2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
23
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
The 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING. The most commonly reported problems involve the Structurebody (6 complaints), Power Trainautomatic Transmission (3 complaints), and Structure (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, potentially affecting up to 61,944 vehicles.
Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structurebody | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE REAR LIFT GATE ON MY EXPLORER CRACKED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE GATE CRACKED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A HABIT OF LOOKING OVER MY VEHICLE. THE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I INSPECTED MY VEHICLE BEFORE GOING INTO MY HOME. ON MY NEXT SERVICE VISIT I ASKED MY FORD DEALER IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD NOT GENERATED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THERE MAY BE THOUSANDS OF EXPLORERS WITH THIS DEFECT, I SEE THEM EVERY DAY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FORD COMPANY FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS DEFECT. I HAVE PURCHASED MY LAST FORD. *TR
LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES BOTH BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OFF OF REAR DOOR AND NOW GLASS CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002-2003 FORD RECALL #04S20. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2004 EXPLORER IN THEIR RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. *TR
LIFTGATE GLASS HINGES BOTH BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OFF OF REAR DOOR AND NOW GLASS CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2002-2003 FORD RECALL #04S20. REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000. FORD DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2004 EXPLORER IN THEIR RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME. *TR
DEFECTIVE BODY MOUNTS AND BUSHINGS. I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORD SPORT TRAC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE BODY MOUNTS AND BUSHINGS ARE DETERIORATED AND CRUMBLING. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SPORT TRAC YEARS 2001-2005. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AS WELL AS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I CALLED A BODY SHOP AND THE PARTS ARE $1,695 WITH $720 FOR LABOR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WANTS $1,882 FOR PARTS AND $400 LABOR TO REPLACE 6 MOUNTS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS EIGHT (8). FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE PARTS (THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE). EVIDENTLY NOT ENOUGH SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH HAS OCCURRED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, SO THEY JUST QUIT PRODUCTION AS A CHEAPER WAY OUT. SHAME ON FORD TO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.
DRIVING 65 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE SWITCHING LANES TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED VEHICLE APPROACHING BEHIND ME. RAN IN TO A MEDIAN 2 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING FACED TRAFFIC HEAD ON. FORTUNATELY, I WASN'T CRITICALLY INJURED, BUT SERIOUS ENOUGH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOT???? *TR
Safety Rating for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT.
Investigation RQ08003 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT Closed
Opened:
REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE
Other Model Years of the FORD EXPLORER SPORT
- 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 127 complaints
- 2000 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 102 complaints
- 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 243 complaints
- 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 160 complaints
- 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 85 complaints
- 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT (current)
- 2005 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — 5 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints