Vehicle Safety Hub
RecallsVIN LookupZero Recalls

Vehicle Safety Hub

Free vehicle safety data powered by NHTSA government records. Recalls, complaints, and reliability information for every car, truck, and SUV.

Browse by Make

  • Toyota
  • Honda
  • Ford
  • Chevrolet
  • Nissan
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • BMW
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Subaru

Tools

  • VIN Lookup
  • Recent Recalls
  • Compare Vehicles
  • Zero-Recall Vehicles

About

  • About
  • Methodology
  • Data Sources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Vehicle Safety Hub. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any government agency.

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1. Home
  2. >Ford
  3. >explorer
  4. >2004
  5. >Steering

2004 Ford explorer Steering Problems

Steering complaints and recalls from NHTSA

Summary

The 2004 Ford explorer has 44 NHTSA steering complaints and 0 steering-related recalls.

Problem Areas for the 2004 Ford explorer

Powertrain
440
Structure
373
Visibility
99
Engine
87
Speed Control
56
Airbags
50
Suspension
47
Steering
44
Brakes
40
Wheels
38
Electrical
35
Other
32
Fuel System
24
Tires
16
Latches & Locks
11
Seat Belts
9
Lights
5

44

Complaints

0

Recalls

5

Injuries Reported

Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026

All Steering Complaints

Date ↓ComponentSummary
Nov 4, 2021STEERING,ENGINEOn two incidents this week when steering wheel is cut to maximum left or right in tight parking lot ...
Mar 9, 2019STEERING,AIR BAGS,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND...
May 26, 2018STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINEIN 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH V8, THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF ENGINE WHEN TRAVELING 35~45 MPH AND GOIN...
Aug 24, 2017STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAINMY STEERING COLUMN BROKE RIGHT OFF! TRYING TO PUT IT IN DRIVE @99,735 MI. HAD TO TOW IT TO SHOP, AN...
Jun 23, 2017STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHERTHE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND CAME ON. WE WENT TO GO START IT TODAY AND ...
Oct 3, 2016STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, T...
Jun 17, 2016STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALL FOUR SEALS WHERE LEAKING INCLUDING PINION SEALS. CLUNKING NOISE 40 TO 50MPH WHEN YOU LET GO OF T...
May 17, 2015STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINECOMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED 2 DAYS PREVIOUS BUT DID N...
Jan 30, 2015STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEDRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 10:52 PM AND WITH NO WARNING THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN/OFF. ALL LIGHTS INS...
Sep 9, 2014STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE IS 100% FACTORY SO I DON'T K...
Aug 11, 2014STEERINGTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECT...
Nov 22, 2013STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINETHIS IS A COUNTY GOVT VEHICLE PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD BEEN HIGHWAY DRI...
Oct 3, 2013STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINETHIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH OF THEM HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ...
Aug 20, 2013STEERING,POWER TRAINI WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING WITH MY SON WHO IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AT MY SCHOOL ON AU...
Jan 25, 2013STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINEWHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT SHUT OFF, EXCEPT T...
Nov 16, 2012STEERING,POWER TRAINWHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE IN THE PARKING LOT THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AND THE CA...
Oct 12, 2012STEERINGSTARTED DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN I FELT A GRAB. THOUGHT I MIGHT BE IMAGING THINGS BUT ...
Mar 9, 2012STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE - ROTATING SHIFT HANDLE MOUNT BRO...
Jan 3, 2012STEERING,POWER TRAINI WAS TRYING TO PARK THE CAR WHEN I TOOK IT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE WHOLE GEAR SHIFT CAME RIGHT OF...
Oct 17, 2011STEERINGTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING C...

Explore More

2004 Ford explorer Full Report→All Ford Models→