2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

ON DECEMBER 15, I WENT SHOPPING AND WHEN I WENT TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A CRACK ALL THE WAY FROM THE BACK WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HIT AS THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP . THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53000.

VEHICLE HAS BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES, EVIDENTLY IS SAME SPOT OF THE COIL. FORD REFUSES TO CONSIDER THIS PROBLEMATIC OR AN ISSUE TO THEIR CONCERN. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

CRACKS APPEARED BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY FORD EXPLORER. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *TR

2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH. OUR FRIENDS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THE REAR WINDOW EVENTUALLY SHATTERED WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE DANGEROUS BUT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN BRAKING. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR LESS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO FORD FOR REPAIR ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE HAVE REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY AND A FUEL INJECTION CLEANING WAS PERFORMED. NONE OF THIS HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEC 4 2009 WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE LAST BEING TODAY 2-24-2010. *TR

CRACKED TAILGATE FRAME UNDER THE WINDOW, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR

AS EVERYONE ELSE, I AM HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. IT SHIFTS VERY HARD AND JERKS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. ALSO HAVING ISSUES SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD. PROBLEM IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. THIS MORNING THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I KILLED THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND IT STOPPED. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. FORD OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. HOW COULD THEY NOT? I HAVE FOUND TONS OF MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET WITH EVERYONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF THE TAIL GATE DEVELOPED A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

WHILE DRIVING, I TOOK A LEFT TURN AND FELT A BUMPING IN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. I PULLED OVER THINKING IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. IN FACT, THE WHEEL BOLTS HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. WHEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, THEY DISCOVERED THAT A TOTAL OF 10 BOLTS/NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND 8 OUT OF THE OTHER 10 BOLTS WERE LOOSE OR WORN. I ALSO NEEDED TO GET A NEW WHEEL. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I TOOK A LEFT TURN AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN WITH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THE BOLTS WERE SHEARED OFF. I HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE LATEST INCIDENT BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL BOLT DAMAGE ON AT LEAST SOME OF THE OTHER TIRES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE MANUALLY OPENING THE REAR LIFT-GATE, IT SPONTANEOUSLY CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE LIFT-GATE HINGE KIT WAS ORDERED FOR THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE LIFT-GATE HINGE HAD FRACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,400. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,450.

CRACKED TAILGATE PANEL WHERE "FORD" EMBLEM IS. CRACKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF OTHER EXPLORERS WITH SAME CRACKS. I BELIEVE IT'S DEFECTIVE MATERIALS BEING USED AND FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

PARKING LEVER DOES NOT PROPERLY LINE UP. HOPE THAT THIS DOES NOT LEAD TO THE "ROLL AWAY" ISSUES. *TR

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THERE IS A HARD SHIFT ALSO HARD SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WHILE GOING FORWARD. *TR

FIRST THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THEN A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT. AFTER THE AUTO SHOP CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS ALL WHEEL BEARING AND BACKING PLATES WENT BAD AND$1500.00 DOLLARS LATER I LOOKED INTO PROBLEMS ON LINE WITH FORD EXPLORERS I SEEN OVER 42 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME THING. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY SEEING AS HOW IM STILL PAYING OF THE LOAN! *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING/GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, THE NOISE WAS MORE PRONOUNCED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC THINKING IT WAS THE BRAKES AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS "LOOSE" AND I SHOULD HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE BY A FORD DEALER. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO OPEN IT TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT BEING DONE, I WAS TOLD THAT HE FOUND "FAULTY" RING AND PINION AND CARRIER BEARINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO AN ENTIRE NEW KIT HAD TO BE INSTALLED AND REFILLED WITH FLUIDS WHICH INTERN ENDED UP COSTING $1,400. I COULD NOT GET A SATISFACTORILY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 46,000 MILES ON IT, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT NOR HAS IT EVER TOWED ANYTHING. I TOLD MY MECHANIC THIS AND HE SAID THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE CERTIFIED FORD DEALER ADMITS ON PAPER THAT MY VEHICLE HAD "FAULTY" PARTS YET I AM THE ONE WHO HAD TO PAY THE PRICE! *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4WD, XLT 6 CY ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING IT LAST WEEK AND THE FRONT END FELT LOOSE. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK THE SHIFT LEVER FELL APART IN MY HAND AND THE STEERING COLUMN FELL APART. I WAS ONLY GOING 5 MPH AT THE TIME BUT I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS GOING 40 OR SO., I HAD LOST CONTROL AS I PARKED!! THE FORD MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. *TR

IN THE DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL FAR RIGHT OR LEFT FOR EXTREME TURNS, THERE WOULD BE A SLIGHT THUMP TO THE EXTENT I THOUGHT SOMETHING LET LOOSE. I HAD THE CAR IN FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE ETC(SCHEDULED MAINT) AND TOLD THE SHOP ABOUT THIS EVENT BUT THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I WAS TURNING INTO A HEAD IN PARKING SPOT AND NOTICED WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT, I FELT THAT I HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FELL APART IN MY HANDS. IT HAD DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS A CRACK IN THE TAILGATE/BACK HATCH. IT STARTS UNDER THE WINDOW SEAL AND CONTINUES DOWN TO THE HATCH LEVER. I'M AFRAID THE GLASS WILL BECOME COMPROMISED DUE TO THE DEFECT IN CRAFTMANSHIP. I WAS ON ANOTHER FORUM WHERE 387 COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR POOR CRAFTMANSHIP ISSUES. I FEEL AS IF FORD SHOULD RECTIFY THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY AT NO COST TO IT'S CUSTOMERS. *TR

VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH 78,375 MILES - IT WAS PREVIOUSLY A US GOV.'T VEHICLE. REAR-END NOISE NOTICED AND SELLER HAD FORD REPAIR AT A COST OF $1,387.50 - VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 12,000 MILES AND BEGAN MAKING SAME NOISE IN REAR-END. DUE TO DISTANCE TO FORD DEALER, VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SERVICE. DIAGNOSIS- REAR SEAL FAILED CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO ALL REAR-END PARTS. REPAIRS INCLUDED RING & PINION GEARS AND DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS AT A COST OF $1,429.54 WHEN CONTACTED, FORD STATED THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS WITHIN THE 12,000 MILE, 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD, THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE COSTS BECAUSE THE SERVICE WAS NOT DONE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER-SERIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH GEARS SLIPPING/FAILING. HUGE DELAY IN REVERSE THEN A LARGE JOLT BACK IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

PLASTIC PIN SECURING BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR BREAKS, FREEZING BLEND DOOR IN POSITION.(COOL) UNABLE TO GET HEAT FROM VEHICLE HVAC SYSTEM. CAN NOT DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS IN COLD/WET WEATHER. VISIBILITY IS LIMITED DURING COLD/WET WEATHER. THE REDUCED VISIBILITY CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF OF PAVEMENT IN A RURAL AREA NEAR MY HOME BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THE LANE MARKERS. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A RECURRING, COMMON PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT TAKEN STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS EXPERIENCED TWO OVERHEATING INCIDENTS, THE SECOND RESULTED IN REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A STUCK THERMOSTAT AND THE SECOND BY A LEAKING HOSE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE ENGINE. IN BOTH INCIDENTS WHEN THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING ACTIVATED, THE TEMPERATURE WAS BURIED IN THE HOT END OF THE GAUGE. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, I IMMEDIATELY DECELERATED AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD BUT IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY RUINED. AN ARTICLE IN THE APRIL 2010 ISSUE OF DESIGN NEWS (MADE BY MONKEYS, PG 10) ABOUT A SIMILAR INCIDENT WITH A MAZDA LED ME TO BELIEVE MINE WAS NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE BUT A RESULT OF INCREASED USE OF ALUMINUM AND BETTER COOLING SYSTEMS. IN THE MAZDA INCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND WAS SAVED FROM A SECOND REPLACEMENT ONLY BECAUSE THE DRIVER WAS LOOKING AT THE GAUGE WHEN IT SUDDENLY PEGGED INTO THE HOT END. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IN NO WARNING OF LOW COOLANT UNTIL THE LEVEL DROPS BELOW THE WATER PUMP WHICH RESULTS IN A SUDDEN AND OFTEN CATASTROPHIC RISE IN ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE EXPLORER IS THE MOST HEAVILY INSTRUMENTED AUTOMOBILE I HAVE EVER OWNED YET THE COOLING SYSTEM WARNING IS STUCK IN 60S WHEN CARS HAD CAST IRON BLOCKS, OVERHEATED GRADUALLY AND WERE FORGIVING OF OVERTEMPS. *TR

2004/FORD EXPLORER FIRE WHILE PARKED IN PARKING DECK,THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNINGS ,OF ANY KIND. TRUCK WAS RUNNING WELL ,NO SERVICE LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. TRUCK ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. NEVER HAD ANY SINGS OR SYMPTOMS,THAT ANYTHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. FIRE DEPT. REPORT. ALSO VALET PARKING MANAGERS REPORT FROM 11/6/09.NOW TRUCK IS AT TOMS FORD ,HAZLET NJ. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG , THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THIS EVENT. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HWY WHEN THIS OCCURRED WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER 27 MTHS . PLEASE HELP! *TR

I HAVE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY LIFT GATE . EACH TIME I USE THE HANDLE TO LIFT THE CRACKS BECOME WORSE. THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE ASKING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY ONE I SEE IN A PARKING LOT OR ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD REPORTS THAT IT AFFECTS 1997-2007 EXPLORERS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED. I CALLED FORD AND THEY REFERRED ME TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. SOME OF THESE CRACKS I HAVE SEEN REACH TO THE BACK WINDOW WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVE-WAY, SHE TURNED ON THE IGNITION, AND THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF THE DRIVE-WAY FOR 50 FEET, WITHOUT INTENTION. THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A LARGE ROADWAY CURB, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACK, THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS FAILURE, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IT JUST CRACKED. *TR

I LEFT MY VEHICLE RUNNING IN PARK TO DROP OFF A GIFT TO A FRIEND. I ENDED UP STAYING LONGER THAN INTENDED, AND WAS TAKEN OUTSIDE BY A LOUD NOISE. AFTER IDLING IN PARKED FOR 20-30 MINUTES, MY EXPLORER HAD SMASHED INTO MY FRIENDS GARAGE DOOR CAUSING NEARLY $500 IN DAMAGES TO THE DOOR AND SCRATCHES TO THE VEHICLE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT WE WILL NOT LET THE EXPLORER IDLE IN PARK. *TR

I KNEW THE BACK REAR PANEL HAD A CRACK GOING DOWN IT, BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT BECAUSE MOST EXPLORES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WASN'T UNTIL I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY DARK ROAD AT 6 AM AND BOOM! THE BACK GLASS JUST POPPED. I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN SHOT OUT. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND HE THOUGHT THE SAME THING. BUT THE ONLY THING WE FOUND WAS BETWEEN THE HYDRAULICS ON THE WINDOW ITSELF, THE CRACK IN THE PANEL AND TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IT IMPLODED. MY INSURANCE IN KY PAID FOR IT, BUT IT TOOK TWO WINDOWS AND IT STILL ISN'T RIGHT. *TR

DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BLOW IT REAR DRIVERS SIDE SPARK PLUG. THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED PLUGS WERE STILL INSTALLED. THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEADS WERE STRIPED. THE REPAIR WAS THE INSTALLATION OF A HELI-COIL IN TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AT A COST OF $600. *TR

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR PIN IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. HEAT / DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. IN THE WINTERTIME THIS MAKES DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR FOR A NEW SET OF TIRES AT AMERICA'S TIRE (DISCOUNT TIRE). AFTER CHANGING THE TIRE, ONE THE TECHNICAL NOTICED I HAVE A "LOOSE HUB ASSEMBLY" ON MY LEFT REAR WHEEL AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD GET THAT FIXED IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE WHEEL MAY COME OFF AT FREEWAY SPEED. I TOOK MY CARS IN TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY, AND HE JACKED UP MY CAR. THE MECHANIC PUT ONE OF HIS HAND AT 12 AND THE OTHER AT 6 O'CLOCK ON THE TIRE, AND ROCKS IT. THE TIRE WAS WOBBLING BACK AND FORTH WHEN HE DID THAT, WHICH SUGGESTED A BAD WHEEL BEARING, OR POSSIBLE BAD HUB ASSEMBLY. AT THE END, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD A BAD WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WAS REPLACED FOR $400. USUALLY A HUB ASSEMBLY/WHEEL BEARING SHOULD STILL BE IN GOOD CONDITION AT 52,000 MILES. I GUESS BECAUSE IT'S A FORD. I HAVE MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK, THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION (CHANGED IT UNDER WARRANTY), THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 5,000 MILES. I'M NOT BUYING ANOTHER FORD. I THOUGHT AMERICAN CARS' QUALITY IS NOW COMPARABLE TO THE JAPANESE, UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE STILL LAGGING. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT FIRE. *TR

ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW, REGULARLY SERVICED. ACCELERATING, THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT "THUNK" AS IT TRIED TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. RESTARTING THE CAR THE O/D LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTED NORMALLY EXCEPT OCCASIONALLY THE CAR SHIFTS ROUGH. THE FORD DEALER WANTS $1800 TO $4200 TO REPAIR. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER (SOLENOID PACK) REPAIR 2ND TIME. *TR

FRONT BUSHINGS BROKEN ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER - BOTH SIDES. SERVICE REP SAYS THAT THE WHEEL COULD POP OFF AND CREATE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE DEVELOPED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE REAR GLASS. THE CRACK APPEARED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE WITH A DISCOUNT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY. THE UPPER PART OF THE GLASS IS MADE OF FIBER GLASS AND THE BOTTOM IS MADE OF METAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MATERIAL IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT FIBER GLASS WAS INCLUDED. THE COLD WEATHER COULD CAUSE THE CRACK IN THE WINDOW TO EXPAND. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76356. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRACK IS AT THE CENTER OF THE EMBLEM AS WELL AS IN THE FIBER GLASS PART, NOT THE GLASS. UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB

WHEN OPENING THE REAR HATCH OF MY 2004 EXPLORER THE HINGES FAILED. THE GLASS DOOR FELL AWAY FROM THE HINGES AND WAS BEING HELD ONLY BY THE HYDRAULIC ARMS. WHEN I TRIED TO MOVE THE GLASS WHICH I WAS HOLDING IN MY HANDS IT SHATTERED. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS BUT NOT ON THE 2004S. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS WITH V6, BOUGHT NEW. INCORRECT TRANSMISSION FLUID PUT IN ALL 2004 EXPLORERS AT FACTORY. RECALLED AND PUT IN ADDITIVE AROUND 40,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED ONE YEAR AGO, AROUND 50,000 MILES. TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN SHIFTS HARD (CLUNKS) INTO REVERSE. HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME. HAVE BEEN TOLD WE NEED A NEW (OR REBUILT) TRANSMISSION. *TR

HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH BAD TRANSMISSION. DELAY IN SHIFTING IN REVERSE AND A JOLT INTO GEAR CAUSED BE TO SLAM INTO ITEMS IN MY GARAGE. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS HURT, IT CAN HAPPEN. FORD HAS KNOW OF THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS 2-3 GEARS SLIPPING WHICH CAN CAUSE A SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE REAR. THE CRASH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT INSPECTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH, LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OR REPLACED. MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE OUT DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30-35MPH. THIS IS ALL AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY TOLD US NO PROBLEMS, OVERFILLED TRANS FLUID, AND ADDED THE RECALL ADDITIVE FROM FORD. MY WIFE REPORTED. WE INFORMED FORD MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT HARD SHIFTING OR SLIPPING FEELING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND VERY HARD AND LOUD ENGAGEMENTS INTO REVERSE. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM, I GUESS IT WILL JUST TAKE A TRAGIC EVENT TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH ON MY MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF AND LEFT THE GLASS HATCH HANGING ON ONE HINGE ALMOST FALLING OFF, WHILE I WAS OPENING THE GLASS HATCH FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED $415.01. NOT INCLUDING RENTAL CAR COST,TO REPAIR MY CAR. I LITERALLY OPEN THE HATCH DOOR AND IT FELL OFF. NO ONE SHOULD OPEN A CAR DOOR AND IT FALLS OFF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY CHILDREN OPENING THE DOOR AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BADLY BY THIS DEFECT IN THE CAR. *TR

FORD DESIGNED A PLASTIC PIECE OF MOLDING THAT IS GLUED TO THE BACK GLASS OF EVERY EXPLORER. THIS HAS CRACKED ON EVERY EXPLORER I HAVE SEEN. IT HAS BEEN FIXED ONCE BY FORD, BUT IT HAS BROKE AGAIN. I ASSUME THAT IF IT HAS BROKE EVERY TWO YEARS SO FAR, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

MY 2004 EXPLORER DEVELOPED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE ATTACHED TO THE BACK GLASS. CRACK APPEARED TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONCE THE CRACK APPEARED IT EVENTUALLY STARTED TO MOVE DOWN THE PLASTIC PIECE, WAS VISIBLE ON MY VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY BACK GLASS SHATTERED AND THE PLASTIC TAILGATE PIECE UNATTACHED ITSELF AT THE SIDES FROM THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS. COULD HAVE AFFECTED OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME. I ALSO HAVE A 3RD ROW SEAT IN VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT IN USE AT THE TIME OR THEY COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BE DEBRIS AS WELL. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 49,000 MILES. HOWLING NOISE FROM REAR. TOOK IT TO FORD; THEY REBUILT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT A COST OF $1600.00. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT FORD FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE HAD TO HAVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. IN LOOKING AT SERVICE BULLETINS; THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER NBX. OWNER PUT CAR IN PARK AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF IN HAND. CAR TRANSMISSION STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE FIXED NUMEROUS EXPLORERS WITH SAME ISSUE IN THE RECENT PAST. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE MATERIAL USED (APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM) FOR THE "DONUT" SHAPED RING THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE UNWILLING HELP WITH EXPENSE ($1,500) OF FIXING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM !!! JERKS VERY HARD IN REVERSE , SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEARS, SOMETIMES SLIPS WHILE IN TRAFFIC !! I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS !! *TR

CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW, THIS CRACK ONE DAY, NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.