2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

IN APRIL OF 2009 I BOUGHT A 2004 EXPLORER FROM CAR CONNECTIONS IN PALM BAY FLORIDA! THIS HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE! BUT MY "MAIN" COMPLAINT 2 WEEKS AGO I TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE TO FIND OUT THAT MY "OVER DRIVE" GEAR IS GONE. AAMCO EXPLAINED TO ME THAT FORD KNEW THAT AND IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART! SO, TO GET A 2ND OPINION I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MEINEKE, THEY ALSO MADE THE SAME COMMENT OF "THAT IS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM FORD" AND THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE PART! WELL, I AM BEING CHARGED FROM $3,400 TO THE LOWEST OF $2,800 FOR REPAIRS "EXCLUDING" TAX! WHY AM I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT FORD KNEW WAS GOING TO BE A COSTLY REPAIR FOR US CONSUMERS IN THIS HORRIBLE RECESSION! I FEEL THAT WE/I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED IN SOME SORT OF WAY JUST TO HELP FOR SOMETHING BAD THEY SENT OUT. I CAN'T EVEN TRADE THE TRUCK IN DUE TO THE VALUE HAS DECREASED TREMENDOUSLY! I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS BASICALLY GOING TO RUST IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR BEING SO COSTLY! PLEASE LET FORD KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR WHAT THEY KNEW WAS WRONG! PLEASE HELP! *KB

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I NEVER KNOW IF AND WHEN IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. IT HESITATES AND I THEN FIND OUT WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. THIS EXPLORER IS A ONE-OWNER CAR. 32,000+- MILES ON IT. WEEKENDS ONLY. YES, I WENT THROUGH THE EARLIER RECALL, BUT IT DID LITTLE IF ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM,. AT THE TIME, I FIGURED THAT I HAD BEEN SCREWED INTO BUYING A DEFECTIVE CAR WHOSE TRANSMISSIONS WOULDN'T LAST AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. SOMETIMES, THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T ENGAGE RIGHT AWAY AND THEN JUMPS HARD INTO REVERSE. OTHER TIMES, IT HESITATES BEFORE GOING INTO DRIVE AND/OR PARK. I NEVER KNOW. I AM 57 YEARS OLD. PLEASE TELL FORD FOR ME ----NOT TO PEE ON MY LEG AND TELL ME THAT IT IS RAINING. THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE DANGEROUS. AND SINCE BUSH ISN'T PRESIDENT ANYMORE, MAYBE YOUR AGENCY CAN STAND UP AGAIN FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS. OR WILL YOU? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR FOR FORD TO CONTACT ME. THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS, 41,000 MILES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF, LOOSING POWER FOR THE BRAKES AND STEERING. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT, OR EVEN DECELERATING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR OF FIVE TIMES AND I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY EACH TIME TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER, PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART IT. THE CAR HAS NO TROUBLE STARTING BACK UP. I'VE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER CAN BE VERY UNSAFE IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF FAILURE. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

A CRACK APPEARED ON THE LIFT GATE TOP PANEL JUST BELOW THE WIPER. THE CRACK RUNS VERTICAL FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. I NOTICED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AT AROUND 70,000 ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A DELAY RESPONSE AND WOULD SLIP VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ONE YEAR AND SIX MONTHS LATER, AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WIFE CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH A CRACK ON THE REAR TRUNK LID BELOW THE REAR GLASS WHERE THE FORD EMBLEM IS, LOOKING THROUGH THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PANEL BECOMING CRACK WHAT SO EVER AND STILL NO RECALL. *TR

EASTER SUNDAY, MY FAMILY WAS ON THEIR WAY BACK HOME ON THE FREEWAY. OUT OF NO WHERE THEY HEAR LOUD SNAPPING NOISES AND NEXT THING THEY KNEW THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAME OFF. THE CARS SKIDDING ON THE ROAD AND FINALLY COMES TO A STOP. LUCKILY FOR MY FAMILY THEY WALKED AWAY UNHARMED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT MY HOME, WON'T TURN ON ANYMORE, THE WHEEL STUDS ARE ALL BROKEN OFF, THE ROTOR ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ASSEMBLY IS DAMAGED. THE CAR IS A MESS AND NOW I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IM SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE GLASS FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN IT. THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS ALSO INOPERATIVE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $500.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO ADDED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. HE HAS PICTURES OF MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME MODEL TYPE, INCLUDING HIS VEHICLE, WITH IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE IT VIOLENTLY SHIFTS TO REVERSE. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS ON THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER 70,000 MILES. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON JULY 3, 2006 WITH 53823 MILES. THE CAR WAS MAINTAINED AS REQUIRED AND LOW AND BEHOLD, TO MY RECOLLECTION, AROUND 2008-2009 IT STARTED DRIVING A LITTLE STRANGE, IT STARTED VIBRATING HESITATING. THEN DURING THE BEGINNING OF 2009, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, GEARS STARTED STICKING, HARD TO BRAKE AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IA A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS NOT ALONE WITH THE PROBLEM. A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS NECESSARY AT A PRICE OF $3-4,000. IF YOU WOULD GO ON THE WEB SITE AT AUTOBEEF. COM, YOU WILL SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS CONSUMERS ARE HAVING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM URGING YOU TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL ALL EXPLORERS. I STILL OWE $9000 ON THIS CAR AND CAN NOT DRIVE IT. I BAILED THEM OUT AND THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED CONSUMER. THANK YOU. *TR

SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE, WHEN YOU GIVE IT MORE GAS, THEN SUDDENLY SURGE. THIS LATEST INCIDENT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A THROTTLE RESPONSE ISSUE, BUT NOW I THINK IT MAYBE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT....THE DEALER PUT SOME FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RE-CALIBRATED THE THROTTLE. DEALER SAID THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR FORD USED AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. (NO CABLE FROM GAS PEDAL TO THROTTLE BODY.) AFTER READING THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, SEEMS THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

NOTICED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW WHEN I WAS WASHING IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOT SURE IF THIS IS A RECALL BUT I SEE ABOUT 100 OTHERS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE BODY SUDDENLY KICKED BACK. HE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

I WALKED AROUND TO THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER TO PUT GROCERIES IN THE BACK TRUNK AREA TO FIND THE PLASTIC CRACKED BY THE FORD EMBLEM. IT RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE FLIP OPEN GLASS PANEL THAT HAS NOW BROKEN THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR LEAVING IT MUCH EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO BREAK IN. THE CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION, NO OTHER MARKS WERE SEEN. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATE WHEN GOING INTO GEAR THEN SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING,FORD IS WELL AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPAIRS. HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS AND ITS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. *TR

LOUD WHEEL NOISE. INCREASED / DECREASED WITH SPEED. FRONT AND REAR BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. FORD HAS A TSB FOR THE REPLACEMENT. LEMON STATE LAWYER STATED THEY HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF CALLS FOR SAME PROBLEM, AT SAME MILEAGE. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2004 AND HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION - HARD SHIFTING, SLIPPING, AND DELAYED SHIFTING. I BROUGHT IT BACK MULTIPLE TIMES TO 2 VERY GOOD DEALERS AND THE PROBLEMS REMAINED. THEY REPLACED MY REAR AXLE THREE TIMES BUT SAID BECAUSE THERE WERE NO STORED CODES FROM THE TRANSMISSION, FORD WOULDN'T LET THEM DO ANYTHING ELSE. MY TRANSMISSION KEPT HAVING DELAYED SHIFT AND HARD SHIFT PROBLEMS SO I KEPT BRINGING IT IN TO MY LOCAL DEALER EVEN AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. AFTER 6 TIMES AT 2 DEALERS, IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I DO NOT BLAME THE DEALERS, AS THEY WERE ONLY TAKING FORD FACTORY DIRECTION. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO MY WARRANTY END, AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER. DURING THOSE CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE, I REQUESTED A FORD FACTORY REP CONTACT ME BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED AND ADVISED ME AGAIN TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. LAST WEEK, MY TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED AT 87K MILES. IT STILL SHIFTED HARD, AND HAD DELAYED SHIFTS, BUT IT SUDDENLY HAD NO REVERSE, AND EXTREME SLIPPAGE IN FIRST GEAR. THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT STARTED FLASHING FOR THE FIRST TIME SO IT STORED A CODE. I TOOK MY EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CODE MEANT AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF A BAND OR OTHER PART AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $4500. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT THE ENTIRE PROBLEM, SO I AM STILL NOT AT ALL UPSET WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. I PAID ALMOST $200 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC OF A FAILED BAND BUT DECIDED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP. THERE, THE MANAGER TOOK THE TRANSMISSION APART TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT FIND A BROKEN BAND OR OTHER PART. HE ADVISED IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO OTHER PROBLEMS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND ADVISED THAT I INSTALL A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF REBUILDING THIS ONE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ALUMINUM CASE. I SPENT $3000; FINALLY FIXED. *TR

TRANS IN 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS ARE BAD. THEY SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR. SOMETIME YOU HAVE TO WAIT 5 TO 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL MOVE AND THIS ALMOST GOT ME HIT IN MINE BY A 18 WHEELER MORE THAN ONCE. TALKED WITH FORD DEALERS THEY ALL CLAM ITS A FORD MESS UP BUT THERE IS NO RECALLS YET. AND THIS IS WITH THEM BEGINNING WITH IN 20,000 TO 90,000 MILES ON THE EXPLORERS. I KNOW OF OVER 900 CASES OF THIS FIRST HAND AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET FORD OFF THEIR BUTT AND DO SOMETHING. NOONE CAN KEEP PUTTING OUT 3500.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANS WHILE THEIR STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLES. ALL OF THEM GO BAD RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT I SEE THIS EVERY DAY AND ITS NOT SAGE FOR FAMILY'S IN THESE VEHICLES. IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ASAP SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE. THEY SLIP ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU BACK UP YOUR SITTING IN THE ROAD FOR 10 SECONDS WAITING FOR IT TO GO IN DRIVE THEN DRIVE SLIPS UNTIL YOU GET TO 35 MILES AN HOUR THEN THEIR FINE UNTIL YOU STOP AGAIN. CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY JUST SAY SORRY CANT HELP YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT THE EXTRA WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. ME PERSONALLY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN IM GOING TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND DRIVE IT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS AND LEAVE IT THERE. *TR

CRACK APPEARED ON PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW. CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE REAR WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP REAR HATCH. NO MISTREATMENT OF VEHICLE HAS OCCURRED; CRACK APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE UNOCCUPIED IN MY GARAGE. WILL BRING TO FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO INQUIRE ABOUT REPLACEMENT. *TR

2004 EXPLORER REAR TAIL GATE CRACK NEXT TO FORD EMB. *TR

TIRE SIDEWALL CRACKING ON ALL 4 TIRES OF THE SAME TYPE, MFG., AND LOCATIONS. TREADWEAR 520, TRACTION A, TEMP B. NEXEN ROADIAN HT P235/70R16 104S M+S DOT 8EWL 2007 TIRES SPLITTING ON ALL 4 TIRES ON OUTSIDE ONLY. VISUALS OF WHITE UNDERLYING WHERE POOR VULCANIZATION AND SPLITS ARE OCCURRING. *TR

PAINT ON ROOF OF VEHICLE IS CHIPPING AND BODY IS RUSTING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE HINGE, WHICH ALLOWED THE GLASS TO LOOSEN. THE GLASS APPEARS THAT IT COULD FALL OUT AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALLS ON THE 2002 AND 2003 EXPLORERS, BUT NOT FOR 2004. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

PAINT CRACKED AND PEELING ON BOTH SIDES OF ROOF RACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND SAID THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEM IN SUBMITTING THE CLAIM ON THE PAINT. AFTER MY RESEARCH AND A MONTH OF RUN AROUND THE DEALER FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PAINT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS WASTING MY TIME ON THE CLAIM BECAUSE FORD WAS NOT GOING TO BACK IT'S VEHICLE UP..WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY ON MY PART. FORD WILL NEVER SEE MY BUSINESS AGAIN!!! I HOPE THIS GOES ALONG WITH ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE CONCERNING THIS MATTER!! *TR

FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE PANEL CRACKED I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET I SEE A LOT OF THESE ON THE ROAD SINCE MY HAS CRACKED. *TR

NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY HAS OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE INTERLOCK SOLENOID PIN HAS WORN A GROVE IN THE CAM IN WHICH IT CONTACTS. WHEN SHIFTING FROM ANY GEAR TO PARK, IF YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE RIGHT TIME THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FULLY INTO PARK. *TR

VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF SUDDENLY JERKING HARSHLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH), BUT AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FORCED TO REPLICATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 97,000 MILES WHILE ON AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REFUSE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY FROM A STANDSTILL, APPEARING TO "LIMP" (IN FORD'S WORDS) UNTIL IT REACHED 10-15 MPH, THEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, BUT WOULD STILL QUIT ACCELERATING BRIEFLY UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS >40 MPH. AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO RUN FINE UNTIL GOING INTO MOUNTAINS, WHERE IT WOULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT GEAR FOR MAINTAINING SPEED. CAR CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL FINALLY REACHING A DEALERSHIP THAT WAS WILLING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. NO ERROR CODES WERE OBSERVED, SO WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE OVERHAULED OR REPLACED. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT GOING TO BE GUARANTEED NOR WOULD THE DEALERSHIP PROMISE WHEN THE CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDED A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION, WHICH I WAS FORCED TO SELECT. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS, THOUGH NOT AS SEVERE AS FORMERLY, BUT THERE ARE STILL NO ERROR OR SERVICE CODES BEING RETURNED BY ANY OF THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS. I HAVE NO OPTIONS OTHER THAN TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY AGAIN, WHEREVER THAT MAY HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE, HE OBSERVED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A BRAKE LINING DEFECT ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE BRAKE LINE HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ WHILE CHANGING THE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE LINING FOR THE PARKING BRAKE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SHOES . UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000. UPDATED 03-27-09 *BF UPDATED 04/01/09. *JB

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND PURCHASED NEW IN 2005. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, THE 2 FRONT HUBS 3 TIMES, THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS EXCESSIVELY. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO SCHOOL AND HOME AND USED FOR TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. I KEEP SEEING THE SAME PROBLEMS ONLINE BUT NO ACTION BY FORD. CAN YOU SAY PIECE OF JUNK? *TR

LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE CRACKED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER THE SPEED CONTROL SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED. THE ENGINE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER COULD NOT BE FOUND ONLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/15/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB

SPARKPLUG BLOW OUT OF ITS SOCKET, TEARING THE THREATS OFF, THIS SEAMS TO BE A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF FORD'S ENGINE, I DO HAVE A MAINTAINENCE PROGRAM OFF CHECKING ALL OF THE STANDARD POINT ON MY EXPLORER, MY MECHANIC CHECKS LIQUIDS, OILS GREASE, FILTERS, TIRES, SPARKPLUGS ETC. I BELIEVE THAT AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINS AND A WELL DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURES DEFECT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUE, BECAUSE I INVESTIGATED THIS ISSUE AND IT VERY POSSIBLE TO OCCUR AGAIN, THIS REPAIR COST ME 2,154.97 CANADIAN DOLLARS, AND IT COULD COST ME THE SAME IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR

GAS TANK HAS A LEAK AND I CAN SMELL FUMES. *TR

DRIVER WINDOW STOPPED ROLLING DOWN. *TR

BACK HATCH PANEL ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED INTO TWO PIECES FOR NO REASON. LOOKED ONLINE AND MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALL ON THIS PART HAS BEEN ISSUED. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PART YET AS IT IS A $400 REPAIR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF PARTS USED BY FORD. *TR

CAR SAT IN DRIVEWAY. NOTICED REAR HATCH WAS CRACKED. NOTHING HAD HIT THE CAR AND HATCH WAS NOT OPENED THEREFORE IT WAS NOT SLAMMED. WENT TO INTERNET TO LOOK UP A RECALL BUT THERE ISN'T ONE. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. I FOUND MANY SITES OF THE SAME CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE. TALKED TO MY SERVICE MANAGER, HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HEARD OF MANY EXPLORERS THAT DID THE EXACT SAME THING! *TR

WHEN YOU ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL IT SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE. *TR

PURCHASED 2004 EXP XLT IN 2007 WITH 34,600 MILES. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SAID JERKING INTO REVERSE AND DELAYED SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND + 3RD WAS "NORMAL". FOUND OUT "NORMAL" MEANT THEY ALL DO IT, BUT NOT THAT IT IS CORRECT. A FORD DEALER TOLD ME SOLENOID BODY REPLACEMENT WILL FIX IT. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON-LINE, AM NOT SURE. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DO NOT WORK (DIDN'T ON THE '94 EITHER) BUT AT LEAST THE SEATS IN THE 94 WERE COMFORTABLE. JUST DO NOT EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN!. A FRIEND HAS EXACTLY THE SAME MODEL WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. HARD TO BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. BUT IT DOES MAKE IT EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHY LIFE-LONG FORD OWNERS WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE. MY FROEND SAID THEY ONLY OFFERED HIM $3200 FOR HIS 2004 EXP XLT ON A TRADE-IN. NOT VERY MUCH UNLESS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. REALLY SAD FORD WILL DO NOTHING. I FEEL BAD FOR ALL THE GOOD SERVICE PEOPLE THAT ARE FOCED TO LIE TO CUSTOMERS WHILE FORD HIDES BEHIND THE CURTAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE REAR HATCH DOOR. THERE IS A CRACK DIRECTLY IN THE CENTER OF THE HATCH WHERE THE LOCK IS LOCATED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR WINDOW OPENS WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR POTHOLES, THE WINDOW OPENS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,106.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS OFF AND RESTARTS THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE, FUEL INJECTOR, AND RESET THE POWER MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,600.

ON MY ROOF I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT IS PEELING JUST TO THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH SIDES OF THE ROOF RACK. THE PAINT IS CRACKED AND PEELING UNIFORMLY ON BOTH SIDE WHICH INDICATED IT IS A DEFECT IN THE PAINTING PROCESS. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6. ON 2/9/2009, I LEFT MY WORKPLACE AT ABOUT 6PM AND WITHIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. I SHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND IT DID NOT SLIP. WITHIN ABOUT 1 MILE AFTER SHIFTING TO 3RD, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WITHIN ABOUT 5 MILES THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A CAUSEWAY! I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED. I CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 1 MILE, AND DRIVE STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN. I PUT IT INTO 3RD, OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 5 MILES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BACK ON, AND AGAIN PROCEEDED HOME. I MADE IT HOME. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT LUCKILY WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY FAILED AND THEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD'VE LOCKED AND THE POWER BRAKES COULD'VE DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OFF. *TR

CRACKING TAILGATE PANEL BELOW REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXTENDING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TAILGATE. THE CRACK EXTENDS ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND CRACK SINCE I HAVE HAD IN 2 YEARS IN EXACTLY THE SAME LOCATION. THE PREVIOUS CRACK APPEARED IN JANUARY 2007 AND WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER AT NO COST. THIS TIME THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $450 TO REPAIR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND OR MATERIAL. *TR

I HAVE HAD 2 PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD EXPLORER. 1. CRACK IN THE REAR WINDOW PANEL, FORD WON'T FIX. 2. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HAD TO REPLACE AT MY COST. *TR

DEAR NHTSA, BELOW IS MY ORIGINAL CONTACT TO FORD MOTOR CORP (FMC). I RECENTLY REPLACED THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 EXPLORER, BUT WHEN I PULLED THE REAR ROTORS, THE FRICTION MATERIAL FROM THE E-BRAKE SHOES FELL ON THE GROUND. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! SUMMARY: FRICTION MATERIAL WAS NOT BONDED TO E-BRAKE SHOE. BASED ON THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE E-BRAKE SHOES AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT, THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. FMC REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION, AND I COMPLIED. I HAVE PICTURES, BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO ATTACH THEM. I ALSO HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE IN MY AREA (S.E. MICHIGAN, AND IT IS COMMON BASED ON INPUT FROM A FORD DEALER AND ANOTHER SERVICE FACILITY) PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN ATTACH PICS. *TR

REAR PANEL ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CRACKED. THIS HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY OF 2009. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THIS DUE TO THE COST. THIS IS A DEFECT COMMON TO THIS MODEL AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD. THIS COULD CAUSE SHATTERING OF GLASS WINDOW IF IT BECOMES LOOSE. *TR

I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE WORSE VEHICLE FAILURES OUT THERE, BUT THE SHEER FACT THAT SO MANY OWNERS OF MY VEHICLE, 2004 FORD EXPLORER (AND ITS RESPECTIVE BROTHERS: LINCOLN AVIATOR AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER) ARE EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAS LED ME HERE. THE TRANSMISSION IN MY TRUCK IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND AT THE MOMENT I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO HAVE MY WIFE AND OUR 2 CHILDREN RIDE IN IT. THE DELAY IN THE SHIFT CAUSES US TO SLOW SLIGHTLY IN TRAFFIC AND I FEAR (AS DO SO MANY OTHER FORD/MERCURY AND LINCOLN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM) THAT ITS INEVITABLE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. FORD REFUSES TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH EVERY OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THIS AT THE SAME MILEAGE ON THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE. ONE RECALL, IN 2005 I BELIEVE, ADDRESSED A NEED FOR "SOLENOID ADDITIVE" TO THE TRANSMISSION. MANY FEEL THIS WAS JUST A BAND-AID PLACED OVER A BROKEN BONE FOR FORD AND MERELY DELAYED THE TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE. (PAST THE WARRANTY) COULD IT BE THAT SO MANY EXPLORER / MOUNTAINEER / AVIATOR OWNERS ARE SIMPLY RUNNING THEIR $30,000+ VEHICLES INTO THE GROUND? OR IS FORD REFUSING TO STAND BEHIND A FAULTY PRODUCT? JUST LIKE THE FIRESTONE TIRES SEVERAL YEARS BACK, FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE A BAD SITUATION BECOMES DISASTROUS. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER; REAR PANEL BELOW WINDOW CRACKED. *TR

PAINT ON THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE HAS PEELED OFF ONLY TO REVEAL RUST. OF COURSE, THE WARRANTY STATES THAT IF THERE IS NO PERFORATION THEN NOT THEIR FAULT IF MORE THAN 60 MONTHS HAVE PASSED. *TR