2004 Ford Explorer complaints

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT, UPPER REAR HATCH CRACKED WAS NOT HIT OR ABUSED. *TR

THE TRIM PANEL BELOW THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW HAS CRACKED. ACCORDING TO INTERNET SOURCES, THIS IS COMMON FOR THE MAKE AND YEAR OF OUR FORD EXPLORER. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. THE CRACK APPEARS ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT IMPACT OF ANY KIND. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (SEEN ON MANY COMPLAINT WEBSITES.) SOLENOID BODY NEEDS REPAIR AT 75,000 MILES ON CAR THAT HAS DILIGENTLY HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THIS CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO SLIP HARD IN REVERSE AND IN TRANSITION BETWEEN GEARS. IT HAPPENED ONCE AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. NO AUTOMOBILE NEEDS TO HAVE THIS REPLACED UNDER 150,000 MILES. THIS COSTS $1,100 TO FIX (5 HOURS OF LABOR AND THE PART IS $525.) THE PRICE OF THE PART IS RIDICULOUS. TAKE CARE. *TR

I WANTED TO FILE A CONCERN/COMPLAINT ABOUT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE HATCH DOOR BELOW MY REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS AS I HAVE SEEN AND FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORD HAS NO RECALL ON THIS TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE COMMONNESS OF THIS PROBLEM AND DO RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR THANK YOU,

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS AT ANY SPEED AND THEN STALLS. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO RESTART. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC IS NOT PROVIDING A PROPER DTC ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE COMPUTER INDICATED WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT ALL REPAIRS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST POWER ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH AND NEAR THE EMBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THERE WAS NO RECALL; HOWEVER, A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03-09-09 *BF UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB

FOUR WEEKS AGO I DISCOVERY AN CRACK JUST BELOW MY REAR WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 V6...LATER I HAVE SEEN THIS DAMAGE ON THREE OTHER CARS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND IN PARKING LOTS. JUST TODAY I NOTICE I THIS PROBLEM IN YET ANOTHER EXPLORER, AND I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE OWNER, AND HE SAID IT JUST HAPPEN TWO WEEK EARLIER. I ALSO HAVE HAD THE HINGE OF MY 2004 EXPLORER TO BREAK ALSO, I HAD READ THAT THIS WAS AN PROBLEM WITH THE 2003- 2003 MODE. WELL TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE IT AND PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MODEL ALSO. IT COST ME 80 DOLLARS TO GET THE HINGES PLACED WITH LABOR. I HAVE READ THE IT WILL COST BETWEEN 300 TO 600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CRACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS AND CHANGES IN THE TEMPERATURE. THE CONTACT HAS TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

TAILGATE, PLASTIC WHICH RUN AROUND "FORD" THE WIDTH OF THE GATE CRACKED. COLD WEATHER THE CRACK GETS LARGE, HOT WEATHER IT CLOSES UP. IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER AND PIECE BELOW TAILGATE WINDOW CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME HE WOULD GO 20/80 I FIGURED THAT WAS BETTER THAN NOTHING EVEN THOUGH FORD SHOULD HAVE PAID IT ALL. *TR

THE REAR HATCH DOOR CRACKED ON MY 2004 EXPLORER, NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CONCERNED SAFETY OF GLASS NOW. DEALER SAYS TO BAD THAT THEY MIGHT FIX IT FOR AROUND $250.00 I STILL HAVE A WARRANTY BUT NOT FOR THE BODY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. SHIFTING HAS BEEN HARSH AND SPORADIC SINCE NEARLY NEW. HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL NOW (JAN, 2009) 67,000 MILES WHEN IT BECAME UN-DRIVABLE. TOOK TO FORD DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND THEY RECOMMEND A NEW TRANNY. FURTHER RESEARCH, ONLINE AND WITH OTHER OWNERS, MAKES IT OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A COMMON, WELL KNOWN PROBLEM POSSIBLY HAVING TO DO WITH INCORRECT TRANNY FLUID INSTALLED WHEN NEW. FORD SAYS NO RECALL, NO WARRANTY, AND PROVIDES NO RELIEF. THIS IS CRIMINAL. *TR

CRACK ON PANEL ON HATCHBACK BELOW WINDOW TO THE EMBLEM BELOW EMBLEM AND THEN OFF TO THE RIGHT BACK TO THE MAIN CRACK MAKING A PIECE OF PIE LOOK. MOTOR TO THE BACK WIPER BLADE UNDER THERE WHERE RAIN CAN SHORT IT OUT. ALSO IF PIE SHAPE FLIES LOOSE COULD HURT SOMEONE OUT SIDE THE SUV. *TR

I DRIVE MY CAR LIKE A NORMAL MAN WOULD. I DON'T TAKE IT OFF ROAD AND DON'T ABUSE IT IN ANY WAY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED BEFORE NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. FORD EXPLORERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OFTEN AND I AM AFRAID TAKING THIS CAR ON THE ROAD THAT THE WHEELS ARE JUST GOING TO COME RIGHT OFF WITH ME DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE BEARINGS AND HUBS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MINE GO OUT AGAIN WITH ME IN IT DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND BEING KILLED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM!! FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER, IT FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE IGNITION TO LOCK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE COMPONENT REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,325 UPDATED 01-26-09 *BF THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. UPDATED 01/27/09. *JB

THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO BE UNSTABLE AND POSSIBLY FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER REAR TAILGATE PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED BY THE FORD LOGO. I'VE NOTICE OTHER FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. FORD WILL DO NOTHING!!!!!! *TR

ENGAGED RELEASE BUTTON TO LIFT REAR GLASS HATCH. GLASS WAS LIFTED AND AS I REACHED IN TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF VEHICLE, GLASS FELL ON TOP OF MY HEAD. I WAS DAZED FOR A FEW SECONDS UNSURE OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED. WHEN I PULLED MYSELF FROM UNDER GLASS, I SAW GLASS WAS HANGING OFF OF ONE SIDE OF VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT LEFT HINGE ON GLASS HAD BROKEN CAUSING GLASS TO FALL. HE CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WOULD INSPECT VEHICLE. THIS WAS DONE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTED PART AND CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE. CORPORATE OFFICE REFUSED TO COVER THIS REPAIR. WE DECIDED TO HAVE OTHER HINGE REPLACED ALSO INSTEAD OF RISKING CHANCE OF INJURY AGAIN. COST $80.00 + SEVERAL NIGHTS OF HEADACHES (LITERALLY) FROM INJURY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 2004 FORD EXPLORER WE HEARD LOUD NOISE, THEN NOTICED THE REAR HATCH DOOR HAD A 6 INCH CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BECOME A ROAD HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN DOWN OTHER LOCAL LICENSE PLATES WITH SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER. *TR

ON DECEMBER 17, 2008 AT AROUND 6:50 A.M., I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK. WE LIVE IN A QUIET VILLAGE TYPE RESIDENTIAL AREA. AFTER TWO MINUTES OR SO AFTER I PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I ESTIMATE THE VEHICLE REACHED 45 MPH OR MORE IN A VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME, AND APPARENTLY INCREASING. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL FOR 3 SECONDS OR MORE, DESPITE MY FOOT BEING AWAY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE, BUT I REALIZED THIS COULDN'T BE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS INCREASINGLY ROARING AND GETTING LOUDER AS I GAINED SPEED. IT REMINDED ME OF THE SENSATION WHEN CRUISE CONTROL PICKS UP SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. BESIDES, I WASN'T LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT LIKE MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT WAS BEING PRESSED EVEN FURTHER MORE. WHEN I REALIZED I WASN'T SKIDDING, I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. GOOD THING, THE STREET WAS DESERTED. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MEMORY WAS THE SUDDEN ROARING OF THE ENGINE AND THE RAPID ACCELERATION DESPITE MY FOOT BEING OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 38F, WITH A SLIGHT DRIZZLE. *TR

I OWN A 2004 EXPLORER AND A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCHBACK. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR A ESTIMATE AND WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, HE STATED THAT THE COLD WEATHER CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRACK AND HE SAID THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO AT LEAST 75% OF THE EXPLORERS. I ASKED IS IT THE EXPLORERS ONLY AND HE SAID "YES." MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IT COST $350.00 AND WHEN I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY THEY REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID" WE DEAL WITH THOSE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS" WHICH TO ME MEANT IF YOU STILL HAVE A WARRANTY THEN YOU ARE COVERED. THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IF IT IS NOT BROKEN THEN DON'T FIX IT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CRACK OCCURRED AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF IT WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENCE ON MY BEHALF OR SOMETHING THAT I DID TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED EVEN WITH EVERYDAY WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. COULD YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME IN ATTEMPTING TO GET THE FORD COMPANY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE? I AM CONCERNED WITH THE CRACK AND MOISTURE OR WATER GETTING INSIDE AND POSSIBLY CREATING ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

THIS MORNING PRESENT ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BACK HATCH IS A CRACK IN THE METAL BEGINNING UNDER THE BACK WINDOW PROCEEDING VERTICALLY DOWN TO BOTTOM WHERE IT STOPPED ABOVE MY BACK LICENSE PLATE. THE CRACK IS 8-10 INCHES IN LENGTH. IT WAS NOT PRESENT PRIOR TO THIS MORNING WHEN I APPROACHED MY CAR TO GO TO WORK. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS 100'S OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE EXACT DESCRIPTION. FORD IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS DEFECT SINCE ALL THE VEHICLES ARE PAST THE MILEAGE WARRANTY. MY SISTER ALSO OWNS A FORD EXPLORER AND SHE HAS THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK OF HER HATCH. BOTH CRACKS ARE LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE BACK HATCH. CONTINUES USE OF THIS VEHICLE WILL CAUSE THE METAL CRACK TO WIDEN, THUS IMPACTING THE BACK HATCH WINDOW MAKING IT UNABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY. *TR

PLASTIC BODY PART JUST UNDER REAR LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF A PROBLEM, BUT FORD HAS DECLINED ACTION. THIS VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 30,000 MILES WHEN NOTICED. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 EXPLORER LIMITED WITH 18,000 MILES. AT 28,000 MILES THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION PER FORD TO ELIMINATE A LARGE "THUD" WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR AWHILE BUT RETURNED. TODAY AT 78,000 THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND THE DEALERSHIP STATES IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDER REFUSES TO COVER THE WORK. I HAVE READ THAT FORD INSTALLED THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID AT THE FACTORY AS WELL. BOTTOM LINE IS THE FORD TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT. HOW ABOUT A LITTLE JUSTICE HERE FOR THE CONSUMER? *TR

1. WASHED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND THE PAINT BEGAN PEELING OFF THE FRONT OF THE ROOF. 2. THE PROBLEM JUST STARTED AND NOW THERE IS A 1.5 FOOT CIRCLE ON THE FRONT ROOF WHERE THE PAINT HAS PEELED. 3. THE ROOF IS GOING TO BE REPAINTED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE CLEANING THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED HIM TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE BODY SHOP, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THIS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,136 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,636.

THE PLASTIC BELOW THE GLASS ON MY REAR HATCH- 04 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO DEALERS AND FORD.COM. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OVER 10 PEOPLE AND THIS INCLUDES SERVICE MANAGERS. I HAVE ONLY 49,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND EVERY DAY I DRIVE AROUND AND I SEE THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A 2" BY 3' PIECE FLIES OFF AND A OLD LADY SWERVES INTO A SEMI. NOW LOOK WHAT IT WILL COST . IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED CASE I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM. IF NOTHING IS DONE IN THE NEXT WEEK, I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF PHOTOGRAPHING EVERYONE THAT I SEE. THEN I AM GOING TO TROUBLE SHOOTER TV. AND I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY A FORD. THERE IS NO WONDER THEY NEED A BAIL OUT. IF I CHOOSE TO RUN MY BUSINESS TO THE GROUND, I DON'T GET GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHAT A JOKE. PLEASE NEVER BUY ONE. WHEN A COMPANY MAKES A MISTAKE ADMIT IT AND PEOPLE WILL RESPECT YOU. LOOK AT WHAT A $200 PIECE OF PLASTIC CAN COST YOU. JUST GOOGLE THE PROBLEM AND YOU CAN SEE IT IS NOT ISOLATED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE HINGE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD WOULD GLIDE UP AND DOWN, AS IF IT WERE NOT SECURED OR MOLDED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE HATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,200. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 40,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *CN UPDATED 12/30/08. *JB

HAVE 2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER WITH CRACK IN THE REAR GATE. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WAS ONLINE AND FOUDN AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CRACK. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE. *TR

THE BLEND DOOR BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WON'T CLOSE. THIS PREVENTS PROPER DEFROSTING, HEATING AND COOLING REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER. IN THE WINTER FREEZING AIR BLOWS THROUGH, CHILLING ALL PASSENGERS. IN THE SUMMER, ALL THE HEAT FROM THE ROADS COMES THROUGH. OUR FORD DEALER SAYS THEY CAN FIX IT FOR OVER $1000!! THERE ARE TOO MANY OF THESE DEFECTS ON THE ROAD AND FORD KNEW OF THE DEFECT AT LEAST 2 YEARS BEFORE MY SUV WAS EVEN MADE. *TR

DETAILS: ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE CONTROL, WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED OR JUST STARTING OUT AND GIVE GAS IT DOSE NOT START TO GO SO YOU GIVE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE GAS AND THEN IT WILL JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARD( IF YOU ARE BACKING UP) TO APPOINT THAT IT WILL SOME TIMES SQUEAL THE TIRES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WOULD SHIFT SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT FROM BEHIND. IN FOR REPAIR AT SELLERS SEXTON FORD, ST ROBERT MO. *TR

HINGE OH REAR LIFT-GATE FRACTURED CAUSING LIFT GATE TO SAG DOWN AND BREAK HYDRAULIC LIFT ON THAT SIDE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME SUPPORTING THE SIDE/REAR GLASS WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E104000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,783.

LONG CRACK UNDER REAR WINDOW OF TAILGATE,BESIDE FORD EMBLEM, APPEARED OVERNIGHT,NO ACCIDENTS, 39,00 MILES, OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHUT THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE, THE HINGES FAILED AND PREVENTED THE GLASS FROM CLOSING. THE HINGES WERE BENT BACK INTO PLACE IN ORDER FOR THE LIFTGATE GLASS TO CLOSE, BUT CURRENTLY IT CANNOT BE USED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

PLASTIC APPLIQUE ON LIFTGATE CRACKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LIFTGATE WAS NOT BEING USED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FIVE YEARS AGO. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO SPREAD UNTIL NOW THE PIECE IS IN TWO SEPARATE PIECES. THE PIECES ARE LOOSE AND COULD POSSIBLY COME OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN ALL 2002-2005 EXPLORERS. WE HAVE SEEN MANY EXPLORERS ON THE ROAD AND ON USED CAR LOTS WITH THIS SAME DEFECT. *TR

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I NOTICES THAT MY EXPLORER MADE A WEIRD HUMMING SOUND WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS GOING DOWNHILL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I ALSO GET THE HARD/CLUNK SHIFT SOUND WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH A COUPLE SECOND DELAY. IT TAKES LONGER THEN NORMAL FOR VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE TRUCK IS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING ITSELF. WHALING CITY FORD IN NEW LONDON CT SAID PROBLEM WAS THAT WE HAVE TWO TIRES THAT ARE A BIT SMALLER THEN THE REST AND PROCEEDED TO TRY TO SELL US FOUR NEW TIRES. I TOOK IT FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE AUTO SHOP ACTUALLY SPENT TIME ON MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT OUR TIRES ARE FINE, IT IS THE TRANNY. HOW CAN FORD GET AWAY WITH THIS AND WHAT IS MY RECOURSE SINCE SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLASHED AND LOST POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED A HOSE, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS. ON NOVEMBER 2, 2008, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

APPROXIMATELY IN SEPTEMBER 2007, MY LIGHTER WENT OUT AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, CARL GREGORY ON BOX ROAD IN COLUMBUS, GA. THEY CHARGED ME $35.00 FOR A FUSE AND NOW IT WON'T WORK AGAIN THIS YEAR. THE FUSES ARE FINE BUT THE LIGHTER JUST ISN'T WORKING. I NEED THE LIGHTER TO CHARGE MY PHONE. IS THIS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 73600 MILES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER LOST THE REAR PASSENGER RIM AND TIRE. THE CAR RATTLED AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUD AND SPARKS COMING FROM THAT AREA. THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE BUT IT STRIPPED AND BROKE SOME OF THE STUDS WERE THE WHEEL ATTACHES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED WHERE I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED, BRAKES CHECKED AND FIXED, ALIGNMENT, AND BROKEN STUDS FIXED AND REPLACED. *TR

BLINKING O/D LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, PARK TO REVERSE GEAR SLIPPAGE, FIRST TO SECOND GEAR SLIPPAGE. *TR

I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT HASN'T RETURNED THE FAVOR. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT FORD SAYS THAT THEY ALL DO IT AND WON'T FIX IT. MY TAILGATE CRACKED NEXT TO THE FORD SYMBOL, ONCE AGAIN WON'T FIX IT. MY PAINT ON MY HOOD IS PEELING OFF. I ONLY HAVE 50,000 EASY MILES ON IT BUT LOOKING AT IT AND DRIVING IT YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT HAD 150,000 ON IT. I WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN! *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER RIGHT REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH HINGE HAS FAILED. GLASS HATCH DID NOT FALL BUT IS HANGING BY REMAINING HINGE AND IS UNSTABLE OR UNSAFE. ISSUE SAME AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ08003. *TR

TWO OUT OF FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE HOWLING ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER LIMITED AND JUST TURNED 14,000 MILES AND MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE. ALSO THE CRUISE STOPPED WORKING. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ABS MODULE WHICH FORD HAS APPARENTLY BEEN AWARE OFF. NOT HAPPY!! I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS SORT OF PROBLEM WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES. *TR

ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT FOR A BUSINESS TRIP, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPPED. I HAD TO MANEUVER ONTO TRAFFIC AND STOP TO TRY TO START THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CALLED AAA AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME. WHEN I CAME BACK I SENT IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET RETAINER PIN BROKE, AND BECAUSE OF THAT ALL VALVES BENT, SO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FOR 72900 MILES AND KEEPING ALL MAINTENANCE IN ORDER I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF QUALITY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, REAR, BOTH SIDES. AT 40,000 MILES, AND AGAIN AT 86,000 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING, PRIMARILY HIGHWAY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING TO OCCUPANTS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AS WELL AS ANY VEHICLES IN PROXIMITY DURING BEARING FAILURE. LOSS OF CONTROL CAN, AND PROBABLY WILL RESULT. PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE IS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IS SLOWLY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE DANGER TO SELF AND FAMILY REGARDING THIS. I WISH I HAD KNOWN EARLIER, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE MANUFACTURER TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH THIS PREDISPOSITION TO FAILURE. I WORK IN AEROSPACE, AND THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH FAILURE ANALYSIS DURING THE DESIGN PHASE. I WILL NOW BEGIN ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ANYONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO IN AN EFFORT TO GET THEM TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS WELL. EVENTUALLY YOU WILL HEAR US. MAYBE THE MEDIA WILL GET INVOLVED, THEY LOVE THIS KIND OF STUFF, ESPECIALLY IF THEY CAN DRAG GOVERNMENT INDIFFERENCE INTO IT. I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT THIS. YOU JUST DON'T THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED YET, SO IT GETS IGNORED. I'M GOING TO START TRYING TO CHANGE THAT. MAYBE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN, MAYBE IT WILL BECOME A GIANT MESS, WHO KNOWS? EITHER WAY, I CAN'T LET THIS GO WITHOUT SAYING SOMETHING. THIS THING IS MARKETED AND SOLD AS A FAMILY VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH I WILL EVER PUT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN INTO IT AGAIN. AND MY CONSCIENCE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO JUST TRADE IT O

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, RPM'S RACING BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEARS. HARD CLUNK WHEN SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. LOSING POWER WHILE WAITING FOR SHIFTS TO ENGAGE. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS AND JUST STARTED TO NOTICE THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS BEGINNING TO PEEL OFF, WHICH IS NOW HAPPENING IN TWO LOCATIONS. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND DID SEE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS DUE TO A PRIMER DEFECT IN THESE MODELS. AS OF TODAY NO RECALL HAS BEEN OFFERED BUT I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND PLAN ON USING IT FOR AT LEAST 4 TO 5 MORE YEARS. I AM SCARED TO GET A CAR WASH THINKING MORE PAINT WILL COME OFF. *TR