · 2011-02-16 (February 16, 2011)
WAS DRIVING 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON HIGHWAY, AND HAD SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. BROUGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC ON HEARING THE ENGINE START UP, KNEW THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TIMING CHAINS AS HE HAS SEEN THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. SERVICE DEALER GAVE THREE OPTIONS, ONE WAS FOR AROUND $3000 THEY WOULD REPLACE TIMING CHAINS, GUIDES, AND TENSIONER, BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE AS THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM COULD HAVE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGE. THE OTHER TWO OPTIONS WERE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER WE HAD…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261488 · 2009-03-10 (March 10, 2009)
THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS WHEN YOU PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE FROM ANY OTHER GEAR (MOST NOTICEABLY FROM THE POSITION OF PARK)THERE IS A DELAY IN THE IN BALLPARK OF ANYWHERE FROM 3-10SECS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN THE POSITION OF REVERSE. TODAY(9 MAR 09) I TOOK IT IN FOR THIS PROBLEM & WAS TOLD THAT MY SHIFT SOLENOID ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHAT!?!?!-NORMAL PEOPLE DON'T JUST HAVE $1,100 TO SHELL OUT FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM(WELL @ LEAST I DON'T). I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD MY VEHICLE @ THE DEALERS REPAIR SHOP A…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,698 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261488 at NHTSA ↗