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2004 Ford Expedition: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationOne of the weaker Expedition years.
296 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Expedition?The 2004 Ford Expedition has 296 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and service brakes. Owners most often flag cam phaser noise and failure.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Ford Expedition vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Expedition years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Expedition?
Across the 31 Expedition model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (1996) to 1,007 (1999). With 296 complaints, the 2004 Expedition sits about the same as the model's median of 299.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Expedition
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E064000CERTAIN 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 06E023000CERTAIN 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."
What owners report on the 2nd generation Expedition
Owner sentiment on the 2003-2006 Expedition is mixed and heavily dependent on which engine and how well the truck was maintained.
- Very frequentCam phaser noise and failure
- Very frequentSpark plug problems (two-piece design, stripping or welding into heads)
- Very frequentPoor fuel economy
- RecurrentTiming chain guide failure
- RecurrentTransmission failure, particularly under heavy towing use
Owner insights for the 2nd generation Expedition. Read the full 2nd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Expedition listings typically run $22,350–$49,244.
Other Expedition model years
Compare every Expedition year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Expedition against its rivals
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