NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
on [XXX] brought to local shop on power steering leak. Week before, Paid $50 for inspection. on [XXX] appointment was line and replaced. But tech said get pass brake line was rotted and was bad leak of brake fluid. On [XXX] my wife's Explorer was reinspected and rear driver side brake copper line also reported rotted after paying $539.95 for power steering low pressure and brake line. Wife's Eddie Bauer 2004 v8 was reported to FORD Motor Co. Case# [XXX] defective copper brake lines on suv. No good will offered no warrantee fue to latent defective brake line copper tubing coming from ABS modular. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT TIMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I need a new gas tank for my vehicle and Ford stopped making the gas tank for my vehicle. That is a very big safety issue. I called Ford and they were helping to find one from junkyard's I don't want one from a junkyard that I have to repair. I asked for Ford to make a gas tank or pay for them to have mine fixed right at a Ford dealership, no help. That's a big safety problem. Ford provided the contacts phone number to the junkyards but the contact doesn't want the gas tank from a junkyard who probably put holes in them to drain the gasoline out of the tank.
Smoke for a good 5 mins under the hood oil leeking
Back windows fell off track and windows fell down, cannot roll them up. AC and Heater broke and won't work at all. Fuel system is too lean. Transmission is going out Timing Chain and tensioners making loud knocking noise. Burning oil.
The contact's son owned a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her son was driving in the rain at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned as he rounded a corner. The vehicle slid into a ditch and hit a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's son and his friend were both transported to the hospital for their injuries. Her son was treated for soreness in various parts of his body and was released the same day. Her son's friend had to remain in the hospital overnight and his injuries were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the independent collision center where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired or destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
On two incidents this week when steering wheel is cut to maximum left or right in tight parking lot and narrow road while making tight turns at legal speeds the engine (V8 4.6L) stalls. Brought to non-Ford mechanic for inspection(NYS ANNUAL) and passes but mechanic looked for a power steering pressure sending sensor or switch that is to give signal to EMC to increase idle to compensate for more power steer demands. Part is $35 at Partgeek but mechanics dont know where the harness the sending switch is located, if one exists or is it in power steering pump. Call Ford NADA! Call two local Ford dealers. One says dont work on cars 15 years old, other says go to liabary to get diagrams, Ford says obsolete parts in 10 years.Bummer! Husband ordered 8/10/20 New 2021 Bronco. Pushed into 2022 due to supply chain. Found out Bronco built at MAP same as Ranger, will not get stronger 10r80 transmission,but Explorer 10r60, 25% weaker ; and gets Explorer 2.3L EgoBoost non- Ranger improved 4×4 engine , although they say same transmission and improved engine as Ranger in ads. Ford Buit Tought? MY2022! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ISDUE. NO BRAKING NOR STEERING WHEN SENSON IN POWER STEERING STALLS 4.6L ENGINE. Cannot apply gas and brake to keep from stalling when making sharp turns. I am 75 years old and with COPD. Serpertine belt replace before incidents.
on 5/6/21 at Ramp Ford 4869 Nesconset Hwy.,Pt. Jeff.Sts.,NY at 10:00am dealer sevice Mgr. met with NYSDMV Auto Facilities Inspector on a claim against Mavis Discount Tire,556 Route 25A, Mt Sinai,NY case 1Pi-01937 on a right rear wheel. Ramp removed R/R wheel to inspect with state inspector, appears like axle nut on r/r has not been removed r/0361772. On 7/12/21 Mt. Sina Tire r/0 7828-18 when fixing a tire flat, found r/r one broken stud,one addition lug nut missing from r/r wheel. Immediately Ramo service manager denied his tech improperly reassembled r/r wheel nuts on all five wheel assembly studs. With three studs the Ford vehicle was in inimanent highway danger. Such lost of 40% of wheel nuts may have caused lost of life. Mt. Sinai tire replaced fourth missing nut, fixed flat and scheduled fifth wheel assembly stud. Ramp 's general manager was imformed of poor and dangerios service and stated he was not a mechanic! Reimbursement for 5/6/21 were denied by dealer! Dealers .denies any warantees of labor since customer signed their disclaimer. All repairs are provided by the dealer facility1520504 AS IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF GUARANTEE! This disclaimer was only signed by non-owner after inspector left dealer. Inspector has pictures and stated he did not see the reassembly of r/r brakes, calebre, wheel nuts after inspection was completed. This was a dangerious omission of not properly torquing nut to Ford Motor spec. FORD MOTOR denies any warantee of repairs by Ramp.
MICHELIN CROSSTERRAIN TIRES SUFFERING TREAD SEPARATION. THREE OUT OF FOUR SO FAR. HAD I NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY..
TIRES! TIRES! TIRES! AGAIN! A SECOND TIRE HAS SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AND FAILED COMPLETELY. WHY CAN'T I GET ANYONE TO TAKE THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY?
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LAST WEEK I NOTICED A SLIGHT 'BUMPING' FEEL LIKE AN UNBALANCED TIRE, SO I TOOK A LOOK WHEN I GOT TO MY DRIVEWAY BUT FOUND NOTHING. THE NEXT DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK THE "BUMPING' WAS MUCH WORSE SO I STOPPED TO CHECK AND FOUND A LARGE BULGE ON THE TREAD OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. AFTER SLOWLY RETURNING HOME I REMOVED IT AND SET IT ASIDE. A FEW HOURS LATER THE THREADS WERE SEPARATING BADLY SO I LET THE AIR OUT BEFORE IT BLEW APART. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT TIRE (DIFFERENT BRAND) BUT I'VE STILL GOT THREE MORE OF THESE ON THE VEHICLE .THEY HAVE 36K MILES ON THEM AND A 60K WARRANTY WITH ONLY MODEST THREAD WEAR BUT I STILL CHECK THEM EVERY DAY. I DON'T FEEL SAFE.*DT CONSUMER STATED HE STILL HAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE.*JB
ENGINE DIES WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL OPERATING AND HEADING DOWN SLIGHT HILL AT SPEED OF AROUND 35 MPH. CRUISE IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN DRIVING SPEED GOING DOWN THE HILL (UP OR DOWN HILL FOR THAT MATTER). THE TACHOMETER INDICATES A SLOWING OF ENGINE RPM. AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE SLOWING OF RPM DOES NOT FALL TOO LOW. HOWEVER, AT THE SLOWER SPEED AROUND 35MPH, THE RPM DROPS BELOW 500 RPM AND THE ENGINE STALLS. I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BREAKS. I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING AND BREAKING. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM ON A CURVE OR IF A RED LIGHT IS AHEAD. I CAN'T STEER THE CAR ON THE CURVE. I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND END UP IN AN INTERSECTION AND BE HIT BY VEHICLES WITH A GREEN LIGHT. I MAY HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT HAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP FOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE INTERSECTION (WITH THE LIGHT). I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID A CHILD ... WHO DARTS INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY OWNERS OF THE 2004 EXPLORER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ON THE WEB. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN NOTED FOR YEARS. I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERS DISMISSED IT AS NOTHING CAN BE FOUND, REPLICATED OR JUST NOT A PROBLEM. IT IS TIME TO RECALLL THE VEHICLE TO FIX THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I TRY TO AVOID USING CRUISE CONTROL CONTROL AT THE 35MPH RANGE. IT SEEMS OK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE LAST OF MANY INSTANCES WAS IN NOVEMBER 2020. THE PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED WHEN THERE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR.
THIS PAST WEEKEND I WAS DRIVING AN 04 FORD EXPLORER WHEN BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TWO-LANE ROAD AT LESS THAN 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT NOT BEFORE SUSTAINING AN INJURY TO MY EAR AND NOT BEFORE THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO HER RIGHT ARM. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD, WHICH ADVISED TO CARRY THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS UNCONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. HE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS ONLY TO REPORT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. I REPEAT, I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS OF COURSE QUITE CONCERNING TO ME BUT FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE. PLEASE FOLLOW-UP ON THE SAFETY OF FORD'S VEHICLES.
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS RECENTLY AND QUICKLY BEGAN SHIFTING VERY BADLY. I ALWAYS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BECAUSE WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM P OR D, IT ALWAYS TAKES A WHILE, THEN CLUNKS AGGRESSIVELY INTO PLACE. WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES DOWNSHIFTING WILL ALSO CLUNK INTO PLACE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY COUNTLESS OTHER DRIVERS AND HAS CAUSED MANY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. FROM ACCELERATING SLOWLY THEN BANGING GEARS AND TAKING OFF, TO STUTTERING WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, OR EVEN SWITCHING INTO REVERSE WHILE PARKING, AND HAVING THE CAR TRY TO JUMP BACK A FEW INCHES IS ONLY A FEW ISSUES THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MYSELF AND COUNTLESS OTHERS. PEOPLE ARE REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS LEFT AND RIGHT TO NO AVAIL, ONLY A FEW 10 THOUSAND MILES AFTER INSTALLING NEW TRANSMISSIONS, THEIR CAR STARTS TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE. AT LOW SPEEDS AND IN PARKING LOTS THIS BECOMES A GAME OF LUCK AS YOU ACCELERATE MORE THAN NECESSARY TO TRY TO GET GOING, THEN STOPPING AND WAITING A FEW SECONDS WHILE YOU SHIFT TO NEUTRAL BEFORE SHIFTING TO REVERSE AS FEAR OF IT BANGING INTO GEAR AS YOU TRY TO MANEUVER YOUR CAR AROUND PEOPLE AND OTHER PARKED CARS BECOMES A MORE DANGEROUS TASK THAN IT SHOULD BE. IN SUM, WHILE STATIONARY, SLOW SPEED, OR JUST CRUISING, THE TRANSMISSION WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, OR SHIFTING INTO REVERSE/DRIVE, SOMETIMES WANTS TO BANG INTO GEAR OR LOSE POWER, OR DELAY SHIFTING ONLY TO BANG INTO GEAR MOMENTS LATER. SOME ISSUES WHEN TAKING CARS INTO REPAIR IS FINDING METAL TRANSMISSION SHAVINGS WHERE THEY SHOULDNT BE! FINALLY, THE EXCESSIVE BANGING CAN ALSO DAMAGE THE ENGINE OVER TIME IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF THE ISSUES: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_SLIPPING_SHIFTS_HARD.SHTML THANKYOU
THE IGNITION KEYS LOSES THE PROGRAM AND I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO HAVE NOTH REPROGRAMED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. THE CAUSE THE CAR INABILITY TO START
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THIS WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S DRIVING BECAUSE HE COULD NOT NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLE'S MOVEMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 264,000.
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED (APPROX 5-10 MPH) ON A BUMPY ROAD. THE DRIVER WAS LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPACE. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION OR REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT COVER THE DAMAGE.
I WAS GETTING STUFF OUT OF MY BACK SEAT AND MY REAR WINDOW JUST BLEW OUT SHATTERING GLASS ALL OVER .THE BOTTOM PIECE THAT SECURES THE GLASS TO THE DOOR WARPRED ABOUT 6 INCHED ON EACH SIDE EXPLODING THE GLASS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TREE, A LIGHT POST, AND AN ELECTRICAL BOX. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE TOW COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 291,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED TOO HARD AND FRACTURED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS CURRENTLY TOO LOOSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT HAS COME UNLOCKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES I TUG HARD EVERY TIME I BUCKLE UP TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLICKED AND IT HAS UNLOCKED WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH I DOUBLE CHECK IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE REVERSING, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CHEVROLET COBALT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES, RESULTING IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TREE AND OTHER UNKNOWN VEHICLES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT VIN IS NOT VALID *JB
I AM HAVING ELECTRONICA ISSUES WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER, THAT CONTROL LIGHTING AND SPEED OF MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE LEFT SIGNAL ARM THAT CONTROLS HIGH BEAMS, AND LIGHTING SNAPPED OFF WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY ON AUGUST 5TH, 2018. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE 2018.
TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY ON THERE OWN MAKING A BIG BLAST WITHOUT BEEN INVOLVING IN ACCIDENT I DON'T KNOW WATT CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY THIS COULD BEEN A BIG ACCIDENT IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DEATH
IN 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH V8, THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF ENGINE WHEN TRAVELING 35~45 MPH AND GOING DOWN A HILL OR DECLINE. THIS AFFECTS POWER STEERING AND BRAKES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, SO I AM USED TO THIS DEFECT. MY WORKAROUND IS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THEN CONTINUE.
TAKATA RECALL I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON HWY 701, I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A CEMENT CULVERT GOING 45MPH AND MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY I SUFFERED 2 SPINAL FRACTURES.
REAR GLASS LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE CAUSING GLASS TO FALL OUT OF POSITION. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND LIFTGATE GLASS WAS BEING OPENED WHEN THE HINGE FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER THIS HAPPENED TO. THE FIRST ONE WAS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER.
WELL WE JUST BOUGHT THIS EXPLORER AND JUST AS I HAVE READ FROM OTHERS ON THIS WEBSITE OUR EXPLORER IS DOING SIMILAR THINGS. SUCH AS SHIFTING IN REVERSE TAKES 3-7 SECONDS TO TAKE HOLD, GOING UP THE MOUNTAINS THE SUV HAD MAJOR KICKBACKS AND JERKS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AS OF NOW. WILL MAKE AN APT. AND PUT RESULTS LATER.
BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STANDSTILL. I COULD PULL THE ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE BUT WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. WHEN DRIVING IT MUST HAVE BEEN CONFUSING TO PEOPLE BEHIND ME THINKING I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACE AND FOUND THAT THERE WASN'T A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AVAILABLE AND A DIFFERENT ONE HD TO BE WIRED IN AT THE COST OF OVER $180.00.
MY STEERING COLUMN BROKE RIGHT OFF! TRYING TO PUT IT IN DRIVE @99,735 MI. HAD TO TOW IT TO SHOP, AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS!!! I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION @ 103,000 MILES IT WOULD SKIP 3RD GEAR. SEEMS EVERYONE ELSE HAS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO BACK BEARINGS!! WHAT A DISGRACE. RECALL THIS DISGRACEFUL WORKMANSHIP! NO HONOR!
IT SLIPPES AND WON'T JUST TAKE OFF SOME TAKE OFFBUT THE SUV SITS AND WHEN IT DOES TAKEBODF YOU HAVE TO LET YOUR FOOT UP OFF THE GAS TO GET IT TO SHIFT
WHEN THE EXPLORER WAS BOUGHT USED IN 2015 THE CRACKS THAT ARE COMMON IN THE GLASS LIFT GATE COVER PANEL DID NOT EXIST. WE PURPOSELY DID NOT OPEN THE GLASS PART OF THE LIFT GATE TO AVOID CRACKING IT. EVENTUALLY IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN JUST FROM OPENING THE FULL TAILGATE. THEN RECENTLY THE LIFT GATE LATCH KEEPER BOLTS/STUDS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE BEHIND THE CRACKED PANEL AND THE GLASS LIFT GATE RELEASED ON ITS OWN. LUCKILY THE EXPLORER WAS PARKED. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON AS A RESULT. THIS DRAINED MY BATTERY IN THIS SUMMER'S HEAT. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. TO AVOID THIS BATTERY ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, I RIGGED THE LIFT GATE LATCH WITH ZIP TIES THROUGH THE HOLES TO TEMPORARILY HOLD THE LIFT GATE SHUT. IT WON'T HOLD LONG LIKE THIS SO I NEED TO FIX THE ATTACHMENT PARTS THAT RUSTED BEHIND THE GLASS AND THEN THE COLORED COVER PANEL THAT IS NOW BADLY CRACKED, THE CRACKING OF THIS VERY POORLY DESIGNED AND POOR CHOICE OF MATERIAL BODY PART LET WATER GET BEHIND IT AND HOLD THERE AFTER IT CRACKED LIKE VIRTUALLY ALL THOSE ON OTHER EXPLORERS. THIS TRAPPED WATER CAUSED RUST OF THE LATCH ATTACHMENT STUDS BEHIND IT. FORD'S ISSUANCE OF VSB'S ABOUT THIS ISSUE ARE PROOF THEY WERE FULLY AWARE OF THERE BAD MATERIAL CHOICE FOR THIS PANEL AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD STILL BE ON THE HOOK TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PARTS DESPITE FAILURE OCCURRING AFTER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY EXPIRATION, BASED ON SUCH A POORLY DESIGNED AND WIDESPREAD TAILGATE ISSUE THAT IS LATER IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THE GLASS LIFT GATE CAN OPEN UPON LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT FAILURE, DUE TO RUST.
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRAVELING 40-45MPH ON A RURAL ROAD. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT A "S" CURVE AND HIT AN UTILITY POLE WITH THE FRONT END. THE POLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. 35 LB DOG WAS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. DRIVER HIT HIS CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL BRUISING HIS LUNG. DRIVER ALSO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A LACERATION (APPROXIMATELY 1.5") DOWN TO HIS SKULL. DRIVER WAS TRANSFERRED VIA AMBULANCE TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AND ADMITTED FOR 48 HOURS. THE CANINE BROKE HER BACK AND HAD TO BE PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING DAY.
BOUGHT A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN MARCH 22, 2017 FROM LBSI AUTOMOTIVE. SEEN A CRACK IN REAR PANEL, DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. ON JULY 9 2017 WENT TO OPEN LIFT GATE AT WALMART AND HINGE BUSTED AND WINDOW SHATTERED ON ME AND MY HUSBAND HIT MY FACE GLASS ALL OVER ME, CUT MY HUSBAND IN FEW PLACES, . LOOKING ONLINE TO REPLACE IT AND SEEN THAT THE CRACK IN REAR PANEL WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS. I HAD A 3 MONTH OLD SON IN BACK SEAT AND THANK GOD IT DIDN'T GET ON HIM. MY OPINION THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS AND TOLD US.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARDER AND SHAKES THE ENTIRE SUV. WHEN I PRESS THE GAS AND GET TO ABOUT 35-40 IT WILL START KNOCKING REALLY BAD AND FEELS LIKE IT'S LOSING POWER. WHEN I STOP THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS WITH THE KNOCKING. I WAS GOING 35 AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE ON I-45 FREEWAY BY LITTLE YORK SHEPARD GULF BANK AREA TO BE EXACT AND THE SUV WAS DRIVING FINE. I WAS JUST GETTING ONTO THE FREEWAY AT THIS TIME. HINTS THE REASON I'M NOT GOING SO FACE. WHEN I STARTED PICKING UP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SO HARD I FLEW INTO THE NEXT LANE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS AROUND ME BUT IMAGE IF I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPEN.
THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND CAME ON. WE WENT TO GO START IT TODAY AND IT START UP FINE. WHEN WE TRIED TO PUT IT IN ALL THE GEARS AND PRESSING ON THE GAS IT DIDN'T DO A THING. I MEAN IT WON'T MOVE AT ALL.
WHEN PUTTING THE EXPLORER INTO REVERSE IT WOULD SHIFT HARD AND THROW THE VEHICLE BACK AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT INTO DRIVE THE ENGINE WOULD RACE AND REV UP HIGH AND THEN SLAM INTO THE NEXT GEAR. IT MADE THE VEHICLE HARD TO BE RELIABLE. TOOK THE EXPLORER IN AND THEY SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD VEHICLES AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR IT BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT NOW HAVING TO PAY $4500 OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED AS I NEED IT FOR DR APPOINTMENTS. THEY SAID THE O/D HAD PUT SHAVINGS DOWN IN THE PAN AS WELL AS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST MORE TO REPLACE INDIVIDUAL PARTS THAN TO DO THE ENTIRE THING. FRUSTRATING TO KNOW THAT FORD KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE CONSUMER.
I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND I POPPED MY BACK WINDOW, SO I COULD GET SOME ITEMS OUT OF MY BACK PART OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE THE BACK WINDOW, MY WINDOW FELL SIDEWAYS, ALMOST BUSTING ME UPSIDE MY HEAD. I'VE READ A FEW THINGS SAYING THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ON THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT FINDING OUT IF THAT IS CORRECT OR NOT. IF IT WASN'T RECALLED, IT SHOULD OF BEEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL STUDS DETACHED ON MULTIPLE TIRES WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES ON MULTIPLE WHEELS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ONCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STUDS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE REPLACED MULTIPLE STUDS HERSELF. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE I285 INTERSTATE WE HEARD A LOUD POP/ SNAP AND WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT CAME FROM, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED GLASS SHARDS ON CLOTHES AND THAT TS WHEN WE LOOKED UP AND REALIZED THE MOONROOF HAD SHATTERED.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 70MPH. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE. MY EXPLORER SUDDENLY LOST PRESSURE TRIED HITTING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, RPMS, STILL DROPPING, NO FUEL PRESSURE AT ALL. I WAS TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET OVER AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SPEED OF THE OTHER VEHICLES AND IF I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I MADE IT OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER I WAS LITERALLY GOING ABOUT 5MPH. IT WAS THE MOST INTENSE MOMENT IN MY LIFE, CAR, TRUCKS, TRACTOR TRAILERS MOVING AT 70+MPH DON'T SEE YOU UNTIL THEY ARE UP ON YOU. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FORD HAS KNOWN ISSUES WITH THEIR THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. INSTEAD OF TAKING CARE THE ISSUE THEY WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENS TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THIS UNACCEPTABLE THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND THEY WAIT AND WAIT UNTIL SOME MAGICAL NUMBER OR LORD FORBIDS SOMEONE DIES TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. YOU CALL THEM AND THEY TELL YOU "NO RECALLS ON YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS TIME KEEP YOUR RECEIPT IF YOU GET IT REPAIRED INCASE A RECALL OCCURS IN THE FUTURE" WHAT THIS MEANS IS, "THEY PROBABLY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE BUT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVEN'T COMPLAINED"! THEY HAVE LAWSUITS BEING FILED AS WE SPEAK SO I'M ASKING "NHTSA" TO ISSUE AN INVESTIGATION ON OUR BEHALF. EVERYONE PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!!!!
I HAVE ALREADY PUT A COMPLAINT IN ABOUT MY THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THIS EVENING I WENT ABOUT A MILE AND A HALF, AND MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY TRUCK STARTED TO NOT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE. I PULLED OVER, TURNED IT OFF. WAITED A BIT AND RESTARTED IT. THIS TIME IT TOOK A BIT TO GET IT TO START UP. I THEN PROCEEDED TO GO BACK HOME BECAUSE OF HOW IT WAS ACTING A MILE AND A HALF AFTER DRIVING, NOT OFTEN TWO MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN, AND THE ENGINE STARTED CHUGGING, I COULDN'T MOVE, AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED AGAIN! I THEN AGAIN TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED AND THEN STARTED THE TRUCK UP. IT TOOK SOMETIME ONCE AGAIN TO START. I FINALLY MADE IT BACK HOME IN TEARS. I WAS ABLE TO GET CODES OFF, SINCE I PICKED A UP A CODE RAFFIA FEW DAYS PRIOR. I GOT CODE P2104, P2111, AND P2112. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WILL BE CALLING FORD TOMORROW!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,695.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60MPG, OUT OF NO WHERE MY FORD EXPLORER STOPS MOVING AND DECREASES IN SPEED FAST. AT THAT SAME TIME A WRENCH SYMBOL POPPED UP ON MY DASH. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO THE SPEED DROPPING SO FAST, I COULD NOT PULL OVER FAST ENOUGH. ONCE PULLED OVER, I TURNOFF MY FORD FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED IT BACK UP. THE WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE, I WAS ABLE TO THEN ACCELERATE AND GET TO THE CORRECT SPEED FOR THE SPEED LIMIT. ONCE I GOT HOME I STOPPED AT MY LOCAL SHOP AND THEY SCANNED THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY. I WAS NOT GIVING ANY CODES AND THE SHOP OWNER CLEARED THE CODES OUT OF THE SYSTEM. HE TOLD ME THAT IF IT COMES BACK HE DID SAY THAT IF IT COMES BACK I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS THAT ARE BEING PETITION ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON OTHER WEBSITES IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE FORD SHOULD REALLY REPLACE THESE BECAUSE THEY CAN CAUSE A VERY HAZARDOUS ACCIDENT WHEN IT THE THROTTLE BODY STOPS PERFORMING. I HOPE THIS CAN BE LOOKED INTO AND CORRECTED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU
I GET A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS WHEN DRIVING. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME. MY BACK HATCH IS CRACKING IN 3 OR MORE SPOTS I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL PROBABLY FALL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO SOMEONE DRIVING BEHIND ME.
THE LIFT GATE ON MY TRUCK IS CRACKING AND GETTING WORSE. TWO OF MY SEATBELTS ARE HARD TO GET OUT OF THE RETRACTOR AND THEY ARE SO TIGHT THAT THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE TO THE WEARER.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKING .NO FIRST GEAR,SHIFTS HARD , SOMETIME IT WONT SHIFT WITHOUT LETTING OFF GAS .WITH CODESPO731,PO733,PO734,PO745 NEEDS TOTAL REBUILD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40 MILES A HOUR , ABS LIGHT IS ON . CODES SHOW WRONG LINE PRESSURE.ENGINE KNOCKING , TIMMING CHAIN ISSUES.
I LOOKED AT THE BACK OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LTD ONE MORNING (10/11/2016) AND THERE WAS A CRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE BACK PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DISCOVERING THE SPLIT IN THE PANEL I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL EXPLORER WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I ASKED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE ONLY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO GET IT REPAIRED MYSELF. THIS IS CLEARLY A FORD ISSUE. NOW WHILE DRIVING A HEAR RATTLING AND HOPE THE ENTIRE PANEL DOESN'T FALL OFF. I DID CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TODAY TO REGISTER MY CONCERNS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME BUT HE WOULD FILE MY CONCERN AND GAVE ME A CASE # [XXX] FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. I AM ON A RETIRED INCOME AND THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE REPAIRED THEN KEEP RECEIPTS IN HOPE THAT FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL AND/OR ASSIST ME WITH THE REPAIR EXPENSES. IN READING ON-LINE AFTER SEVERAL OWNERS HAD THE PANEL REPLACED, IT CRACKED AGAIN LATER. PLEASE ADVISE ME AND HELP ME GET ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LTD BACK PANEL SPLITTING FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED FOR SECOND DEGREE BURNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AS INDICATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN MULTIPLE INJURIES TO THE DRIVER.
SIGNIFICANT FRONT END IMPACT WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT ON A CITY STREET.