2004 Ford Expedition Review: The Most Well-Rounded Full-Size SUV for the Price

The 2004 Ford Expedition’s biggest failings have less to do with any fault on Ford’s part, and more to do with the fact that a twenty year old full-size SUV just isn’t a great choice for your primary vehicle. Inefficient, expensive to maintain, and sluggish even with a massive V8 Triton under the hood.

Is the 2004 Ford Expedition a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – This is one of the best used full-size SUVs on the market today. The question is whether a twenty year old full-size SUV is worth driving in the first place.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – When it comes to comfort, the only only knock against the Expedition is that the ride can be a bit rough ona broken roads.
• Reliability 8/10 – Early breakdown is rare, and most Expeditions will cross the 200,000 mile mark. But regular maintenance is costly with or without any major repairs.
• Safety 8/10 – The safety tech may be dated by now, but crash test ratings are excellent and the SUV is built like a tank.
• Gas Mileage 5/10 – The base engine gets a scant 16/19 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Value 7/10 – The Expedition is priced to move, but high cost of ownership will make up the difference.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Ford Expedition?

Consumer Reports found the Expedition to be steady, comfortable, flexible, and spacious, but note that the SUV’s hefty 5,900 pound weight slows the acceleration and tanks the fuel economy.

Kelley Blue Book users give the Expedition a strong 90% recommendation, praising the reliable powertrain, luxurious interior, powerful engine, and smooth ride. Fuel economy was the biggest complaint among drivers.

Edmunds praised the well-designed interior, spacious seating, and excellent crash test scores, with special notice for the SUV’s sharp handling, considering its size. But, they felt the engine could be more powerful in a vehicle this big, and the ride gets a bit bumpy on rough roads.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Ford Expedition Have?

The 2004 Expedition has a scant 294 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The biggest category here is airbags, with 45 complaints. Most of these point to blinking airbag lights, but a few drivers report head on collisions with no airbag deployment.

A handful of electrical problems have been reported, with the most worrying being a few complaints for electrical fires with wires melting and the cabin being filled with smoke. This isn’t incredibly common, but you’ll want to check the wire harnesses when buying used all the same.

Powertrain and engine issues have been few and far between for such an old vehicle, but be on the lookout for sudden power loss while driving at highway speeds, as this may be a sign of early failure.

There are only 4 recalls on file for the Expedition, all of which being for missing reflectors. All told, there’s less to worry about in an Expedition than in most SUVs.

How Long Will the 2004 Ford Expedition Last?

Drivers report a minimum mileage of 200,000 miles, with 250,000 being the typical life expectancy of a 2004 Expedition. As with any used vehicle, it all comes down to how well the previous driver maintained it, but if you’re buying one that’s already passed 125,000, then 250,000 isn’t unrealistic.

RepairPal report an annual maintenance cost in the area of $861, which is a bit higher than average for a full-size SUV. The most expensive common fix is a new fuel tank, starting at $1,364, with $908 camshaft replacements being up there, as well.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is generous for a 2004 SUV, with a CD player being included as standard equipment, and overhead DVD players being available in some models.

Safety technology is adequate, if dated. You get full anti-lock brakes and occupant-sensing airbags, but remember that this was long before rearview mirrors and lane keep assist became common features.

Is the 2004 Ford Expedition a Good Value?

The 2004 Ford Expedition is a good value based on the sticker price. Typical listing prices range from around $3,988 for an entry-level model to $4,212 for a high-end NBX. The Expedition is a reliable, spacious, powerful SUV at that price, but cost of ownership is another story.

A 5.L V8 powered XLT gets a scarce 13/17 miles to the gallon, city highway, and maintenance costs are higher than usual for the full-size SUV market. As spacious and powerful as the Expedition may be, the weekly expenses may have you wondering if you need all that space and power in the first place.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Ford Expedition?

Not counting the Special Service models sold to law enforcement, the 2004 Ford Expedition is offered in four trims, from the entry-level XLS to the rugged NBX.

The base XLS features:

• Heated mirrors
• Cloth seat trim
• Remote keyless entry
• CD player
• Manual air conditioning
• Power windows and door locks
• Cruise control

Next up is the XLT, adding:

• Fog lights
• Rear air conditioning with separate controls
• Running boards

The special edition Eddie Bauer adds:

• Leather seating
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• Unique exterior styling including Arizona Beige running board, wheel lip moldings, and upper grille
• Parking assist

With the off-road NBX, you’re getting an XLT plus:

• Chromed steel wheels
• Off-road tuned shock absorbers
• Four wheel drive

What Engines Come In the 2004 Ford Expedition?

• The base engine found in the 2004 Expedition is a 4.6L Triton V8 delivering 232 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, configured in rear/four wheel drive, and averages 15/19 miles to the gallon, city/highway. You can tow up to 5,000 pounds with this one, depending on your options.
• In the Standard in the NBX and available in the mid-range trims is a 5.4L Triton V8 delivering 260 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic, configured in four wheel drive, and averages 13/17 miles to the gallon. You can tow up to 8,950 pounds with this engine.

What Colors Does the 2004 Ford Expedition Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Ford Expedition?

The 2004 Expedition is very spacious, with seating for up to 8 adults and a whopping 62.4 inches of rear hip room. The ride is smooth and the suspension has held up well over the years, though a few reviewers have reported that it’s not the best vehicle for broken roads.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Ford Expedition Have?

The back end of the 2004 Expedition packs 20 cubic feet of cargo, and if you fold the seats down you can get 110.5 cubic feet. That’s enough space to carry most furniture without even bothering to measure it. With the seats down it feels like a moving van back there.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2004 Ford Expedition was the second model year of the 2nd Generation for the nameplate, being retired in 2006.

2002: There were no major changes for the 2002 Ford Expedition as Ford were gearing up the second-gen model at this point.

2003: The Expedition saw a total redesign for 2003 with the addition of a new independent rear suspension system and an extra 800 pounds of towing capacity.

2004: The Eddie Bauer edition premiered in 2004, and the FX4 was renamed the NBX.

2005: The King Ranch edition was added to the lineup in 2005, with Castano leather trim. Ford made a 5.4L V8 Triton standard across all trims.

2006: Ford added a chrome tipped exhaust to the King Ranch and expanded color options to include Pewter and Dark Copper metallics.

2007: The 3rd Generation Expedition debuted without the NBX trim and with some cosmetic changes. The relaunch was less of a total overhaul and more of a refresh of the SUV.

How Does the 2004 Ford Expedition Compare to the Competition?

If you’re after an off-roader, the 2004 Grand Cherokee lists at around the same price as an Expedition, and is geared entirely towards the outdoors. It’s better in the woods, and worse in the city than the Expedition. Both come with steep refueling and maintenance expenses.

The 2004 Chevy Tahoe is similarly roomy and powerful, it’s also just as unwieldy and inefficient as the Expedition. And it lists for two thousand dollars more than the Expedition on average.

If you’re after a well-rounded full-size SUV at a fair price, the 2004 Expedition is hard to beat. But, a full-size SUV is already a bad choice for a daily-driver, especially one that came out in 2004, and the Grand Cherokee is the best of the bunch if you’re after an adventure vehicle.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Ford Expedition?