2004 Ford Explorer Safety Rating — NHTSA Crash Tests
The 2004 Ford Explorer was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 4 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. Check a specific Explorer’s crash and title history below.
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2004 Ford Explorer— By the Numbers
- Frontal crash — driver
- 4★
- Side crash — driver
- 5★
- Rollover risk, single-vehicle crash
- 22.8%
- Recall campaigns on NHTSA's file
- 5
- Owner complaints
- 1408
Frontal crash — driver
Side crash — driver
Rollover risk, single-vehicle crash
Recall campaigns on NHTSA's file
Owner complaints
Quick Answer
- What is the 2004 Ford Explorer safety rating?
- The 2004 Ford Explorer was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 4 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. These are results for the 2004 Ford Explorer 4-DR., from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program.
- Did NHTSA test every part of the 2004 Ford Explorer?
- No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
- Does the 2004 Ford Explorer have recalls or complaints on file?
- NHTSA's record for this version lists 5 recall campaigns, 1408 owner complaints and 4 investigations. Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is answered by its VIN, not the model year.
What NHTSA did — and did not — test
A star rating is only as complete as the tests behind it. This is which of NHTSA's four crash tests the 2004 Ford Explorer actually went through.
No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
2004 Ford Explorer crash-test ratings
Rollover drew the lowest rating here, the frontal driver result came in a notch under the passenger, and side impact reached the top rating in every seating position rated.
The 2004 Ford Explorer was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 4 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance.
Stability control was optional and rollover is the weakest result in this record, so whether a given Explorer was built with the system is the question to settle before anything else.
Recalls, complaints and investigations
NHTSA keeps these alongside the crash-test results for the 2004 Ford Explorer 4-DR.. They answer a different question: not how the vehicle was built to perform in a crash, but what owners and the agency have reported since.
A recall campaign covers a range of vehicles; whether the repair was done on a particular car is a per-VIN question. Check open recalls by VIN.
The rating is for the ExplorerNHTSA crashed. Check the one you’re buying.
Salvage and rebuilt brands, reported accidents and odometer records follow the VIN.
Inspecting a used 2004 Explorer
The ratings describe the Explorer as it left the factory. A car that has been in a serious crash, rebuilt, or had its airbags replaced is no longer the car NHTSA tested.
Ask for the window sticker or build paperwork if the seller has it, then confirm on the vehicle: a stability-control lamp should come on with the ignition and go out after the engine starts.
Rollover was the weakest result, so check the roof and what holds the SUV up: roof pillars and panel in line, a headliner that has not sagged or been refitted, an undisturbed windshield seal, matching tyres at the right pressures, and shocks and bushings without heavy wear.
The driver result trailed the passenger in the frontal test, so look at what protects that seat: the steering-wheel airbag cover should sit flush and unmarked, the driver belt should pull out smoothly and lock on a sharp tug, and the airbag lamp should clear after start-up.
Why these stars come from different tests than a newer model's
NHTSA announced new NCAP crash tests and rating criteria in July 2008, including a new overall rating that combines the frontal, side and rollover results. It then postponed the change by a year: the new criteria apply to vehicles tested beginning with model year 2011, not 2010 as first announced.
In NHTSA's own words, its rollover resistance ratings “estimate the risk of rollover if a vehicle is involved in a single-vehicle crash.”
One limit applies to every vehicle here. NHTSA notes that the frontal crash rating “depends on vehicle mass, and cannot be compared across vehicle weight classes” — a full-size truck's frontal stars and a compact car's are not the same measure.
- Federal Register, 73 FR 79206 (Dec. 24, 2008) — new NCAP criteria begin with model year 2011
- Federal Register, 73 FR 40016 (July 11, 2008) — NCAP testing and rating changes, including the overall rating
- Federal Register, 68 FR 59250 (Oct. 14, 2003) — NCAP rollover resistance ratings
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Compare and keep going
Ratings from before model year 2011 compare only with each other.
Rated before the current program
5 stars overall
5 stars overall
4 stars overall
Whether a recall was repaired on one specific car.
Reported crashes and damage after the car left the factory.
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2004 Ford Explorer Safety FAQ
What NHTSA’s record shows for this model year, and what it cannot tell you about one car.
What is the 2004 Ford Explorer safety rating?+
The 2004 Ford Explorer was rated under NHTSA's program before model year 2011, which gave no overall score: 4 stars for the driver, 5 for the front passenger in the frontal test, 5 for the driver in the side test, 3 for rollover resistance. These are results for the 2004 Ford Explorer 4-DR., from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program.
Did NHTSA test every part of the 2004 Ford Explorer?+
No. NHTSA published no result for the side pole test on this version. "Not rated" means the test was not run or not published — not that the vehicle failed it.
Does the 2004 Ford Explorer have recalls or complaints on file?+
NHTSA's record for this version lists 5 recall campaigns, 1408 owner complaints and 4 investigations. Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is answered by its VIN, not the model year.
Can I compare the 2004 Ford Explorer's stars with a newer model?+
Not like for like. NHTSA changed its crash tests and rating criteria starting with model year 2011 and added an overall score, so a star from before then was earned under different tests. Compare it with vehicles rated under the same program.
Does a good safety rating mean a used Explorer is safe to buy?+
A rating describes the vehicle as it left the factory. A used Explorer that has been in a serious crash, rebuilt from salvage, or had an airbag replaced is no longer the vehicle NHTSA tested. A VIN check reads its title brands, salvage and accident records from NMVTIS.
Five stars at the factory. What about since?
A crash rating can’t see a salvage title, a rebuilt frame or a replaced airbag. The VIN record can.
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