2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT, UPPER REAR HATCH CRACKED WAS NOT HIT OR ABUSED. *TR

WALKED OUTSIDE ONE DAY AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2004 AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT IT HASN'T RETURNED THE FAVOR. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT FORD SAYS THAT THEY ALL DO IT AND WON'T FIX IT. MY TAILGATE CRACKED NEXT TO THE FORD SYMBOL, ONCE AGAIN WON'T FIX IT. MY PAINT ON MY HOOD IS PEELING OFF. I ONLY HAVE 50,000 EASY MILES ON IT BUT LOOKING AT IT AND DRIVING IT YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT HAD 150,000 ON IT. I WILL NEVER BUY FORD AGAIN! *TR

TAILGATE, PLASTIC WHICH RUN AROUND "FORD" THE WIDTH OF THE GATE CRACKED. COLD WEATHER THE CRACK GETS LARGE, HOT WEATHER IT CLOSES UP. IT CRACKED ON ITS OWN. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER RIGHT REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH HINGE HAS FAILED. GLASS HATCH DID NOT FALL BUT IS HANGING BY REMAINING HINGE AND IS UNSTABLE OR UNSAFE. ISSUE SAME AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ08003. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, RPM'S RACING BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEARS. HARD CLUNK WHEN SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. LOSING POWER WHILE WAITING FOR SHIFTS TO ENGAGE. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE, REAR, BOTH SIDES. AT 40,000 MILES, AND AGAIN AT 86,000 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING, PRIMARILY HIGHWAY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING TO OCCUPANTS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AS WELL AS ANY VEHICLES IN PROXIMITY DURING BEARING FAILURE. LOSS OF CONTROL CAN, AND PROBABLY WILL RESULT. PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE IS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IS SLOWLY SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE DANGER TO SELF AND FAMILY REGARDING THIS. I WISH I HAD KNOWN EARLIER, I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE MANUFACTURER TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH THIS PREDISPOSITION TO FAILURE. I WORK IN AEROSPACE, AND THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH FAILURE ANALYSIS DURING THE DESIGN PHASE. I WILL NOW BEGIN ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT ANYONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO IN AN EFFORT TO GET THEM TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS WELL. EVENTUALLY YOU WILL HEAR US. MAYBE THE MEDIA WILL GET INVOLVED, THEY LOVE THIS KIND OF STUFF, ESPECIALLY IF THEY CAN DRAG GOVERNMENT INDIFFERENCE INTO IT. I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT THIS. YOU JUST DON'T THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED YET, SO IT GETS IGNORED. I'M GOING TO START TRYING TO CHANGE THAT. MAYBE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN, MAYBE IT WILL BECOME A GIANT MESS, WHO KNOWS? EITHER WAY, I CAN'T LET THIS GO WITHOUT SAYING SOMETHING. THIS THING IS MARKETED AND SOLD AS A FAMILY VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH I WILL EVER PUT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN INTO IT AGAIN. AND MY CONSCIENCE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO JUST TRADE IT OR SELL IT WITH THIS ISSUE BEING EXPOSED, JUST TO GET RID OF MY PROBLEM AND PASS THE RISK ONTO SOME OTHER FAMILY. HERE'S A LINK, IF YOU WANT TO SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN THAN WE'D ALL LIKE TO ADMIT: < HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/WHEELS_HUBS/WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML > YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF THIS WITH A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. I WISH I'D DONE THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS DEATHTRAP. WHETHER YOU DO SOMETHING OR NOT, I HAVE NO SAY IN THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO TRY TO EXPOSE IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 EXPLORER LIMITED AND JUST TURNED 14,000 MILES AND MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND ACCELERATE. ALSO THE CRUISE STOPPED WORKING. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ABS MODULE WHICH FORD HAS APPARENTLY BEEN AWARE OFF. NOT HAPPY!! I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS SORT OF PROBLEM WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES. *TR

THE REAR HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE FAULTY, THEY CRACKED AND ARE BARELY HOLDING MY GLASS WINDOW UP. FOR FORD, THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE; THE 2003, 2002, AND 2007 MODELS HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE 2004 MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS COSTLY AND IS DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE HATCH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSING THE GLASS TO BREAK. *TR

CRACK IN PANEL UNDER BACK GLASS. *TR

THE BACK GLASS HINGES ON 2004 EXPLORER BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO COME OFF MY VEHICLE. LUCKILY I CAUGHT IT AND HAD MY HUSBAND COME UNDO ALL THE PIECES SO NOTHING ELSE WAS BROKEN. *TR

TWO OUT OF FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE HOWLING ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

PAINT BUBBLES IN THE HOOD. THE DEALER JUST RESPONDED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD JUST NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HOOD AT A LARGE COST. *KB

HAVE 2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER WITH CRACK IN THE REAR GATE. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WAS ONLINE AND FOUDN AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CRACK. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE. *TR

BLINKING O/D LIGHT, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, PARK TO REVERSE GEAR SLIPPAGE, FIRST TO SECOND GEAR SLIPPAGE. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND, AFTER OPENING THE LIFTGATE AND ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT, THE RIGHT HAND HINGE FRACTURED AND LANDED ON MY HAND. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS RIGHT BESIDE ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO LIFT IT AND THERE WAS NO INJURY TO MY HAND. THE LEFT HAND HINGE WAS FRACTURED ON ONE SIDE AND WE HAD TO REMOVE THE HYDRAULIC ARMS TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE AND DUCT TAPE IT CLOSED. AFTER READING ONLINE THAT THE 2002/2003 EXPLORERS HAD BEEN RECALLED I HOPED THEY WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE 2004 MODELS. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS NOT COVERED. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2004 AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT 2003 PARTS WERE USED SO FORD SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE 2004 MODELS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH MY HUSBAND BESIDE ME AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT COULD HAVE FRACTURED AND BLOWN INTO THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I HOPE THERE ARE OTHER DRIVERS WHO COME FORWARD TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS I KNOW THERE HAVE TO BE A LOT MORE OF US OUT THERE! THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FRACTURED HINGES AT A COST OF $122. *TR

THE BRACKETS HOLDING BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS BROKE IN 2008, JUST FOUR MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE (MAY 2008). WE HAD THEM REPLACED ON 09/19/2008. THE NEW SUN VISORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE AGAIN CRACKING AS OF 09/02/2011, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AGAIN ALMOST FALLING OFF. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD SET OF VISORS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN MAY 2008. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNDER WARRANTY. MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORER/RANGER OWNER'S ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MY 2004 FORD LIMITED V8 CRUISE CONTROL CAN KILL THE ENGINE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN USING THE COAST BUTTON ON MY CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE SPEED AS I APPROACH A SPEED SIGN LOWER THAN MY EXISTING SPEED. IF I HOLD THE BUTTON AS THE CAR SLOWS TO A SPEED BELOW 35MPH (APPROXIMATE) THE ENGINE QUITS LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR VACUUM BRAKING. I'VE TRIED IT SEVERAL TIME AND THE FAULT IS CONSISTENT. WHENEVER THE CAR SLOWS TO BELOW THE MINIMUM CRUISE CONTROL THE DEVICE SHOULD DISENGAGE, NOT STALL THE ENGINE. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF IT. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER REAR TAILGATE PLASTIC PANEL CRACKED BY THE FORD LOGO. I'VE NOTICE OTHER FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. FORD WILL DO NOTHING!!!!!! *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AUTOMATICALLY TO 20 MPH AND NOT REGAIN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE OVER A SIX YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

I HAVE A 2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER AND PIECE BELOW TAILGATE WINDOW CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME HE WOULD GO 20/80 I FIGURED THAT WAS BETTER THAN NOTHING EVEN THOUGH FORD SHOULD HAVE PAID IT ALL. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE A TON OF PROBLEMS, BUT ONE OF THE WORST IS THAT THE SUN VISOR HINGES BREAK CAUSING THE VISOR TO DANGLE BY IT'S ELECTRICAL CORD THAT POWERS THE VANITY MIRROR ON IT. EVERY MORNING I HAVE A 7 MILE DRIVE HEADED SOUTH ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE AND I CAN'T SEE TO CHANGE LANES BECAUSE I HAVE LOST THE USE OF MY SUN VISOR BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT BEEN HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHEAP GARBAGE THEY PRODUCED IN 2004! THE DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT TO HAVE A VISOR DANGLING IN YOUR FACE WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE IS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE! AND THEY ARE ASKING US FOR MONEY FOR A BAILOUT?! AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THEY SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING BAILED OUT OF JAIL FOR STEALING FROM PEOPLE AND THEN ENDANGERING THEIR LIVES! PLEASE HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CHEAP GARBAGE THEY SOLD TO PEOPLE FOR $30.000 PLUS IN 2004. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE A WRECK BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE? ARE WE TO CONSIDER A SUN VISOR A LUXURY ITEM NOW? PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU LISA HAYES *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $410.79. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000.

BACK PLASTIC PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK WINDOW? THERE IS CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL FROM THE WINDOW DOWN TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD AND MY DEALERSHIP WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT AND YET I HAVE SPOKE WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2002, 2003 AND WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I JUST PURCHASED THE EXPLORER FROM GIBBSON FORD, DICKSON CITY, PA LAST OCTOBER. IT ONLY HAS 35, 000 MILES AND I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. IF YOU READ WWW.BLUEOVAL.COM THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. GIBBONS AND FORD WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, YET IT REALLY IS A DEFECT. THEY ARE NOT EVEN USING IT ON THE NEWER VEHICLES. THE FORD CALL CENTER AND ON LINE PEOPLE TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IT IS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY, YET GIBBONS TELLS ME THAT FORD TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO. I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. ANY HELP *TR

OF THE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE WORST IS THE TRANSMISSION (40,000 MILES ). SAME OLD STORY. STARTED WITH CLUNKING AND HESITATION AND SURGING WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND NOW IS 'CLUNKING' INTO GEARS 2 AND 3 DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL HAS A VERTICAL CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD SYMBOL THAT JUST MYSTERIOUSLY OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T EVEN USE THE WINDOW. THE TRUCK STALLS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS APPLIED BELOW 45 MILES AN HOUR. MY WIFE AND I REALLY LOVED THIS TRUCK BUT LIKE MANY OTHERS WE HAVE BECOME EMBARRASSED BY OUR PURCHASE. IF THIS KIND OF FRAUD WERE TO OCCUR WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCT WE WOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF RECOURSE BUT NOT SURPRISINGLY THE MOTOR COMPANY'S SEEM TO ENJOY A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROTECTION. THE 'BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU' WON'T EVEN LISTEN TO CAR COMPLAINTS. GIVEN THE SEVERE AND UBIQUITOUS NATURE OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT NO REMEDIATIONS IS FORTH COMING FROM THIS ORGANIZATION, THE MANUFACTURER OR ANY OTHER. THE COST OF THESE VEHICLES IS A BURDEN TO SAY THE LEAST AND IS FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING TO THOSE OF US WHO PURCHASED THEM IN GOOD FAITH ONLY TO HAVE A 30,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE BECOME USELESS AND DANGEROUS BEFORE REACHING 50000 MILES. LIKE ALL THE OTHER 'VICTIMS' OF FRAUD, I AM WASTING YET MORE OF MY TIME BY COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. *TR

2004 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE SNAPPED AND ALLOWED GLASS TO FALL. ISSUE APPEAR TO BE SIMILAR TO ACTION # RQ08003. *TR

BOUGHT CAR WITH 9K MILES ON IT, TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR IN REVERSE CAUSING CAR TO JUMP BACKWARDS, CALLED DEALER STATED KNEW WHAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. 40K MILES LATER IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, MORE SEVERE AND JERKING FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIAN, COULD NOT CONTROL. DEALER STATES OUT OF WARRANTY WILL NOT FIX. INFORMED THEM THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM, WORK IS FAULTY. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON-LINE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS NOW JERKING MORE VIOLENTLY CAUSING THE WHEELS TO SCREECH WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. DOES THERE NEED TO BE A DEATH OR INJURY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE THIS? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS AT ANY SPEED AND THEN STALLS. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO RESTART. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC IS NOT PROVIDING A PROPER DTC ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE COMPUTER INDICATED WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT ALL REPAIRS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST POWER ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB

ON MY WAY TO THE AIRPORT FOR A BUSINESS TRIP, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE STOPPED. I HAD TO MANEUVER ONTO TRAFFIC AND STOP TO TRY TO START THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CALLED AAA AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME. WHEN I CAME BACK I SENT IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SPROCKET RETAINER PIN BROKE, AND BECAUSE OF THAT ALL VALVES BENT, SO I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. FOR 72900 MILES AND KEEPING ALL MAINTENANCE IN ORDER I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF QUALITY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR GLASS DOOR, THE DOOR COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE HINGE, WHICH CONNECTED IT TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08. *JB

THERE IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. MY 2004 EXPLORER HAD SHIFTING PROBLEMS AT THE 2-21/2 YEAR MARK. IT WAS LIMPED THROUGH BY REPLACING THE SOLENOID. NOW AT 42/3 YEARS (OUT OF WARRANTY) IT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING AND SUDDENLY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE 41,000 MILE MARK. I FEEL FORD HAS A CLEAR PROBLEM BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND I AM SURE THAT IS A SMALL FRACTION OF THE PROBLEM AS MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW TO COMPLAIN. FORD HAS PUT BANDAIDS ON THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARRANTY IS UP, THEN THE CONSUMER GETS STUCK. WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/ DESIGN FLAW AND CONSUMERS NEED TO BE COMPENSATED. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE SOMETHING RECALLED? DOES A LIFE HAVE TO BE LOST? THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE LEMONS AND THE CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF. MANY PROBABLY REMAIN SILENT BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY WERE JUST UNLUCKY SO I AM SURE THE COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. IT SEEMS YOUR AGENCY SHOULD PROTECT NOT JUST FROM INJURY, BUT FROM FRAUDS AND DECEPTION. FORD HAS BEEN DECEPTIVE AND SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE LEMONS. *TR

MY COMPLAINT ISN'T SAFETY RELATED BUT I HAVE SAW THIS ON SO VERY MAY FORD EXPLORERS. THE REAR PLASTIC BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW CRACKS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST MINE.. BUT I HAVE SEEN THIS ON SO MANY OF FORD EXPLORERS. TO ME THIS IS A DEFECT AND FROM WHAT I READ FORD SAYS ITS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. BUT TO ME IT IS, ITS A DEFECT THAT ALL THOUGH IT IS NOT SAFETY RELATED IS STILL A DEFECT NONE THE LESS.. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS AND JUST STARTED TO NOTICE THE PAINT ON THE ROOF IS BEGINNING TO PEEL OFF, WHICH IS NOW HAPPENING IN TWO LOCATIONS. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND DID SEE OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS DUE TO A PRIMER DEFECT IN THESE MODELS. AS OF TODAY NO RECALL HAS BEEN OFFERED BUT I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. I COMPLAINED TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND PLAN ON USING IT FOR AT LEAST 4 TO 5 MORE YEARS. I AM SCARED TO GET A CAR WASH THINKING MORE PAINT WILL COME OFF. *TR

CRACKED REAR PANEL IN TAILGATE BELOW WINDOW. *TR

THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE FULL AND THE TANK DOES NOT FILL ALL THE WAY. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS A FALSE EMPTY SHOWING YOU HAVE A HALF A TANK WHEN YOU MAY ACTUALLY HAVE 3 GALLONS. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY IS NOT SAFE. THE GAS STATIONS PUMP SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY GIVING YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TANK IS FULL AND IS CONFIRMED FULL BY AN INACCURATE GAS GAUGE WHICH SHOWS FULL. SO YOU MIGHT HAVE 18 GALLONS IN A TANK THAT SHOULD HAVE 22.5 GALLONS AND THE GAUGE SHOWS A HALF TANK WHEN YOU HAVE 3-4 GALLONS. *TR

AUG 2008 I WAS CLOSING MY REAR WINDOW ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE AND SHATTERED THE WINDOW AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IS A UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FOR EXPLORERS FROM 2002-2005. THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR REAR DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING THEM TO WHINE LOUDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN SOME CASES THEY WILL LEAK AND IN EXTREME CASES EVEN SEIZE UP CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVERS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ARTICLES ON THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND I MYSELF HAVE HAD MY DIFFERENTIAL PARTS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. I STILL EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT "WHINE" IN THE REAR END AROUND 60MPH, NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE BUT STILL THERE HOWEVER. APPARENTLY WHEN THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD DEALERS WILL ONLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IF THEY ARE PAID TO DO SO. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THIS SITUATION AND HAVE A RECALL SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS ADVISING THEM THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. IT IS A DOWNRIGHT ANNOYING,COSTLY AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AS THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH UNHAPPY OWNERS AT THE WHEEL. MYSELF INCLUDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

THE REAR HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER FELL APART AND THE WINDOW FELL OFF. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED FOR 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORERS BUT FORD WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR MY 2004 VEHICLE USING THE SAME DEFECTIVE HINGES. *TR

IN 2005 I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXXLTSPNBX 11900 FROM HERZ CAR SALES. JUST FEW MONTH AFTER THAT I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST OF 20 CRITICAL ENGINE SHUTDOWNS THAT I EXPERIENCED UP TO NOW. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT THE ENGINE OF MY CAR TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE: - SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER - SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING SERVO, I.E. A SHARP SIDEWAYS KICK IF THE CAR IS IN A CURVE - SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER - THE NEED TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE, WITH THE DANGER TO SHIFT TO 'R' OR EVEN 'P' IN PANIC, AND TO LOCK UP THE STEERING WHEEL AT FULL SPEED (!!!) PANIC IS THE RIGHT WORD FOR THE FEELING MY WIFE AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN EVERY OCCURRENCE OF THIS FAILURE. 3. AFTER THE FIRST TWO FAILURES I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT THE WORKSHOP COULDN'T LOCALIZE THE PROBLEM. THEY TEST-DROVE HE CAR FOR 200 MILES AND CONCLUDED HE CAR WAS OK, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD TWO EVENTS IN 20,000 MILES. THE TOTAL FREQUENCY HAS BEEN BY NOW ONCE IN EVERY 2,500 MILES, ON AVERAGE. THE SHUTDOWN SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, MORE LIKELY ON SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPES. 3. NO SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM SO FAR. *TR

REAR RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF SUV AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH 3 CHILDREN AND WIFE IN SUV AT 60 MPH IN A 55 MPH ZONE, AS PER THE TOW AND MECHANIC PERSON THEY STATED WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO SUV GOING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE OTHER ON COMING TRAFFIC SIDE, MY SON IS HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT THIS. *TR

ON AUGUST 8, 2008 I OPENED THE BACK GLASS OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER AT WHICH TIME THE BRACKET AT THE TOP OF THE GLASS BROKE LOOSE CAUSING MY GLASS TO FALL. IT HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHEN IT FELL AND WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY FELL ON ME IF THE OTHER BRACKET HAD NOT STAYED IN PLACE. I CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT MODEL YEARS OF THE FORD EXPLORER WERE RECALLED PREVIOUSLY FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY EXPLORER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS FORD INSTALLED FAULTY BRACKETS ON MY TRUCK. CURRENTLY MY HUSBAND PURCHASED A "RECALL KIT" FROM FORD TO CORRECT THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIX MY BACK GLASS SO THAT MY VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN TIRES, SIZE P235/70R/16 (NA). THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL THAT AFFECTED ALL FOUR TIRES. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CRACK. AT THIS TIME, THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,207.

THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE BABIED IT FOR QUITE AWHILE BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAD PLENTY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH IT THAT HAD COST US A LOT OF MONEY AND WE REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO GET THE MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE STILL OWE A LOT ON IT. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED, I SPOKE TO MY MECHANIC AND LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR A SOLUTION. IF YOU GOOGLE "2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION", YOU WILL SEE A HUGE LIST OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD HAS THE NERVE TO ASK FOR A BAILOUT WITH MY MONEY, BUT THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR LOUSY PRODUCT!!! THIS IS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST $2500 TO FIX AND I THINK SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FROM THE START, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO CORRECT IT BEFORE WE START HANDING THEM MONEY. THIS IS MORE THAN UNFAIR! FURTHER, THE PLASTIC PARTS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE CHEAP AND BREAK EASILY. ONE OF MY VISORS IS SUSPENDED FROM THE SUNROOF BY A PHONE EARPHONE CORD BECAUSE THE PLASTIC HINGE BROKE AND IT DANGLES IN YOUR WAY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE HELP!*TR

I WAS DRIVING AND JUST ENTERED THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP MY BACK WINDOW ON MY TRUNK RAISED UP AND HALFWAY FELL OFF AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE IS VERY LOOSE AND THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND THE SUSPENSION SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THAT WINDOW. I WAS TERRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I PANICKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY SO CLOSE TO THE EXIT RAMP. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD HOW MUCH THE PARTS WERE AND HOW MUCH LABOR IS BUT THE SERVICE PERSON MENTIONED THAT HE HAS HAD ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE WINDOW. I AM WAITING FOR MY PARTS TO COME IN NOW. *TR

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I NOTICES THAT MY EXPLORER MADE A WEIRD HUMMING SOUND WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS GOING DOWNHILL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I ALSO GET THE HARD/CLUNK SHIFT SOUND WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH A COUPLE SECOND DELAY. IT TAKES LONGER THEN NORMAL FOR VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AS IF THE TRUCK IS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING ITSELF. WHALING CITY FORD IN NEW LONDON CT SAID PROBLEM WAS THAT WE HAVE TWO TIRES THAT ARE A BIT SMALLER THEN THE REST AND PROCEEDED TO TRY TO SELL US FOUR NEW TIRES. I TOOK IT FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE AUTO SHOP ACTUALLY SPENT TIME ON MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT OUR TIRES ARE FINE, IT IS THE TRANNY. HOW CAN FORD GET AWAY WITH THIS AND WHAT IS MY RECOURSE SINCE SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE? *TR

HINGE OH REAR LIFT-GATE FRACTURED CAUSING LIFT GATE TO SAG DOWN AND BREAK HYDRAULIC LIFT ON THAT SIDE. *TR

1. OPENED REAR HATCH GLASS ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. 2. HINGES FAILED ON GLASS HATCH DISCONNECTED FROM BODY. 3. THIS JUST HAPPENED. HAVE TO BUY REPLACEMENT HINGES. *TR

AS I STOPPED TO GET GAS I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAD A CRACK RIGHT ON THE PLASTIC ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM DIRECTLY UNDER THE TAIL GATE GLASS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS WAS A COMMON ISSUE BUT COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY OUT OFF POCKET FOR IT OR THE COMPANY RECALL THE PART. I HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR ALOT (I OWN A SHOW STYLE CAR) AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE EVERYWHERE ELSE WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE FORD CO IS TRYING TO DO TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I GO THIS SITE FROM A FORUMS SITE ( HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML ) WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR

WENT INTO MY GARAGE TO GET INTO MY EXPLORER AND NOTICED A CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW. SEEN OTHER FORD SUV'S WITH SAME CRACKED PANEL BY THE FORD EMBLEM ON REAR PANEL. CALLED FORD AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THEY TOLD ME NO AND REFUSED TO HELP ME GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I DID NOTHING. THE CRACK JUST CAME OUT OF NO WHERE. IT WASN'T SOMETHING I DID. ITS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM SEEING THAT THERE IS OTHER SUV JUST LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND A CRACK IN THE EXACT SAME AREA! *TR

I NOTICED A PAINT BUBBLE ON THE HOOD OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. IS THIS A PAINT DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO RUST? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR