2004 Ford Explorer complaints

THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING INTO FIRST, SECOND AND REVERSE GEARS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS ON 10/07 AT 15,690 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOLENOID AND ASSURED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. AT 24,190 MILES THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALERSHIP RECALIBRATED AND CHARGED $118. NOW AT 26,900 MILES THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AND AGAIN THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID. OF COURSE AT MY EXPENSE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG AND FORD IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD AT LEAST GUARANTEE THE WORK THAT WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

RIGHT REAR TIRE KEEPS COMING OFF. THE LUG NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENS. THE RIM WAS REPLACED, BUT STILL ARE BREAKING OFF. *TR

2004 EXPLORER WITH 110K MILES - DEVELOPED CRACK IN LIFTGATE PANEL APP DEC 2008. FORD COVERED 80% OF REPAIR COST OF $750 SINCE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 75K MILES, EVEN THOUGH AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. SEPT 29, 2010 REAR HATCH WINDOW HINGE BREAKS CAUSING DOOR TO FALL ONTO MY HANDS AND LEGS...SORE BUT NOT PERMANENT. TWO CO-WORKERS HAD TO HELP ME RAISE IT UP ENOUGH TO LOCK IT IN PLACE. DEALER REPAIRED FOR $65 PARTS IN $170 LABOR. DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AND THE SHIFTER LEVEL BROKE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,650.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER SO THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE THROTTLE BODY DID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME; THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE THROTTLE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,830 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,839.

FORD EXPLORER 2004 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE - PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH ONLY 56,497 MILES ON VEHICLE. DRIVEN NORMALLY WITH NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. NO RECALLS OR CLASS ACTIONS AT THIS TIME ACCORDING TO FORD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM POSTED ON LEGITIMATE INTERNET SITES. COST OF REPAIR $2800.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVERY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PERFORM THE TEST AND REPAIR A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND HER INFORMATION ON HOW TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS; HOWEVER, SHE HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,078.

DEFROSTER HEAT CONTROL FAILED, COULDN'T SEE THROUGH WINDSHIELD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89000. UPDATED 01/03/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS FRACTURED DOWN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE BELIEVED THE INTEGRITY OF THE REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. UPDATED 12/29/10

IN JULY 2010, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL PORTION OF THE BACK WINDOW HATCH OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER, WHO MORE OR LESS SAID WELCOME TO THE CLUB, AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE BODY SHOP. THE COST OF $500-600 WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME AND THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD MOTOR CO., I THOUGHT I COULD EXPECT MORE FROM A LOCAL MANUFACTURER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN PRODUCT TESTS AND/OR TRIALS. WHY DIDN'T FORD KNOW THAT THE MATERIAL THEY USED WAS NOT CAPABLE OF STANDING UP TO THE USE IN THE AREA THEY PLACED IT? *TR

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. ASIDE FROM BEING UNSIGHTLY, I'M AFRAID THAT THIS CRACK WILL WEAKEN THE PANEL WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO KEEPING THE REAR WINDSHIELD SEATED PROPERLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, DIAGNOSED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ENGINES TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT 1644590504, BUT DIDN'T OFFER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE MOTOR WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

PANEL BENEATH REAR GLASS CRACKS ON FORD EXPLORERS. SEVERAL REPORTS OF SAME OCCURRENCE ON INTERNET AND 3 (INCLUDING MYSELF) WHERE I WORK. ALMOST ALL SAME DESCRIPTION, "PANEL BREAKS NEAR FORD EMBLEM". *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD LOW PITCH GRINDING NOISE COMING UNDERNEATH THE REAR WHEELS. A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE STATED THAT SHE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,664.

CRACKED REAR PANEL IN TAILGATE BELOW WINDOW. *TR

1. PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW CRACKED NOV 2009; CRACK IS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM AND IS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE; WE DID NOT REPAIR IT. 2. THIS MORNING TAILGATE GLASS BLEW OUT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS NEAR IT WHEN IT HAPPENED AS GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 24 HRS. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER, WAS EASTBOUND WHEN THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER HE WAS PULLING BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST. THE TRAILER TRAVELED ACROSS ALL THREE LANES STRIKING THE CENTER WALL AND OVERTURNING. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0447-90)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PANEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PANEL WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,990. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER . WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO GET THE BATTERY JUMPED IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THERE WAS A WRENCH SYMBOL THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

CRACKED REAR PANEL ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. DROVE IT THROUGH A CAR WASH AND IT SHATTERED. IT CAN FLY OFF AND HIT SOMEONE. *TR

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH FORD EXPLORERS ESPECIALLY FROM THE YEAR 2000 TO 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN FEW THOUSAND COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET AND HEARD AND ALSO EXPERIENCE MYSELF ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AN THESE VEHICLES AND ITS RIDICULOUS. THE TRANSMISSION BANGS INTO GEARS LIKE SOMETHING IS FALLING UNDERNEATH BOGS DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS. HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND JUST PLAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH ITS HAPPENING BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVEN GETS TO 60K. I KNOW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE 100K SO CONSUMERS PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON HERE BECAUSE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. THANKS *TR

VEHICLES EXHIBIT AN AXLE WHINE OR HUM DURING ACCELERATION, DECELERATION AND/OR CRUISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TO ATTEMPT A LEFT TURN. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT END DAMAGES AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL, AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE WHEEL LUG BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE LUG BOLTS WERE REPLACED ON THE FOUR WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE TO FAIL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED ALL COMPONENTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE 'MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,350 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,470.

DEFECTIVE REAR WINDOW HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I RARELY USE THE WINDOW HATCH AND TODAY I AM SORRY I DID. WHILE OPENING THE REAR WINDOW IT FELL ON TO MY HEAD. THE BRACKETS ON THE WINDOW BROKE. I AM WAITING FOR MY MECH. TO HELP ME REMOVE THE WINDOW SO I CAN BRING IT INTO TO GET REPAIRED. I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME THING. SO WHY NOT THE 2004, IT IS THE SAME HINGE. *TR

AT 25526 MILES TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DELAY IN SHIFTING. DEALER FLUSHED WITH BG CONDITIONER. AT 26073 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER FOR CLUNKING ON SHIFTING, DEALER REMOVED PAN FOUND DEBRIS, OVERHAULED VALVE BODY AND REPLACED SOLENOID PACK. CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 63323 MILES ON 04 FORD EXPLORER, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION FOR THE COST OF $3527.60 OUT OF OUR POCKET, NO WARRANTIES HONORED. *TR

SUN VISOR ANCHOR BASED OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED AND FELL OUT, CAUSING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL ON FACE, AND MAKING VISOR FALL IN FRONT OF LINE OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY . USING SUN VISOR IS NOW NOT POSSIBLE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND THEN THERE WAS A HARSH BANG WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS NOT LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FACTORY PUT IN THE WRONG FLUID. HOWEVER, TWO YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A WEEKS, BUT SOON RETURNED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW AND THE HINGES FRACTURED CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER OVER HER HEAD. SHE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

I DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER LAST NIGHT WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT TO THIS AREA OF THE VEHICLE SO I HAD NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM. I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATOR TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. IT WAS APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK WITH FORD. I STOPPED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS OUT TO LUNCH. THE SALESMAN I TALKED TO SAID HE SAW THE PROBLEM A NUMBER OF TIME WHEN HE WORKED AT THE LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER. WAITING FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER TO CALL ME. *TR

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN AND NOISY AT LESS THAN 74,000 MILES. THESE BEARINGS SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. $800.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE. *TR

TAILGATE/DOOR WITH GLASS CRACKED AND BROKE. FIBERGLASS WAS MADE FAR TOO WEAK AND CRACKED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. FOLLOWING REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE REAR CASSETTE FRACTURING AND CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM THE VEHICLE LOGO TOWARD THE REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK WAS BARELY VISIBLE YET IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK WOULD EXPAND. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 78,500.

2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORE DIES ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE DIED LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE LANE AND GOT OFF TO THE SHOULDER SO WE WEREN'T STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE PUMP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW LOCATED ON THE LIFT GATE. THE WINDOW WAS OPEN FOR A FEW MOMENTS UNTIL ONE OF THE TWO HINGES BROKE RESULTING IN THE WINDOW HANGING BY ONE HINGE. UPON EXAMINING THE BROKEN HINGE SHE NOTICED THAT THE SCREW HOLDING THE HINGE IN PLACE ALSO BROKE IN HALF. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WOULD LUNGE FORWARD BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL BENEATH MY REAR WINDOW IN MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO GET LARGER SINCE I NOTICED IT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER AND I LIFTED THE GLASS HATCH TODAY AND IT BROKE AND BEGAN TO FALL ON MY HEAD, LUCKILY I REACTED AND GRABBED IT BEFORE IT KNOCKED ME OUT. I HAD TO GET HELP BECAUSE IT WAS TO HEAVY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A BAD BACK, HAD SURGERY AND WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO RE DAMAGE. I HAD TO HAVE MY HUSBAND COME UP THERE WHILE WE HELD IT BECAUSE STRUTS WOULD NOT FOLD IT IN. TOOK IT TO FORD AND AM BEING CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO DIAGNOSIS IT I AM NOT SURE THAT IS NEEDED, AND PARTS ARE GOING TO BE $155, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WINDOW IF IT BREAKS! PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THEY SAID THEY WILL ORDER. I HAVE NO CAR, NO WARRANTY, AND A SORE BACK FROM ANOTHER PROBLEM FORD IS AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THANK GOD IT DID NOT HIT MY 11 YEAR OLD IN THE HEAD OR NECK THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS EVEN DEADLY. *TR

HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER I BOUGHT NEW. IT NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 95250 MILES. AFTER WASHING CAR 2-5-10, A MILD DAY HERE IN CT THOUGH WINTERTIME, I NOTICED TRIM PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW SHOWED VERTICAL CRACK MOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CRACK HAD MIGRATED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO BOTTOM OF PANEL. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLINE 2-17-10 ASKING IF THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AS HAD READ OTHERS HAD IT HAPPEN TO THEM AS WELL ON VARIOUS AUTOMOBILE WEBSITES LIKE EDMUNDS. UNDERSTOOD BEFORE WRITING IT WAS NOT A RECALL AT THAT TIME. GOT A POLITE RESPONSE 2-18-10 THAT THOUGH SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, I SHOULD BRING IT TO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT SUCH A TRIP. HOWEVER, I AM NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW HOW SEEMS TO RATTLE WHEN CLOSING IF ONLY THE WINDOW PORTION IS OPENED RATHER THAN THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR. I REALLY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THE WINDOW IS NOT IN JEOPARDY OF SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS OF THIS VINTAGE HAVE IN FACT REGISTERED COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA AS I AM DOING TONIGHT. WILL FORD BE ASKED TO MAKE REPAIRS TO OWNER'S VEHICLES FOR THIS DEFECT? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS WERE FRACTURED. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE VISORS AT HER EXPENSE. THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS NEVER REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,607.

REAR PANEL ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACKED. THIS HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY OF 2009. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THIS DUE TO THE COST. THIS IS A DEFECT COMMON TO THIS MODEL AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD. THIS COULD CAUSE SHATTERING OF GLASS WINDOW IF IT BECOMES LOOSE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION CLUNKING AND SHIFTING ROUGHLY, TAKING LONG TIME TO ENGAGE CAUSE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK, DOES NOT SEEM TO ENGAGE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO WHINES SO LOUD FOLKS IN BACK SEAT CAN'T HEAR FRONT SEAT PEOPLE TALKING. APPEARS EACH TIME DRIVEN. WAS THAT WAY WHEN PURCHASED NEW AND DEALER FIXED IT, NOW ONCE AGAIN SAME ISSUE. *TR

DEFECT IN HATCH AREA OF FORD EXPLORER CAUSING A CRACK NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 60K MILES. CALLED FORD DEALER WHO SAID NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR HATCH WINDOW HAS CRACKED AND KEEPS GETTING WIDER. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE GLASS FELL OFF AFTER UPPER LEFT HAND HINGE SNAPPED. SECONDARY FAILURE OF LEFT HAND GAS SHOCK SHEARING NEAR MOUNTING BOSS ON GATE. *TR 1) THE GLASS LIFT GATE WAS GETTING HARDER TO CLOSE. I BELIEVE CORROSION LOOSENED THE HINGE JOINT TO THE GLASS. 2) THE FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE BACK GATE CAME CRASHING DOWN AND THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CAME FLYING UP. 3) SHORT TERM FIX - VISQUEEN AND DUCT TAPE. LONG TERM FIX - WILL BE TO DISASSEMBLE AND REPLACE THE HINGE/SHOCK ASSEMBLY.

CLOSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE ON A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, THE HINGE PIN PULLED THROUGH THE HINGE STRUCTURE CAUSING THE GLASS TO DROP. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CATCH THE GLASS HAND WAS PINNED, BUT NO INJURY WAS SUFFERED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACK BACK TRUNK LIFT. *TR