Model year guide

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 61 on record.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints1,408
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$5,059

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E056000 · 13/06/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,408 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,850

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac worth?

Low
$3,100
Typical price
$5,059
High
$7,200

From 61 comparable 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,500
Total$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,059) with the same model 3 model-years older ($2,957), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · XLS · Adrenalin
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac vehicles on record

Other Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

Based on 1,408 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, fuel/propulsion system, engine.

What is the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac crash-test ratings of rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac worth?

Comparable 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac listings run roughly $3,100–$7,200, typically around $5,059 (from 61 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.