Problems · by component
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac structure problems
446 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac cite structure, 32% of all 1,408 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
446
32% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
26
Reported by owners
What owners say about the structure
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Back windows fell off track and windows fell down, cannot roll them up. AC and Heater broke and won't work at all. Fuel system is too lean. Transmission is going out Timing Chain and tensioners making loud knocking noise. Burning oil.”
“THE BODY OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT HAS RIVETS ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF THAT HOLD WATER. INSTEAD OF BEING A FLAT SURFACE WHERE RAIN CAN NATURALLY FALL OFF THE TOP OF THE ROOF IT SITS IN THESE RIVETS AND ACCUMULATES RUST. THIS LEADS TO A LOT MORE PROBLEMS.”
“PLASTICE PARTS ARE DETERIORATING, DESOLVING IN FRONT INSIDE DRIVE SUN VISOR-LIGHTED VISOR BROKE OFF; CENTERL REAR A/C AND HEAT MOON ROOF LIGHT CONSOLE FALLS OFF-PLASTICE CLIPS DESOLVED AND WILL NOT FASTEN INTO ROOF ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BLOCKED EYESIGHT AND AT TIME ON RIGHT TURN HITTING HEAD OR EYES . THIS IS UNSAFE AND FORD MOTOR KNOWS OF COMPLAINST. PART ARE NOT AVAILBLE. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUE. THE MODEL WAS THE EDDIE BAUER TOP OF THE LINE $40,,835 CAR FMV $5000 ONLY 54000 MILES PRI LEVEL CODE 450240U74 SHIP WGT 4357”
“I HAVE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY LIFT GATE . EACH TIME I USE THE HANDLE TO LIFT THE CRACKS BECOME WORSE. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE ASKING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY ONE I SEE IN A PARKING LOT OR ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD REPORTS THAT IT AFFECTS 1997-2007 EXPLORERS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFERRED ME TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. SOME OF THESE CRACKS I HAVE SEEN REACH TO THE BACK WINDOW WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.”
“I GET A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS WHEN DRIVING. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME. MY BACK HATCH IS CRACKING IN 3 OR MORE SPOTS I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL PROBABLY FALL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND ME.”
“REAR GLASS LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND LIFTGATE GLASS WAS BEING OPENED WHEN THE HINGE FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER THIS HAPPENED TO. THE FIRST ONE WAS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER.”
Showing 6 of 446 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.