Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Expedition, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 36 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 29 | 10% |
| Tires | 21 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 7% |
| Engine | 16 | 5% |
| Power train | 15 | 5% |
| Structure | 15 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 5% |
| Visibility | 11 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 manufactur
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 plu
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 mirro
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 t
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Ford Expedition. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
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 EQUIPME
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 39 | below average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 296 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 36 of them (12%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.