THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE AS I WAS CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. WITHOUT WARNING IT JUST CAME UNDONE WITH THE SCREW POPPING LOOSE. CHEAPLY MADE MATERIAL OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE WAS CLEARLY THE CAUSE, ALONG WITH A FAULTY DESIGN THAT ALLOWS THE BOLT TO STRIP OUT OF THE HINGE. *TR
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 →
CRACKED REAR HATCH. I HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND MY HATCH DIDN'T CRACK TILL AFTER THIS COLD WINTER. BUT, THIS IS THE FIRST WINTER THAT THIS EXPLORER HAS BEEN KEPT OUTSIDE, NOT GARAGED. MY GARAGED IS UNDER MY HOUSE AND INSULATED. IT NEVER GETS BELOW FREEZING IN THE GARAGE. I CALLED FORD AND ASKED THEM IF THEY CAN HELP FINANCIALLY WITH THE REPAIRS. THEY SAID NO. *TR
BOUGHT MY USED 2004 EXPLORER A WEEK PRIOR AND HAD TO HAVE THE BACK WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. USED DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HELP OUT AND NEVER FOLLOWED THRU. *TR
HAD MY USED 2004 FORD EXPLORER FOR A WEEK AND I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION JERKING WHEN IT SHIFT INTO THE LAST GEAR. SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A FULL MINUTE FOR IT TO FINALLY REVERSE. SOMETIMES IT JERKS HARD WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I'M SURE THE DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT ALL THIS BUT NEVER REVEALED IT. OF COURSE WHEN YOU BUY AS IS, YOUR SCREWED. *TR
HAD MY USED 2004 FORD EXPLORER FOR ONE WEEK AND THE LIFTGATE LATCHES BOTH BROKE. IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THE SHOCKS THAT WERE ON THE LIFTGATE, THE WINDOW WOULD HAVE CRASHED TO THE GROUND AND SHATTERED IN A THOUSAND PIECES. FROM WHAT I'M TOLD, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND PAY GOD KNOWS WHAT TO HAVE IT FIXED. CAN'T EVEN USE MY TRUNK NOW. THE DEALERSHIP IS A JOKE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING INTERSTATE 64 GETTING OFF THE EXIST GOING AROUND THE RAMP AND A KNOCKING NOISE STARTED AS I ROUNDED THE CURB, THEN OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, MY POWER WAS GONE AND, I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE RAMP, BUT LUCKILY THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST THE CURB TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. UPON HAVING IT CHECKED OUT BY A LOCAL MECHANIC HE SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGINE AND OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED? AS A SINGLE MOTHER I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS, AND FROM OTHERS COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE SEEN IT MAKES ME WONDER IF ITS WORTH THE TROUBLE TO FIND ANOTHER ENGINE AND WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN. I THOUGHT HAD FOUND A GOOD VEHICLE THAT ONLY LASTED A FEW MONTHS...FEELING IRRITATED...GET IT TOGETHER FORD BECAUSE THIS 2004 EXPLORER IS TROUBLE!! WAS THIS JUST A TEST DUMMY MODEL TO SEE WHAT PROBLEMS WOULD COME OF IT??? WE WANT AND NEED ANSWERS TO THESE PROBLEMS. WE'RE SPENDING SO MUCH HARD EARNED MONEY ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS MORE PROBLEMS THAT KEEPS HAPPENING OFTEN. *TR
REAR CRACKED PANEL ON 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER -WHEN IT RAINS WATER FRY THE REAR TAILLIGHTS . *TR
LIFTGATE HAS A CRACK AND THE HINGE TO THE LIFTGATE BROKE DUE TO CRACK. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE DUE TO POSSIBLE FALLING WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. *TR
I'VE HAVE MY VEHICLE FOR 10 YEARS. PAID THE DEALERSHIP $450 TO HAVE A WARRANTY FOR THE POWER TRAIN AND WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIX IT THEY WOULDN'T. I FIND OUT THAT MY MAJOR ISSUES ARE THE MECHANICAL DIFFERENTIAL. STILL HAVING THE THIS ISSUE TO THIS DAY AND CAN NEVER HAVE MY TRANSMISSION CLEANED OR FLUSHED BECAUSE OF THAT. ALSO, MY FUEL SYSTEM GETS CLOGGED A LOT AND GAS MILEAGE IS HORRIBLE. ALSO, MY ANTIFREEZE LEAKS AFTER I PAID MONEY TO HAVE THE CRACKED SEAL FIXED. THIS IS JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE. I HAVE MANY THINGS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE I FEEL SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT DEFECTS ARE OUT THERE FOR MY VEHICLE. *JS
WHILE CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW GLASS HATCH THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE BROKE ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT ON THAT SIDE. THE REAR GLASS HATCH WINDOW IS HEAVY AND COULD HAVE EASILY BROKEN THE HINGE SIDE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. A PREVIOUS FORD RECALL ON THE VERY SAME COMPONENT COVERED VEHICLES UP TO 2003. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING TO THIS 2004 VEHICLE. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP OWNERS OUT. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE HINGE LET GO, THERE WOULD BE A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 10:52 PM AND WITH NO WARNING THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN/OFF. ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT SHUT OFF, ENGINE SHUT OFF, NO POWER TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. COASTED TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON - THE TRUCK STARTED RIGHT UP WITH OUT A PROBLEM. *TR
SUN VISORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. HORIZONTAL PLASTIC PANEL WITH THE FORD LOGO HAS CRACKED AND BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. CURRENT ONE ON VEHICLE IS CRACKED. SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD AND WAS TOLD BASICALLY "TOO BAD--OUT OF WARRANTY ". FORMOCO HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM ON BOTH THE FORD AND MERCURY BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. AND OF COURSE THIS " DAMAGE " WILL LOWER THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN I SELL/TRADE IT FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A FORD. *TR
GOOD MORNING, MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, 11:15PM, WHEN HORN STARTED TO CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. SMELT WIRES BURNING. I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE IT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND UPON DRIVING, I TAPPED THE HORN AND IT STOPPED. SMELL OF WIRES BURNING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YESTERDAY AM AND TODAY AM, ON THE WAY TO GO, AND I HIT THE HORN AND IT STOPPED. CAN THIS BE AIRBAG RELATED??? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR, FEARING THE AIRBAG WILL OPEN OR A FIRE IS GOING TO START. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
REAR PANEL CRACKED IN THE SHED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION A YEAR AGO REPLACE FRONT HUBS SEVERAL TIMES. AND JUST LAST WEEK I HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK WHEEL BEARING AGAIN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THESE THINGS.I SEE A LOT OF FORDS WITH THE SAME CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH.THIS IS JUST CRAZY. IF I NEW WE COULDN'T CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOT THIS TRUCK.I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. WE ALSO HAVE A 1994 DIESEL THAT WE HAD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION IN AT 80,000 MILES IT SITS IN THE SHED AND NOW MY HUSBAND DRIVES A CHEVY.OUR FORD DIESEL ONLY HAS 134,000 ON IT WHAT ASHAMED. IT WILL NOT EVEN CRANK WHEN ITS COLD. BAD WORK FORD!!!! *TR
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND WHEN I HIT THE 84000 MILE MY CAR STARTED FALLING APART STARTING WITH THE HEATER A/C VENT ACTUATOR FIRST TIME IN LATE 2011 THEN AGAIN IN JAN 2015 THIS REPAIR HAS COST ME OVER $1200 THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY FORD REPAIR SHOP WHICH WAS $97 JUST TO LOOK AT IT THAT IT WAS FROM DIFFERENT COILS THAT WERE OVER $300 A PIECE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACES A COUPLE OF TIME TO THE CADILLAC CONVERTER WHICH WAS OVER $3500 TO REPLACING THE BEARINGS A COUPLE HUNDRED MANY TIMES. I'M AT THE POINT WHERE I'M NOT SURE TO KEEP THIS CAR OR JUNK IT THESE REPAIRS ARE BREAKING ME! I SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.... THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL....!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR FORD EXPLORER, HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS WAITING TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HER HAD ALSO STOPPED. SHE GOT HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR WHO FAILED TO STOP AND WAS GOING AT UNSAFE SPEED, ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORT, AND PUSHED OUR EXPLORER ONTO A TRUCK. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY DAUGHTER HIT HER FACE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. WE HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE OEM STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT CONNECTS THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKES WAS APPARENTLY RUBBING AGAINST SOME COMPONENTS OVER THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL WHICH ABRADED THE PLASTIC COATING RESULTING IN CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINE AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, THE REAR SPRINGS, THE THREE PASSENGER GEAR CALIPERS, FOUR REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS, THE BATTERY, FIVE REAR BRAKE PADS, AND SIX REAR ROTORS PLUS AN OIL CHANGE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,817.
I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS NO CRASH NOR INDICATION OF DAMAGE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCE. I BELIEVE THE CRACKED FORMED BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION OF WATER WHICH SEEPED IN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE THE CRACK ON EVERY EXPLORER ON THE ROAD WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF MINE. I NEED TO GET A RECALL IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NOT CAUSED BY ME AND WHICH EVERYONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THIS MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THE BACK HATCH HAS SPLIT NEXT TO THE FORD SIGN. IT GOT COLD AND WHEN I GOT UP TO CRANK MY TRUCK I SAW IT.IT WAS NOT HIT AND WAS IN THE SHED WHEN THIS HAPPEN. I WAS TOLD IT HAD A RECALL FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER. WE ALSO HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED.FORD REALLY NEED TO FIX THIS .I CAN SAY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *JS
THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER, THIS APPARENTLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN. *TR
LEAVING WORK AT END OF DAY, PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND REAR GLASS SHATTERED. THE EDGES OF THE BACK HATCH PULLED AWAY FROM THE TRUCK AND CURLED UP CAUSING THE GLASS TO BLOW INTO THE TRUCK. A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE HATCH (WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON MANY OF THIS YEAR MODEL) HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND I HAVE EMAILED FORD MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR FEAR OF WATER GETTING IN BEHIND THE PANEL. MY BELIEF IS THAT WATER DID GET BEHIND THE PANEL AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE PLASTIC PANEL TO PULL AWAY AND BLOW IN THE GLASS. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT SITTING IN THE 2ND OR 3RD ROW SEATING OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THAT FLYING GLASS. *TR
FUEL SPILL BECAUSE DEFECTIVE FILLING HOSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A RATTLING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FOUR LUG NUTS WERE DETACHED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND TWO OF THE RIM SPOKES WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE CAR IS IN PARKING CONDITION AT WORK AND AFTER A LONG AWHILE IT WOULD NOT START EVEN THE FULL BATTERY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE LOTS OF CHECKS FOR ALL COMPONENT LIKE RELAYS, FUSES AND WIRING CONNECTION THEY ARE ALL FINE, IN GOOD CONDITION. BUT FINDING OUT THE STARTER RELAY HAD NO POWER, NO CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH IT. I BELIEF THAT THE FAULTY IS ( PCM UNIT ) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT BLOCKED A CURRENT FROM THE STARTER RELAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WAS OUT IN INTERSECTION AND IT JUST TOOK OFF SPEEDING SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT BACK UP AND LIKE LOST ALL POWER NO CONTROL OF FOOT FEET EXPLORER STARTED SHAKING AND DIED TRIED TO START NO SUCCESS. TOWED IT HOME HAD MECHANIC PUT IT ON COMPUTER AND GOT P2111 FORD -THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM STUCK OPEN. AND I CHANGED THE TPS AND NO LUCK CHANGED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY NO LUCK STILL WON'T START. WAS DOING RESEARCH AND SEVERAL FORDS HAVE BEEN HAVING SAME PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN. # WASN'T ON THE LIST. IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM THAT I AM HAVING WHY CAN'T HE HELP ME TOO. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED EARLY ON AT ABOUT 88000 MILES, WE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THIS. MY HUSBAND HAD BEEN IN AUTO REPAIR AND PARTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, SO HIM AND MY SON DONE THE REPAIR, WITHOUT COUNTING ANYTHING FOR LABOR THE TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS AROUND $2000.00. FROM THAT POINT ON WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED OR PARTS REPLACED. THE INTAKE AND PARTS COST US AROUND 700.00, NO CHARGE FOR LABOR. THE TIMING C+HAIN FAILED AND WE CHOOSE THIS TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH COST US $1100.00!!! NOW AT 156000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, THIS ONE HAS AROUND 68000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE DIME IN HELP FROM FORD ON ANYTHING. THIS IS THE THIRD EXPLORER WE HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 15 YEARS. WE ALSO OWN 3 F-150'S AND A MUSTANG. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES. I CAN HONESTLY SAY WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS 2004 EXPLORER AND I FEEL WE WILL MOST LIKELY NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE!!!!! *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR HATCH OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLASS HAS SHATTERED ONCE BEFORE. THE LIFTGATE DEVELOPED A CRACK. UPDATED 9/28/2015 *JS
THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT. FIRST ONE FAILED AT 90,000 3 YEARS AGO. THIS WAS A REBUILD FORD TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. IT FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE AS IT WAS NOT A MOVABLE CAR AND STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY ROAD. *TR
VERTICAL CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE AREA OF THE REAR LIFT DOOR AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BACK PANEL DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CRACKS, WHICH CAUSED THE LIFTGATE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME VERY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD JUST REV. THE CARS BEHIND ME STARTED HONKING. I PUT IT IN THE LOWER GEARS AND FINALLY STARTED MOVING FORWARD AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE LOWER GEARS THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN TRAFFIC, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO 3 AND IT STARTED MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR WILL JUST SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND STOP MOVING FORWARD. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,200, THIS IS AFTER I JUST HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO AT A COST OF $1,800. FORD NEED TO DO A RECALL IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STUDS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,884.
MY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE IS 100% FACTORY SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING HAS VANISHED. I CHECKED ALL THE BELTS MADE SURE EVERYTHING IS RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE CORRECT PLACE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEEMS TO BE PUMPING BUT NOT WORKING. *TR
WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP, THE TRUCK CUTS OFF. EVEN WHILE IN MID TURN. *TR
WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT GEAR AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FELL ON THE GROUND . THERE'S A BIG JOLT RIGHT BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. *TR
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, ITS NOT WANTING TO RUN. THEN WHEN I START TO PULL OUT IT STALLS. I MEAN, U PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND IT TAKES MAYBE FOUR SECONDS BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS, THEN THE TIRES SPIN IT JERKS FORWARD AND MY KIDS SCREAM. IT JERKS U BACK IN THE SEAT. OK, WE'RE ON THE ROAD, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS GOING TO RUN. ONE MINUTE ITS ACTING LIKE ITS GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. THE NEXTS ITS LIKE IT ISN'T. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I CALL THE GUY WHO WORKS ON CARS, HE USE TO BE A HEAD MECHANIC FOR HAS HIS OWN SHOP NOW, HE AUTOMATICALLY TELLS ME ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAYS IF I CANT FIND A USED ONE, U WONT LIKE BUYIN A NEW ONE. AN THE BAD THING IS U HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY 120000 MILES. NOW ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE AUTO PARTS STORE SAYS ABOUT $725 WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PART, WHAT ABOUT THE LABOR??? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD A THIRD ROW SEAT. I HAVE THREE KIDS. I NEED IT TO BE SAFE, NOT A DEATH TRAP. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM, FIX IT!!! *TR
EXACT DATES ARE VARIOUS , VEHICLE HAS 39000 MILES ON IT PRESENTLY , HAVE MULTIPLE VEHICLES , DRIVE OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER ... CHANGED BRAKES AND ROTORS TWICE , EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT WORKING , HAD FIXED , HAD TO HAVE EKG REPLACED AND SOME EXHAUST SENSOR , TIRES WORE OUT AT 29000 , EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED , BOTH BALL JOINTS REPLACED , PINION GEAR GASKET LEAKING FROM REAR END , BOTH CV JOINTS LEAKING , APPEARS RIGHT CV JOINT NEEDS REPLACING , GETS 14 MPG ( 4.0 LITER ) PAINT PEELING FROM ROOF FOR QUITE AWHILE NOW , RUSTING AROUND FUEL TANK DOOR , AS ALL ARE ...... VEHICLE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE , GETTING RID OF THIS AT 39000 MILES , FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA , BUY ANOTHER ONE ! *TR
I HAD JUST GOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE REAR OF MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FOLLOWING EXIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREETS TO GET HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. I TURNED A CORNER AND HEARD AND FELT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK FALL. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ALL THE LUGS EXCEPT ONE WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BALL JOINTS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER BALL JOINT BEING REPLACED TWICE NOW. OUR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL THE LUGS AND PULL THE REAR CORNER PANEL BACK OUT BUT THE INCIDENT RUINED THE RIM WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER I ASKED MY SON TO CHECK THE LUGS ON THE TIRE AND 2 WERE LOOSE AGAIN. *TR
EVERY SINCE WE'VE FINANCED THIS LOUSY SUV 08/2012 WE'VE HAD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE REAR AND STILL CANT FIGURED OUT WHAT THAT IS,BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD,WE HAVE REPLACE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND ABS SENSOR JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THE BEARING IS BAD AGAIN AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HAS A BAD BALL JOINT AND THE VISIBILITY THRU WINDSHIELD IS HORRIBLE,ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING, CNA ONLY SEE A FEW INCHES AHEAD!!! THIS CAR NEEDS SERIOUS RECALLS THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING IN LESS THEN A YR!!! AND WE BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 68,506 MILES!! WE ALREADY SPEND OVER A GRAND FOR A FUEL PUMP!!! THIS CAR SUCKS!!! PLZ HELP WE STILL OWE THOUSANDS AND EVERYTIME WE BLINK AN EYE IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF WHEEL PROBLEMS!!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE TWO ALUMINUM HINGES FRACTURED CAUSING THE LIFT GATE TO FALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
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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 →