2004 Ford Explorer complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST STALLED . WE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I HAD IT TOWED HOME THAT DAY. LATER I FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD COME OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE TWO PLASTIC HINGES ATTACHED TO THE WINDOW FRACTURED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL AND SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,500.

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 25 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SINCE I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM MY PARKING LOT I CONTINUED DIRECTLY INTO THE PARKING LOT (ONLY MINOR TURNS WERE NECESSARY). UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE CAR LEFT TO PARK IN MY SPOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE ENTIRE HUB (AND CAR FRONT END) ACTUALLY LANDED INSIDE THE WHEEL (THUS MINIMIZING SECONDARY DAMAGE). UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND 2 LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STUDS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION OF THE HUB SHOWED THAT 4 OF THE 5 STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF FLUSH WITH THE HUB (THERE WAS ONE STUD REMAINING ON THE HUB). NEXT DAY, I REPLACED THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED THE TORQUES ON THE OTHER 3 WHEELS. I HAD TO HAVE A BODY SHOP REPLACE THE FRONT FENDER (IT WAS JAMMED UP AND BACK INTO THE HOOD AND PASSENGER DOOR). I STILL HAVE THE OLD HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE LOT. I USED THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE BACK LATCH TO STORE MY GROCERIES. IT DID NOT OPEN. I TRIED AGAIN. SUDDENLY THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED AND THE BACK HATCH CAME OFF IT HINGES. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. I FOUND MANY STORIES ONLINE THAT SAID THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER 2004 EXPLORERS AND FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING WITH THE COMPLAINTS. THIS EPISODE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS HAD IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN HIT BY THE FLYING GLASS DEBRIS.

DRIVER #1(ME) WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON STATESVILLE RD. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT SHE WAS INITIALLY A FEW CAR LENGTHS BEHIND VEHICLE #2. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT VEHICLE #2 MADE A SUDDEN STOP. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND STRUCK VEHICLE #2 IN THE REAR. DRIVER #2 STATED THAT HE STOPPED TO TURN INTO CENTER AND WAS REAR ENDED BY VEHICLE #1. WITNESSES, STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE HONDA (VEHICLE #2) APPEARED TO HAVE OVER SHOT HIS TURN, AND SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PVA. *TR

THE REAR HATCH DOOR CRACKED AND NOTICED SO TOOK TO AUTO BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A FORD DEFECT AND IF FIXED IT WOULD CRACK AGAIN DUE TO THE MAKE OF THIS CAR. *TR

UPON OPENING THE REAR GLASS HATCH, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HINGE BROKE WHEN FULLY OPEN AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN, HITTING ME IN THE HEAD. THE PANEL BELOW ON THIS SAME WINDOW TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD LOGO PLATE HAD ALSO CRACKED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW LATCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE FACING THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF AND NEARLY CAUSED THE RIGHT SIDE TO ALSO BREAK. I AM UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FOR THE WINDOW FAILED OR THE LATCH JUST BROKE. *TR

WHILE OPENING THE SMALLER WINDOW IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, THE WINDOW STARTED TO FALL. LUCKILY THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE TO CATCH IT. I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE WAS BROKEN. WE USUALLY TAKE OUR INFANT AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE WE LOAD THINGS. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD ALREADY BUCKLED HER IN. HAD THE GLASS FALLEN OR WE NOT PAID ATTENTION , IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR US. *TR

THE BACK HATCH WINDOW DOESN'T SEEM TO LINE UP WITH THE LATCH. THE BACK HATCH ALSO CRACKED RIGHT NEAR THE FORD LOGO. I HAVE SEEN MANY OF THE EXPLORERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. ITS TIME FORD FIXES THIS DEFECT. ALSO WHILE DOING AROUND 60-65 MPH MY TIMING CHAINS BROKE, ALL 3 OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME. I COULD UNDERSTAND 1 MAYBE BUT ALL 3 ? THIS TO HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

IN WINTER THE BLEND FOR ACTUATOR WENT OUT IN EXPLORER AND LEFT ME WITH NO GREAT SO WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRY AND WIPE FROST OFF OF THE INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN WINTER AND ALWAYS WIPING WINDOWS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT NIGHT AND AS SOON AS YOU PASS A CAR THE CARS HEADLIGHTS MESS WITH FROST ON WINDOW AND IT IS BLINDING NOT TO MENTION WHEN IT RAINS AND THE WINDOWS STEAM UP AND YOU CAN'T SEE THEN EITHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS AND FRAME WERE RUSTED. AND THE REAR HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/30/14*LJ THE CONSUMERS STATED THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO GEAR. UPDATED 02/25/2015 *JS

WHEN DRIVING TO WORK I BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE IN THE FRONT END PART OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER LEAVING WORK AND DRIVING LESS THAN 1 MILE THE NOISE GOT LOUD, SO I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND FIXED. 1 YEAR AND 1 WEEK LATER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE, RIGHT WHEEL BEARING CEASED, CAUSING REAR END OF VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL, HAD TO DRIVE HOME ON BACK ROAD (NOT HIGHWAY) AS THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED. CAR WAS SMOKING SO BAD, COULD NOT BE PLACED INTO GARAGE AS IT WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE. HAD TO BE TOWED, DAMAGED FROM BEARING TO REAR AXEL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE/CABLES. IF SHE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHAT WILL IT TAKE? ANYONE HEARD OF ANY CLASS ACTIONS TO MAKE FORD STEP UP TO BAT AND RECALL THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES? *TR

WHEN CLOSING REAR PANEL, THE PANEL CRACKED. *JS

WHEN ACCELERATING THE SUV SHAKES, IT HAS A HARD TIME SOMETIMES GOING FROM ONE GEAR INTO ANOTHER. I STARTED THE TRUCK TODAY AND IT MADE A THUMPING SOUND. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING ON IT AND I TAKE CARE OF IT. I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE TRUCK TO GO INTO GEAR TO GO IN REVERSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOME OVER THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN TO FORD WITH A REDUCED AMOUNT TO THE TRADE IN ALLOWANCE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 08/12/2014 *JS

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AUTOMATICALLY TO 20 MPH AND NOT REGAIN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE OVER A SIX YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT PROPERLY SPECIFY WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

REAR GLASS LIFT GATE: CRACKS APPEARED IN THE REAR HATCH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR FORD LOGO.( I NOW NOTICE MANY FORD EXPLORERS WITH SAME CRACKS). TOP RIGHT GLASS HINGE TWISTED SIGNIFICANTLY AND TOP LEFT GLASS HINGE TWISTED SLIGHTLY. THE FASTENING BOLTS FOR BOTH GLASS HINGES ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS RESULTED IN THE REAR GLASS WINDOW SHIFTING, APPARENTLY CAUSING THE CRACKS IN THE TAIL GATE. I CONTACTED SUNSHINE FORD'S SERVICE DEPT. IN NEWBURGH, NY AND WAS TOLD FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING/REPLACING THIS DEFECT. THEY CHOSE THEIR WORDS CAREFULLY. THEY EMPHASIZED THAT "MY MODEL YEAR" WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. I ASKED IF "ANY" EXPLORERS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THEY WOULD NOT SAY; BUT INSTEAD REPEATED,"MY MODEL YEAR" WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. NHTSA HAS ALREADY RECEIVED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF INJURIES FROM OWNERS WHOSE LIFT GATE GLASS BROKE OFF ITS MOUNTING HINGE WHILE OPEN, AND CAUSED HEAD INJURIES. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A REAR LIFT GLASS PANEL DETACHES FROM AN EXPLORER IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. THAT COULD EASILY LEAD TO A MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE FATALITIES. I CHECKED AND FORD HAD A SIMILAR PART RECALL FOR 2002 & 2003 EXPLORERS. FORD CHANGED THE PART THEN AND HAS NOT MET THE # OF COMPLAINTS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL 2004 AND UP EXPLORERS. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK MANY EXPLORER OWNERS CHECK WITH THE DEALER AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS/IS A RECALL AND GIVE UP UPON HEARING NO. WE NEED TO GET ANYONE WE KNOW WITH THIS PROBLEM TO FILE

WHILE DRIVING MY EXPLORER DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WITH OUT MUCH WARNING WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WENT FROM DRIVABLE TO NOT MOVING WITHIN ONE DAY. IT STARTED WITH A HARD SHIFT AND ACCELERATION BEING DELAYED WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THEN THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHIN TEN MILES OF MY HOME LEAVING US STRANDED IN THE DEAD OF WINTER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH VERY LITTLE ROOM TO PULL OVER SO WE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

STOPPING AT RED LIGHT STEPPING ON BRAKE VEHICLE SPEED UP INSTEAD OF STOPPING. CAUSING ME TO SIDE SWIPE FOUR VEHICLES AND GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION

WHILE PARKED, I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE. HOWEVER, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT REVERSE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT THE FORDS WERE "WELL KNOWN" FOR HAVING BAD TRANSMISSION DUE TO CERTAIN PIECES NOT FITTING, ESPECIALLY THE 2002-2006 MODELS. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND REALIZED THIS PROBLEM IS A LOT BIGGER THAN JUST "A FEW" CASES. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC OF NEGLECT! ADDITIONAL ISSUES INCLUDE THE THROTTLE BODY FOR WHICH YOUR ESTABLISHMENT HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED BUT LIMITED THE "RECALL" FOR YEARS 2009-2013. THIS SHOULD BE EXTENDED FURTHER TO COVER ALL INCIDENTS WITHIN A CERTAIN MILEAGE. MINE STARTED AROUND FIFTY THOUSAND MILES UNTIL I HAD IT REPLACED FOR $650! I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION ON THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE INABILITY TO REVERSE. *JS

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON IT'S OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULE WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF REPAIR OF $644.00. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED WITHOUT ACCESSING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ...UPDATED 04-10-14 *BF UPDATED 04/22/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED DIRECTLY ON THE LOGO WHERE THE LIFT GATE LOCK WAS LOCATED. THE DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR LIFT GATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *TR

CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW, WENT TO GARAGE AND FOUND THIS, CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE PLASTIC CRACKED THROUGH FORD LOGO WITH NO CONTACT. THIRD ROW SEATBELT STUCK AND HARD TO RELEASE.

THIS IS A COUNTY GOVT VEHICLE PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD BEEN HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3-4 HOURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. I MADE ONE BRIEF STOP DURING THAT TIME, AND WAS MOSTLY USING CRUISE CONTROL. JUST PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED LIMIT DROPS FROM 70 TO 55, AND THEN TO 35 IN A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE. I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL COAST TO REDUCE MY SPEED FROM 55 TO 35. THE 35 MPH SPEED STARTS ON A BRIDGE- THERE IS A SMALL INCLINE AND THEN A LITTLE LARGER DECLINE. AT ABOUT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I LOST STEERING AND COASTED TO A STOP. I DON'T RECALL IF I HAD BRAKING. I WAS WITH A PASSENGER; IT WAS NIGHT, AND THIS OCCURRED IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT SAFE. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR, AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, SO I FILLED THAT, RESTARTED, AND DROVE THE REMAINING 1 1/2 HRS WITH NO PROBLEMS. OTHER EMPLOYEES CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT 2 1/2 MONTHS LOCALLY-VERY LITTLE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WITH NO ISSUES. ON FEBRUARY 21, I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP IN THIS VEHICLE FROM THE SAME AREA, WITH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AS ABOVE. WHEN I WAS STILL ON THE BRIDGE WHERE THE SPEED DROPS TO 35, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS ALONE. THERE WAS A VEHICLE FOLLOWING VERY CLOSE BEHIND ME BUT FORTUNATELY I CONTINUED TO COAST AS THIS WAS ON THE DECLINE OF THE BRIDGE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SLIGHTLY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK GAUGES; CHECK ENGINE, AND BATTERY WAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE, THE HYDRAULIC ARM FAILED AND THE GLASS OF THE LIFT GATE STRUCK A PASSENGER IN THE HEAD. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

CRACK IN REAR HATCH BELOW REAR WINDOW. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT FOR WHICH FORD IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. FORD SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AT NO COST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,846.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SUN VISORS BECAME FRACTURED, MAKING THE VISORS UNUSABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE DEFECT HE WAS UNABLE TO REPOSITION THE VISORS IN ORDER TO BLOCK THE SUN WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW OF THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,627. ..UPDATED 03/25/14 *BF

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GROCERY STORE. I OPENED THE REAR HATCH TO LOAD MY GROCERIES. AS I REACHED UP TO CLOSE THE HATCH THE RIGHT SIDE OF IT COLLAPSED AND FELL RIGHT ON MY HEAD LEAVING A LARGE LUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH HAD SNAPPED AND THE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH HAS TWISTED THE HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY, I BROKE THE FALL OF THE HATCH OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED RESISTANCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

MY 13 YR OLD WAS LOADING GROCERIES WHILE THE WINDOW WAS POPPED UP IT FELL W/O WARNING SEVERELY HURTING HER HEAD RT BRACKET ON UPPER WINDOW BROKE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH OF THEM HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. YET FORD HAS NO RECALL OR EVEN ANYTHING TO FIX THEM EXCEPT $3,000.00 TO A DEALER OUT OF YOU POCKET FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I GUESS SINCE NO ONE HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE GOTTEN INJURED OR DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THEN THERE WON'T BE A RECALL MADE ON IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY FOR THE FORD MOTOR CO. BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKERS THAT SCREW UP, THE CONSUMER ENDS UP FOOTING THE LARGE BILL OF REPAIRING IT. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE EXPLORERS FROM 2000 - 2005 YET NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO ADDRESS IT. FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING SUCH FAULTY VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD AND ENDANGERING ANOTHER HUMANS LIFE FOR THEIR PROFIT. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WILL BUY AND FORD PRODUCT AND I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY FORD EITHER. I WONDER HOW FORD WOULD LIKE THE MEDIA EXPOSURE FOR THIS ISSUE. NO GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR PRODUCT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE LIFT GATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURER'S EMBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE LEFT HINGE THAT HELD THE TRUNK WINDOW SNAPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WINDOW WAS HELD BY THE CONTACT WHILE ANOTHER PERSON LATCHED THE WINDOW BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

WHEN SETTING CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH THE ENGINE DIES. THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OUT OF TRAFFIC. TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN IT WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL YOU TRY TO SET THE CRUISE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GEAR LEVER WOULD NOT SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,456.

THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND CALLED FOR A TOW. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE RUBBER HOSE COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD SPRUNG A LEAK, LEADING TO THE COMPLETE LACK OF BRAKING. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC, OR JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER MOVING SITUATION, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE CRASHED, WITH DIRE RESULTS TO ME AND POTENTIALLY TO OTHERS. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SITUATION LIKE THIS IN OVER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION MILES .VERY DISCONCERTING. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD ENGINEERS TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES. *TR

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH ITS FORD EXPLORERS PRODUCED 2002-2008. THE BACK DOOR PANEL CRACKS ALL THE WAY THROUGH JUST UNDER THE WINDOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MANY DOCUMENTED WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODE. THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN ONLY TO ALARM THE DRIVER AND CAUSE A MAJOR FREEWAY ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT MOVING TO GET THE FORD COMPANY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. BUT THEY ARE WAITING FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART. THE INNER PORTION SEPARATED FROM THE REST. THIS ALLOWS. IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SERPENTINE BELT, AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES! THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 FORD 4.0 LITER V6. THIS COULD RESULT IN SOMEBODY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. I WAS REPLACING THE WATER PUMP ON MY VEHICLE WHEN I SAW THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE REAR TRUNK WINDOW AND THE LEFT HINGE BECAME FRACTURED. THE WINDOW FELL ONTO THE CONTACT UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH SAVED THE WINDOW FROM FALLING AND SHATTERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HINGE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,602.

AFTER COASTING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN CLUNKS AS I ACCELERATE