Engine
4.0L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 86 of 86 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 61 of 86 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Suspension
15 complaint records2 crash reports
"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.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Power train
13 complaint records1 crash report
"2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-TRAC, TRANMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS AND THE LIMITED SLIP DIFERENTIAL ACTS STRANGE.*AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Air bags
13 complaint records7 crash reports
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09020 opened Apr 2009 | closed Aug 2009 | Steering | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS 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... |
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD 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... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05252 Jan 2006 | Trailer Hitches | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 0645 Jan 2006 | Power Train | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 05-11-11 Oct 2005 | Tires | IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR. *SC | |
| 0427 Oct 2005 | Steering | STEERING SHUDDER DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS - 4.0L ENGINE. *TT | |
| 18719 Jul 2005 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH OR LEAN). *TT |
Show 23 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 04B22 May 2005 | Power Train | IMPROPERLY FORMULATED TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT, OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENTS. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B22. 5R55S/E & 5R44E TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT SUPPLEMENT #3. *TT | |
| 030508 Apr 2005 | Power Train | FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT | |
| 05611 Apr 2005 | Power Train | NO 3RD GEAR, DTC P0733 (3RD GEAR INCORRECT RATIO) AND FLASHING TCIL - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/23/2004. *TT | |
| 052624 Jan 2005 | Wheels | VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS - TIRE/WHEEL RUNOUT. *TT | |
| 042511 Dec 2004 | Equipment | MOAN/VIBRATION DURING AIR CONDITIONING OPERATION. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04213 Nov 2004 | Suspension | SQUEAKING NOISE FROM REAR SWAY BAR LINK. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 041910 Oct 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | OIL LEAK FROM OIL FILTER ADAPTER - 4.0L SOHC ENGINE BUILT BEFORE 4/1/2004. *TT | |
| 18254 Oct 2004 | Vehicle Speed Control | SPEED CONTROL INOPERATIVE OR NOT HOLDING THE SET SPEED. OASIS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT | |
| 04166 Aug 2004 | Seats | POWER LUMBAR BLADDER EXPANDING THROUGH BACK OF SEAT. *AR | |
| 17777 May 2004 | Suspension | REAR LEAF SPRING NOISE. *TT | |
| 17779 May 2004 | Electrical System | STARTER NOISE. *TT | |
| 04L18 Apr 2004 | Equipment | AN INCORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL WAS INSTALLED AND MUST BE REPLACED TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR CALIFORNIA EMISSION REGULATIONS. *TT | |
| 17647 Mar 2004 | Structure | PAINT PEELING AND/OR BUBBLING ON THE CENTER FINISH PANEL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TT | |
| 031912 Feb 2004 | Steering | STEERING SHUDDER FELT WHEN TURNING, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR AT STOP. *TT | |
| 17544 Feb 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | GENERATOR NOISE IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *MJ | |
| 17579 Feb 2004 | Seats | SEAT MATERIAL RIPPING AND/OR SEPARATING AT THE SEAMS. *TT | |
| 041810 Jan 2004 | Power Train | 4X4 NOT ENGAGING OR INTERMITTENT 4X4 ENGAGEMENT - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 4/1/2004. *TT | |
| 03L17 Dec 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DEMONSTRATION/DELIVERY HOLD - SPECIAL FIELD ACTION 03L17. REVISED SMOG EMISSIONS INFORMATION. *TT | |
| 03235 Nov 2003 | Structure | BED EXTENDER COMPONENT REPLACEMENT SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 17291 Oct 2003 | Power Train | SCRAPING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AREA USUALLY WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Explorer Sport Trac →