Page 2 of 27 · complaints 51–100 of 1,304

2004 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 5, 2017GA

I LOOKED AT THE BACK OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LTD ONE MORNING (10/11/2016) AND THERE WAS A CRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE BACK PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DISCOVERING THE SPLIT IN THE PANEL I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL EXPLORER WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE ONLY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO GET IT REPAIRED MYSELF. THIS IS CLEARLY A FORD ISSUE. NOW WHILE DRIVING A HEAR RATTLING AND HOPE THE ENTIRE PANEL DOESN'T FALL OFF. I DID CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY TO REGISTER MY CONCERNS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME BUT HE WOULD FILE MY CONCERN AND GAVE ME A CASE # [XXX] FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. I AM ON A RETIRED INCOME AND THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE REPAIRED THEN KEEP RECEIPTS IN HOPE THAT FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL AND/OR ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. IN READING ON-LINE AFTER SEVERAL OWNERS HAD THE PANEL REPLACED, IT CRACKED AGAIN LATER. PLEASE ADVISE ME AND HELP ME GET ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LTD BACK PANEL SPLITTING FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2016170,000 milesIN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING .NO FIRST GEAR,SHIFTS HARD , SOMETIME IT WONT SHIFT WITHOUT LETTING OFF GAS .WITH CODESPO731,PO733,PO734,PO745 NEEDS TOTAL REBUILD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MILES A HOUR , ABS LIGHT IS ON . CODES SHOW WRONG LINE PRESSURE.ENGINE KNOCKING , TIMMING CHAIN ISSUES.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 7, 2016100,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 6, 2016158,000 milesMI

BOTH HINGES ON THE REAR HATCH GLASS BROKEN. WINDOW READY TO FALL OUT OF VEHICLE. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ITEM HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AS THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE HINGES.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 11, 201685,000 milesWA

SIGNIFICANT FRONT END IMPACT WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT ON A CITY STREET.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 22, 201680,000 milesWA

THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AS INDICATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 5, 2016157,000 milesWI

CRACKS ON REAR PANEL HAPPENED A FEW YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD IT'S A COMMON KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD, BUT THEY WON'T REPAIR IT AND IT'S NOT NEEDED. NOW THE HATCH WON'T FULLY CLOSE OR LOCK SHUT DUE TO THE PARTS BEHIND THE FORD EMBLEM RUSTING OUT DUE TD THE CRACKS. WATER HAS GOTTEN BEHIND IT, ALSO THE REAR WIPER WILL NOT WORK DUE TO THE WATER GETTING THROUGH FROM THE CRACKS. I CAN NOW NOT DRIVE MY ONLY TRUCK THAT FITS MY FAMILY. WE WERE LEAVING TO GO OUT TO A FAMILY ADVENT, AND I NOTICED THE BACK HATCH WAS OPEN, THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT HOW DAMAGED IT WAS DUE TO THE PANEL BEING CRACKED. I CALLED FORD, THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD CAUSE A HUGE ISSUE IF I DROVE AND THE BACK WIDOW FULLY CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE SEVERALLY HURT SOMEONE OR DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND OR PERSON, OR PERSONS. THIS COMMON ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AND RECALLED. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE!

Power Train
Filed Sep 4, 201698,000 milesWI

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SHIFT SOLENOID "B" CIRCUIT FAILURE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR UNTIL VEHICLE REACHES 3000 RPM. O/D LIGHT FLASHES, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ACTIVATES AND TRANSMISSION STAYS IN 3RD GEAR. DON'T USE VEHICLE AND IS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 17, 2016180,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, BUT WHEN I DEEXCELLERATED USING THE THE STEERING WHEEL CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DOWN TO A SPEED BELOW 40, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND POWER STEERING OFF, WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON THE STREET. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND CRANK UP AGAIN (WHICH ALMOST DIDN'T CRANK BACK UP), TO GET BACK RUNNING. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME USING MY CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE AND HAVE READ OTHER HORROR STORIES OF THEIR FORD EXPLORER SHUTTING OFF MID DRIVE DUE TO USING THE DECEL BUTTON DURING CRUISE CONTROL. MUST BE RECALLED FOR HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE SAFETY HAZARD IMMEDIATELY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2016172,472 milesCO

WHEN DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER STARTED MAKING A GRINDING AND HUMMING NOISE ON THE LEFT FRONT OF DRIVER SIDE TIRE AREA. ABS AND 4X4 HIGH LIGHTS CAME ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. TRUCK FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING INTO 4X4 MODE ON ITS OWN AND BRAKING FELT LIKE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1053. SINCE THIS TRUCK USES SENSORS AND TRACTION CONTROL THE SENSOR ON THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE HAD GONE OUT CAUSING THIS FEATURE NO LONGER TO WORK. IT IS A GOOD THING THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO 4X4 MODE ON IT'S OWN AND THE BRAKES ABS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. JUST A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE WILL RESULT IN MANY FOUND ISSUES REGARDING THIS THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON YET. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET FORD TO STAND BEHIND THE SAFETY OF TRUCKS THEY SELL?

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 201697,000 milesMI

PROBLUMS WITH TIMING CHAIN THE GUIDES AND TENTIONER ALWAYS BRAKING OR THE TIMING CHAIN IT SELF BRAKING , IT IS ALL I HEAR ABOUT THE 4.0 MOTORS , I MY SELF THIS IS THE SECOND ONE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME

Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 201631,155 milesIL

THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AFTER STARTING. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ENGINE SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS LIT ON DASH. ENGINE WOULD NOT REV OVER 1000 RPM. HAD TO GET ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT A COST OF $875 PLUS $65 TOWING. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE HAS BEEN COMMON FORDS GOING BACK TO 2002. FORD HAS REPLACED OVER 1.6 MILLION UNITS UNDER THEIR CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. CALLED FORD, AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE #, HOWEVER, FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH PAYMENT. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. 31,155 ACTUAL MILEAGE

Unknown or Other
Filed May 29, 2016152,000 milesTX

2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT DOES NOT GEAR BACK WHEN AT A STOP AND FIXING TO GO. IT GOES VERY SLOW UNTIL IT SWITCHES GEARS.

Structure › Body
Filed May 19, 201665,000 milesFL

THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES NOW. THIS PANEL CRACKS NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM ON EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. I CALLED FORD AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THIS BEING AN ISSUE. MY PANEL HAS CRACKED FOR THE 4TH TIME AND FORD IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 2005. I CAN SUBMIT PHOTOS IF NEEDED TO SUPPORT THIS MATTER. THE PANEL APPEARS TO CRACK DUE TO THE LIFT GATE FLEXING WHEN IT IS OPENED AND CLOSED. IN THE PAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE OBSERVED "ALL" THE FORDS AROUND THAT YEAR HAVE BUSTED PANELS AND THEY'RE TELLING ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM.....ANOTHER COVER-UP IN THE MAKING!

Structure › Body
Filed May 18, 2016145,000 milesPA

PAINT PEELING ROOF HOOD DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED TWICE BEARINGS WEAR OUT REPAIRED TWICE BACK OF TAILGATE PANEL CRACKED REPLACED 3 TIMES

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 21, 2016175,000 milesSC

I HAVE REPLACED THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW 3 TIMES AT A COST OF OVER $ 400 PER TIME. THIS PANEL CRACKS NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM ON EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE. I CALLED FORD AND FILED A COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THIS BEING AN ISSUE. I AM AN AUTO INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND I SEE THIS PROBLEM DAILY ON MY INSURED'S VEHICLE. MY PANEL HAS CRACKED FOR THE 4TH TIME AND FORD IS REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 2006. I CAN SUBMIT THE INVOICES FOR MY REPAIRS AND PHOTOS IF NEEDED TO SUPPORT THIS MATTER. THE PANEL APPEARS TO CRACK DUE TO THE LIFT GATE FLEXING WHEN IT IS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY TRY TO PUT SOMETHING BEHIND THE PANEL WHEN THEY REPLACE IT TO HELP REINFORCE IT.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Apr 5, 2016172,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER OPENING THE LIFTGATE WINDOW, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 4, 2016159,000 milesMI

TRANSMISSION SLIPPIND O/D LIGHT FLASHING RPM'S HIGH JUST BOUGHT CAR NOT HAPPY

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Mar 28, 201665,000 milesCA

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 3/20/2016 - THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 2, 2016AZ

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT APPROX 93,000 MILES, HEAT WENT OUT AROUND 85,000 MILES, SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND AGAIN DON'T WORK, ELECTRIC SEAT DOESN'T WORK, MISC. OTHER THINGS

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 1, 2016119,000 milesNY

WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A SOMETIMESS A DELAYED REPONSE WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVES IT IS SUDDEN AND UNXPECTED. AS RESULT OF THIS I RECENTLY BACKED INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE FENCE

Air Bags
Filed Jan 30, 2016124,000 milesTN

TAKATA RECALL I WAS TRAVELING HOME ON A LOCAL CITY STREET. I WAS COMING TO AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE BEEN GOING NO MORE THAN 35 MPH AT THE MOST WHEN THE "SIDE" AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVERS AND DASH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONLY THE FOUR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH AND NOT BUMPY. I DID NOT HIT THE BRAKES HARD. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR DID ANYTHING HIT ME. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THEM TO DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT BECAUSE I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A SPEED THAT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE MADE CALLS TO FORD AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE LISTED FOR THE RECALL AT THIS TIME.

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 201678,000 milesKS

CAME HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY EVENING AND SAT. MORNING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOOK BATTERY IN AND TESTED, IT WAS DEAD. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. ONLY CLICKED, RELAY AND STARTER WERE FINE. HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT DOWN MY ENGINE FOR NO REASON. THE KEY NO LONGER CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN ONLINE FORUMS AND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER 40 MILES AWAY AND PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE AND KEYS REPROGRAMMED. OVER $120!!! THIS ISSUE LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND TOW COSTS!!!

EngineFire
Filed Jan 6, 2016155,000 milesVI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS PARKED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 14, 201560,000 milesNE

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS NEAR THE REAR WIPER CRACKS. THE FIRST TIME WE PAID TO HAVE THE PANEL REPLACED. BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WOULD COME LOOSE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LESS THAN 18 MONTHS AND THE CRACKS HAVE REAPPEARED ONLY NOW THERE ARE TWO CRACKS IN THE SAME LOCATION. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS SAME CRACK. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN AS WELL. CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSES THE REAR GLASS TO FALL OUT CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 13, 2015172,000 milesTX

WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD ALMOST TO MY PARENTS HOUSE WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSIVE SOUND. I LOOK IN MY MIRROR TO DISCOVER THAT MY REAR WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A ROCK HAD HIT IT BUT WHEN I GOT OUT I DISCOVERED THAT THE HYDRAULIC ARMS HAD EXPANDED AND PUSHED OUT THE SIDES OF THE HATCH, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SHATTERING OF THE WINDSHIELD. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR BUT FORTUNATELY THE GLASS ONLY EXPLODED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND NOT INTO THEIR SEATS.

WheelsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 30, 2015154,871 milesTX

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 70 NEAR KINGDOM CITY, MO. ALL FIVE (5) BOLTS AND LUG NUTS SECURING THE WHEEL/TIRE WERE BROKEN OFF. MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND THEN LEFT. THE VEHICLE SPUN AND ENTERED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CABLE STOPPING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENTWINED WITH THE CABLE SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO FLIP ON ITS SIDE AND COME TO REST. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. MY WIFE AND I HAD DIFFICULTY RELEASING THE SEAT BELTS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS LAYING ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RELEASE BOTH SEAT BELTS AND OPEN THE SUN ROOF FOR BOTH OF US TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE AREA WAS SMOKING, BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE. LUCKILY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DID NOT COMPLETELY ROLL OVER OR THAT MY VEHICLE NOR MY LOOSE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WERE NEAR ME ON INTERSTATE 70 AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT. UPON EXAMINATION OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND TIRE WERE COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE FIVE (5) LUG BOLTS HAD ALL SHEARED. THERE APPEARED TO QUITE A BIT OF FLUID AROUND THE WHEEL WELL. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BRAKE FLUID. WE WERE ABLE TO FIND ONE OF THE LUG NUTS, WHICH STILL HAD A PART OF THE SHEARED BOLT REMAINING INSIDE. I WOULD NEVER HAVE

Power Train
Filed Nov 2, 2015MI

WHEN DRIVING AND YOU THEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE IT GOES INTO REVERSE HARD. SOMETIMES IT EASES INTO GEAR AND OTHER TIMES IT IS VERY HARD. I THOUGHT WELL MAYBE IT WAS ME DID MY FOOT SLIP OFF BRAKE OR SOMETHING?? IT WASN'T THAT I MADE A VERY CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO MAKE SURE I DID IT CORRECTLY AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK CORRECTLY KIND OF STOPS YOU BEFORE ENTERING PARK THEN WILL GO IN AFTER YOU WERE DENIED THE GEAR THE FIRST TIME. CURRENTLY STILL DEALING WITH THIS WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR EITHER ISSUE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 12, 2015163,225 milesVA

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY RESIDENCE ON THE STREET, IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN THAT DAY. THE BACK WINDOW IN THE TAILGATE EXPLODED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE. NO ONE WAS DRIVING IT, IT HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED THAT DAY. THERE WAS A PRIOR CRACK IN THE TAILGATE WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER EXPLORER'S, AND SINCE LEARNED THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CARE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 3, 2015164,000 milesNJ

THE REAR HATCH HINGE HOLDING THE REAR WINDOW BROKE. IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT BUT THE HATCH WINDOW FELL ON ME.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 23, 2015130,000 milesVA

SUN VISOR BRACKET CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED LEAVING SUN VISOR BLOCKING MY VIEW. HAD TO PULL OVER AND DISCONNECT THE WIRE AND REMOVE VISOR. 2ND INCIDENT, PRESSED BUTTON TO OPEN REAR GLASS AND THE HINGES SNAPPED EJECTING THE HEAVY GLASS PANEL AT ME. HAD A CHILD BEEN OPENING IT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AS IT WAS, I CAUGHT THE GLASS PANEL.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2015195,000 milesMN

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH AT 1:00 PM I WAS GOING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 52 OUT OF ROCHESTER WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY FACE. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED I COULD NOT SEE OUT THE PASSENGER WINDOWS OF MY TRUCK (SAFETY HAZARD AS THE AIRBAGS ARE NOW BLOCKING VISION OF THE HIGHWAY), SO I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY (VERY DANGEROUS). BECAUSE I WAS SO SHAKEN UP I HAD TO STAND OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AS I WAS SO SCARED THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG WAS NEXT. I HAD SOMEONE COME PICK ME UP. I LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE AND WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTYWHAT??? ON MONDAY I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CASE WAS BEING ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL LEVEL AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 24 HOURS. I CALLED AGAIN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD SEND AN E-MAIL TO HAVE THE REP CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WEDNESDAY I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD SEND AN EMAIL AND THEY ALSO CONNECTED ME TO A VOICEMAIL SO I LEFT A MESSAGE. I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL AT 5:00 ON THURSDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD WILL PAY FOR THE COST TO DOWNLOAD THE DATA I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WANT COMPENSATION AND I WANT ANSWERS! I COULD HAVE BEEN

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2015MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING BELT FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 5, 201567,000 milesCA

I'VE HAD TWO (2) ACCIDENTS (REAR-ENDED AND FRONT ACCIDENT), IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DIDN'T THINK OF IT AT THE TIME, BUT BOTH ACCIDENTS SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, YET THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HIT THE WHEEL HARD AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAY, BUT IT WASN'T AN INJURY THAT REQUIRED ANYTHING FURTHER. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DON'T WORK. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 31, 201590,000 milesGA

MY SUV SHUTS OFF, AT FULL SPEED!!! I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS..... IT IS AN ISSUE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE! IT IS SO COMMON THAT MECHANICS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BEFORE YOU FINISH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S ALSOI COMMON FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPLACE MOTORS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES SHUT OFF ON THEM, AT FULL SPEED!!!. I AM AFRAID FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY, AS WELL AS MY OWN.

Power Train
Filed Jul 29, 2015178,500 milesOK

OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTING BLINKING CAR STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD AND JERKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DONT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLEBI REALLY NEED HELP PLEASE

Structure › Body1 injured
Filed Jul 14, 2015150,000 milesCA

WENT TO OPEN REAR WINDOW HATCH AND RIGHT HINGE SNAPPED OFF CAUSING WHOLE REAR WINDOW PANEL TO FALL ON ME. THE LEFT HINGE MANAGED TO STAY IN PLACE AND WAS ABLE TO GET CENTER LATCH REATTACHED TO KEEP THE WINDOW PANEL FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL LEFT HINGE SNAPS. TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR BUT BOTH HINGES COULD HAVE EASILY SNAPPED AND POTENTIALLY FALLEN INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A HEAVY LOAD BEARING HINGE AND IF BROKEN WHEN A CHILD OPENED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. I NOTICE THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND IS A DANGER NOT ONLY TO THE OWNER BUT POTENTIALLY TO THOSE ON THE ROAD BEHIND THIS MODEL.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 8, 2015PA

2 VERTICAL CRACKS IN UPPER REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 16, 2015154,000 milesMI

I WENT TO OPEN SMALL WINDOW TYPE REAR GATE AND THE LEFT HINGE BROKE. I CAUGHT THE GATE BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND AND HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOW TO GET CAR HOME SAFELY.

Suspension
Filed Jun 1, 2015185,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed May 24, 2015140,000 milesOH

CAR STARTS BUT WILL GO FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON, BUT WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR BACK IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT STALLED OUT. HAD IT TOWED AND THEN IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. NOW ITS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, NOW MY ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AT 65MPH. THEN IT JERKS A COUPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND CAME BACK WITH 14 CODES MAINLY FOR TRANSMISSION.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 21, 2015105,000 milesDC

TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC NOT MOVING.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 19, 2015105,500 milesNY

OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS.. CODED PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID. PUT ONE IN AND IT STILL HAS THE LIGHT BLINKING AND RUNS LIKE CRAP..

Steering
Filed May 17, 2015109,000 milesMI

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED 2 DAYS PREVIOUS BUT DID NOT YET MAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC. COMPUTER READING SUGGESTED A SENSOR PROBLEM. ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL SYSTEMS. ENGINE RESTARTED BUT NOW IDLES ROUGH.

Structure › Body
Filed May 6, 2015231,173 milesMD

CAR WAS PARKED. I OPENED REAR HATCH (JUST THE WINDOW PART) AND THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE BROKE CAUSING HATCH TO FALL DOWN ON MY HEAD (QUITE PAINFUL!). ABOUT A YEAR AGO THIS SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE HINGE (THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT HIT MY HEAD). I HAD THAT SIDE REPAIRED, BUT NOW IT LOOKS CORRODED SO I WORRY IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 5, 2015119,000 milesTX

MY REAR HATCH IN THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER HAS A CRACK IN IT. WHICH I THINK HAS CAUSED THE BACK WINDOW TO SHIFT WHICH IN TURN HAS CAUSED MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT TO FLASH WHILE THE DOOR CHIMES GO OFF AND THE INTERIOR FLICKER WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BUT THERE ARE NO DOORS OPEN . THE LIGHTS FLICKERING MAKE IT HARD TO DRIVE IN THE NIGHT. I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 5, 2015115,000 milesFL

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, COMMON FOR FORD EXPLORER 2004. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2015130,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND STARTED BLOWING FUEL FUMES INTO THE DRIVER'S CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. MA 08/06/15 UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

Tires
Filed Apr 20, 2015147,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH CAPITOL PRECISION TRAC II TIRES, SIZE: 245/65R17. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THERE WAS A BULGE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD A BULGE ON THE OUTSIDE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14T013000 (TIRES). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 9, 2015220,000 milesCA

THERE IS A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE TOP REAR LIFT GATE 10" TO THE LEFT OF THE VEHICLE LOGO TOWARD THE REAR DOOR. IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK IS BARELY VISIBLE YET IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK WOULD EXPAND. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →