2004 Ford Explorer complaints

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, ALMOST RAN INTO ANOTHER CAR. CHEAP PLASTIC PART ONLY DEALER HAS FOR $116.43 WITHOUT INSTALLATION. *TR

THE PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I DID NOT DRIVE IT THAT DAY, SO I KNOW I WAS NOT HIT, OR THE DOOR WAS NOT SLAMMED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 54K MILES HAS SLIP IN TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND WILL SLIP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY. IT CATCHES AND WILL PRODUCE A LOUD BUMP. IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND SOMETIMES STALL. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WERE ONLY FOUR PARTS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,200. UPDATED 0/01/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED, HOWEVER IT TOOK A TOTAL OF 7 WEEKS, DUE TO ISSUES WITH PARTS. ALSO THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT TIMES. UPDATED 09/09/09*JB

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH. IT APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. IT WAS NOT PRECEDED BY AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. UPON TALKING TO A FRIEND WHOSE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT IT HAPPENS A LOT. *TR

I HAVE 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW, IT CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. WHILE DRIVING THAT PIECE CAN FALL OFF AND HIT A PERSON WALKING OR HIT THE CAR BEHIND, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN PAYING THE OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OR HOSPITAL BILLS. THIS PROBLEM OR DEFECT, RECALL WHICH EVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, FORD HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT SO FAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLES, WITH THE PROBLEM. I THOUGHT CAN BRING THIS UP TO YOUR COMPANY AND SEE WHERE THIS GOES. THANK YOU FOR TIME HOPE TO HEAR THAT THIS CAN BE RESOLVED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXTREME ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR PRIOR TO THIS FINAL REPAIR BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. IF DRIVER DOESN'T ANTICIPATE THIS CONDITION PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. *TR

LOUD WHEEL NOISE. INCREASED / DECREASED WITH SPEED. FRONT AND REAR BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. FORD HAS A TSB FOR THE REPLACEMENT. LEMON STATE LAWYER STATED THEY HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF CALLS FOR SAME PROBLEM, AT SAME MILEAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAITED A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE RESTARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A VALVE SPRING FAILED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $5,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,323. UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB

2004 FORD EXPLORER FACTORY INSTALLED CHROME WHEELS 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

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH V-8. HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ABRUPT AND DELAYED SHIFTING WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION WITH NO LUCK, NO RECALL FROM FORD BUT HAVE HEARD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK NOW HAS OVER 90,000 MILES AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. REPLACED LEAKING TRANSMISSION PUMP LAST DECEMBE08 AND STILL HARD SHIFTING. WILL NOT RETURN TO FORD FOR REPAIRS WHEN TRANSMISSION OR OTHER DRIVE TRAIN PARTS FAIL DUE TO THE HARD UP AND DOWN SHIFTS, PLEASE HELP! *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT CLOSING LIFTGATE GLASS AND HINGES SHEARED ON BOTH SIDES. HINGES NEED TO BE REPLACED WAITING FOR PART. HAVE ORIGINAL HINGE PARTS. NO REAR GLASS ON VEHICLE UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

FAILURE OF THE LIFT GATE HINGE PIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL WAS CRACKING ON HER VEHICLE NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE MOTOR FOR THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAUSED THE REAR PANEL TO CRACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 80,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER REQUIRED NEW TRANSMISSION IN FIRST YEAR. LATER, A LOUD WHINE DEVELOPED FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR ON ACCELERATION. ANNOYING, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF MEANT TROUBLE. ABS AND 4X4 HIGH LIGHTS LATER BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MECHANIC FOUND NO CAUSE. JUST RECENTLY, AT 79,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. FORD DEALER HAS HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK, THEY SAY, AFTER DOING $1000 WORTH OF USELESS WORK ON IT, THAT THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE BAD, AND MUST BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY THIS WAS NOT CAUGHT UP TILL NOW, BUT MUST HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHINE, THE ERRANT LIGHTS, AND A KA-CHUNK THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING FOR YEARS, ALSO NEVER ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. (NOTE: I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO CATEGORIZE THIS, SO I ENTERED IT IN THE OTHER CATEGORY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO MISCLASSIFY; ALSO DO NOT HAVE VIN AS THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP). *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS THAT THE BACK GATE CRACKED FROM THE WINDOW. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THAT MY TRUCK IS MAKING A LOUD THUMP IN REVERSE, AND AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE ENGINE SLIPPING. *TR

NOTICED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW WHEN I WAS WASHING IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RECALL BUT I SEE ABOUT 100 OTHERS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP OR EXITING A FREEWAY. THE EXPLORER WILL START RIGHT UP AFTERWARDS. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. RIGHT BEFORE THE STALL THE RPM'S SEEM TO DROP BELOW 400 AND THE POWER STEERING STARTS TO GO OUT. IT HAPPENS AT VARYING TIMES AND TEMPERATURES AND WITH PLENTY OF GAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MOVES IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF SUDDENLY JERKING HARSHLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH), BUT AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FORCED TO REPLICATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 97,000 MILES WHILE ON AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REFUSE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY FROM A STANDSTILL, APPEARING TO "LIMP" (IN FORD'S WORDS) UNTIL IT REACHED 10-15 MPH, THEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, BUT WOULD STILL QUIT ACCELERATING BRIEFLY UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS >40 MPH. AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO RUN FINE UNTIL GOING INTO MOUNTAINS, WHERE IT WOULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT GEAR FOR MAINTAINING SPEED. CAR CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL FINALLY REACHING A DEALERSHIP THAT WAS WILLING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. NO ERROR CODES WERE OBSERVED, SO WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE OVERHAULED OR REPLACED. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT GOING TO BE GUARANTEED NOR WOULD THE DEALERSHIP PROMISE WHEN THE CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDED A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION, WHICH I WAS FORCED TO SELECT. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS, THOUGH NOT AS SEVERE AS FORMERLY, BUT THERE ARE STILL NO ERROR OR SERVICE CODES BEING RETURNED BY ANY OF THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS. I HAVE NO OPTIONS OTHER THAN TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY AGAIN, WHEREVER THAT MAY HAPPEN. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IS A UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FOR EXPLORERS FROM 2002-2005. THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR REAR DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING THEM TO WHINE LOUDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN SOME CASES THEY WILL LEAK AND IN EXTREME CASES EVEN SEIZE UP CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVERS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ARTICLES ON THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND I MYSELF HAVE HAD MY DIFFERENTIAL PARTS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. I STILL EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT "WHINE" IN THE REAR END AROUND 60MPH, NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE BUT STILL THERE HOWEVER. APPARENTLY WHEN THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD DEALERS WILL ONLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IF THEY ARE PAID TO DO SO. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THIS SITUATION AND HAVE A RECALL SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS ADVISING THEM THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. IT IS A DOWNRIGHT ANNOYING,COSTLY AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AS THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH UNHAPPY OWNERS AT THE WHEEL. MYSELF INCLUDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES, SIZE 255/55/ R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE CRACKING BETWEEN THE TREAD. SEARS STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CRACKS IN THE TREAD. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CRACKS ARE ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,746. UPDATED 5/28/09 *CN THE INSIDE GROOVES OF THE TIRES SHOWED CRACKS. UPDATED 05/29/09.*JB

TRANS IN 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS ARE BAD. THEY SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR. SOMETIME YOU HAVE TO WAIT 5 TO 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL MOVE AND THIS ALMOST GOT ME HIT IN MINE BY A 18 WHEELER MORE THAN ONCE. TALKED WITH FORD DEALERS THEY ALL CLAM ITS A FORD MESS UP BUT THERE IS NO RECALLS YET. AND THIS IS WITH THEM BEGINNING WITH IN 20,000 TO 90,000 MILES ON THE EXPLORERS. I KNOW OF OVER 900 CASES OF THIS FIRST HAND AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET FORD OFF THEIR BUTT AND DO SOMETHING. NOONE CAN KEEP PUTTING OUT 3500.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANS WHILE THEIR STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLES. ALL OF THEM GO BAD RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT I SEE THIS EVERY DAY AND ITS NOT SAGE FOR FAMILY'S IN THESE VEHICLES. IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ASAP SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE. THEY SLIP ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU BACK UP YOUR SITTING IN THE ROAD FOR 10 SECONDS WAITING FOR IT TO GO IN DRIVE THEN DRIVE SLIPS UNTIL YOU GET TO 35 MILES AN HOUR THEN THEIR FINE UNTIL YOU STOP AGAIN. CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY JUST SAY SORRY CANT HELP YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT THE EXTRA WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. ME PERSONALLY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN IM GOING TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND DRIVE IT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS AND LEAVE IT THERE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

VISOR HINGE BROKE - PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

CRACK IN PANEL UNDER BACK GLASS. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS - LURCHES INTO REVERSE - RECENTLY SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T PULL GOING UP HILL - 2 TIMES IN 2 DAYS. *TR

VEHICLE GOES FORWARD AFTER PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN CHECKED AT FORD DEALERSHIP. HAVE LETTER EXPLAINING THAT IF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED OUT THAT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES MAY OCCUR. FORD DEALERSHIP NOT AWARE AS THIS WAS NOT DISPLAYED AS A RECALL. HEREFORE,TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT THAT TIME. *TR

I AM ALSO HAVING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. MY VEHICLE JUMPS VIOLENTLY WHEN IT IS PUT IN REVERSE. WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WILL NOT MOVE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUMPS BACKWARD. I ALSO HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT THE TRUCK FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT IN GEAR FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS . I HAVE MADE NO REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE AS OF YET, BUT AFTER READING THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH OTHER VEHICLES,. WE ALL SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HOPE THAT FORD WILL TAKE CARE OF THESE FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS BEFORE THEIR ARE MORE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN INCIDENT AS OF THIS DATE 4/30/09, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE I AM VERY WORRIED BECAUSE OF HOW VIOLENT THE TRUCK JUMPS BACKWARD. *TR

ON JANUARY 17, 2009, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE, THE STEERING COLUMN-MOUNTED GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM BROKE. THE "WAND" BROKE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE COLUMN, WITH ONLY THE RUBBER COVERING HOLDING IT IN PLACE. LATER, WHEN A MECHANIC OPENED UP THE STEERING COLUMN, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM FAILED BECAUSE A PIECE OF METAL BROKE IN HALF; IT LOOKED TO BE MADE OF SOME SOFT METAL. BECAUSE OF THE WAY FORD DESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE EXPLORER HAD ONLY 55,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS WERE IN EXCESS OF $1,600. *TR

PAINT ON ROOF OF VEHICLE IS CHIPPING AND BODY IS RUSTING. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I NEVER KNOW IF AND WHEN IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. IT HESITATES AND I THEN FIND OUT WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. THIS EXPLORER IS A ONE-OWNER CAR. 32,000+- MILES ON IT. WEEKENDS ONLY. YES, I WENT THROUGH THE EARLIER RECALL, BUT IT DID LITTLE IF ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM,. AT THE TIME, I FIGURED THAT I HAD BEEN SCREWED INTO BUYING A DEFECTIVE CAR WHOSE TRANSMISSIONS WOULDN'T LAST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. SOMETIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY AND THEN JUMPS HARD INTO REVERSE. OTHER TIMES, IT HESITATES BEFORE GOING INTO DRIVE AND/OR PARK. I NEVER KNOW. I AM 57 YEARS OLD. PLEASE TELL FORD FOR ME ----NOT TO PEE ON MY LEG AND TELL ME THAT IT IS RAINING. THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE DANGEROUS. AND SINCE BUSH ISN'T PRESIDENT ANYMORE, MAYBE YOUR AGENCY CAN STAND UP AGAIN FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS. OR WILL YOU? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR FOR FORD TO CONTACT ME. THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER; REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW CRACKED. *TR

ALL OF THE PAINT ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS FALLING OFF JUST ON THE ROOF. *TR

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION ON A WARM ENGINE, AND THEN MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION INTO THE "REVERSE" POSITION. IMMEDIATELY, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. THE SOLENOID PACK WAS REPLACED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN ON THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 05/15/09 *BF UPDATED 05/18/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKED POSITION THE VEHICLE IT ROLLED BACKWARDS EVEN WHEN IT WAS ON A LEVEL SURFACE. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED SHE NOTICES THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER SECOND GEAR WAS MISSING; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $3,700 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION TO "REVERSE". THERE WAS A FORCEFUL FORWARD SHIFTING MOTION WHEN THAT OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT WAS PLACED IN THE "REVERSE POSITION" AND SHIFTING INTO THE "DRIVE" POSITION THERE WAS IMMEDIATE HESITATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHIFT SOLENOID WHICH WAS REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE SOLENOID FOR IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,804 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

TL*THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER DRIVING IN REVERSE AND PARKING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO MOVE AFTER THE BACK DOOR WAS OPENED. SHE WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING AND CONFIRMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. THE BODY SHOP MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED DUE TO SLIPPAGE OF THE GEARS AND ALTHOUGH THE GEAR INDICATOR READS PARK IT IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST TO THE CORRECT GEAR. DUE TO THE FAILURE IT TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TO INCREASE SPEED. THE DEALER MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FULLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 05/15/09 *BF UPDATED 05/18/09.*JB

A CRACK APPEARED ON THE LIFT GATE TOP PANEL JUST BELOW THE WIPER. THE CRACK RUNS VERTICAL FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. I NOTICED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AT AROUND 70,000 ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT VIOLENTLY SHIFTS TO REVERSE. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES. *TR

SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE, WHEN YOU GIVE IT MORE GAS, THEN SUDDENLY SURGE. THIS LATEST INCIDENT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A THROTTLE RESPONSE ISSUE, BUT NOW I THINK IT MAYBE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT....THE DEALER PUT SOME FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RE-CALIBRATED THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR FORD USED AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. (NO CABLE FROM GAS PEDAL TO THROTTLE BODY.) AFTER READING THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, SEEMS THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LOADED MY GYM BAG INTO THE BACK AND CLOSED THE HATCH. WHEN I CAME BACK 5 MIN LATER TO WIPE THE DEW OFF THE WINDOW I NOTICED 2 VERTICAL CRACKS ON THE PANEL. THE CRACKS SEEM TO BE GETTING LONGER AND I FEAR THE WINDOW MAY FALL OUT. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS, 41,000 MILES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF, LOOSING POWER FOR THE BRAKES AND STEERING. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT, OR EVEN DECELERATING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR OF FIVE TIMES AND I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY EACH TIME TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER, PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART IT. THE CAR HAS NO TROUBLE STARTING BACK UP. I'VE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER CAN BE VERY UNSAFE IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF FAILURE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

2004 EXPLORER REAR TAIL GATE CRACK NEXT TO FORD EMB. *TR

EASTER SUNDAY, MY FAMILY WAS ON THEIR WAY BACK HOME ON THE FREEWAY. OUT OF NO WHERE THEY HEAR LOUD SNAPPING NOISES AND NEXT THING THEY KNEW THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF. THE CARS SKIDDING ON THE ROAD AND FINALLY COMES TO A STOP. LUCKILY FOR MY FAMILY THEY WALKED AWAY UNHARMED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT MY HOME, WON'T TURN ON ANYMORE, THE WHEEL STUDS ARE ALL BROKEN OFF, THE ROTOR ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ASSEMBLY IS DAMAGED. THE CAR IS A MESS AND NOW I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IM SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. *TR

BACK HATCH PANEL ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED INTO TWO PIECES FOR NO REASON. LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALL ON THIS PART HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PART YET AS IT IS A $400 REPAIR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF PARTS USED BY FORD. *TR

WIFE CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH A CRACK ON THE REAR TRUNK LID BELOW THE REAR GLASS WHERE THE FORD EMBLEM IS, LOOKING THROUGH THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PANEL BECOMING CRACK WHAT SO EVER AND STILL NO RECALL. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE BACK PLASTIC DOOR BEEN SPLIT IN HALF, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF FORD EXPLORERS, WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ON A RECALL AND IT WILL BE ON OUR OWN EXPENSES. *TR

PAINT CRACKED AND PEELING ON BOTH SIDES OF ROOF RACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND SAID THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEM IN SUBMITTING THE CLAIM ON THE PAINT. AFTER MY RESEARCH AND A MONTH OF RUN AROUND THE DEALER FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PAINT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS WASTING MY TIME ON THE CLAIM BECAUSE FORD WAS NOT GOING TO BACK IT'S VEHICLE UP..WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY ON MY PART. FORD WILL NEVER SEE MY BUSINESS AGAIN!!! I HOPE THIS GOES ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE CONCERNING THIS MATTER!! *TR