2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser vs 2004 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2004 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 217 | 1,304 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 66 | 109 |
| Investigations | 1 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 16 | 58 |
| Fire reports | 15 | 15 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 15–16 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 55,000 mi | 65,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chrysler PT Cruiser | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 21 | 460 |
| Structure | 6 | 426 |
| Visibility | 9 | 100 |
| Electrical System | 44 | 55 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 23 | 71 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 76 |
| Suspension | 36 | 37 |
| Steering | 24 | 41 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 17 | 103 |
| Vibration / shaking | 10 | 35 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 7 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 6 | 33 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 14 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 107 |
| Airbag warning light | 5 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 61 |
2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2004 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chrysler PT Cruiser vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.