2004 Ford Explorer complaints

DEFECTIVE CLIP/HINGE IN SUNVISOR ASSEMBLY OF 2004 FORD EXPLORERS, BREAKS AND CRACKS WITH NORMAL USE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT BREAKS TO A CERTAIN POINT THE SUNVISOR WILL HANG IN DRIVERS VIEW AND IMPEDE VISION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SUPPORTS_FOR_SUN_VISORS_CRACKED.SHTML TO BEGIN YOUR INVESTIGATION. LUCKILY OURS CAME APART WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, BUT SOMEONE USING THE VISOR TO INCREASE VISIBILITY MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. *TR

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO FEEL TWO THINGS, A HESITATION IN THE GEARS AS THEY SHIFT FROM ONE TO THE NEXT, AND THE MORE PRESSING ISSUE, A STALL FOLLOWED BY A JERK WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT IN THREE TIMES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND WAS A HESITATION IN THE GAS RELAYING THE INFORMATION TO THE "COMPUTER". THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT AND I ONCE AGAIN TOOK IT BACK FOR THESE SAME ISSUES ONLY THIS TIME THEY DID FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT AND I AM STUCK FOOTING THE BILL ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE ALSO READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON THIS SITE AND ON FORDS WEBSITE AND AM WONDERING... WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IT IS APPARENT THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT IT IS STILL AN ISSUE!!! IF FORD ISN'T GOING TO BE A RESPECTABLE COMPANY AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN, THEN WHY HASN'T AN INVESTIGATION STARTED TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, IT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T A FLUKE PROBLEM AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR

BOUGHT 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008, NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS HARD TO PUT INTO GEARS BUT WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL FOR FORDS. OVER THE NEXT YEAR STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN YOU PUT ON THE BRAKE IT FELT LIKE THE REAR END WAS FALLING OUT, AGAIN TOLD THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF A FORD. JUST THIS PAST WEEK HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT WITHOUT A BIG JOLT AND THE O/D LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING. AUTOZONE CHECKED FOR CODES AND SAID IT WAS P90775, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY WANT 2000-3000 DOLLARS TO BUILD NEW TRANS. BUT SAID THIS IS ONCE AGAIN TYPICAL OF A FORD. REALLY!!! IF FORD KNOWS THIS WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING THE VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION GUY SAID ALL THE PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN EXACTLY WHAT HE HEARS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. HELP!!! MY HUSBAND IS RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHECK FLUIDS ON OUR CARS, CHANGING THEM ECT....FIRST THING HE NOTICED WAS THERE IS NO DIPSTICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT? HIDING SOMETHING? *TR

WHILE LEAVING FOR WORK, SHIFTED COLUMN GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND IT SNAPPED OFF AT BASE. NO FORCE USED OTHER THAN NORMAL. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS EXPERIENCED TWO OVERHEATING INCIDENTS, THE SECOND RESULTED IN REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK THERMOSTAT AND THE SECOND BY A LEAKING HOSE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE ENGINE. IN BOTH INCIDENTS WHEN THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING ACTIVATED, THE TEMPERATURE WAS BURIED IN THE HOT END OF THE GAUGE. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, I IMMEDIATELY DECELERATED AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD BUT IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY RUINED. AN ARTICLE IN THE APRIL 2010 ISSUE OF DESIGN NEWS (MADE BY MONKEYS, PG 10) ABOUT A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH A MAZDA LED ME TO BELIEVE MINE WAS NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE BUT A RESULT OF INCREASED USE OF ALUMINUM AND BETTER COOLING SYSTEMS. IN THE MAZDA INCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND WAS SAVED FROM A SECOND REPLACEMENT ONLY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS LOOKING AT THE GAUGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY PEGGED INTO THE HOT END. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IN NO WARNING OF LOW COOLANT UNTIL THE LEVEL DROPS BELOW THE WATER PUMP WHICH RESULTS IN A SUDDEN AND OFTEN CATASTROPHIC RISE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE EXPLORER IS THE MOST HEAVILY INSTRUMENTED AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER OWNED YET THE COOLING SYSTEM WARNING IS STUCK IN 60S WHEN CARS HAD CAST IRON BLOCKS, OVERHEATED GRADUALLY AND WERE FORGIVING OF OVERTEMPS. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER V6 TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2004, NOTICED AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD DELAY A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND THEN SPEED INTO REVERSE OR SHIFT HARD, THAT WAS AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES.CAR AT TIMES WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, HAD THE TRANSMISSION IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. SHIFTED OKAY FOR AWHILE AND GOES BACK TO SHIFTING HARD AGAIN AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES OR UPON STARTING MY CAR WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND JUMP FORWARD OUT OF GEAR. GOOD THING NO OTHER CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILDREN NEAR THE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLES SCARES ME AND BEING IN THE MILITARY WITH A LIMITED BUDGET WE CANNOT JUST BUY ANOTHER CAR SO EASILY AND SO WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DEATHLY AFRAID. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE RIGHT, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR COMING OUT OF GEAR INVOLUNTARILY. ALSO CAR IS STARTING TO DELAY WHEN AT A STOPPED POSITION TO START DRIVING THE CAR HESITATES TO GO INTO GEAR. DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED BY AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER ERROR???? I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT GET DRIVEN AROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I AM NOW WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR MY WIFE. THIS IS STILL GOING ON AND GETTING WORSE. HERE IT IS JUNE 2010 AND FORD IS GETTING AWAY WITH RIPPING OFF CUSTOMERS

SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK . EXPLORER HAS ONLY 50K MILES. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION ! 3000.00 REBUILD OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING , INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON , WINDOWS DON'T GO DOWN, DOOR OPEN LIGHTS ON DASH ARE ON .. SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS I BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET ! FORD HAD TO HAVE SOME FAULT IN ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ???? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL WAS CRACKED BELOW THE GLASS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS KNOWN BUT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,373.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO ADVISED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 08/27/10. *LJ

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON HATCHBACK, THE WINDOW HINGES BROKE. *TR

LETTER TO THE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FROM SENATOR BURR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT CONCERNING A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE REAR WINDOW OF HER 2004 FORD EXPLORER *TGW

ON FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010 MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE ON OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED IN HIS HANDS. IT DID NOT SHATTER BECAUSE HE WAS HOLDING ONTO IT. UPON INSPECTION, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT HINGE THAT CONNECTS THE LIFTGATE TO THE VEHICLE HAD SNAPPED. THE LIFTGATE IS CURRENTLY HANGING ON THE RIGHT HINGE AS WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AT THIS TIME TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME PART WAS OPENED IN JUNE 23, 2004 AND CLOSED ON OCTOBER 24, 2008. ALTHOUGH ON PAGE 12 OF THE RESPONSE TO NHTSA FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADMITS THAT THIS FAILURE IS CAUSED BY "THE USE OF NON-OPTIMAL COATING ON THE STEEL PIN THAT JOINS THE TWO ZINC DIE-CAST SECTIONS OF THE HINGE", THE COMPANY ASSUMES NO FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN COVERING THE REPAIRS BECAUSE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I URGE YOU TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY CAN REPORT THEM TO THIS AGENCY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DECELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,820.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PLASTIC LINING UNDER THE TAILGATE WINDOW WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE WITHOUT A RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY YEAR AND MODEL OF HIS VEHICLE THAT HE HAS OBSERVED EXHIBITS THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 52,000. UPDATED 07/23/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE BRAKING FROM SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,505.

REAR WINDOW HINGES ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE. *TR

THE REAR HATCH PANEL ON MY FORD 2004 EXPLORER CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER HE SAID IT IS A COMMON DEFECT. WHEN I ASKED HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR HE QUOTED ME $650.00 I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF THIS MODEL IN MY DAILY DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN AZ. WHY HASN'T FORD MADE A REPLACEMENT FOR ALL OF US WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IRRITATES ME THAT THEY SAY QUALITY IS NUMBER ONE BUT WON'T OWN UP TO A DEFECT THAT IS REPLETE IN EMAILS ON LINE? *TR

I HAVE A BAD TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTS TERRIBLY INTO THE UPPER GEARS AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE, IT OFTEN HESITATES AND THEN WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT SOUNDS LIFE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE WITH A LOUD CLANK AND BIG JOLT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE, 2004, AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE REAR. THE CRASH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

GEAR SHIFTER FELL INTO MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2004 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED BUT NOT IN PARK. IT IS ONLY BEING HELD STILL BY PARKING BRAKE AS IT IS STUCK IN BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. THERE WERE ZERO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY BUT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES HAD I BEEN PARKED ON A HILL OR HAD THE SHIFTER BROKE WHILE IN GEAR WHERE IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AS OF YET IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY, BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS AS IF ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I AM TO SPEND ANY WHERE FROM $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH A BRAND NEW DEFECTIVE PART TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2/2007. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, 'O/D OFF' LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND/OR VEHICLE SHUTS OFF; THE REMEDY: HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPAIRED. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN 3 YEARS. SAW ON A 6PAGE FORUM OF OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION IS COSTLY AND ITS NOT ONE REPAIR IT'S MULTIPLE OVER THE LIFE OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR HATCH CRACKED ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS FITTING UNDER THE WINDOW NEXT TO THE TAILGATE BEGAN CRACKING AND WAS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE OWNER HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NOTICED THE LIFT GATE HINGE OF OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACKED. WE'VE NOW REMOVED THE GLASS FROM THE LIFT GATE AND ARE TRYING TO FIND PARTS FOR IT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER, NOT KNOWING WHEN THE GLASS CAN CRACK/SHATTER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE PART. *TR

REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE-I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. MAYBE IT WAS NOT THE TIRES CAUSING ALL THE CRASHES BUT THE BAD REAR ENDS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF. REAR WHINING NOISE AND GRINDING FROM ALL SUV MODELS. *TR

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SINCE DECEMBER 2004 WHEN MY DAUGHTER LEFT IT FOR ME WHEN SHE MOVED. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES. SHE HAD NOTICED A HARD SHIFT, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE AND A ROUGH IDLE AND VIBRATION, BUT HAD NOT HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. EXCEPT FOR WHEN I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN, I HAVE SERVICED THAT CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP RELIGIOUSLY. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BUT NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND. I WAS NOT EVEN TOLD ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE READ ABOUT ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH SEEM TO INDICATE THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CAUSES. FINALLY, AT JUST UNDER 36,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW, 47,000 MILES LATER, THIS NEW TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT TO SEE WHERE IT'S LEAKING FROM. I READ HERE ABOUT THAT PROBLEM, TOO. TO ME, IT IS CLEAR THAT FORD IS USING MICKEY MOUSE TRANSMISSIONS WHICH, OF COURSE, POSE A SAFETY HAZARD DEPENDING ON WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW THE FAILURE MANIFESTS ITSELF, AND IS ALSO AN AFFRONT TO THE CONSUMER WHO IS BEING DEFRAUDED BY BEING SOLD A FAR MORE INFERIOR VEHICLE THAN THE ONE FOR WHICH THEY BARGAINED. SO, HOW'S YOUR INVESTIGATION GOING? *TR

THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE BACK WIDOW CRACKED AND FORD WAS CONTACTED TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS WERE IN PLACE FOR THAT PART. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THAT ISSUE. MY HUSBAND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND WENT OVER A BUMP. BECAUSE THE GLASS RUNS UNDER THE PANEL, IT GOT STRESSED AND BUSTED. WE HAVE REPLACED THE PART WITH ANOTHER FORD BACK HATCH. *TR

REAR RH HINGE FAILED ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN WIFE WAS CLOSING GLASS HATCH, SHE WAS VERY LUCKY SHE DID NOT GET HURT, BECAUSE IT PUT TO MUCH STRAIN ON LH HINGE, DAMAGING IT ALMOST TO POINT OF FAILURE ALSO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE SITTING IDLE, THE CONTACT PRESSED THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON AND THE HINGE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,800. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/07/10.*JB

WHEN I SHIFT FROM DRIVE OR NEUTRAL INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A LONG HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR THEN LEAPS BACKWARD HARD. DELAY THEN HARD REVERSE. WHEN I AM PARALLEL PARKING, I HAVE SOMETIMES HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME HARD BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXTENTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2004. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AT LEAST TEN TIMES WHEN IT WAS NEW. THEY MADE MANY CHANGES, INCLUDING AN ENTIRELY NEW "BOX" OF A SORT I DON'T RECALL, ALL TO NO AVAIL, FINALLY TELLING ME THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY INSTALLING THE WRONG TRANS FLUID AT MANUFACTURING. RECALL NECESSARY. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER FACTORY INSTALLED CHROME WHEELS THIS IS THE SECOND SET - I PAID $1600 TO REPLACE FIRST SET HAVE SEVERE PEELING, CRACKING AND FLAKING AROUND LUG NUTS INCLUDING INSIDE, OUTSIDE AND TOP OF RIMS ON WHEELS. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES CRACKING, PEELING AND FLAKING OF WHEEL MATERIALS COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF WHEEL AND /OR TIRE SEAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. FORD SERVICE TECH STATED THE ALL WHEELS MUST BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

THE HATCHBACK HINGE ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE YESTERDAY, LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT HIT MY 4 YEAR OLD IN THE HEAD. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I OWNED BEFORE, BUT THAT WAS RECALLED AND FORD FIXED IT. THIS MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. IT COULD HAVE EASILY HIT SOMEONE AND HURT THEM, OR FALLEN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY SUDDENLY KICKED BACK. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED REAR PANEL.

GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BROKE OFF WHEN TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK, ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. CHECKING THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROBLEM I SEE IT HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH FORD EXPLORERS, NO HELP THROUGH FORD, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

2004 FORD EXPLORER V8 120000 MILES DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 45MPH NO WARNING OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON & LOST ALL GEARS. PULLED OVER TURNED CAR OFF RESTARTED IT DROVE 5 FEET SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP THE PULLED CODES & SAID THE SOLINOID PACK INTERNALLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID THAT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. NOW LOOKS LIKE NEEDS A TRANI. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRENTY BUT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE IT. NOW ITS NOT UNDER WARRENTY & FORD WONT TAKE CARE OF IT.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATE WHEN GOING INTO GEAR THEN SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING,FORD IS WELL AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIRS. HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS AND ITS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. PREVIOUS MODELS (2002) WERE RECALLED FOR THE ABS LIGHT AND SPEED CONTROL ISSUE (09S09). I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 EXPLORER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, IT IS OK FOR A WHILE THEN THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP AGAIN. COULD THIS BE A FIRE PROBLEM? *TR

TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. DELAYED RESPONSE AND HARSH SHIFT IN GEARS. FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA, THERE IS A DELAY AND HARSH ENGAGEMENT. AT FIRST THE INCIDENTS WERE BARELY NOTICEABLE AND LESS FREQUENT. NOW THEY ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND MORE PRONOUNCED. FEARFUL OF COMPLETE FAILURE WHILST ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY/STREET. OFTEN TIMES THERE IS A DELAY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WHEN REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, ETC. *TR

VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH 78,375 MILES - IT WAS PREVIOUSLY A US GOV.'T VEHICLE. REAR-END NOISE NOTICED AND SELLER HAD FORD REPAIR AT A COST OF $1,387.50 - VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 12,000 MILES AND BEGAN MAKING SAME NOISE IN REAR-END. DUE TO DISTANCE TO FORD DEALER, VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SERVICE. DIAGNOSIS- REAR SEAL FAILED CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO ALL REAR-END PARTS. REPAIRS INCLUDED RING & PINION GEARS AND DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS AT A COST OF $1,429.54 WHEN CONTACTED, FORD STATED THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS WITHIN THE 12,000 MILE, 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD, THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COSTS BECAUSE THE SERVICE WAS NOT DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON JULY 3, 2006 WITH 53823 MILES. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AS REQUIRED AND LOW AND BEHOLD, TO MY RECOLLECTION, AROUND 2008-2009 IT STARTED DRIVING A LITTLE STRANGE, IT STARTED VIBRATING HESITATING. THEN DURING THE BEGINNING OF 2009, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, GEARS STARTED STICKING, HARD TO BRAKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IA A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS NOT ALONE WITH THE PROBLEM. A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS NECESSARY AT A PRICE OF $3-4,000. IF YOU WOULD GO ON THE WEB SITE AT AUTOBEEF. COM, YOU WILL SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS CONSUMERS ARE HAVING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM URGING YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL ALL EXPLORERS. I STILL OWE $9000 ON THIS CAR AND CAN NOT DRIVE IT. I BAILED THEM OUT AND THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED CONSUMER. THANK YOU. *TR

I AM SO ANGRY., I OWN A 2003 AND A 2004 EXPLORER. THE 2004 HAS A CRACK THAT SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL. FORD KNOWS THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT AND TALK CONDESCENDINGLY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THE PHONE IF YOU TRY TO DISCUSS IT WITH THEM. THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING BUT READING A RESPONSE FROM A CARD, THEY ARE UNABLE TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF CONVERSATION OTHER THAN READING THEIR CANNED RESPONSE. THIS IS THE LAST TIME THAT I WILL BUY A FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-65 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WOBBLED AND MADE A ROARING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE MORE THAN 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WHEEL BEARING; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

FRONT BUSHINGS BROKEN ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER - BOTH SIDES. SERVICE REP SAYS THAT THE WHEEL COULD POP OFF AND CREATE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

ON 1-17-2010 @ APPROX 5:30 AM I WAS ENROUTE TO WORK, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY, I HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE ROAD, HYDROPLANED AND HIT HEAD-ON WITH A LARGE TREE. MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER RECEIVED OVER 12000.00 IN DAMAGES AND WAS TOTALED. I RECEIVED CHEST/BREAST INJURIES. NO AIR BAGS EVER DEPLOYED. I CONTACTED FORD MOTORS WHO STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND TO ME WITHIN 15 DAYS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. LARGE CRACK IN HATCH BACK BETWEEN GLASS AND HANDLE (AROUND THE FORD LOGO). THIS OCCURRED WITH NORMAL VEHICLE USE AND DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. CRACK CONTINUES TO EXPAND. AFRAID THAT IF CRACK IS LEFT UNFIXED IT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE BACK GLASS TO FALL OUT OF THE HATCH DUE TO LACK OF PROPER SUPPORT. *TR