2004 Ford Explorer complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT HESITATES DURING ACCELERATION. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND MAY APPEAR ABNORMAL SINCE IT HAS A V8 ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT ACCELERATING AT ALL. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH OCCURRING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS A CRACK IN THE TAILGATE/BACK HATCH. IT STARTS UNDER THE WINDOW SEAL AND CONTINUES DOWN TO THE HATCH LEVER. I'M AFRAID THE GLASS WILL BECOME COMPROMISED DUE TO THE DEFECT IN CRAFTMANSHIP. I WAS ON ANOTHER FORUM WHERE 387 COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR POOR CRAFTMANSHIP ISSUES. I FEEL AS IF FORD SHOULD RECTIFY THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY AT NO COST TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. *TR

EXPLORER JERKING AND BUCKING WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. PROBLEM EVENTUALLY WORSENED WITH BUCKING ONCE PUT INTO DRIVE. BOUGHT USED AT 31,000 MILES. SYMPTOM EVIDENCED AT JUST OVER 33,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT COST OF NEARLY $4,000. ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WITH FORD . RESPONSE- SYMPATHETIC BUT NOTHING THEY CAN DO? OR IS THERE? DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER ERROR. EITHER WAY ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. LAST FORD I WILL OWN. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER-SERIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH GEARS SLIPPING/FAILING. HUGE DELAY IN REVERSE THEN A LARGE JOLT BACK IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

2004/FORD EXPLORER FIRE WHILE PARKED IN PARKING DECK,THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNINGS ,OF ANY KIND. TRUCK WAS RUNNING WELL ,NO SERVICE LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. TRUCK ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. NEVER HAD ANY SINGS OR SYMPTOMS,THAT ANYTHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. FIRE DEPT. REPORT. ALSO VALET PARKING MANAGERS REPORT FROM 11/6/09.NOW TRUCK IS AT TOMS FORD ,HAZLET NJ. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG , THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS EVENT. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HWY WHEN THIS OCCURRED WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER 27 MTHS . PLEASE HELP! *TR

HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH BAD TRANSMISSION. DELAY IN SHIFTING IN REVERSE AND A JOLT INTO GEAR CAUSED BE TO SLAM INTO ITEMS IN MY GARAGE. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS HURT, IT CAN HAPPEN. FORD HAS KNOW OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS 2-3 GEARS SLIPPING WHICH CAN CAUSE A SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

1. THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE WERE NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE. 2. REAR LIFT-GATE HINGES ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT BEGAN FAILING WITH A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WINDOW BEGAN TO SAG AND OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS CRACKS APPEARED IN THE HINGE STRUCTURE. I HAVE PURCHASED NEW HINGES, BUT AT THIS TIME I STILL NEED TO INSTALL THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN HE ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING, IT DEACTIVATED ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING. HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RE-SET THE ERROR CODE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, AND MOSTLY ON THE INTERSTATE. ALSO WHEN HE WOULD TURN ON THE TURN SIGNALS, THE AUTOMATIC WARNING SYSTEM WOULD MAKE AN ALARM NOISE AND BLINK UNTIL THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD CUT OFF. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO LOSE FLUID, WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. HE HEARD A ROARING NOISE NEAR THE TIRE AREA. HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LASTLY, THE AESTHETIC PIECE ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE HATCH-BACK HAD CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW, THIS CRACK ONE DAY, NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE-WAY, SHE TURNED ON THE IGNITION, AND THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY FOR 50 FEET, WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A LARGE ROADWAY CURB, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT FIRE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE GLASS FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN IT. THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $500.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. HE HAS PICTURES OF MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME MODEL TYPE, INCLUDING HIS VEHICLE, WITH IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I TOOK MY CAR FOR A NEW SET OF TIRES AT AMERICA'S TIRE (DISCOUNT TIRE). AFTER CHANGING THE TIRE, ONE THE TECHNICAL NOTICED I HAVE A "LOOSE HUB ASSEMBLY" ON MY LEFT REAR WHEEL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD GET THAT FIXED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE WHEEL MAY COME OFF AT FREEWAY SPEED. I TOOK MY CARS IN TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY, AND HE JACKED UP MY CAR. THE MECHANIC PUT ONE OF HIS HAND AT 12 AND THE OTHER AT 6 O'CLOCK ON THE TIRE, AND ROCKS IT. THE TIRE WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH WHEN HE DID THAT, WHICH SUGGESTED A BAD WHEEL BEARING, OR POSSIBLE BAD HUB ASSEMBLY. AT THE END, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD A BAD WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WAS REPLACED FOR $400. USUALLY A HUB ASSEMBLY/WHEEL BEARING SHOULD STILL BE IN GOOD CONDITION AT 52,000 MILES. I GUESS BECAUSE IT'S A FORD. I HAVE MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK, THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION (CHANGED IT UNDER WARRANTY), THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 5,000 MILES. I'M NOT BUYING ANOTHER FORD. I THOUGHT AMERICAN CARS' QUALITY IS NOW COMPARABLE TO THE JAPANESE, UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE STILL LAGGING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BEARINGS AND NOW THE REAR BEARINGS ARE BAD AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITH MY VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO HAVE FORD RECALL THE EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE REAR BRAKES ALSO FAILED DURING BRAKE APPLICATION ON GRAVEL ROADS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BLOW IT REAR DRIVERS SIDE SPARK PLUG. THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED PLUGS WERE STILL INSTALLED. THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE STRIPED. THE REPAIR WAS THE INSTALLATION OF A HELI-COIL IN TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AT A COST OF $600. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER AWD HAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN REVERSE OR INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL OFTEN SHIFT INTO GEAR VERY HARD AND CAUSE THE CAR TO SUDDENLY MOVE BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS IN A VIOLENT MANNER. THE CAR WILL MOVE WHILE THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND I FEAR THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE WILL CAUSE SOME TYPE OF FAILURE IN THE FUTURE CAUSING THE CAR TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITH NO CONTROL. IT SHIFTS SO HARD FROM PARK INTO GEAR IT FEELS AS IF ANOTHER CAR HAS RAN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. I HAVE READ IDENTICAL REPORTS ONLINE FROM NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVING FORD EXPLORERS AROUND THIS MODEL YEAR TIMEFRAME. *TR

TIRE SIDEWALL CRACKING ON ALL 4 TIRES OF THE SAME TYPE, MFG., AND LOCATIONS. TREADWEAR 520, TRACTION A, TEMP B. NEXEN ROADIAN HT P235/70R16 104S M+S DOT 8EWL 2007 TIRES SPLITTING ON ALL 4 TIRES ON OUTSIDE ONLY. VISUALS OF WHITE UNDERLYING WHERE POOR VULCANIZATION AND SPLITS ARE OCCURRING. *TR

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR PIN IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. HEAT / DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. IN THE WINTERTIME THIS MAKES DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. *TR

FORD DESIGNED A PLASTIC PIECE OF MOLDING THAT IS GLUED TO THE BACK GLASS OF EVERY EXPLORER. THIS HAS CRACKED ON EVERY EXPLORER I HAVE SEEN. IT HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE BY FORD, BUT IT HAS BROKE AGAIN. I ASSUME THAT IF IT HAS BROKE EVERY TWO YEARS SO FAR, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW, REGULARLY SERVICED. ACCELERATING, THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT "THUNK" AS IT TRIED TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. RESTARTING THE CAR THE O/D LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTED NORMALLY EXCEPT OCCASIONALLY THE CAR SHIFTS ROUGH. THE FORD DEALER WANTS $1800 TO $4200 TO REPAIR. *TR

WHEN OPENING THE REAR HATCH OF MY 2004 EXPLORER THE HINGES FAILED. THE GLASS DOOR FELL AWAY FROM THE HINGES AND WAS BEING HELD ONLY BY THE HYDRAULIC ARMS. WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE GLASS WHICH I WAS HOLDING IN MY HANDS IT SHATTERED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS BUT NOT ON THE 2004S. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER (SOLENOID PACK) REPAIR 2ND TIME. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM !!! JERKS VERY HARD IN REVERSE , SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEARS, SOMETIMES SLIPS WHILE IN TRAFFIC !! I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS !! *TR

REAR PANEL OF THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACKED, WE ARE AFRAID TO OPEN AND CLOSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT AND POSSIBLE HURT SOME ONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE REAR GLASS. THE CRACK APPEARED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE WITH A DISCOUNT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY. THE UPPER PART OF THE GLASS IS MADE OF FIBER GLASS AND THE BOTTOM IS MADE OF METAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MATERIAL IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT FIBER GLASS WAS INCLUDED. THE COLD WEATHER COULD CAUSE THE CRACK IN THE WINDOW TO EXPAND. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76356. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRACK IS AT THE CENTER OF THE EMBLEM AS WELL AS IN THE FIBER GLASS PART, NOT THE GLASS. UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB

2004 FORD EXPLORER NBX. OWNER PUT CAR IN PARK AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF IN HAND. CAR TRANSMISSION STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE FIXED NUMEROUS EXPLORERS WITH SAME ISSUE IN THE RECENT PAST. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE MATERIAL USED (APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM) FOR THE "DONUT" SHAPED RING THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE UNWILLING HELP WITH EXPENSE ($1,500) OF FIXING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE CRACKED. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH ON MY MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF AND LEFT THE GLASS HATCH HANGING ON ONE HINGE ALMOST FALLING OFF, WHILE I WAS OPENING THE GLASS HATCH FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $415.01. NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CAR COST,TO REPAIR MY CAR. I LITERALLY OPEN THE HATCH DOOR AND IT FELL OFF. NO ONE SHOULD OPEN A CAR DOOR AND IT FALLS OFF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY CHILDREN OPENING THE DOOR AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BADLY BY THIS DEFECT IN THE CAR. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH, LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OR REPLACED. MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE OUT DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30-35MPH. THIS IS ALL AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY TOLD US NO PROBLEMS, OVERFILLED TRANS FLUID, AND ADDED THE RECALL ADDITIVE FROM FORD. MY WIFE REPORTED. WE INFORMED FORD MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT HARD SHIFTING OR SLIPPING FEELING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND VERY HARD AND LOUD ENGAGEMENTS INTO REVERSE. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM, I GUESS IT WILL JUST TAKE A TRAGIC EVENT TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM. *TR

MY 2004 EXPLORER DEVELOPED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE ATTACHED TO THE BACK GLASS. CRACK APPEARED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONCE THE CRACK APPEARED IT EVENTUALLY STARTED TO MOVE DOWN THE PLASTIC PIECE, WAS VISIBLE ON MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY BACK GLASS SHATTERED AND THE PLASTIC TAILGATE PIECE UNATTACHED ITSELF AT THE SIDES FROM THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS. COULD HAVE AFFECTED OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME. I ALSO HAVE A 3RD ROW SEAT IN VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT IN USE AT THE TIME OR THEY COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BE DEBRIS AS WELL. *TR

THE REAR LIFT GLASS HINGES ON OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE DURING USE OF THE LIFT GLASS. THE PIN BROKE RIGHT THROUGH THE HINGE. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE WITH ONLY MINIMAL USE OF THE ACTUAL LIFT GLASS. WE ARE NOW SEARCHING JUNK YARDS FOR REPLACEMENT HINGES BUT ASSUME THESE WILL ALSO BE BAD. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN KILLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP, SLOWING DOWN AND WHEN I AM DRIVING AT SPEEDS UP TO 40MPH. MY POWER STEERING THEN GOES. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS OCCURRING DAILY AND I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK, REMOVE THE KEY AND THEN RESTART. WHEN I DO THAT, IT RUNS LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ECT... I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS FROM DAY ONE. AT FIRST I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT DOES NOT FAIL WHEN I BRING IT IN IT WILL BE HARD TO SAY WHAT IT IS. THEN I CALLED BACK BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN THURS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT ALL DAY AND SAID IT WAS READY TO GO. I DROVE 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRUCK KILLED. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THEM BACK TO LET THEM KNOW. I WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK NEXT WEEK. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS FAILURE AND I FEEL THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE FORD. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER, REAR LIFT HATCH FAILURE. THE HINGE SIMPLY BROKE WHILE THE HATCH WAS BEING CLOSED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS ISSUES. THE PART WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED AT FORD IN ANNAPOLIS, MD FOR $150.00. I NOTE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS FOR PRIOR YEARS AND INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE 2004 MODEL. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 49,000 MILES. HOWLING NOISE FROM REAR. TOOK IT TO FORD; THEY REBUILT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT A COST OF $1600.00. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT FORD FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE HAD TO HAVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. IN LOOKING AT SERVICE BULLETINS; THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR

ABRUPT SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIR. SOLENOID WAS REPLACED TWICE, TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE, THEN TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH. UNINTENDED SHIFTING BY TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN VEHICLE TO SWERVE AT 50 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. OCCURS DAILY ON HIGHWAY AFTER LETTING OFF ACCELERATOR AND COASTING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IT UNWARRANTLY STALLED. SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. SHE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.HOWEVER HE SPECULATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE,BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY '04 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTS INCREDIBLY HARD, WILL STALL IN MID SHIFT, AND CAN SLIP INTO REVERSE FROM PARK AT ANYTIME. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS IN THE 2002-2005 YEARS IN WHICH FORD/MERCURY PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS AND THEY ARE JUNK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY FORD BEING THEY'VE FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THEIR 2006 MODELS. THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR

I AM HANDICAPPED AND LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE BILL I HAD TO PAY. I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A USED 04 EXPLORER, THEY ARE QUITE HIGH SO I GOT THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. THE REAR AXLE HAS WHINED EVER SINCE I GOT IT. WHEN IT WAS DROWNING OUT THE RADIO AND FINALLY STARTED LEAKING THE DEALER, DON JENKINS FORD FINALLY AGREED TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS REDUCED TO LAYING ON THE FLOOR WHILE I WAITED BECAUSE IF I BROUGHT MY WHEELCHAIR I WOULD HAVE NO WAY TO GET IT HOME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION UNDER THE WARRANTY COMPANY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT, THE CAR ONLY HAS 65K MILES. THE PARKING BRAKE FELL APART WHEN THEY REMOVED THE AXLES BUT THEY COULDN'T GET THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR ANOTHER FACTORY DEFECT SO I HAD TO GIVE THEM ALMOST $400 TO GET MY CAR BACK. IT WAS OKAY FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR SHODDY PARTS AND QUESTIONABLE WORKMANSHIP BUT NOT FORD. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THIS MODERN MORALITY, IN MY DAY THEY CALLED THESE PEOPLE BY THEIR PROPER NAME, THIEVES. NO WONDER THE CAR COMPANIES ARE IN TROUBLE, CARS COST ALMOST ONE THIRD THE PRICE OF A STARTER HOME AND ARE MADE WITH SECOND RATE CHINESE PARTS JUST TO SUPPORT THE UNIONS. IT WILL BE A COLD DAY IN '!@#$% AND THE DEVIL WILL COME UPSTAIRS SELLING SNOWCONES BEFORE I WILL BUY ANOTHER CAR MADE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. *TR

THERE IS NO FAILURE YET FOR OUR VEHICLE BUT THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE THAT HAS. DO A INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER COMPLAINTS AND SEE FOR YOURSELF THE COMPLAINTS FOR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE KILLED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FORD EXPLORER 2004... THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY EXPLORER, 3 OF THE 4 GEARS WERE GONE!.... THIS COST $7,000 TO BE REPLACED... I BELIEVE THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AT THIS COST. NOT TO MENTION I WORKED WITH A GUY WHO HAD AN EXPLORER AND A MOUNTAINEER AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON BOTH OF THOSE VEHICLES.. THEY WERE AN 02 AND 04. THEN THIS PAST WEEK I HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES DONE. AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID I NEEDED A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS DONE... BUT I TOLD THEM I HAD ALREADY SPENT $8,000 (ALL BALL BEARINGS REPLACED $1000 + 7000 FOR TRANSMISSION)ON THE VEHICLE RECENTLY AND CAN'T GET IT DONE RIGHT NOW. AND THEY ASKED IF THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION... I SAID, "YES WHY", THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD 5 EXPLORERS FROM THE AROUND THE SAME AGE AS MINE THAT HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURES. NOW THAT'S A TOTAL OF 8 EXPLORERS IN MY AREA AND I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS FROM OTHER PEOPLE. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS AND OFFER SOME DISCOUNT ON A FIX FOR THIS OR HAVE ALL THE EXPLORERS FROM THIS TIME PERIOD RECALLED. I BOUGHT A NEW TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH IS WAS $4000 MORE THAN A REBUILT ONE, BECAUSE IT CAME WITH A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY.... I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION MADE INTO FORD'S EXPLORER SO, THAT PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS CAN BE RECTIFIED. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER - EDDIE BAUER. IN MAY OF 2009 THE PAINT BEGAN TO BUBBLE IN PLACES ALONG THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THESE SPOTS BECAME LARGER AND EVENTUALLY THE PAINT CHIPPED OFF, REVEALING A CORRODED BARE ALUMINUM SURFACE. THE HOOD IS NOT METAL, THEREFORE IT CAN NOT RUST. IT MUST BE A PAINT DEFECT. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 30JUN08, IN MARCH 2009, IN LESS THAN A YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE/ENGINE CONTROL, THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR AT THE WILLOWBROOK FORD DEALERSHIP. I PAID A TOTAL OF 2033.60 IN REPAIRS. WHEN I GOT HOME LAST FRIDAY NIGHT AND WAS PARKING MY CAR, AS I WENT INTO REVERSE I FELT A JOLT IN SHIFTING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY DRIVING TO WORK AGAIN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING. THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 40MPH. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AGAIN I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH BUT NOW ITS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND O/D LIGHTS ARE FLASHING. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ONLINE. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSION? I HAVE UNTIL JUL10 BEFORE THIS CAR IS PAID OFF AND STILL OWE OVER 6000.00. THIS IS THE FIFTH FORD I'VE OWNED AND I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED BY THIS WHOLE SITUATION. AS A SINGLE MOM OF 3, I DON'T HAVE ANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SITTING AROUND WAITING TO THROW IT AWAY IN FORD REPAIRS. SOMEONE HAS TO STEP IN FOR US CONSUMERS WHO ARE BEING RIPPED OFF. PLEASE HELP US. *TR

WHILE OPENING THE REAR LIFTGATE OF OUR 2004 EXPLORER AND REACHING THE MAX EXTENSION OF THE LEFT STRUT, THE STRUT BECAME LOCK AND WOULDN'T RETRIEVE CAUSING THE LEFT HINGE TO COME OFF AND THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE TO HANG FROM THE RIGHT HINGE. THE DEALER LOOKED AT THE STRUT AND TRIED TO REPAIR IT. I REQUESTED A NEW ONE TO BE INSTALLED SINCE I HAD SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN. THE DEALER AGREED AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE EXPENSE. HOWEVER, MY DEDUCTIBLE APPLIED. *TR

I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK. I OPENED MY DOOR, GOT OUT, WALKED AROUND THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND ACCOMPANIED MY SON UP TO THE FRONT DOOR. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD ON THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASH INTO THE HOMEOWNERS FENCE. WHEN I GOT INTO THE TRUCK, IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER AS WELL AS THE FENCE THAT IT CRASHED INTO. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF IT! THIS TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING. I TOO EXPERIENCED THE "THUMP" AS IT SLAMMED INTO REVERSE, ONLY FOR FORD TO DENY THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND FINALLY PUT THE ADDITIVE INTO THE TRANNY. WHAT A WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM! ...NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A FORD. I JUST HOPE NO ONE HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW OF THE REAR LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE FRAME AROUND THE WINDOW COULD CRACK AND CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

WE OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE FORD RECALL TO REMEDY FACTORY TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEM WAS A BAND-AID TO FIX LIVER CANCER. THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO REVERSE A FEW SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING, AND THE SHIFTS WHEN GOING FORWARD ARE "JERKY". FORD HAS TRIED TO PLACATE OWNERS WITH AN ADDITIVE. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

I NOTICED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS DEVELOPED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RECOGNIZED IT AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 EXPLORER AND ALSO WARNED ME THE HINGES ON THE REAR GLASS FAIL OFTEN AS WAS THE CASE ON MY VEHICLE. SERVICE TECH STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AS YET AND I GOT TO PAY FOR THE NEW HINGES AND HOLDING OFF ON THE CRACK THINKING FORD MADE DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THE FAULT. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE,WHILE I GRABBED SUN VISOR TO TURN TO SIDE IT FELL OFF AND I WENT OFF ROAD BUT GOT SAFELY BACK ON. NO INJURIES TO ME OR WIFE. *TR

REAR HATCH HINGE PIN BROKE BREAKING GLASS. *TR