Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. While the vehicle was parked, it rolled down an incline and struck a boulder at the end of the driveway. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 208,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The contact mentioned that the alternator, battery, transmission, fuel pump, and fuel bypass switch were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
NHTSA ID #10017888/10018745/10023943/10004051/10010731/10012977/#10014086/10018069/10014100/10028736
2004 Expedition xlt 2wd. Trying to find out more about (technical service bulletin) dealing with the rear end/differential problem. I also mentioned that just recently there is a gurgling sound coming from the exhaust. Sounds like it wants to backfire or like there is water in the system. I was told by the art hill dealership that has to do with the differential and that they can not fix the exhaust until I get the differential fixed. Every other dealership I talk to gives me the run around and say it's my problem. We've had mustangs in the past and this is our second Expedition. We've always loved fords up until now!!! There is a known problem with the 03-05 expeditions rear end/differential but it seems to be ignored. I was told it was the tires at first so I replace them, then I was told it would go away. Well it hasn't and then I was told it would cost 1,727.00 to fix!!!! …
I dropped my kids off at school then headed for work taking the freeway. Traffic began to build so I had slowed down to about 20 miles per hour (mpr), when I tried to accelerate the vehicle would only reach 30 miles per hour. I was in the far right lane so I took the next exit off the freeway. I put it in park then tried to drive again but it still would not go pass 30 mpr or go in reverse so I called road side assistance and had it towed to the nearest dealership. There was no noise or any indication that something was wrong. Luckily I wasnt trying to change lanes when the transmission went out, I would have gotten hit. The service manager told me that the sun gear had broken.
Dt: 2004 Ford Expedition - the gear shift indicator does not shift when put into gear. It has been doing this off and on for the past three months. Took the vehicle to the dealer to have it looked at and made an the appointment to have it repaired, the gear shift indicator was not in the proper gear when the consumer brought vehicle back for the appointment, it was working properly. Therefore, it was not repaired at that time. Currently, it is happened again. It has been in the wrong gear for about two weeks. The vehicle is still under warranty. The gear shift indicator failed at least 100 times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Expedition. After he started the ignition he applied pressure to the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not accelerate. After several attempts he was able to drive. However when driving the transmission kept slipping gears. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the forward clutch piston seal. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 38,000. The current mileage was 38,500. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Ford Expedition, 9% of the model year's 297 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Ford Expedition. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.