Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Ford Explorer
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Ford Explorer has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,304 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E104000 CURVED TEMPERED AUTOMOTIVE REPLACEMENT GLASS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 460 complaints
- Structure 426 complaints
- Visibility 100 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 76 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 71 complaints
- Electrical System 55 complaints
Of the 1,304 complaints on file, 58 report a crash and 15 a fire; across all 1,304 complaints, owners report 83 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Ford Explorer's below-average rating is due to high complaint counts for powertrain and structural issues, indicating potential costly repairs. Few recalls exist, suggesting issues beyond incorrect aftermarket headlamp assemblies. Although safety standards were mostly met, complaints point to significant reliability concerns.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,800–$3,500 | very common |
| rear wheel bearings | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$700 | common |
| timing chain | 100,000–150,000 miles | $1,200–$2,000 | occasional |
| control arms | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$900 | occasional |
| radiator | 100,000–140,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace coolant every 60,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Transmission fluid check annually
- Replace spark plugs every 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Harsh or delayed shifting
- Unusual noises from rear
- Excessive engine noise
- Loss of braking efficiency
- Vibration during acceleration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Ford Explorer at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.