2004 Ford Expedition

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 296 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
76,000 milesMedian miles at failure

227 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System28
010
Air Bags28
21135
Engine22
040
Tires15
209
Service Brakes, Hydraulic13
411
Structure › Body12
000
Vehicle Speed Control11
520
Engine and Engine Cooling11
020
Air Bags › Frontal9
608
Fuel/Propulsion System8
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo Usa, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Mar 5, 2026FL

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact recently purchased the vehicle and stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission hesitated before upshifting with the accelerator pedal depressed. Additionally, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle rolled backwards when the accelerator pedal was depressed before responding as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to return the vehicle to the independent dealer where the vehicle was purchased; however, the dealer declined to assist. Recently, the vehicle stalled, and it was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved fault codes for the engine and stated that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 2025MD

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the turn signals, the hazard lights, and the cigarette lighter had become inoperable. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 14, 2023CA

Just bought this truck I have no idea what has or has not been resolved, very poor lighting I noticed and there's a click noise coming from? It just clicks and clicks and clicks. Thanks

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2022110,665 milesNY

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was unable to drive above 15 MPH because the vehicle became difficult to control. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the rear axle was fractured, the rear subframe was severely corroded, and the rear driver's side sway bar and rear differential were corroded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,665.

Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2022127,708 milesOR

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut down completely, and the warning messages indicated check gage and check service engine. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,708.

Engine
Filed May 20, 202287,000 milesIA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that one spark plug exploded and then another spark plug exploded and went through the cylinder head. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plug was replaced. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jan 25, 2022AK

Electrical fire today. Vehicle was parked outside garage. A clicking noise was heard and noticed the mirror was trying to move/click and car was filled with smoke. Mirror switches didn't work when tried. Knocked mirror off and fire stopped. Wiring Harness around the emergency brake area melted. Fire melted a hole in the dash corner by windshield. Vehicle was last driven about 25 hrs. earlier with no issues. Approx. 128K miles. Glad it wasn't in garage and the clicking was heard or garage/house would have burned. We haven't done anything to it yet.

Power Train
Filed Aug 18, 2021MT

Unknown, transmition left me stranded on busy highway. Managed to get it moved off the road before being hit. After getting it home and not driving for a period of time it can be started and moved with no issue. Drive to town no problem parked it to take care of some business and when I went to leave I couldn't back out of the parking place. Got it home and let it sit again. Needed to move it out of the way all was good started it and moved it across the yard and backed it in no problem. Had K&O auto look at it and was told it needs a transmission. I see allot of complaints about this issue from others without Ford being held responsible to correct the problem. Nice vehical said I can't afford to get it fixed, now driving a 500.00 used vehicle to get around, it is an eye sore but gets me around ok. Would rather enjoy the expidition if Ford would fix the issue that 1000's have had.

Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2021216,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to steer on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be replicated. The throttle was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 216,000. The Vin was not available.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 2, 2020158,612 milesTX

VEHICLE LOST POWER FOR 3-5 SECONDS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THREE SEPARATE EVENTS. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN DUE TO POWER LOSS WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THREE OTHER TIMES AT IDLE SPEED IN DRIVE AND IN PARK ENGINE STALLED AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO ENGINE NOT RUNNING WHEN STALL EVENT HAPPENED. I PERFORMED INSPECTION OF FUEL PUMP RELAY WHICH IS INTERNAL TO PASSENGER SIDE FUSE BLOCK. FOUND INADEQUATE SOLDER JOINT ON INTEGRATED RELAY PRINTED CIRCUIT AND BURN MARKS ON OUTSIDE OF FUEL PUMP RELAY. LOCATED SALVAGE FUSE BLOCK SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND INSPECTED. SAME DAMAGE ON SALVAGE FUSE BLOCK ASSEMBLY. REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET FUSE BLOCK WITH REVISED SOLDER JOINT AND UPDATED RELAY.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 5, 202085,000 milesPA

THE FRAME IS RUSTING. SEE PHOTOS. THE BODY IS RUSTING AWAY ALSO THE BRAKE LINES. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. WHY HAS THIS 2004 FORD NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR RUST.

EngineFire
Filed Jun 22, 2020KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN A STAND STILL THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ON THE MUFFLER SYSTEM AND STARTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE MUFFLER AREA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED A LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 75,000 MILES AND HE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 210,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 9, 2020115,000 milesCA

CHATTER WHEN WHEEL TURNED AT LOW SPEED. LOW SPEED TURNING , SHAKING AND VIBRATION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 2020CO

THE GAS GAUGE NEVER WORKS AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE THINKS THAT IT DOESNT HAVE GAS WHEN IT DOES. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 25, 2019180,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. LATER, AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CIRCUIT BOARD HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT OUT. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2019TX

WHILE DRIVING A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION 178,000 KEPT STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AND STREETS. I HAD IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE IT WON'T START BACK ON THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD TURN ON. HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS IT TURN OFF ON MY 18 YEAR OLD SON LIKE 5 TIMES GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORK WHERE IT ALMOST GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE FELT IT WASN'T A RELIABLE DUE THE FACT IT STALLS WHILE ON THE ROAD OR EVEN JUST TURNING AND ALMOST CAUSED MY SONS LIFE . FINALLY WE FOUND OUT IT'S THE RELAY GETS HOT AND IT CAUSES FOR THE CAR TO STOP AND I'M AWARE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING THEY HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL ON THIS THE RELAY CAN NOT BE CHANGE BY ITS SELF HAS TO BE THE WHOLE CIRCUIT BOARD

Air Bags
Filed Aug 7, 2019185,000 milesSD

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 28, 2019PA

FRAME WAS BROKEN AND RIGGED AND PAINTED UNSAFE AND I AM CONCERNED WHEN HE PUTS MY KIDS IN THE CAR IT IS NOT SAFE

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 13, 2019137,135 milesCA

MY DASH VENTS ARE NOT SENDING ANY A/C OUT THE FRONT VENTS, AND I ALSO FEEL HEAT FROM THE FLOOR BOARD OF MY CAR ALONG WITH EXHAUST EMISSIONS. I KNOW THAT THE SAN DIEGO POLICE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR EXPEDITIONS AND THEY WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED,NOW THEY CHANGED TO FORD EXPLORERS . IS THERE ANYTHING STILL ON THE BOOKS FOR THE EXPEDITIONS? THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN ANY FUNCTION,IT IS JUST NOT WORKING, AND ALSO I HEAR A TUMPPING NOISE IN MY RIGHT REAR PANEL. I AM UNABLE TO SEND ANY PICTURES BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS COVERED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 31, 2018188,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COWLES PARKWAY FORD (LOCATED AT 13779 NOBLEWOOD PLAZA, WOODBRIDGE, VA 22193, (703) 986-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A DAY LATER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

20 of 296 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
20269100Routine
202532510Routine
202472710Routine
202364840Routine
20221121200Routine
20212321240Above average
20204121870Above average
20194941130Above average
20183741420Above average
2017356470Above average
2016216380Above average
2015164360Routine
201472020Routine
201392030Routine
2012118320Routine
201171010Routine
201058010Routine
200928101Fatalities reported
2008146422Fatalities reported
2007215250Above average
2006299663Fatalities reported
2005315560Above average
2004 — this page2964151Fatalities reported
20036156363Fatalities reported
20023404692Fatalities reported
200157810955Fatalities reported
2000890111992Fatalities reported
19999469775Fatalities reported
19988367731Fatalities reported
199785397411Fatalities reported
19963010Routine
19951000Routine
19944000Routine
19931000Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every Expedition year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.