2004 Ford Explorer complaints

THE REAR HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE FAULTY, THEY CRACKED AND ARE BARELY HOLDING MY GLASS WINDOW UP. FOR FORD, THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE; THE 2003, 2002, AND 2007 MODELS HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE 2004 MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS COSTLY AND IS DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HATCH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSING THE GLASS TO BREAK. *TR

I HAVE 2 ISSUES THAT I WOULD LIKE ADDRESSED. 1. I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SOMETHING BECAUSE MY RADIO KEEPS GOING OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO NOW. NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT CORRECTING THE ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. 2. MY HATCHBACK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND I AM WONDERING IF IT IS ON RECALL TO BE REPLACED SINCE I SEE ALOT OF THE SAME CRACK ON OTHER EXPLORERS. *TR

THE BACK GLASS HINGES ON 2004 EXPLORER BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO COME OFF MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT AND HAD MY HUSBAND COME UNDO ALL THE PIECES SO NOTHING ELSE WAS BROKEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $410.79. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND, AFTER OPENING THE LIFTGATE AND ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT, THE RIGHT HAND HINGE FRACTURED AND LANDED ON MY HAND. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS RIGHT BESIDE ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO LIFT IT AND THERE WAS NO INJURY TO MY HAND. THE LEFT HAND HINGE WAS FRACTURED ON ONE SIDE AND WE HAD TO REMOVE THE HYDRAULIC ARMS TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AND DUCT TAPE IT CLOSED. AFTER READING ONLINE THAT THE 2002/2003 EXPLORERS HAD BEEN RECALLED I HOPED THEY WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE 2004 MODELS. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS NOT COVERED. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2004 AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT 2003 PARTS WERE USED SO FORD SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE 2004 MODELS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY HUSBAND BESIDE ME AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT COULD HAVE FRACTURED AND BLOWN INTO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I HOPE THERE ARE OTHER DRIVERS WHO COME FORWARD TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS I KNOW THERE HAVE TO BE A LOT MORE OF US OUT THERE! THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRACTURED HINGES AT A COST OF $122. *TR

OF THE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE WORST IS THE TRANSMISSION (40,000 MILES ). SAME OLD STORY. STARTED WITH CLUNKING AND HESITATION AND SURGING WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND NOW IS 'CLUNKING' INTO GEARS 2 AND 3 DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL HAS A VERTICAL CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD SYMBOL THAT JUST MYSTERIOUSLY OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T EVEN USE THE WINDOW. THE TRUCK STALLS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS APPLIED BELOW 45 MILES AN HOUR. MY WIFE AND I REALLY LOVED THIS TRUCK BUT LIKE MANY OTHERS WE HAVE BECOME EMBARRASSED BY OUR PURCHASE. IF THIS KIND OF FRAUD WERE TO OCCUR WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCT WE WOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF RECOURSE BUT NOT SURPRISINGLY THE MOTOR COMPANY'S SEEM TO ENJOY A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROTECTION. THE 'BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU' WON'T EVEN LISTEN TO CAR COMPLAINTS. GIVEN THE SEVERE AND UBIQUITOUS NATURE OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT NO REMEDIATIONS IS FORTH COMING FROM THIS ORGANIZATION, THE MANUFACTURER OR ANY OTHER. THE COST OF THESE VEHICLES IS A BURDEN TO SAY THE LEAST AND IS FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING TO THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED THEM IN GOOD FAITH ONLY TO HAVE A 30,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE BECOME USELESS AND DANGEROUS BEFORE REACHING 50000 MILES. LIKE ALL THE OTHER 'VICTIMS' OF FRAUD, I AM WASTING YET MORE OF MY TIME BY COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. A CRACK APPEARED ON THE REAR TAILGATE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW THE TAILGATE GLASS AND NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE DEALER, SUMMERVILLE FORD, SUMMERVILLE, SC, INFORMED ME THAT ALTHOUGH HE SEES THIS PROBLEM OFTEN ON THIS EXPLORER BODY STYLE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. OBVIOUSLY, FORD IS AWARE OF THIS POOR DESIGN RESULTING IN BODY INTEGRITY FAILURE, BASED ON THE OTHER EXPLORERS I HAVE WITNESSED ON OUR ROADS WITH THE SAME DAMAGE AND THE OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA. BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE. I NOTICE THE NEW EXPLORERS NO LONGER HAVE THIS POOR TAILGATE DESIGN. THIS IS DAMAGE CAUSED BY FORD'S POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND REPAIRED BY FORD. *TR

I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MY 2004 FORD LIMITED V8 CRUISE CONTROL CAN KILL THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN USING THE COAST BUTTON ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE SPEED AS I APPROACH A SPEED SIGN LOWER THAN MY EXISTING SPEED. IF I HOLD THE BUTTON AS THE CAR SLOWS TO A SPEED BELOW 35MPH (APPROXIMATE) THE ENGINE QUITS LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR VACUUM BRAKING. I'VE TRIED IT SEVERAL TIME AND THE FAULT IS CONSISTENT. WHENEVER THE CAR SLOWS TO BELOW THE MINIMUM CRUISE CONTROL THE DEVICE SHOULD DISENGAGE, NOT STALL THE ENGINE. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF IT. *TR

BACK PLASTIC PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK WINDOW? THERE IS CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL FROM THE WINDOW DOWN TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD AND MY DEALERSHIP WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT AND YET I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2002, 2003 AND WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST PURCHASED THE EXPLORER FROM GIBBSON FORD, DICKSON CITY, PA LAST OCTOBER. IT ONLY HAS 35, 000 MILES AND I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. IF YOU READ WWW.BLUEOVAL.COM THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GIBBONS AND FORD WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, YET IT REALLY IS A DEFECT. THEY ARE NOT EVEN USING IT ON THE NEWER VEHICLES. THE FORD CALL CENTER AND ON LINE PEOPLE TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IT IS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY, YET GIBBONS TELLS ME THAT FORD TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO. I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. ANY HELP *TR

I HAVE HAD MANY, MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS ONE IS THE RECURRING FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS LAST TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED I WAS ON INTERSTATE-85, IN MORNING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RPM'S ARE FLYING TO THE RED DANGER AREA AND I HAVE NO ACCELERATION POWER AND AM LOSING SPEED. THERE IS AN 18-WHEELER ON MY REAR AND I CAN'T PICK UP SPEED! LUCKILY, I WAS APPROACHING AN EXIT AND MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND ONTO A LESS TRAVELED ROAD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAVE ENDURED THIS SCENARIO. ONCE AGAIN THE SOLENOID IS GONE, WITH REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT $1255.00. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED AT 32,567 MILES, AND I NOW HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN AT 76,725 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH PACK REPLACED AT 24,940 MILES AS WELL AS THE RING GEAR, PINION, AND ALL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 24,940 MILES. AT 35,558 MILES THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 64,335 I HAD TO HAVE THE PATS TRANSPONDER(SECURITY SYSTEM) REPLACED. IN SHORT I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED THREE TIMES THE FRONT END REBUILT , THE BACK END REDONE. I HONESTLY CAN SAY I DO NOT FEEL VERY SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE TO USE THIS TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN. THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE THE NORM FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AS I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS NOT MADE TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY HEATING AND

IN 2005 I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXXLTSPNBX 11900 FROM HERZ CAR SALES. JUST FEW MONTH AFTER THAT I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST OF 20 CRITICAL ENGINE SHUTDOWNS THAT I EXPERIENCED UP TO NOW. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE ENGINE OF MY CAR TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE: - SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER - SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING SERVO, I.E. A SHARP SIDEWAYS KICK IF THE CAR IS IN A CURVE - SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER - THE NEED TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE, WITH THE DANGER TO SHIFT TO 'R' OR EVEN 'P' IN PANIC, AND TO LOCK UP THE STEERING WHEEL AT FULL SPEED (!!!) PANIC IS THE RIGHT WORD FOR THE FEELING MY WIFE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN EVERY OCCURRENCE OF THIS FAILURE. 3. AFTER THE FIRST TWO FAILURES I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT THE WORKSHOP COULDN'T LOCALIZE THE PROBLEM. THEY TEST-DROVE HE CAR FOR 200 MILES AND CONCLUDED HE CAR WAS OK, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD TWO EVENTS IN 20,000 MILES. THE TOTAL FREQUENCY HAS BEEN BY NOW ONCE IN EVERY 2,500 MILES, ON AVERAGE. THE SHUTDOWN SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, MORE LIKELY ON SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPES. 3. NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM SO FAR. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE SNAPPED AND ALLOWED GLASS TO FALL. ISSUE APPEAR TO BE SIMILAR TO ACTION # RQ08003. *TR

BOUGHT CAR WITH 9K MILES ON IT, TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR IN REVERSE CAUSING CAR TO JUMP BACKWARDS, CALLED DEALER STATED KNEW WHAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 40K MILES LATER IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, MORE SEVERE AND JERKING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIAN, COULD NOT CONTROL. DEALER STATES OUT OF WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX. INFORMED THEM THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM, WORK IS FAULTY. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON-LINE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS NOW JERKING MORE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE WHEELS TO SCREECH WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. DOES THERE NEED TO BE A DEATH OR INJURY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE THIS? *TR

THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. MY 2004 EXPLORER HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS AT THE 2-21/2 YEAR MARK. IT WAS LIMPED THROUGH BY REPLACING THE SOLENOID. NOW AT 42/3 YEARS (OUT OF WARRANTY) IT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AND SUDDENLY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE 41,000 MILE MARK. I FEEL FORD HAS A CLEAR PROBLEM BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND I AM SURE THAT IS A SMALL FRACTION OF THE PROBLEM AS MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW TO COMPLAIN. FORD HAS PUT BANDAIDS ON THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP, THEN THE CONSUMER GETS STUCK. WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/ DESIGN FLAW AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE COMPENSATED. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE SOMETHING RECALLED? DOES A LIFE HAVE TO BE LOST? THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE LEMONS AND THE CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF. MANY PROBABLY REMAIN SILENT BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY WERE JUST UNLUCKY SO I AM SURE THE COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. IT SEEMS YOUR AGENCY SHOULD PROTECT NOT JUST FROM INJURY, BUT FROM FRAUDS AND DECEPTION. FORD HAS BEEN DECEPTIVE AND SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE LEMONS. *TR

REAR RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF SUV AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH 3 CHILDREN AND WIFE IN SUV AT 60 MPH IN A 55 MPH ZONE, AS PER THE TOW AND MECHANIC PERSON THEY STATED WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO SUV GOING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER ON COMING TRAFFIC SIDE, MY SON IS HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR GLASS DOOR, THE DOOR COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE HINGE, WHICH CONNECTED IT TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN TIRES, SIZE P235/70R/16 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL THAT AFFECTED ALL FOUR TIRES. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CRACK. AT THIS TIME, THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,207.

ON AUGUST 8, 2008 I OPENED THE BACK GLASS OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER AT WHICH TIME THE BRACKET AT THE TOP OF THE GLASS BROKE LOOSE CAUSING MY GLASS TO FALL. IT HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHEN IT FELL AND WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY FELL ON ME IF THE OTHER BRACKET HAD NOT STAYED IN PLACE. I CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT MODEL YEARS OF THE FORD EXPLORER WERE RECALLED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY EXPLORER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS FORD INSTALLED FAULTY BRACKETS ON MY TRUCK. CURRENTLY MY HUSBAND PURCHASED A "RECALL KIT" FROM FORD TO CORRECT THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIX MY BACK GLASS SO THAT MY VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW HOSE WOULD COST AT LEAST $400. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,080. UPDATED 09/17/08. *LJ THE AIR CONDITIONERS HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FAILED TWICE. ONE FORM THE HOSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE GOING TO THE RADIATOR. UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

THE REAR HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER FELL APART AND THE WINDOW FELL OFF. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED FOR 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORERS BUT FORD WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR MY 2004 VEHICLE USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE HINGES. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAVING RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLAM AS A FAULTY SWITCH WHICH THEY REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A SPEED SENSOR ON THE REAR AXLE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING AND JUST ENTERED THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP MY BACK WINDOW ON MY TRUNK RAISED UP AND HALFWAY FELL OFF AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE IS VERY LOOSE AND THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND THE SUSPENSION SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THAT WINDOW. I WAS TERRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I PANICKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY SO CLOSE TO THE EXIT RAMP. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD HOW MUCH THE PARTS WERE AND HOW MUCH LABOR IS BUT THE SERVICE PERSON MENTIONED THAT HE HAS HAD ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE WINDOW. I AM WAITING FOR MY PARTS TO COME IN NOW. *TR

THERE IS ALOT OF WHISTLING AND SQUEAKING IN MY FRONT END AND EVERYTIME I HAVE IT LOOKED AT I AM TOLD IT JUST NEEDS LUBRICATION AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE NOISE IS BACK WHICH I AM SURE MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG AND NO ONE SEEMS TO FIND IT. THE SQUEAKING IS DRIVING ME NUTS AT EVERY TURN WHENEVER YOU BRAKE SOMETIMES JUST ACCELERATING WILL CAUSE IT TO SQUEAK. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON 7/14/2008 I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER SHIP DUE TO MY O/D LIGHT FLASHING. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION $3,200.00 DOLLARS SO THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION,I PICKED UP MY EXPLORER ON 7/28/2004 AND ONLY DROVE IT 30 MILES AND THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PASSING GEARS. NOW THIS IS A NEW TRANSMISSION THE DEALER SHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THEY NOW HAVE MY VEHICLE AGAIN SO NOW I WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE OUT COME IS AGAIN. *TR

(1) FORD RECALL 5R55S/5R55E/5R443 TRANSMISSIONS APRIL 04 2005. 04B22 FORD EXPLORER XLT (2) REPAIR INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ACTION FORD MERCURY, HARTSVILLE, SC. ON 10/23/06 WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BACK TO ACTION FORD MERCURY (4) TIMES, FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. (SEE ATTACHMENTS),10/11/04, 06/08/05. OBVIOUSLY, WITH (4) REPAIRS , SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. BOTH STATEMENTS REFERENCE SOLENOID REPLACEMENT. THIS TRANSMISSION OBVIOUSLY HAS A 'FACTORY DEFECT', AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED ONCE AND FOR ALL, OR REPLACED. EXPECTING A CUSTOMER TO CONTINUOUSLY BRING A VEHICLE BACK IN FOR REPAIRS, FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS, EVEN ONLY PAYING DEDUCTIBLE PAYMENTS IS LUDICROUS. I ALSO TALKED IN LENGTH WITH THE ACTION FORD MERCURY SERVICE MANAGER, 'RICHARD', AND HE STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. SEEMS THAT THIS IS NOT QUITE TRUE, AT LEAST NATIONALLY, IN REFERENCE TO THE INFORMATION RETAINED ON CONSUMER WEB SITES (SEE ATTACHED). ACTUALLY , THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MODELS. *TR

PURCHASED MY FORD EXPLORER JAN 2004. PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING OCCURRED JUNE 29TH 2004. ONE YEAR LATER 2005, THE PROBLEM WORSEN, WITH SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING AT THE SAME TIME. FORD IS NOT BACKING THE EXPLORER AT ALL AND WE THE PEOPLE WITH THESE SAME COMPLAINTS NEED HELP, OR ALL OF OUR MONEY BACK FROM THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. *TR

1. OPENED REAR HATCH GLASS ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. 2. HINGES FAILED ON GLASS HATCH DISCONNECTED FROM BODY. 3. THIS JUST HAPPENED. HAVE TO BUY REPLACEMENT HINGES. *TR

AS I STOPPED TO GET GAS I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAD A CRACK RIGHT ON THE PLASTIC ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM DIRECTLY UNDER THE TAIL GATE GLASS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS WAS A COMMON ISSUE BUT COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY OUT OFF POCKET FOR IT OR THE COMPANY RECALL THE PART. I HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR ALOT (I OWN A SHOW STYLE CAR) AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE EVERYWHERE ELSE WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE FORD CO IS TRYING TO DO TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I GO THIS SITE FROM A FORUMS SITE ( HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML ) WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR

I NOTICED A PAINT BUBBLE ON THE HOOD OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. IS THIS A PAINT DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO RUST? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WHEEL BEARINGS GOING BAD, FROM TIME TO TIME. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2006 WITH 16,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES, I NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTED HARD GOING INTO 3RD GEAR AS I ACCELERATED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP, THEN SHIFT WITH A THUD. I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING NORMAL IN TOWN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. AT 38,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED (AS MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE). I EXPLAINED THE SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN DETAIL. THEY REPORTED THAT THIS WAS WITHIN THE SPECS FOR THIS TRUCK. THAT IT WAS NORMAL ACCELERATION. IT IS NOW 54,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, THEN CLUNKS AND GRABS THE NEXT GEAR. THERE IS ALSO A DELAY AND CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I'VE JUST TAKEN IT IN AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THE SHOP REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO PARTICULATE OR DEBRIS IN THE PAN, SO IT IS PROBABLY SOMETHING INTERNAL. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW/REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE REAR END FIXED. IT HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THIS PART OF A AUTOMOBILE. ESPECIALLY A 2004. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPAIR A REAR END AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG THAT FORD DID TO MY VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS BREAK THIS SOON. IT COST ME OVER $1200 OF WHICH WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. WE HAD TO SELL THINGS, BORROW MONEY WITH INTEREST AND WITH MY HUSBAND SO VERY ILL THAT HIS MEDICINE FOR 7 PILLS EVERY THREE MONTHS IS OVER $700 A 3 MONTH. SOMEONE HAD TO MAKE A MISTAKE. I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS SINCE I STARTED DRIVE OVER SEVERAL YEARS AGO. MATTER OF FACT THE FIRST CAR I DROVE WAS THE FORD PUSH BUTTON. PLEASE FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP US WITH THIS EXTREMELY HIGH REPAIR BILL. THIS CAR IS OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND IS VERY WRONG FOR US TO HAVE TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR REPAIR FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. THANK YOU , NORMA GROTBERG *TR

WHEN DECK GLASS WAS RAISED THE LEFT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL. I CAUGHT THE GLASS PREVENTING IT FROM SHATTERING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE WEIGHT OF THE DECK GLASS THEN CAUSED THE RIGHT HINGE TO BREAK. HAD TO REPLACE HINGES THROUGH A AUTO BODY SHOP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES! MY QUICK REACTION IN CATCHING THE GLASS PREVENTED ANY INJURIES. HAD MY CHILDREN BEEN WITH ME IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT SITUATION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL FORD EXPLORERS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME THING HAPPENING. *TR

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL PROPERLY ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE BUTTONS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS USED. THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM AS I THOUGHT IT WAS A FORD DEFECT AND SUBSEQUENTLY USED YOUR WEBSITE TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS. NO RECALLS OR CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE CURRENTLY LISTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE SO THAT FORD MAY REPAIR IT. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER, STILL HAS HARSH SHIFT FROM PARK TO REAR, HAVE TO PRESS BRAKE HARD SO CAR DOES NOT JERK WHEN SHIFTING TO REAR, FLUID WAS REPLACED BY FORD DEALER 2 YEARS AGO BUT HARSH SHIFTING NEVER ADDRESSED SINCE IT WAS ON AND OFF 2 YEARS AGO, PRESENTLY HAPPENS MUCH MORE OFTEN. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. VEHICLE COULD START BUT NOT MOVE. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AT METAL CAST INSIDE COLUMN. TOWED TO FORD DEALER. NEEDS ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TO FIX THIS PART, COST OVER $1000. OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. CALLED FORD HQ, BUT NO HELP WITH COVERING REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

JUST NOTICED AFTER 32,000 MILES AND ABOUT 3 AND ONE-HALF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT PAINT ON FRONT EDGE OF HOOD OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS BLISTERED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND BEGINNING TO CHIP. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 30 -35 MPH MY VEHICLE TURNS OFF AND ALL THE GAUGES TURN ON. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS ON A CURVE GOING ABOUT 32 MPH AND I NEARLY RAN HEAD ON TO THE CAR IN THE ONLY LANE BECAUSE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT GETS DIFFICULT. EVERYTIME I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT THIS SPEEDS AND DRIVING ON A MILITARY POST WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 30MPH CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 XLT. I OPENED THE TOP PORTION OF THE HATCH AND 100+ LBS. CAME CRASHING ON MY HEAD. (THE WEIGHT IS FROM MORE THAN JUST GLASS.) I AM PREGNANT AND ALMOST PASSED OUT ON MY CONCRETE DRIVE. THE LEFT HINGE BROKE OFF AND OBVIOUSLY DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND WAS GIVEN A $500.00 BILL. I STILL BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO WARRANT IT FALLING ON MY HEAD. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, "WHEN DOES A SAFETY ISSUE BECOME A RECALL?" *TR

PAINT HAS STARTED TO BUBBLE AND PEEL OFF OF THE HOOD OF MY 2004 EXPLORER. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD MECHANIC THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING ALOT OF THIS BECAUSE OF THE METAL USED IN THE HOODS- SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR A CAR BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. MY OLD EXPLORER WAS MUCH OLDER AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND UNDER MY DASH AND DID NOT HAVE HEAT. I ASKED FORD DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSIS PROBLEM AND WAS QUOTED $1400 TO REPAIR HEATER PLENIUM AND POSSIBLE BLEND DOOR REPAIR( DIAGNOSIS ALSO COST $90). DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM FIXED FOR THAT AMOUNT BUT WAS CONCERNED AS I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND HEAT IS NECESSARY TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD. LATER, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM ( FORD EXPLORER CLICKING SOUND AND NO HEAT) AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM SINCE 1995. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS COSTLY AND PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY A FIRST YEAR TECHNICIAN FOR LESS THAN WHAT I PAID AS I LATER FOUND OUT, THE BLEND DOOR ISSUE IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT FORD COULD OR WOULD DO FOR ME AND THIS ISSUE. IN MY OPINION AND MANY OTHERS I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH, HAVING A BLEND DOOR FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL NEED TO DEAL WITH IT BEFORE FALL AS I CAN NOT DEFROST WINDSHIELD WITH COLD AIR. *TR

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY-THE IMPACT HOWEVER DID CAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 LITER V6 APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO (46,000 MILES). SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT HARD FROM "PARK" INTO "REVERSE". THE VEHICLE ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHILE IN MOTION. IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. MECHANIC ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $600.00 IN PARTS, AND APPROXIMATELY $800.00 IN LABOR. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THE TRANSMISSION WILL LAST UNTIL COMPLETE FAILURE. I HAVE GRAVE CONCERNS THAT IT MAY FAIL AS WE ARE ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. CAR STARTED VIBRATING AT LOW SPEEDS ESPECIALLY AFTER A STOP AND WHEN TURNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO MECHANICS AND BOTH TOLD ME THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SO I WILL BE UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY MANY OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 EDDIE BAUER 4.0 LITER EXPLORER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK FOR ALL RECALLS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS INCLUDED A COMPLETE TRANS FLUID FLUSH EVEN THOUGH THE FORD STATES THE 1ST MAINT. ON TRANNY IS 100 K MILES, CHANGED THE FRONT SEAL THAT SUPPOSEDLY "CORRODES IN THE PRESENCE OF THE OLD TRANSMISSION FLUID', AND HAD THE SOLENOID BODY CHANGED TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AGAIN AT 34,000 MILES. IT SHIFTS ERRATICALLY AND FEELS UNUSUAL WHILE DRIVING IN FORWARD, AND ONCE WARMED UP AND AT A STOP, WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THERE IS A 1 TOO 2 SECOND PAUSE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VIOLENTLY INTO REVERSE. MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT TRANNY WILL EAT ITSELF UP. IN SHORT ALL PREVENTABLE MAINT. AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE ON CAR TO AVOID PROBLEM, AND YET AT 34K MILES TRANNY IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. YOU REALLY NEED TO PUT FORDS FEET TO THE FIRE AND GET THIS FIXED AS A RECALL AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WEB IS FULL OF REPORTS OF TRANNYS DIE-ING ON THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. YOU ALL ARE THE WATCHDOG, PLEASE DO YOUR JOB. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER REAR BACK PANEL HAS A SIGNIFICANT CRACK WHICH CAME ON SUDDENLY. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS UNTIL I STARTED CHECKING ON HOW TO FIX IT VIA THE NET. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED WITH FAULTY GAS GAUGE. CAR SAID 70 MILES TO EMPTY YET MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS (AGES 3&5) RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THEY HAD TO HIKE 1 MILE DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY TO GET ASSISTANCE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN NO GAS GAUGE IS ONE THAT DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. THANKFULLY THEY EVENTUALLY ARRIVED HOME SAFELY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF STRANGERS. *TR

1. I HAVE HAD BAD VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN SO BAD IT HAS ACTUALLY BLOWN OUT 2 TIRES IN THE REAR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. 2. REAR DIFFERENTIAL, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, IT IS GOING TO CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN AND IF THAT HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS NO GOOD TO ME BECAUSE OF THE COST TO FIX IT. 3. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000 TO FIX IT WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN OVER 3 MORE CASES OTHER THAN ME THEY HAVE TOLD ME. *TR

1. I HAVE HAD BAD VIBRATION AND A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VIBRATION HAS BEEN SO BAD IT HAS ACTUALLY BLOWN OUT 2 TIRES IN THE REAR WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. 2. REAR DIFFERENTRAL, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, IT IS GOING TO CAUSE MY VECHILE TO BREAK DOWN AND IF THAT HAPPENS THE VECHILE IS NO GOOD TO ME BECAUSE OF THE COST TO FIX IT. 3. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000 TO FIX IT WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IT BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN OVER 3 MORE CASES OTHER THAN ME THEY HAVE TOLD ME. *TR

THE LEFT SIDE POWER WIDOW MOTORS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. FORD MOTOR CO. SAYS IT IS NORMAL. I DISAGREE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THREE YEARS. *TR