2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

REAR WINDOW HINGES ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE. *TR

SUN VISOR ANCHOR BASED OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED AND FELL OUT, CAUSING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL ON FACE, AND MAKING VISOR FALL IN FRONT OF LINE OF SIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY . USING SUN VISOR IS NOW NOT POSSIBLE. *TR

LETTER TO THE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FROM SENATOR BURR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT CONCERNING A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE REAR WINDOW OF HER 2004 FORD EXPLORER *TGW

REAR HATCH CRACKED ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

GEAR SHIFTER FELL INTO MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO PUT MY 2004 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED BUT NOT IN PARK. IT IS ONLY BEING HELD STILL BY PARKING BRAKE AS IT IS STUCK IN BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. THERE WERE ZERO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY BUT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES HAD I BEEN PARKED ON A HILL OR HAD THE SHIFTER BROKE WHILE IN GEAR WHERE IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AS OF YET IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY, BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT APPEARS AS IF ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I AM TO SPEND ANY WHERE FROM $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART WITH A BRAND NEW DEFECTIVE PART TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2/2007. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER SO THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE THROTTLE BODY DID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME; THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, 'O/D OFF' LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND/OR VEHICLE SHUTS OFF; THE REMEDY: HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR REPAIRED. THIS HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN 3 YEARS. SAW ON A 6PAGE FORUM OF OTHER FORD OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRING A TRANSMISSION IS COSTLY AND ITS NOT ONE REPAIR IT'S MULTIPLE OVER THE LIFE OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NOTICED THE LIFT GATE HINGE OF OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACKED. WE'VE NOW REMOVED THE GLASS FROM THE LIFT GATE AND ARE TRYING TO FIND PARTS FOR IT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER, NOT KNOWING WHEN THE GLASS CAN CRACK/SHATTER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE PART. *TR

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SINCE DECEMBER 2004 WHEN MY DAUGHTER LEFT IT FOR ME WHEN SHE MOVED. IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES. SHE HAD NOTICED A HARD SHIFT, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE AND A ROUGH IDLE AND VIBRATION, BUT HAD NOT HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. EXCEPT FOR WHEN I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN, I HAVE SERVICED THAT CAR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP RELIGIOUSLY. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BUT NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND. I WAS NOT EVEN TOLD ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE READ ABOUT ON YOUR WEBSITE WHICH SEEM TO INDICATE THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND CAUSES. FINALLY, AT JUST UNDER 36,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW, 47,000 MILES LATER, THIS NEW TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT TO SEE WHERE IT'S LEAKING FROM. I READ HERE ABOUT THAT PROBLEM, TOO. TO ME, IT IS CLEAR THAT FORD IS USING MICKEY MOUSE TRANSMISSIONS WHICH, OF COURSE, POSE A SAFETY HAZARD DEPENDING ON WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW THE FAILURE MANIFESTS ITSELF, AND IS ALSO AN AFFRONT TO THE CONSUMER WHO IS BEING DEFRAUDED BY BEING SOLD A FAR MORE INFERIOR VEHICLE THAN THE ONE FOR WHICH THEY BARGAINED. SO, HOW'S YOUR INVESTIGATION GOING? *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED EARLY ON AT ABOUT 88000 MILES, WE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THIS. MY HUSBAND HAD BEEN IN AUTO REPAIR AND PARTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, SO HIM AND MY SON DONE THE REPAIR, WITHOUT COUNTING ANYTHING FOR LABOR THE TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS AROUND $2000.00. FROM THAT POINT ON WE HAVE HAD LOTS OF MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED OR PARTS REPLACED. THE INTAKE AND PARTS COST US AROUND 700.00, NO CHARGE FOR LABOR. THE TIMING C+HAIN FAILED AND WE CHOOSE THIS TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHICH COST US $1100.00!!! NOW AT 156000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, THIS ONE HAS AROUND 68000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE DIME IN HELP FROM FORD ON ANYTHING. THIS IS THE THIRD EXPLORER WE HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 15 YEARS. WE ALSO OWN 3 F-150'S AND A MUSTANG. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THE OTHER VEHICLES. I CAN HONESTLY SAY WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS 2004 EXPLORER AND I FEEL WE WILL MOST LIKELY NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE IN THE FUTURE!!!!! *JS

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.

REAR RH HINGE FAILED ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER, WHEN WIFE WAS CLOSING GLASS HATCH, SHE WAS VERY LUCKY SHE DID NOT GET HURT, BECAUSE IT PUT TO MUCH STRAIN ON LH HINGE, DAMAGING IT ALMOST TO POINT OF FAILURE ALSO. *TR

TAILGATE/DOOR WITH GLASS CRACKED AND BROKE. FIBERGLASS WAS MADE FAR TOO WEAK AND CRACKED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE SITTING IDLE, THE CONTACT PRESSED THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW RELEASE BUTTON AND THE HINGE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,800. UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/07/10.*JB

THE HATCHBACK HINGE ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE YESTERDAY, LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT HIT MY 4 YEAR OLD IN THE HEAD. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON A 2002 FORD EXPLORER I OWNED BEFORE, BUT THAT WAS RECALLED AND FORD FIXED IT. THIS MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. IT COULD HAVE EASILY HIT SOMEONE AND HURT THEM, OR FALLEN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS FITTING UNDER THE WINDOW NEXT TO THE TAILGATE BEGAN CRACKING AND WAS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE OWNER HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE BRAKING FROM SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,505.

GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BROKE OFF WHEN TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK, ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. CHECKING THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROBLEM I SEE IT HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH FORD EXPLORERS, NO HELP THROUGH FORD, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO VARIOUS GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY THE FIRST GEAR COULD BE DISENGAGED WAS TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. PREVIOUS MODELS (2002) WERE RECALLED FOR THE ABS LIGHT AND SPEED CONTROL ISSUE (09S09). I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 EXPLORER. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, IT IS OK FOR A WHILE THEN THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP AGAIN. COULD THIS BE A FIRE PROBLEM? *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER V8 120000 MILES DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 45MPH NO WARNING OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON & LOST ALL GEARS. PULLED OVER TURNED CAR OFF RESTARTED IT DROVE 5 FEET SAME PROBLEM. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP THE PULLED CODES & SAID THE SOLINOID PACK INTERNALLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID THAT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. NOW LOOKS LIKE NEEDS A TRANI. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRENTY BUT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE IT. NOW ITS NOT UNDER WARRENTY & FORD WONT TAKE CARE OF IT.

2004 FORD EXPLORER FACTORY INSTALLED CHROME WHEELS THIS IS THE SECOND SET - I PAID $1600 TO REPLACE FIRST SET HAVE SEVERE PEELING, CRACKING AND FLAKING AROUND LUG NUTS INCLUDING INSIDE, OUTSIDE AND TOP OF RIMS ON WHEELS. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES CRACKING, PEELING AND FLAKING OF WHEEL MATERIALS COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF WHEEL AND /OR TIRE SEAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. FORD SERVICE TECH STATED THE ALL WHEELS MUST BE REPLACED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

I AM SO ANGRY., I OWN A 2003 AND A 2004 EXPLORER. THE 2004 HAS A CRACK THAT SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL. FORD KNOWS THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT AND TALK CONDESCENDINGLY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THE PHONE IF YOU TRY TO DISCUSS IT WITH THEM. THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING BUT READING A RESPONSE FROM A CARD, THEY ARE UNABLE TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF CONVERSATION OTHER THAN READING THEIR CANNED RESPONSE. THIS IS THE LAST TIME THAT I WILL BUY A FORD. *TR

LEFT SIDE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS SO BAD IT WAS ACTUALLY WOBBLING. *TR

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2006, NOTICED AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WHEN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WOULD DELAY A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND THEN SPEED INTO REVERSE, THAT WAS AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES WHEN PURCHASED. IN APRIL OF 2009 CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, HAD A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. IT IS NOW LESS THEN A YEAR SINCE REBUILD AND IT IS STARTING TO SHIFT HARD AGAIN AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT TODAY WHEN I HAD MY ON THE BRAKE IT MADE A CLUNK SOUND AND JUMPED FORWARD? GOOD THING NO OTHER CAR WAS IN FRONT OF ME, I CHECKED MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME, SO I WAS NOT HIT. ALSO CAR IS STARTING TO DELAY WHEN AT A STOPPED POSITION TO START DRIVING THE CAR HESITATES TO GO INTO GEAR. DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED BY AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER ERROR???? I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT GET DRIVEN AROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I AM NOW WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM TAKING MY FORD BACK IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GUY THAT REPAIRED IT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. UHAUL WILL NOT LET ANY FORD EXPLORERS TOW THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

WENT TO LOAD SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER AND NOTICED A BLACK LINE RUNNING DOWN BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND TAILGATE AND COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WAS CRACKED,,DID NOTHING TO CAUSE IT TO CRACK. I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME THING TO HAPPEN. I SUPPOSE IT WILL BE TREATED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT I AND MANY MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD ALSO, JUST IGNORED BUT NEVER RECALLED ALTHOUGH CASE AFTER CASE AFTER CASE HAVE BEEN REPORTED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER RIGHT REAR LIFTGATE HINGE PIN HAS CORROSION CAUSING THE HINGE TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE GLASS. WHEN OPENING THE WINDOW IT BROKE AND FELL ON MY HUSBAND WHILE LOADING CARGO. THE RIGHT SIDE SHOCK (STRUT) HAS SEEMED TO GET STUCK AT TIMES MAKING IT HARD TO CLOSE THE HATCH. *TR

TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. DELAYED RESPONSE AND HARSH SHIFT IN GEARS. FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA, THERE IS A DELAY AND HARSH ENGAGEMENT. AT FIRST THE INCIDENTS WERE BARELY NOTICEABLE AND LESS FREQUENT. NOW THEY ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND MORE PRONOUNCED. FEARFUL OF COMPLETE FAILURE WHILST ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY/STREET. OFTEN TIMES THERE IS A DELAY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WHEN REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, ETC. *TR

REAR WHEEL BEARING ON MY 2004 EXPLORER WERE BAD AND ON ONE SIDE THE WHEEL BEARING WAS SO BAD THAT THE ROTOR WAS MOVING WITH NO EFFORT TO MOVE IT AND THE SUV ONLY HAD 76,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER (V8 EDDIE BAUER) I RECENTLY RAN INTO A STRANGE SITUATION. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 35 MPH AND AS I WAS GOING DOWN A SMALL HILL, THE CAR STALLED. I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM AT ALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE 2004 EXPLORER STALLS WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET AND IT IS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED. *TR

HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER I BOUGHT NEW. IT NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 95250 MILES. AFTER WASHING CAR 2-5-10, A MILD DAY HERE IN CT THOUGH WINTERTIME, I NOTICED TRIM PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW SHOWED VERTICAL CRACK MOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER CRACK HAD MIGRATED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO BOTTOM OF PANEL. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLINE 2-17-10 ASKING IF THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AS HAD READ OTHERS HAD IT HAPPEN TO THEM AS WELL ON VARIOUS AUTOMOBILE WEBSITES LIKE EDMUNDS. UNDERSTOOD BEFORE WRITING IT WAS NOT A RECALL AT THAT TIME. GOT A POLITE RESPONSE 2-18-10 THAT THOUGH SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, I SHOULD BRING IT TO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT SUCH A TRIP. HOWEVER, I AM NOTICING THAT THE WINDOW HOW SEEMS TO RATTLE WHEN CLOSING IF ONLY THE WINDOW PORTION IS OPENED RATHER THAN THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR. I REALLY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THE WINDOW IS NOT IN JEOPARDY OF SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS OF THIS VINTAGE HAVE IN FACT REGISTERED COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA AS I AM DOING TONIGHT. WILL FORD BE ASKED TO MAKE REPAIRS TO OWNER'S VEHICLES FOR THIS DEFECT? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. *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

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT FOUR OF THE STUDS ON THE RIGHT REAR ROTOR BROKE OFF AND THAT THE WHEEL ALMOST FELL OFF. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE STUDS BROKE AND REPLACED ALL FIVE STUDS. THE CONTACT NEITHER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP NOR SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,950.

CRACK IN REAR PANEL ON LIFT GATE BELOW WINDOW AT THE FORD EMBLEM. *CN

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BACK HATCH HAS A BIG CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WITH THE WEATHER CHANGE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE THOUSANDS OD SIMILAR STORIES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

ON 1-17-2010 @ APPROX 5:30 AM I WAS ENROUTE TO WORK, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY, I HIT A PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE ROAD, HYDROPLANED AND HIT HEAD-ON WITH A LARGE TREE. MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER RECEIVED OVER 12000.00 IN DAMAGES AND WAS TOTALED. I RECEIVED CHEST/BREAST INJURIES. NO AIR BAGS EVER DEPLOYED. I CONTACTED FORD MOTORS WHO STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND TO ME WITHIN 15 DAYS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. TO THIS DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS JUST EXPERIENCED A RANDOM CRACK IN THE BODY IN THE HATCHBACK. THE CRACK APPEARS IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE REAR WINDOW, ABOVE AND BELOW THE FORD EMBLEM. THERE WAS NO PRECIPITANT TO THE EVENT AND THERE IS NO OBVIOUS TRAUMA TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD NO REPAIRS OR PROBLEMS WITH THIS AREA PREVIOUSLY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP I DO BUSINESS WITH SAID THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND COULD FIX IT FOR BETWEEN $600 & $700. I SPOKE TO FORD MOTOR CO. WHO SAID THIS IS NOT UNDER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS NOT A RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A STRUCTURAL DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE, NOT CAUSED BY MYSELF OR A 3RD PARTY, CAN NOT CONSTITUTE A RECALL. HOW CAN FORD SAY THIS ISN'T DANGEROUS? IF A PIECE OF THE BODY WERE TO FLY INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE I AM DRIVING OR THE GLASS CRACKS AND SHATTERS, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO SOMEONE ELSE. WHY WOULD A "RECALL" ONLY BE INSTATED IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE HURT? WHY WAIT? I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO CHARGE TO ME, THE OWNER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT WHEN CLOSING THE LIFT GATE THE HITCH SNAPPED AND THE GLASS ALMOST FELL OUT AS A CONSEQUENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 AND 2003 VEHICLES. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER, RQ08003, STRUCTURE BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, SUPPORT DEVICE VISIBILITY GLASS, SIDE /REAR STRUCTURE BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND WAS CLOSED ON OCTOBER 24, 2008. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE HINGE COULD SNAP AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES AND/OR A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79000.

WENT TO OPEN REAR DOOR AND NOTICED A CRACK RUNNING DOWN THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. MY FORD EXPLORER IS A 2004 WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT OF HAPPENED THIS IS A DEFECT THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. INSTEAD I WAS TOLD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY ARE YOU KIDDING THIS IS FORDS PROBLEM NOT MINE. IT COULD FALL OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AND HURT SOMEONE WHAT IS GOING ON IN AMERICA. *TR

A CRACK ON MY 2004 EXPLORER UNDER THE BACK WINDOW. THERE ARE 1000'S OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD ALSO HAVE SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THIS HAS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE THE BACK WINDOW FALLS OUT. *TR

I HAVE THIS CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF MY LIFTGATE AND I HAVE SEEN SOME OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND FOUND ON INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. I CALLED FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS. AS I HAVE SAID. I HAVE SEEN OTHER FORDS WITH THE SAME CRACK ON THE MIDDLE OF THE LIFT GATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL WAS CRACKED BELOW THE GLASS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS KNOWN BUT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,373.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW START TO CRACK. AS TIME WENT ON THE CRACK CONTINUED DOWN THE ENTIRE PANEL NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE REAR WINDOW NOW MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL LOOSEN ENOUGH FOR IT TO POP OUT IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IT HAS CERTAINLY REDUCED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HUNDREDS OF COMMENTS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL FROM YOU AND THAT UNTIL THERE WAS I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT FIXED. REPAIR COSTS SEEM TO BE AROUND $400. FOR THE PANEL PLUS PAINTING. I REALLY THINK A DESIGN FLAW SHOULD NOT BE MY PROBLEM. THEY KNOW IT WAS A FLAW SINCE THE NEWER MODELS ARE DESIGNED COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. *TR

REAR GLASS ON EXPLORER BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM BRACKETS. THIS MATCHES PRIOR COMPLAINT NUMBER RQ08003. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 REAR PANEL UNDER WINDOW ON TAILGATE CRACKING AND FALLING OFF ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES WAS OUTRAGED BY FORD WHEN THEY STATED THAT AFTER THE CAR LEAVES THE FACTORY ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED, WALKED OUT OF MY HOUSE INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED "THE EXPLORER CRACK" ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. TEMP WAS 26 DEGREES THAT NIGHT. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND FINALLY ONE DAY I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR DID NOT EVEN MOVE. I HAD TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 60,000 MILES. I ALSO AM HAVING A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR NEAR WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY WHICH IS CRAZY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT MY YEAR AND MAKE HAS PAINT PROBLEMS AND THEY HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN MANY TIMES BUT NO RECALL WAS EVER ISSUED. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHICH WHILE DRIVING LAST YEAR I WAS TOLD THAT MY HUB ASSEMBLY ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BAD AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT WITH A HUB ASSEMBLY FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS IN JAN 2010. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART AGAIN IN DEC 2010. I LOST BREAKS. I ALSO HAVE A HORRIBLE JERKING WHEN I AM BACKING UP FROM A TIGHT SPOT AND THE WHEELS ARE TURNED SHARPLY. MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED OR THE VEHICLE IS CRANKED UNLESS I TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON WHEN THE DOORS OPEN POSITION. I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE REVIEWED TWICE IN THE PAST. I HAVE HAD THE JERKING LOOKED AT WITH NO REASON GIVEN MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD MY VEHICLE INSPECTED ON NOV 30TH AND NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE TERRIBLE CONDITION THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS IN NOR THE BEARINGS THAT A MOBILE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WERE TERRIBLY WORN. I AM REPLACING THEM SOON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP THE CONSUMER IN FIXING SINCE MOST FORD BUYERS ARE DIEHARD FORD OWNERS LIKE MYSELF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE EVERY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PERFORM THE TEST AND REPAIR A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND HER INFORMATION ON HOW TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH INCLUDED ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS; HOWEVER, SHE HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,078.

PLASTIC UNDER BACK GLASS AROUND FORD LOGO CRACKED AFTER A COOL MORNING. (MAYBE 35 DEGREES) NOW THE CRACK STRETCHES OPEN AND CLOSED VARIOUS AMOUNTS EACH DAY. *TR