Ford / Explorer Sport Trac / 2004
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints about the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 13.9% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 12%.
Complaints108
Crashes21
Fires1
Injuries35
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Suspension 13.9% · 15
Air bags 12.0% · 13
Power train 12.0% · 13
Structure 8.3% · 9
Vehicle speed control 7.4% · 8
Electrical system 6.5% · 7
Engine and engine cooling 6.5% · 7
Tires 5.6% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 21 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 35 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac in this data, 2004 draws comparatively few complaints; 2001 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 8 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 45,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Vehicle front suspension assembly was, according to Ford dealer, designed so poorly that excessive and unsafe tire wear patterns were to bee expected. Several other customers with same complaints were in dealer's waiting room the same day. I have exhausted all avenues to work with Ford, up to Ford detroit customer service. Suspension
I had uneven wear on my tires that were the original tires from the factory. I bought the car new from the Ford dealer. I was told that the tire specs and brand were not the ideal type for this kind of vehicle. No warranty coverage given. I did buy michelin at owl and they have held up to present 2014 at 106250 miles. Suspension · reported at 45,000 miles
While driving approximately 60 mph front of vehicle suddenly dipped. This caused vehicle to skid and crash into a ditch. Vehicle was totaled. The cause of this was undetermined. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…