2004 Ford EXPLORER SPORT TRAC: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10058525 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN STARTS AT 45 AND CONTINUES THROUGH 60 MPH. DEALER HAS CHECKED ALL 4 WHEELS FOR BALANCE, REPLACED REAR DRIVESHAFT, REPLACED TRANSFER CASE, AND NOW WANTS TO REPLACE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL HAS NOW STARTED TO LEAK ENGINE OIL.
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067405 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO HIGHER THAN 28 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 78 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067405 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 10073973 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED CONSUMER CONTACTED WI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073975 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARKED POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086404 · 2004-08-08 (August 8, 2004)
WE HAD JUST LEFT A GAS STATION AND WERE ON OUR WAY TO DINNER WHEN OUR SIDE-CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. WE DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR LARGE BUMPS, AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT. MY HUSBAND, THE DRIVER, MANAGED NOT TO SWERVE AND HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING BEFORE PULLING OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. WE EXPERIENCED HEADACHES, NECK MUSCLE SORENESS AND TINNITUS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR US, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE WE PURCHASED IT.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086404 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.