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2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 86 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, most often about the suspension (16% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is 4th of 11 Explorer Sport Trac model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Suspension
14 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I have experienced accelerated front tire wear, and associated noise and vibration on this vehicle, with current mileage at 37000 miles. I have had the wheels balanced religiously every 5000-6000 miles since I bought it. I first noticed the wear and vibration at about 25000 miles. I took the vehicle in to have the…
I purchased a 2004 Ford explorer sport tracker 11 monthes ago. The first incident was the shocks towers. So, I thought. When I brought it into the dealership, they said it wasn't the shock towers but the sway bar. This occurred around september 2004.. Than I brought it into the dealership again because the…
Transmission
13 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
During the acceleration from a stop light the vehicle would not shift from 2nd to 3rd. The overdrive off light then began flashing. This caused unexpected poor acceleration and in traffic could result in possibly being rear ended by traffic behind you.
2004 Ford explorer, sport trac xlt. Only have 37,871 miles on this truck and already having problems with transmission. Transmission slips in 2ed gear and take about 3 to 4 seconds for reverse to engage. Ford dealer charged me 159.00 dollars to change trans fluids. I told them that the fluid was dark and smells like…
Air bags
13 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. While driving 10 MPH, another vehicle ran a red light and struck the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed. Both sides of the vehicle were damaged and the contact feels that it may be destroyed. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact…
On august 8th 2008 I was involved in a car wreck while driving my 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. When the vehicle wrecked it flipped over onto the drivers side of the vehicle, and slid down the highway on its side. The airbags did not deploy, and the point of contact with the other vehicle was on the front driver's…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Body/chassis mounts are deteriorating and crumbling. Body is now loose on the frame and has slight movement. These mounts are not rubber like most; they are some sort of urethane composite. Internet research and truck owner sites confirm this to be a common problem. Ford does not see this as a safety/recall issue and…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the frame was rusted and parts were fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame and the front and rear motor mounts were rusted and needed…
Speed control
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, linkages, accelerator pedal.
: the contact stated while driving 50mph the accelerator pedal broke. The vehicle was coasted off to the side of the road; without incident it was then towed to a dealership. Upon inspection the accelerator cable had snapped. There was no cause as to why it had failed.
I have a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with cruise control. I have complained several times regarding the fact that it does not disengage immediately. In an emergency situation it takes a full second or more for it to disengage after the breaks are applied. I have been told by the dealer that this is normal, that my…
Engine
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
My truck began making loud whinning noises june 2007, the steering was very tight when using the A/C and check engine light came on, A/C did not cool or get a tight seal for air flow, front tire wear has accelerated causing shaky steering, power steering got worse, although all fluids were new and belts look worn out…
: the contact stated when the vehicle was started, the check engine light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer where the speed control switch, turn signal switch, and oxygen sensor were all replaced.
Electrical
7 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The contact stated that the ignition switch was loose. The contact took the vehicle to be diagnosed and was advised by an independent mechanic that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
My gas gauge needle started going beyond full then intermittently would be on e when I just filled it. Each time I would start the truck the gas gauge would show different needle readings. After a month or so it the gas needle quit moving or reading at all. I assumed it was in the fuel tank. I took it in to shop and…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 7%I own a 2004 Ford explorer sporttrac that came with michelin cross terrain tires. As I was driving home for the holidays my front driver side tire came apart, rubber started to fly everywhere, beating my truck up pretty bad. The tire was still holding air when I made it to the shoulder, the tire held its air pressure…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with mastercraft courser a/t 2 tires (size: lt265/75r16). While driving approximately 70 MPH, the front passenger side tire exploded, causing the contact to crash into another vehicle and the highway median. The front axle and tie rod fractured during the failure. The…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Vehicle rollaway allegations
Summary
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. The swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumer shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. In november of 2004, for
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
Summary
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehi
Questions about the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (14 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); transmission (13 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles); air bags (13 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
- It is 4th of 11 Explorer Sport Trac model years by number of complaints, with 86 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.