2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

DEFECTIVE REAR WINDOW HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I RARELY USE THE WINDOW HATCH AND TODAY I AM SORRY I DID. WHILE OPENING THE REAR WINDOW IT FELL ON TO MY HEAD. THE BRACKETS ON THE WINDOW BROKE. I AM WAITING FOR MY MECH. TO HELP ME REMOVE THE WINDOW SO I CAN BRING IT INTO TO GET REPAIRED. I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND IT HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME THING. SO WHY NOT THE 2004, IT IS THE SAME HINGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, DIAGNOSED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ENGINES TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT 1644590504, BUT DIDN'T OFFER TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE THE MOTOR WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

I DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER LAST NIGHT WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT TO THIS AREA OF THE VEHICLE SO I HAD NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM. I CHECKED WITH A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATOR TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS. IT WAS APPARENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK WITH FORD. I STOPPED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS OUT TO LUNCH. THE SALESMAN I TALKED TO SAID HE SAW THE PROBLEM A NUMBER OF TIME WHEN HE WORKED AT THE LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER. WAITING FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER TO CALL ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL SQUEALING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONING LINE TO FAIL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED ALL COMPONENTS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE 'MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,350 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,470.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW AND THE HINGES FRACTURED CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER OVER HER HEAD. SHE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE AND REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS FRACTURED DOWN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE BELIEVED THE INTEGRITY OF THE REAR WINDOW LIFTGATE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. UPDATED 12/29/10

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH FORD EXPLORERS ESPECIALLY FROM THE YEAR 2000 TO 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN FEW THOUSAND COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET AND HEARD AND ALSO EXPERIENCE MYSELF ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AN THESE VEHICLES AND ITS RIDICULOUS. THE TRANSMISSION BANGS INTO GEARS LIKE SOMETHING IS FALLING UNDERNEATH BOGS DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS. HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND JUST PLAIN TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH ITS HAPPENING BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVEN GETS TO 60K. I KNOW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE 100K SO CONSUMERS PLEASE MAKE NOTE OF THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON HERE BECAUSE THIS IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN. THANKS *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

AT 25526 MILES TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR DELAY IN SHIFTING. DEALER FLUSHED WITH BG CONDITIONER. AT 26073 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER FOR CLUNKING ON SHIFTING, DEALER REMOVED PAN FOUND DEBRIS, OVERHAULED VALVE BODY AND REPLACED SOLENOID PACK. CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 63323 MILES ON 04 FORD EXPLORER, TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION FOR THE COST OF $3527.60 OUT OF OUR POCKET, NO WARRANTIES HONORED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. FOLLOWING REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE REAR CASSETTE FRACTURING AND CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL OBLIQUE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WHICH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED REPLACING THE OBLIQUE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE OPENED THE REAR GLASS WINDOW LOCATED ON THE LIFT GATE. THE WINDOW WAS OPEN FOR A FEW MOMENTS UNTIL ONE OF THE TWO HINGES BROKE RESULTING IN THE WINDOW HANGING BY ONE HINGE. UPON EXAMINING THE BROKEN HINGE SHE NOTICED THAT THE SCREW HOLDING THE HINGE IN PLACE ALSO BROKE IN HALF. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND WOULD LUNGE FORWARD BEFORE MOVING IN REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORE DIES ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE DIED LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE LANE AND GOT OFF TO THE SHOULDER SO WE WEREN'T STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE PUMP. *TR

CANNOT ACCELERATE, FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD. SCARES ME TO BE IN TRAFFIC WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN BACKSEAT. PUT INTO REVERSE IT JOLTS INTO GEAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS. MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. SOMETIMES THERE IS ALMOST NO ACCELERATION MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AROUND TOWN. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER AND I LIFTED THE GLASS HATCH TODAY AND IT BROKE AND BEGAN TO FALL ON MY HEAD, LUCKILY I REACTED AND GRABBED IT BEFORE IT KNOCKED ME OUT. I HAD TO GET HELP BECAUSE IT WAS TO HEAVY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A BAD BACK, HAD SURGERY AND WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO RE DAMAGE. I HAD TO HAVE MY HUSBAND COME UP THERE WHILE WE HELD IT BECAUSE STRUTS WOULD NOT FOLD IT IN. TOOK IT TO FORD AND AM BEING CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO DIAGNOSIS IT I AM NOT SURE THAT IS NEEDED, AND PARTS ARE GOING TO BE $155, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WINDOW IF IT BREAKS! PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THEY SAID THEY WILL ORDER. I HAVE NO CAR, NO WARRANTY, AND A SORE BACK FROM ANOTHER PROBLEM FORD IS AWARE OF BUT REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THANK GOD IT DID NOT HIT MY 11 YEAR OLD IN THE HEAD OR NECK THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS EVEN DEADLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD LOW PITCH GRINDING NOISE COMING UNDERNEATH THE REAR WHEELS. A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE STATED THAT SHE COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,664.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PANEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE REPAIR FACILITIES WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WINDOW PANEL WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,990. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,100. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ UPDATED 05/04/11

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TO ATTEMPT A LEFT TURN. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FRONT END DAMAGES AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL, AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE WHEEL LUG BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE LUG BOLTS WERE REPLACED ON THE FOUR WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

IN JULY 2010, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL PORTION OF THE BACK WINDOW HATCH OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER, WHO MORE OR LESS SAID WELCOME TO THE CLUB, AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE BODY SHOP. THE COST OF $500-600 WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY ME AND THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD MOTOR CO., I THOUGHT I COULD EXPECT MORE FROM A LOCAL MANUFACTURER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN PRODUCT TESTS AND/OR TRIALS. WHY DIDN'T FORD KNOW THAT THE MATERIAL THEY USED WAS NOT CAPABLE OF STANDING UP TO THE USE IN THE AREA THEY PLACED IT? *TR

ON THE HIGHWAY, PASSING A TRACTOR TRAILER AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS GAVE OUT. WHEEL FROZE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. PULLED OVER AND FORTUNATELY OTHERS HAD STOPPED AND ASSISTED IN PUTTING FIRE OUT. WAS TERRIFYING - OUR CHILDREN WERE SITTING IN THE BACK! WE THEN ENDED UP STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME AS WE WERE ON A FAMILY TRIP. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE GLASS FELL OFF AFTER UPPER LEFT HAND HINGE SNAPPED. SECONDARY FAILURE OF LEFT HAND GAS SHOCK SHEARING NEAR MOUNTING BOSS ON GATE. *TR 1) THE GLASS LIFT GATE WAS GETTING HARDER TO CLOSE. I BELIEVE CORROSION LOOSENED THE HINGE JOINT TO THE GLASS. 2) THE FAILURE WAS IMMEDIATE AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE BACK GATE CAME CRASHING DOWN AND THE RIGHT HAND SIDE CAME FLYING UP. 3) SHORT TERM FIX - VISQUEEN AND DUCT TAPE. LONG TERM FIX - WILL BE TO DISASSEMBLE AND REPLACE THE HINGE/SHOCK ASSEMBLY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AND THE SHIFTER LEVEL BROKE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,650.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE WAS FRACTURING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HINGE WOULD NEED REPLACING AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ANY REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,100.

CLOSING THE GLASS LIFTGATE ON A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, THE HINGE PIN PULLED THROUGH THE HINGE STRUCTURE CAUSING THE GLASS TO DROP. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CATCH THE GLASS HAND WAS PINNED, BUT NO INJURY WAS SUFFERED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM THE VEHICLE LOGO TOWARD THE REAR DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK WAS BARELY VISIBLE YET IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE CRACK WOULD EXPAND. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL BUT WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 78,500.

VEHICLES EXHIBIT AN AXLE WHINE OR HUM DURING ACCELERATION, DECELERATION AND/OR CRUISE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER, WAS EASTBOUND WHEN THE TONGUE OF THE TRAILER HE WAS PULLING BROKE OFF DUE TO RUST. THE TRAILER TRAVELED ACROSS ALL THREE LANES STRIKING THE CENTER WALL AND OVERTURNING. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0447-90)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

DEFECTIVE CLIP/HINGE IN SUNVISOR ASSEMBLY OF 2004 FORD EXPLORERS, BREAKS AND CRACKS WITH NORMAL USE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONCE IT BREAKS TO A CERTAIN POINT THE SUNVISOR WILL HANG IN DRIVERS VIEW AND IMPEDE VISION. A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. SOME OF THEIR COMMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SUPPORTS_FOR_SUN_VISORS_CRACKED.SHTML TO BEGIN YOUR INVESTIGATION. LUCKILY OURS CAME APART WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, BUT SOMEONE USING THE VISOR TO INCREASE VISIBILITY MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACKED REAR PANEL SPLITTING THE ENTIRE BACK PANEL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE WHOLE PANEL COULD BREAK OFF BY THE REAR WINDOW. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY YEAR EXPLORER. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT.

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO FEEL TWO THINGS, A HESITATION IN THE GEARS AS THEY SHIFT FROM ONE TO THE NEXT, AND THE MORE PRESSING ISSUE, A STALL FOLLOWED BY A JERK WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT IN THREE TIMES CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND WAS A HESITATION IN THE GAS RELAYING THE INFORMATION TO THE "COMPUTER". THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT AND I ONCE AGAIN TOOK IT BACK FOR THESE SAME ISSUES ONLY THIS TIME THEY DID FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT AND I AM STUCK FOOTING THE BILL ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE ALSO READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE ON THIS SITE AND ON FORDS WEBSITE AND AM WONDERING... WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE? FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IT IS APPARENT THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT IT IS STILL AN ISSUE!!! IF FORD ISN'T GOING TO BE A RESPECTABLE COMPANY AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN, THEN WHY HASN'T AN INVESTIGATION STARTED TO FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, IT OBVIOUSLY ISN'T A FLUKE PROBLEM AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!! *TR

WHILE LEAVING FOR WORK, SHIFTED COLUMN GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND IT SNAPPED OFF AT BASE. NO FORCE USED OTHER THAN NORMAL. *TR

BOUGHT 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008, NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS HARD TO PUT INTO GEARS BUT WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL FOR FORDS. OVER THE NEXT YEAR STARTED NOTICING THAT WHEN YOU PUT ON THE BRAKE IT FELT LIKE THE REAR END WAS FALLING OUT, AGAIN TOLD THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF A FORD. JUST THIS PAST WEEK HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT WITHOUT A BIG JOLT AND THE O/D LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING. AUTOZONE CHECKED FOR CODES AND SAID IT WAS P90775, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE SOMETHING IN THE TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY WANT 2000-3000 DOLLARS TO BUILD NEW TRANS. BUT SAID THIS IS ONCE AGAIN TYPICAL OF A FORD. REALLY!!! IF FORD KNOWS THIS WHY ARE THEY NOT RECALLING THE VEHICLES. TRANSMISSION GUY SAID ALL THE PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN EXACTLY WHAT HE HEARS ALL THE TIME WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. HELP!!! MY HUSBAND IS RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHECK FLUIDS ON OUR CARS, CHANGING THEM ECT....FIRST THING HE NOTICED WAS THERE IS NO DIPSTICK FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT? HIDING SOMETHING? *TR

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN AND NOISY AT LESS THAN 74,000 MILES. THESE BEARINGS SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. $800.00 TO REPAIR/REPLACE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND HEARD A NOISE. WE TURNED AROUND AND THE LIFTGATE HAD FALLEN OFF ITS ON HINGES AND WAS HANGING LOOSE ON BOTH SIDES. WE HAD TO HOLD IT ON AND DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THAT DATE IN 2010. FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 2004 MODEL AND ALL OF ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT THAT I HAVE FILED AGAINST FORD CONCERNING THIS CAR. THE FIRST WAS A #2 VALVE FALLING IN THE ENGINE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BLOW UP. NHTSA PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT FORD. SOMEONE HAS TO MAKE CAR MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE TO THE CONSUMER. EVERY TIME THAT NHTSA IS CONTACTED NOTHING IS DONE UNTIL MILLIONS ARE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED. *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

SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK . EXPLORER HAS ONLY 50K MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL BENEATH MY REAR WINDOW IN MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CRACK HAS CONTINUED TO GET LARGER SINCE I NOTICED IT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO ADVISED HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 08/27/10. *LJ

2004 FORD EXPLORER ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION ! 3000.00 REBUILD OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING , INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON , WINDOWS DON'T GO DOWN, DOOR OPEN LIGHTS ON DASH ARE ON .. SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS I BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET ! FORD HAD TO HAVE SOME FAULT IN ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ???? *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON HATCHBACK, THE WINDOW HINGES BROKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DECELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

VERTICAL CRACK UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE TO DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL GRINDING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR END BEARING, THREE REAR AXLES, THE PINION BAR AND SEALS AND A SHAFT KIT WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY AN OVER TORQUE BY THE MANUFACTURER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR JOINTS WERE FAILING SPORADICALLY AND CAUSING THE VISORS TO OBSTRUCT THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE SUN VISORS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

ON FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010 MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE ON OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED IN HIS HANDS. IT DID NOT SHATTER BECAUSE HE WAS HOLDING ONTO IT. UPON INSPECTION, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT HINGE THAT CONNECTS THE LIFTGATE TO THE VEHICLE HAD SNAPPED. THE LIFTGATE IS CURRENTLY HANGING ON THE RIGHT HINGE AS WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES AT THIS TIME TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME PART WAS OPENED IN JUNE 23, 2004 AND CLOSED ON OCTOBER 24, 2008. ALTHOUGH ON PAGE 12 OF THE RESPONSE TO NHTSA FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADMITS THAT THIS FAILURE IS CAUSED BY "THE USE OF NON-OPTIMAL COATING ON THE STEEL PIN THAT JOINS THE TWO ZINC DIE-CAST SECTIONS OF THE HINGE", THE COMPANY ASSUMES NO FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN COVERING THE REPAIRS BECAUSE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I URGE YOU TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY CAN REPORT THEM TO THIS AGENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,820.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A FORD 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. UPDATED 03/23/11

2004 FORD EXPLORER V6 TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AT TIMES. *TR