There are 6 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Tracin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,300.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; WITHOUT INCIDENT IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD SNAPPED. THERE WAS NO CAUSE AS TO WHY IT HAD FAILED.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. CONSUMER SMELLED WIRES BURNING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN WORKING. *AK
IN FEB 05 TOOK CAR TO SHOP TO REPORT THAT IT REVS UP AT TIMES , WHEN FOOT NOT ON GAS PEDDLE.THEY SAID THEY REPLACED CLUTCH SOLENOID. IT SEEMED TO STOP, BUT TOOK IT BACK IN MAY AND WAS TOLD IT DID NOT SHOW ANY CODES WHEN THEY HOOKED IT TO COMPUTER AND TO MAKE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING GAS PEDDLE WHEN I WAS STOPPING. THE EXPLORER CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OF REVING UP WHEN MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS PEDDLE. I FEEL I CAN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I GOT IT. AS THEY ACK LIKE I AM STUPID AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM SPEAKING OF. I AM SCARED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IT TAKES A FULL SECOND OR MORE FOR IT TO DISENGAGE AFTER THE BREAKS ARE APPLIED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS NORMAL, THAT MY VEHICLE HAS ELECTRONIC CRUISE CONTROL THAT IS CONTROLLED BY A CABLE DRIVEN BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND NOT A VACUUM CONTROL LIKE MOST CARS. IF THIS IS TRUE IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I HAVE HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED ON A HIGHWAY AND SOMEONE PULLED INTO MY LANE ABRUPTLY WHERE IF THE CRUISE DISENGAGED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION OR A CLOSE CALL. HOWEVER, AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES I WAS FIGHTING THE CONTINUAL ACCELERATION, OR SLOW DECELERATION OF THE ENGINE. MY OTHER CARS DUMP IMMEDIATELY, IN FACT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HITS YOUR FOOT IF ITS THERE, NOT SO WITH THE FORD. *JB
WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARKED POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026