2004 Ford Explorer complaints

I HAVE HAD THE SHIFTER LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THIS ACTUATOR DEFECT PREVENTS MY EXPLORER FROM COMING OUT OF PARK. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS STARTED SLIPPING. IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO GEAR CORRECTLY. IT ONLY HAS 107,600 MILES ON IT. I LIVE JUST OUTSIDE BIRMINGHAM, AL AND THE TRAFFIC IS VERY HEAVY AND DANGEROUS HERE. NOT A PLACE I WANT MY VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN. I JUST HUNG UP THE PHONE WITH FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER IN THE WAY OF HELP. THEY SAID TO HOLD ON TO RECEIPTS IN CASE OF RECALL. :-( YOU BET YOUR LIFE I WILL! MY SISTER'S 2005 DID THE SAME THING AT JUST OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION HAS A DELAYED SHIFT AND CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV BEFORE SHIFTING. THIS CAUSES A HESITATION ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME AND THE 0/D LIGHT FLASHES AS WELL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS IS SITUATION DANGEROUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCH SHATTERED. THE CONTACT LOOKED AT THE HATCH AND FOUND A CRACK ON THE METAL PIECE OF THE HATCH DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WITHOUT WARNING MY REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY KEEP BRAKING. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHIMMY AND PULL AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND THE WHEEL IS PRACTICALLY FALLING OFF BY THE TIME I GET HOME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR! SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND MY WHEEL HASN'T FALLEN COMPLETELY OFF, ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TWICE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS SO AS SOON AS I FEEL SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY I HAVE IT CHECKED! IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE WHOLE WHEEL WOBBLES AND GOING SLOW ONLY MAKES IT SEEM WORSE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $300.00 PLUS EACH TIME! *TR

CRACK IN REAR HATCH BODY PANEL CONTAINING FORD EMBLEM. DEFECTIVE PART HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. CRACK OCCURRED BY ITSELF, NO ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO HATCH ITSELF OR REAR END OF VEHICLE. FORD HAD RECEIVED OVER 900 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ITEM AND THERE IS AN ONGOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS DEFECT IN CALIFORNIA. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS NEW WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL (SPEED CONTROL) WOULD DISENGAGE ON ITS OWN AND AT THE SAME TIME KILL THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DOES IT MUCH MORE OFTEN AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH, SO I DON'T USE THE CRUISE AT SLOWER SPEEDS; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT ABOVE 50 MPH AND THE ABS LIGHT ALSO COMES ON OCCASIONALLY. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES YOUR POWER-STEERING NO LONGER WORKS AND STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES CROSS MEMBER SUPPORT SNAPPED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE *TGW AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE CROSS-MEMBER SUPPORT WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE VEHICLE. (SON WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE) *JB

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION JUMPING OUT OF DRIVE WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I FEEL THIS IS VERY VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND EVERYTIME THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WAS THE REARDIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. MY EXPLORER IS NOW HAVING ISSUES GOING INTO REVERSE AND STAYING IN ANY GEAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 EXPLORER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR INJURED FROM THIS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF OITHER 2003-2004 EXPLORER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END. THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS A DEATH TRAP.

TRANSMISSION HAS A HARD CLUNK ENGAGEMENT WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR AND TOTAL DISENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING, THEN THE OD LIGHT STARTS TO BLINK, AND YOU HAVE TO EITHER LET OFF THE GAS, OR TAP THE GAS TO GET IT TO ENGAGE AGAIN, IT STARTED AROUND 50,000 MILES, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO, THE IS NO RECALL AND NO WARRANTY FOR IT, DEALER SHIP SAID IT NEEDS REBUILT OR REPLACED 2200.00 OR 4200.00 DOLLARS, WE DON'T HAVE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HAVING TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID FOR THE THIRD TIME. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO REVERSE WITHOUT JOLTING AND HARD SHIFTING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE STRUT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

IN SEPT 2009 THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS COVERED. 18 MONTHS LATER THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60,400 OR 20,000 MILES AFTER THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 1/30/11 OR 60,000 MILES. THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO FORD EXPIRES WITH THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IF YOU PURCHASE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION FOR A FORD VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL OFFER A 3 YEAR/100K MILE WARRANTY. I CALLED FORD WITH MY DILEMMA AND EXPLAINED THAT THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION WENT 33 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY OR 400 MILES ABOVE THE 60,000 MILE LIMIT. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE VERY SORRY THIS HAPPENED BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. OUTSIDE THE ISSUE OF NOT BEING VERY FAIR SINCE IF I HAD PURCHASED THE TRANSMISSION ON MY OWN THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED, THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS NOW ON ITS 3RD TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETHING SEEMS INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THAT. THANKS FOR READING MY COMPLAINT.

2004 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES REAR CROSS MEMBER SUPPORT SNAPPED FORCING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE *TGW AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION BY A FORD MECHANIC AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY CONCLUDED IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS THE CROSS MEMBER SUPPORT WAS NOT WELDED PROPERLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. WHEN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ENGAGE BACKWARD RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,602.

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON 1/28/11. THE CAR WAS A CERTIFIED / WARRANTED VEHICLE. I WAS ASSURED BY THE TOYOTA SALESMAN THAT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WOULD BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. SEVERAL PROBLEMS WHICH THE CAR HAS INCLUDE: MISMATCHED TIRES, INOPERABLE SUNROOF, LEAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL & NOISE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THESE PROBLEMS NEEDED REPAIR. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RETURNED NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, EMAILS & WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THEM, I WAS TOLD ALL THESE REPAIRS HAD BEEN FIXED & LATER FOUND OUT THAT NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR

HELLO, I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRUCK WITH A CRACK ON THE BACK OF THE HATCH DOOR. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS CRACK CAME FROM. I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY AREN'T WILLING TO HELP. I FIRST NOTICE THE CRACK ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE ALL HAVE A CRACK ON THE SAME PORTION OF THE TRUCK. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A FORD EXPLORER AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE CRACK ON THE BACK OF HER TRUCK CAME FROM EITHER. WE THINK THIS MAYBE A RECALL ISSUE. I JUST STARTED WRITING DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF THE VARIOUS EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE SIX TAG NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, I KNOW THAT THEIR ARE MANY MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEEN MORE TRUCKS BUT AT THE TIME I WASN'T DOCUMENTING THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE HATCH WINDOW IN 2003 FOR THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCK. IN 2007, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2003 RECALL ON MY 2004 VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED MYSELF BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RECALL REPORTED FOR 2004. ALTHOUGH IT WAS A YEAR LATER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WASN'T RESOLVED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A BREAK LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS YOUR BREAK LIGHTS RANDOMLY COMING ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND

THERE ARE MANY CRACKS BELOW REAR WINDOW WHICH ARE GETTING LARGER AND LARGER. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE ENTIRE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE HINGES ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THESE LARGE CRACKS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY CONCERNS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND FOR SAFETY REASONS, FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT THIS AFFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT REALLY BAD.

REAR APPLIQUE HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE FOR NO REASON. I CONTACTED THE A DEALER AND THEY WERE AWARE THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM FROM FORD, BUT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUED. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE FULL AND THE TANK DOES NOT FILL ALL THE WAY. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE EMPTY SHOWING YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU MAY ACTUALLY HAVE 3 GALLONS. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY IS NOT SAFE. THE GAS STATIONS PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY GIVING YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TANK IS FULL AND IS CONFIRMED FULL BY AN INACCURATE GAS GAUGE WHICH SHOWS FULL. SO YOU MIGHT HAVE 18 GALLONS IN A TANK THAT SHOULD HAVE 22.5 GALLONS AND THE GAUGE SHOWS A HALF TANK WHEN YOU HAVE 3-4 GALLONS. *TR

THE HATCH BACK CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOWS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE METAL WAS FRACTURED IN HALF IN THE CENTER NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD COULD SHATTER BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 88,200.

TRANSMISSION SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR UPON ACCELERATION AND WHEN BRAKING. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND THEN ENGAGES HARD WITH A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LURCH BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENS 8 OF 10 TIMES WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE. NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT AS IT APPEARS THERE IS NO FIX SHORT OF A NEW TRANSMISSION = $$$ I DON'T HAVE. *TR

I FINANCED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008 AND ABOUT 6 MONTH LATER I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTING TO SLIP. SOON AFTER IT WOULDNT HARDLY GO INTO GEAR UNLESS I REVED UP THE ENGINE THEN IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR REALLY HARD. NOW IT IS GETTING WORSE. IM A DISABLED SINGLE FATHER OF MY SON WHO IS ALSO DISABLED AND WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS, [XXX] I STILL OWE ON IT. I PAY ALMOST 300 BUCKS A MONTH CAR PAYMENT ON IT. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE!!! !THE O/D WARNING BEGAN TO FLASH...THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO SERVICE TRANSMISSION ASAP. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ONLY HAS 61,672 MILES. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2000-3000. *TR

RATTLING NOISE AND SHAKING HAS BEEN COMING FROM ENGINE AREA FOR SOME TIME NOW. COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE UNTIL RECENTLY, AND WHEN LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ONLINE I FOUND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THE HARMONIC BALANCER / CRANKSHAFT PULLEY GOES BAD. THE INNER RING BREAKS, CAUSING THE SENSOR TO EVENTUALLY WEAR DOWN AND ALSO NEED REPLACEMENT. THIS REPAIR ON AVERAGE COSTS PEOPLE MORE THAN $350. TO REPLACE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, AND ONE DAY THE CAR IS FINE THE NEXT THERE IS A CRACK ON THE REAR PANEL I THOUGH IT WAS MY FAULT BUT THEN I STARTED SEEING MORE EXPLORES WITH THE SAME CRACK IT HAS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH SHE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE TIMING BELT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

THE OD LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE TRANS IS SLIPPING. YOU CAN NOT EXCELERATE IN A HURRY BECAUSE IT WONT GO MAKING THIS TRUCK A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER: 1) PLASTIC EXTERIOR PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW IS CRACKED, IN 2006 FORD HAD A REPAIR ASSIST PROGRAM, THEREBY ACKNOWLING THE FAILURES. IT NO LONGER IS OFFERING THAT REPAIR ASSISTANCE?? THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ON INTERNET FORUMS. 2) LEFT REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE FREE FROM THE WINDOW WHEN I OPENED THE WINDOW, I WAS FORTUANTE IT DID NOT FALL ON MY HEAD (THE RISER PISTON WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE). I HAD TO PAY $50 FOR NEW HINGES. I AM WAITING FOR THE NON-REPLACED HINGE TO FAIL AS WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THESE HINGE FAILURES ON THE INTERNET. THE FORD DEALER NEAREST FORD WORLD HEADQUARTERS IN DEABORN, MI WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW HINGES TOLD ME THEY HAVE SOLD 10 NEW HINGE PACKAGES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TO CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR PANEL CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WERE NOT SECURE AND COULD FALL OUT AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

THE REAR DOOR PANEL UNDERNEATH THE GLASS ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED. FORD MOTOR CO SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER: ENGINE SEIZED FOR NO APPARENT OR OBVIOUS REASON AT 53,000 MILES. NOT REPAIRABLE. ALSO, REAR PLASTIC PANEL BENEATH WINDOW CRACKED. JUST READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR

IN 2005, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY PUT SOME TYPE OF ADDITIVE. THEY TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FROM 2005 TO 2011 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS, IT WOULD TURN OFF WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD PAUSE THEN SHIFT BACK HARD. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEVER TOOK THE CAR BACK TO FORD TO GET IT CHECKED BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD ALWAYS TURN RIGHT BACK ON. IN JANUARY OF 2011 MY CAR HAD 72,000 MILES. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF ON ME. IMMEDIATELY, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. WHEN I WOULD RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD TURN ON. HOWEVER, WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT WOULD TURN OFF. SO I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO FORD SERVICE AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I NEED A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $4,000. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAITING TO BE FIXED. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCH BACK FIBER GLASS FAILED. THE FIBER GLASS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS FAILED DUE TO STRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIBER CLASS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

PURCHASED 2004 EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2007. 95489 MILES. NO PRIOR INDICATION IN DRIVABILITY, NOISE OR LIGHTS COMING ON. GOING ALONG, MOST SPEED AVAILABLE WAS 20 MPH, RPMS ON 6; THEN JERKED TO CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN TOWN DURING RUSH HOUR, OVERDRIVE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. LIMPED INTO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A TRANSMISSION SHOP,. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. OBVIOUSLY FORD KNEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY HAD SENT SHOP UPDATE NOTICES AND WHAT TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

THE TRUCK JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE - IT ALSO JERKS IN DRIVE BUT IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN BACKING UP. THE GEARS DON'T SHIFT UNTIL I'M AT 20 -30 MPH AND THEN THEY SLIP INCREDIBLY JUST TO GET GET THERE. AND EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR JERKS AS IT IS SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN I BACK INTO MY PARKING SPACE THERE IS A FULL 10 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR TO FINALLY CATAPULTS INTO REVERSE. IF THERE IS EVER ANYONE BEHIND ME THEY WILL LITERALLY BE HIT BECAUSE OF THE JERKING. THE SLOW SHIFTING INTO GEARS AND JERKING HAVE BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE TAKEN BRAND NEW OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR. ALTHOUGH THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT "TESTED TRANS; PERFORMED PINPOINT TEST; R&R TRANS PAN; AND ADDED A REPLACED SOLENOID BODY" - NOTHING HAS STOPPED THIS PROBLEM. IT STILL PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. AND IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

THE PROBLEM THAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR END. FOR THE TRANSMISSION-THIS IS THE THIRD TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH OUR TRUCK. HAD IT AT THE DEALER SHIP JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY WENT OUT AROUND 37,000 AN PAID A LITTLE OVER $600.00 TO FIX IT . LASTED TILL 80,000 THEM TOOK IT BACK AND PAID AROUND $200.00 TO FIX. NOW AT 136,000 AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. DEALER SHIP WANTS ANOTHER $3,306.00 TO FIX IT AGAIN. THE REAR END IS MAKING A LOUD WINE NOISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THROTTLE BODY AND SEVERAL UNKNOWN SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES LESS THAN TWENTY DEGREES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE EXHIBITED A FRACTURE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER AT ~109K MILES. CRASH/BANG NOISE HEARD JUST BEFORE FAILURE: HIGH ENGINE RPMS AND NO FORWARD PROPULSION, FLASHING OD LAMP AND ILLUMINATED SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP. PROBLEM PRECEDED BY INTERMITTENT FAILURE TO ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR, OR SUDDEN JERKING/ROUGH ENGAGEMENT, OCCASIONAL SLIPPING OF GEARS ON ACCELERATION. UPON TOTAL FAILURE, DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED, SAYS "KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE", RECOMMENDED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT $4000. VEHICLE IS ONE OF THOSE RECALLED IN 2005 FOR BAD TRANSMISSION FLUID FORMULA INSTALLED AT FACTORY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS HAD PECULIAR SHIFT BEHAVIOR WHICH FORD CONSISTENTLY SAID WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY, AS MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED, THE ROUGH SHIFTING (PERHAPS PRECIPITATED BY BAD FORMULA FLUID AND/OR DAMAGE THIS MAY HAVE DONE TO OTHER COMPONENTS) WAS INDICATIVE OF EVENTUAL TOTAL FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PLASTIC TAILGATE STRIP WAS CRACKED IN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE PLASTIC STRIP FOR VEHICLES THAT DO NOT EXCEED 36,000 MILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, WITH APPRX. 50,000 HIGHWAY MILES. IN 2007 I WALKED OUTSIDE TO FIND THE REAR BACK PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW WITH THE FORD EMBLEM WAS CRACKED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP , IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS 403.47, I HAD TO PAY 250.00 & THE WARRANTY COVERED THE DIFFERENCE OF 153.47. HERE IT IS 2011, I WALK OUTSIDE TO FIND THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW WITH THE FORD EMBLEM CRACKED AGAIN, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THIS TIME IS , I HAVE NO WARRANTY. THIS APPARENTLY IS A DEFECT ON FORDS PART, THE SAME CRACK 2 TIMES ON THE SAME VEHICLE AFTER BEING REPLACED AND FORD HAS NOT RECALLED YET. THEIR IS NOT ONE DAY YOU DRIVE AND NOT FIND FORD EXPLORER OWNERS DRIVING AROUND WITH CRACKS ON THE REAR PANEL. COME ON FORD OWN UP OR LOSE CONSUMERS. *TR

THE SUN VISOR ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A WEAK BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE VISOR. IF THE BRACKET FAILS, THAT CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE NUMBER THREE PISTON BROKE AND CEASED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,800.

CRACK APPEARED ON PLASTIC PANEL JUST TO THE LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM THE CAR HAD 92K MILES WHEN OCCURRED. BODY SHOP ESTIMATE $500.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

3 OUT OF 4 WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER BETWEEN 71,000 AND 82,000 MILES. DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WAS REPLACED BETWEEN 71,000 AND 72,000 MILES, DRIVERS SIDE REAR REPLACED SHORTLY AFTER AND NOW THE PASSENGER FRONT NEEDS REPLACING AT 82,000 MILES. SEVERAL POSTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER THAT IF I DIDN'T FIX THEM THE TIRE COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME WITH OUT WARNING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IT RECENTLY STARTED MAKING A RUMBLING NOISE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS AN EXTREMLY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2004 EXPLORERS. IF YOU GOOGLE "2004 EXPLORER PROBLEMS" AND CLICK ON ANY OF THE LINKS THE FIRST PROBLEM IS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW IN 2004 AND HAVE NOT ABUSED THE CAR. FOR A 2004 CAR WITH ONLY 75000 MILES ON IT TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION GO IT IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $3000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE FIX BEING A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NOISE IN FRONT END, PREMATURE FAILURE OF TIE ROD ENDS. *TR