Model year guide

2004 Ford Explorer

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Ford Explorer is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 375 on record.

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

2004 Ford Explorer at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints1,408
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$2,639

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

2004 Ford Explorer recalls 4

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07E104000 · 11/12/2007

CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Fix: SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOME…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

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 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 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Ford Explorer 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Ford Explorer MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,913

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

What's a 2004 Ford Explorer worth?

Low
$1,100
Typical price
$2,639
High
$4,500

From 370 comparable 2004 Ford Explorer listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,565
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,600
Total$21,165
Per mile$0.28

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 ($2,639) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,058), 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 trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · XLS · Eddie Bauer · Limited · XLS Sport · NBX · 4x4 v6 xlt · 4x4 v6 · 4x2 v6 xls · 4x4 v6 nbx
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl 210 hp · 4.6L 8-cyl 239 hp

2004 Ford Explorer vehicles on record

Other Ford Explorer model years

2004 Ford Explorer — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Ford Explorer have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 Ford Explorer. 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?

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 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Ford Explorer crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Explorer get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Ford Explorer at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2004 Ford Explorer worth?

Comparable 2004 Ford Explorer listings run roughly $1,100–$4,500, typically around $2,639 (from 370 vehicles).

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