2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Complaint Log

All four side curtain airbags deployed while I was driving my car in a parking lot. There was no collision and no reason whatsoever for the airbags to deploy. The airbags in the dash did not deploy. The airbag hit me in the side of the head and shrapnel from the airbag, hit me in the face and eyes and knocked me sideways toward the passenger seat. I was completely stunned and had piercing pain throughout my head and neck. I was able to pull into a parking spot and call police dispatch, and get the car towed. The car will be inspected tomorrow by the insurance company, but because there was no reason for the airbags to deploy, this could be a major problem! Imagine if I was driving on the freeway or in another situation and the airbags just deployed for no reason with no warning. Please take immediate action to get these unsafe airbags off the road. The car will be inspected by the insurance company in the morning and the service provider in the following days. If you would like those reports, I will be happy to send them to you.

DURING NORMAL USE, USUALLY WHEN IN MOTION BUT FREQUENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION, THE DRIVERS SEAT SUDDENLY FLOPS BACKWARDS TO THE RECLINE POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE TRUCK WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ONE TIME BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE TRUCK; THAT DIDNT WORK FOR ME BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION AND I ALWAYS HAVE TO GO TO WORK, THEN AND NOW. I SAW A RECALL ON THE 2010 FOR THIS AND FIGURED I WOULD LET YOU KNOW IT WAS FOR A LOT LONGER THAN THAT. IT MIGHT HELP EXPLAIN SOME DEAD PEOPLE IN SPORT TRACS. I CERTAINLY HAD SOME ANXIOUS MOMENTS AT TIMES IN THE 15 YEARS WITH MY TRUCK..IVE TRIED TO FIX IT SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO REAL SUCCESS, A NEW SEAT IS EXPENSIVE, USED SEATS ARE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING BUT SINCE MY SEAT HAS ALSO COLLAPSED I GUESS I NEED TO REPLACE IT.

SEATBELT MECHANISM FOR DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE IS INOPERABLE. IT DOESN'T LOCK AFTER YOU PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON. THE MECHANISM YOU PUT THE SEATBELT BUCKLE IN IS GOOD BUT AFTER THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM FOR THE BELT TO RETRACT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE DRIVING OR PARKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRACTION AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE BRUISING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MILLER MOTOR SALES INC (1196 MILWAUKEE AVE, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (888) 449-0974) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A YARD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGES AND ODOMETER DROP TO ZERO AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING, AND I DON'T KNOW MY SPEED AND WELL AS RPM'S. AFRAID THE ENGINE MIGHT SLOW DOWN OR STOP CREATING A POSSIBLE FREEWAY ACCIDENT. ON LINE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AND LOCK IN POSITION. THE CONTACT CALLED SANDERS FORD (LOCATED AT 1006 W CORBRELT AVE, SWANSBORO, NC 28584, 910-326-1801) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

THE BODY OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT HAS RIVETS ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF THAT HOLD WATER. INSTEAD OF BEING A FLAT SURFACE WHERE RAIN CAN NATURALLY FALL OFF THE TOP OF THE ROOF IT SITS IN THESE RIVETS AND ACCUMULATES RUST. THIS LEADS TO A LOT MORE PROBLEMS.

I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE BOTTOM ABS PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORS EMBLEM IN OCTOBER 2015. ON DECEMBER 8, 2015 THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BACK WINDOW GLASS IN THE LIFTGATE BLEW-OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILE IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE GLASS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK-OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING OPERATOR DISTRACTON TO DRINING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

MY GAS GAUGE NEEDLE STARTED GOING BEYOND FULL THEN INTERMITTENTLY WOULD BE ON E WHEN I JUST FILLED IT. EACH TIME I WOULD START THE TRUCK THE GAS GAUGE WOULD SHOW DIFFERENT NEEDLE READINGS. AFTER A MONTH OR SO IT THE GAS NEEDLE QUIT MOVING OR READING AT ALL. I ASSUMED IT WAS IN THE FUEL TANK. I TOOK IT IN TO SHOP AND AFTER TAKING OFF THE FUEL TANK THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FOUND. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER PANEL. COST ALMOST $1000. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMMENTS ON THE GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME AND THE FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT END MOTOR MOUNT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PINION, BARONS, AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. MA 10/23/15 *CN

FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T NOTICE WHEN YOU GO FROM AN EMPTY TANK TO FULL. STILL READING NO CHANGE. THEN SLOWLY WILL CLIMB TO THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL WITHIN AN HOUR. THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCURATELY TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,300.

HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE 2004 FORD SPORT TRAC TRUCKS. ONE WHICH WAS FLIPPED ONTO MY DRIVER SIDE AND TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT DOING 25MPH DOWN A BACK ROAD WHITH A STOP SIGN INTERSECTION, NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME WAS MY SEAT BELT FROM WORSE INJURES. MY CURRENT TRUCK WHICH HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND I STILL HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR OVER 5000 WORTH OF WORK DONE, RECENTLY WITH OVER A QUARTER TANK OF GAS TURNING LEFT WILL CUT OUT AND DIE COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO BE HIT A COUPLE TIMES WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. ALSO MY TRANSMISSIONS WENT OUT AND LOST GEARS AT LOW MILEAGE. I TOOK MY CURRENT TRUCK TO RICHARDS TRANSMISSION WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE FORD SPORT TRACK TRANSMISSION NORMALLY DOESN'T LAST PAST 50,000 MILES THAT FORD DID NOT MACHINE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE FORD SPORT TRAC. BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP MY O/D WOULD KICK ON AND CAUSE SEVERE JERKING OUT OF FIRST GEAR BUT ONLY WHILE THE O/D WAS ON. I COULD NOT GET IT TO TURN OFF UNLESS I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I'VE HAD MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS ABOUT 3000 MILES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOST SECOND GEAR. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX THIS, I ENJOY MY TRUCK BUT COULD HAVE BEEN CRITICALLY INJURED A FEW TIMES DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING THAT FORD SHOULD FIX.

THE DOORS DON'T OPEN GOOD AND THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK. WE HAVE HAD FIXED TWICE AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD FIXED ALSO! *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH NOTICED TOO MUCH BODY ROLL AND BOUNCING. INSTALLED NEW SHOCKS AND SWAY BARS AND HAD IT ALIGNED AND IT STILL HAD TOO MUCH BODY ROLL AND BOUNCING. HAD IT UP ON A LIFT AN NOTICED THE BODY BUSHING WERE ALL DETERIORATED AND FALLING APART. GOOGLED THIS ITEM AND FOUND MANY SPORT TRAC OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS FORD PURCHASED INFERIOR BODY BUSHINGS FROM A VENDOR AND HAS NEVER CORRECTED THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE! IN ORDER TO CHANGE THESE OUT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE 1ST. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IF LEFT UNDONE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEING A MAINTENANCE ITEM ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND WAS ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,437.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE TIRE WELL FROM UNDER THE CARRIAGE. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A FRACTURED CABLE HARNESS. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,600.

BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTS ARE DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING. BODY IS NOW LOOSE ON THE FRAME AND HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE MOUNTS ARE NOT RUBBER LIKE MOST; THEY ARE SOME SORT OF URETHANE COMPOSITE. INTERNET RESEARCH AND TRUCK OWNER SITES CONFIRM THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY/RECALL ISSUE AND HAS DIRECTED OWNERS OF SUSPECT VEHICLES TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN SALT OR SNOW . THE CAB SHAKING AND RATTLING IS CAUSING MOVEMENT THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EFFECT THE BRAKE LINES AND STEERING COLUMN AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO BOTH THE BODY AND THE CHASSIS. FORD IS NOW USING ANOTHER COMPOUND FOR THE MOUNTS APPARENTLY IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR, CRANK SENSOR, AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY THE CONTACT BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC WITH MASTERCRAFT COURSER A/T 2 TIRES (SIZE: LT265/75R16). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE FRONT AXLE AND TIE ROD FRACTURED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08T005000 (TIRES:SIDEWALL) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 110,000. ...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF

TIRES CUPPING AND WHINE AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

BODY TO FRAME MOUNTING BUSHINGS ARE FAILING. WHEN TOUCHED THEY CRUMBLE. I LIVE IN SE TEXAS. NO ROAD SALT OR WINTER CHEMICALS TO DEAL WITH. MADE FROM POOR QUALITY MATERIAL. SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THEY COMPLETELY FAIL THE CAB WILL BE LOOSE ON THE FRAME. CREATING AN UNSAFE TRUCK. I'M A MEMBER OF MYSPORTTRAC.COM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM ON 2001 TO 2005 SPORT TRACS. I HAVEN'T TALKED TO A FORD DEALER. REASON IS, OTHER MEMBERS NATION WIDE, HAVE NOT GOT ANY HELP FROM FORD MOTOR CO. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN OUT OF POCKET. IN MY OPINION THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.

I WENT TO INSTALL A PAIR OF STEP BARS ON MY TRUCK, AND NOTICED THAT MY BODY BUSHINGS LOOKED ODD. I TOUCHED ONE OF THEM AND IT CRUMBLED, AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED AT LEAST 3 SETS ON EACH SIDE WERE IN THE SAME SHAPE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED, AND THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PLAN, OR RECALL. I TOLD THEM I WAS A MECHANIC AND DID NOT NEED TO GO TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DID REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BODY BUSHINGS IN SUCH STATE ON ANY NAME BRAND OR MODEL VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THEY WERE 20 OR SO YEARS OLD. I HAVE SEEN THEM FLATTEN OUT, BUT NEVER DETERIORATE. I FEEL SURE THAT THE MATERIAL USED IS OF POOR QUALITY. BY NOT REPLACING THEM, THERE IS A RISK OF BODY CRACKING OR OTHER FAILURES. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THEM. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT I AM NOT ALONE, AND FEEL THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY JUST DONT KNOW IT. *KB

2004 FORD SPORT TRAC XLT GAS EFI 4.0 HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC THAT CAME WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAME APART, RUBBER STARTED TO FLY EVERYWHERE, BEATING MY TRUCK UP PRETTY BAD. THE TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING AIR WHEN I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER, THE TIRE HELD ITS AIR PRESSURE FOR 2 DAYS AFTER I HAD TAKEN IT OFF. JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW. *TR

BEGAN TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. FORD ADVISED FLUID CHANGE. FLUID CHANGE DID NOT HELP. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, NOW OCCURS DAILY. MECHANIC SAYS HE CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND NO ERROR CODES SHOW UP WHEN TEST IS RUN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENT DUE TO NO OR LITTLE ACCELERATION UNEXPECTEDLY. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IS ADVISED AT A COST OF $3500 FOR FORD REBUILT WITH 3 YEAR/36 MONTH WARRANTY. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE UNEXPECTANTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 04/21/11

I WAS LEAVING MY FRIEND'S HOUSE TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AND WHEN I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK WHICH IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC XLT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE GOING INTO PARK, BUT DID NOT ENGAGE BECAUSE I WAS STILL ROLLING BACK, I THEN PROCEEDED TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TURNED OFF MY TRUCK AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME MY TRUCK WILL NOT TURN OVER AND THE SHIFTER IS STILL EXTREMELY LOOSE. I LOOKED ON SEVERAL FORUMS AND THEY ALL SAY THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN, AND AS FAR AS MY TRUCK NOT STARTING, I DON'T KNOW. *TW

HARMONIC BALANCER WENT BAD MAY 2009, JUST UNDER 19,000 MILES ON MY 2004 ST! LEFT MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED ON I-95 IN PHILADELPHIA. FORD HAS SOLD A LOT OF REPLACEMENTS BUT WON'T ISSUE RECALL OR TSB. THE SERPENTINE JUMPED OFF THE BALANCER PULLEY AND LANDED ON THE RUBBER MOUNT OF THE BALANCER THEN ATE THROUGH THE SENSOR. JAN 21, 2010: STARTED UP THE ST, NO PROBLEM. DROVE ONE BLOCK, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. MADE RIGHT TURN AND ACCELERATED, THEN THE ST DIED; 22,000 MILES. JUST BEFORE IT LOST ALL POWER IN THE ENGINE, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A TURBINE QUICKLY DECELERATING. NOW I TURN THE KEY, HEAR THE STARTER CLICKING, AND NOTHING HAPPENS WITH THE ENGINE. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A RATTLE JUST BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. FORD SERVICE DEPT. REP CALLED ME LATE YESTERDAY AND SAID IT MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO POOR INSTALLATION OF HARMONIC BALANCER, POSSIBLY NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY; SOUNDED LIKE PASSING THE BUCK. HE NEEDED PERMISSION TO PULL THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE APART TO LOOK INSIDE, I GAVE HIM A GREEN LIGHT TO DO SO. HE JUST CALLED TODAY AND SAID THE "KEY WAY AND SPROCKET" ARE BAD. HE SAID THEY COME IN A KIT WITH A NEW TIMING CHAIN; PARTS AND LABOR AFTER A FRIENDLY DISCOUNT: $925. THE TRUCK IS ALREADY THERE AND APART, SO I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD TO FIX IT. NORMAL PRICE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $1100. STRANGE, THEY HAVE A "REPAIR KIT" TO FIX THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT FORD SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE! HARMONIC BALANCER GOES BAD, FIX IT WITH NEW AND IMPROVED ONE. THEN THIS HAPPENS, FIX IT WITH NEW AND IMPROVED PARTS FROM A "REPAIR KIT"! FORD SAYS THERE ARE NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE! *TR

WHILE OPERATING 2004 FORD EXPLORER, STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND THE REAR HATCH GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. UPON LOOKING, IT WAS REALIZED THE HATCH ARMS/ SPRINGS LET GO, BENDING THE HATCH CAUSING THE GLASS TO COMPLETELY SHATTER. *TR

STARTED HEARING A SQUEAL LIKE A SLIPPING FAN BELT, CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY SEPARATED FROM THE DAMPER, THE BELT CAME OFF THE PULLEY AND WAS RIDING ON THE DAMPER. IT IS NOW COSTING ME $500 TO HAVE THE PULLEY REPLACED, I HAVE NOTICED OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, IT SEAMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS AT THEIR COST. IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT GETTING IT FIXED IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE CRANKSHAFT TIMING SENSOR CAUSING ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND MAYBE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED HALF THAT AND FOUND THAT THEY WE ON RECALL FOR A YEAR PRIOR TO FIRESTONE SELLING THEM TO US. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC XLT. ONLY HAVE 37,871 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ED GEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS FOR REVERSE TO ENGAGE. FORD DEALER CHARGED ME 159.00 DOLLARS TO CHANGE TRANS FLUIDS. I TOLD THEM THAT THE FLUID WAS DARK AND SMELLS LIKE METAL. I CALL THEM BACK UP TELLING THEM IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO ANOTHER SERVICE PERSON AND HE STATED THAT IF THERE WAS A METAL SMELL THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. AND WILL COST 75.00 TO CHECK IT OUT . THANK YOU FORD FOR A WASTED FLUID CHANGE. *TR

ON APRIL 12, 2008 MY BOYFRIEND AND I SPENT THE MORNING AT HIS SISTERS HOUSE FOR EASTER. WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO HER HOUSE THAT MORNING AND EVEN MADE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. THAT EVENING AROUND 6 WE HAD RETURNED HOME FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO OUT AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. MY BOYFRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND I WAS STANDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORWAY ABOUT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TALKING AND HE SHUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NORMALLY. WHEN HE DID SO THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK DEPLOYED. HE WAS HIT IN THE FACE AND HAS SINCE HAD A BAD EARACHE AND HEADACHE. I WAS HIT IN MY LEFT ARM CAUSING BRUSH BURNS, SWOLLEN AND TENDERNESS AND BRUISING. WE WERE UNSURE OF HOW TO GET THE AIRBAGS TO SHRINK BACK SO IN AN ANGRY MOVE MY BOYFRIEND SIMPLY CUT THEM DOWN SO WE COULD STILL USE THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOUSE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY AVAILABLE. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS BEING SENT TO A REVIEW BOARD AND I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN WRITING IN 14 BUSINESS DAYS! AT THIS POINT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF HELP I AM GETTING. *TR

ON AUGUST 8TH 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WRECKED IT FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON ITS SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL OF THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THE IMPACT OF THE WRECK SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. *TR

WHEN SERVICING FRONT BRAKE PADS, CALIPER PISTON CRUMBLED WHEN OPENING CALIPER. NORMALLY, SUCH PISTONS ARE METAL. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. IF THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, AN ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

DURING THE ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT THEN BEGAN FLASHING. THIS CAUSED UNEXPECTED POOR ACCELERATION AND IN TRAFFIC COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLY BEING REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY. $1400. WHY SHOULD A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK NEED SUCH DRASTIC SERVICE? *TR

AT 70,000 MILES, MY TRUCK IS STARTING TO SLIP WHEN SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THIS AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY SPORT TRAC WERE VERY COMMON. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN MAY OF 2004. WITHIN A YEAR, I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT FORD NEEDED TO ADD SOME TYPE OF FLUID TO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THIS, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS TO PREVENT A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO PREVENT FAILURE DUE TO A MISTAKE AT THE PLANT. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT NOW THAT MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I NOW WILL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THIS AMOUNT SEEMS TO VARY FROM $1800 TO $4000 AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED ON MULTIPLE FORUMS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE AND THEY ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AS IT WOULD SEEM THAT THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

INTERIOR TONNEAU COVER RELEASE, MECHANICAL INTERIOR RELEASE DOSE NOT WORK CREATING A DEATH TRAP FOR ANY ONE WHO SHOULD FIND THEM SELF TRAPPED INSIDE ,YOUNG OR OLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT MAY BE DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST AND STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF

CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE SWITCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL IS DEFECTIVE, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE HIM. HOW CAN THE SAME SWITCH FAIL AND BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT IS SOMETHING DEEPER IN THE SYSTEM, HOWEVER CHANGING THE SWITCH OUT ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. NOW THAT THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WILL BECOME A MAJOR HEADACHE. *CN

MY TRUCK BEGAN MAKING LOUD WHINNING NOISES JUNE 2007, THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT WHEN USING THE A/C AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A/C DID NOT COOL OR GET A TIGHT SEAL FOR AIR FLOW, FRONT TIRE WEAR HAS ACCELERATED CAUSING SHAKY STEERING, POWER STEERING GOT WORSE, ALTHOUGH ALL FLUIDS WERE NEW AND BELTS LOOK WORN OUT AND WITH ALL THIS I ONLY HAD 52,120 MILES. I HAD WRECK IN 07 BECAUSE OF THE STEERING AND REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE FOR PAYMENT. WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO PILE UP AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE DIDN'T SOLVE ANYTHING, I TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND ALL SAID AC COMPRESSOR OR POWER STEERING NEEDED REPLACING AND OTHER COMPONENTS LOOKED PREMATURELY WORN. FINALLY HAD AC COMPRESSOR REPAIRED ON 7/26/08 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS THE CAUSE OF ALL MY PROBLEMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE MECHANIC GAVE ME THE PARTS AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A WEAK LEGO BLOCK. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS IN MY TRUNK AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT STILL RUNS BAD, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER IS THE INITIATOR, DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAK - 3 PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED DUE TO BELT BUCKLE CAUSING TEAR IN BELT FABRIC. *AK

I HAD UNEVEN WEAR ON MY TIRES THAT WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES FROM THE FACTORY. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THE FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE SPECS AND BRAND WERE NOT THE IDEAL TYPE FOR THIS KIND OF VEHICLE. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE GIVEN. I DID BUY MICHELIN AT OWL AND THEY HAVE HELD UP TO PRESENT 2014 AT 106250 MILES. *TR

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT-TRAC W/26,000 MILES ON IT NINE MONTHS AGO. DROVE IT TO 31,000 MILES, AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT DUE TO THE WARRANTY, 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES, THE ITEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED. TOOK TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP (TOTAL COST WAS $1,800) DUE TO ELECTRONICS AND BURNT BANDS. THANKS BUT NO THANKS FOR EVER BUYING A FORD AGAIN. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE, AND THE VIBRATION INCREASED AS THE SPEED INCREASED. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY, HOWEVER , THE FREQUENCY WAS STARTING TO INCREASE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 MILES. THE DEALER HAD DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING NEW TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS REPAIR INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAK WITHN 30000 FAILURE MILEAGE INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND BEGAN TO HEAR A TAPPING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SPRING WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33000.*AKI

I HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATED FRONT TIRE WEAR, AND ASSOCIATED NOISE AND VIBRATION ON THIS VEHICLE, WITH CURRENT MILEAGE AT 37000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000-6000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I FIRST NOTICED THE WEAR AND VIBRATION AT ABOUT 25000 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE WHEELS BALANCED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND OUT OF SPECIFICATION. I THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VIBRATION AND WEAR PROBLEM ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE NOISE WAS SIMPLY DUE TO TIRE WEAR. WHEN I INDICATED THAT A THIRD PARTY SHOP HAD FOUND LOOSE BALL JOINTS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE IN SPEC, AND THEN RECOMMENDED FRONT END ALIGNMENT WHICH I HAD PERFORMED. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE FRONT TIRES CONTINUED AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. AT THIS RATE, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND LIKELY THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO REACHING 40000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

DURING THE ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT THEN BEGAN FLASHING. THIS CAUSED UNEXPECTED POOR ACCELERATION AND IN TRAFFIC COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLY BEING REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. *NM