2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE WORN IN THE RACK AND PINION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $400 BECAUSE NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,768.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MOVES IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

I HAVE AN 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH THE CRACK IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW/HATCH. I THINK THAT FORD MOTOR CORP NEEDS TO REPAIR THESE FOR ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES AND ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CRACK LEADING TO WATER DAMAGE. *TR

HINGE ON LIFTGATE GLASS FRACTURED AND BROKE. 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SEE 2003 NHSTA RECALL 04V442000. LIFTGATE GLASS HANGING OFF AND CAR UNUSABLE. METAL FATIGUE ON HINGE/GLASS ATTACH POINT ON GLASS. COULD MY CAR HAVE RECEIVED "OLDER" DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM PREVIOUS YEAR AS IT HAS A MANUFACTURE DATE OF 08/03? NUMEROUS PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR PROBLEMS WITH SAME PART. *TR

HELLO, I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRUCK WITH A CRACK ON THE BACK OF THE HATCH DOOR. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS CRACK CAME FROM. I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY AREN'T WILLING TO HELP. I FIRST NOTICE THE CRACK ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE ALL HAVE A CRACK ON THE SAME PORTION OF THE TRUCK. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A FORD EXPLORER AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE CRACK ON THE BACK OF HER TRUCK CAME FROM EITHER. WE THINK THIS MAYBE A RECALL ISSUE. I JUST STARTED WRITING DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF THE VARIOUS EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE SIX TAG NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, I KNOW THAT THEIR ARE MANY MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEEN MORE TRUCKS BUT AT THE TIME I WASN'T DOCUMENTING THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE HATCH WINDOW IN 2003 FOR THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCK. IN 2007, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2003 RECALL ON MY 2004 VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED MYSELF BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RECALL REPORTED FOR 2004. ALTHOUGH IT WAS A YEAR LATER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WASN'T RESOLVED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A BREAK LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS YOUR BREAK LIGHTS RANDOMLY COMING ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAUSES YOU TO HAVE TO GET THE BRAKE SWITCH FIXED AND A NEW BATTERY. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAD NO LUCK WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT CERTAIN SPEEDS IT SOMETIMES SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF. FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN THREE OF THEIR TECHNICIANS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND SHOWN THEM THAT IT SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF. HOWEVER, THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE FIRST DAY I OWNED THE CA, THEY NOW WANT ME TO PAY TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX IT.*AK

REAR PANEL TO THE LEFT BELOW THE BACK WINDOW, NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM IS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT, IT JUST HAPPENED ON IT'S OWN. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY 2004 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROX. $400 TO REPAIR. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AS IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR

AT 50,000 MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT DOES A SLAMMING WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. THE BRAKE HAS TO BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LURCHING INTO ANYONE OR ANYTHING. IT ALSO HAS A SLIPPING AND JERKING WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO 2ND AND AGAIN WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO 3RD. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND VIBRATING WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH IN THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS FAILING. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED, AND THE FAILURE NO LONGER OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 45000. *AK

CRACK IN PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

THERE IS A LAG BETWEEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR ACTUALLY GOING BACKWARDS. WHEN IT DOES BACK UP THE CAR JERKS BACKWARDS AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THIS STARTED RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS NOT HELPED. IF FACT AS THE CAR AGES, IT IS GETTING WORSE. *AK

RIGHT-REAR WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS HURT THIS TIME. AFTER READING OTHER POSTS ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH WHEELS FALLING OFF AND WITH LUG:NUTS I DECIDED TO POST OUR INCIDENT TOO. *AK

I HAVE 2 ISSUES THAT I WOULD LIKE ADDRESSED. 1. I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SOMETHING BECAUSE MY RADIO KEEPS GOING OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO NOW. NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT CORRECTING THE ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. 2. MY HATCHBACK HAS A CRACK IN IT AND I AM WONDERING IF IT IS ON RECALL TO BE REPLACED SINCE I SEE ALOT OF THE SAME CRACK ON OTHER EXPLORERS. *TR

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED THE WEEK BEFORE LAST ON THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT I BOUGHT NEW FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT 2 YEARS AND 45,500 MILES AGE. I REPLACED BOTH AFTER A DIAGNOSES OF FAILURE BY A FORD DEALERSHIP BY GOING TO A PRIVATE, NON-FORD REPAIR SHOP AT A COST OF JUST OVER $ 781.00. THE LABOR HERE WAS $ 142.00 - THE BALANCE WAS LOCAL TAXES AND THE REPLACEMENT BEARINGS WHICH WERE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM AND PURCHASED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED A DEFECTIVE RING AND PINION GEAR WHICH IS NOT THE CASE - YET. DIDN'T EVEN GET TO THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BACK WHICH HAS COLLAPSED WITHOUT ACCIDENT ON THE DOOR SIDE. *AK

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER, ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN MAY 20'06 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES . AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES IN AUGUST 2006 WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS ABOUT $500. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT TO WORK ON 3-19-07 AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HE TOOK IT TO LUNCH, EVERYTHING WAS STILL FINE, AND WHEN HE CAME OUT, HE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLEM AND IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, NO NOISES, NOTHING OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO RAN SOME TESTS, AND INITIALLY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT. THEY RAN MORE TESTS, AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE CAMS ARE NOT WORKING. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $5,600.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH 46,000 MILES. FORD IS NOT OFFERING US ANY HELP. THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THEY SAID IF WE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WOULD BE COVERED. BUT THE POINT IS THAT IT HAS 46,000 MILES. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME BEFORE I EXPLODE! *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH LIFT NEAR THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,400. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF UNTIL THE HATCH WAS PUSHED AND THEN THE LIGHT WOULD STOP FLICKERING. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OF THE HATCH OF THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74050 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE HATCHBACK GLASS COULD FALL OUT AND INJURE HER CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOWER THAT RECIRCULATES AIR HAS FAILED. AS A RESULT, FUMES AND ANTI-FREEZE CONSUME THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERS FROM NUMEROUS HEADACHES AND SLEEPINESS. SHE CONSULTED WITH A MEDICAL PHYSICIAN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AMOUNT OF FUMES BEING CONGESTED POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLAPPER FOR THE BLOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $300. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 3/24/09 *CN UPDATED 03/27/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPENING THE REAR GLASS HATCH THE CONTACT HEARD THE GLASS CRACK ,AND NOTICED THAT THE HINGE CAME LOOSE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE HATCH. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,283. *AK

THE AREA ON THE BACK HATCH UNDERNEATH THE GLASS CRACKED IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I CAME OUT OF MY HOUSE AFTER A COLD MORNING AND THAT'S WHAT I FOUND. *TR

REAR CRACKED PANEL ON 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER -WHEN IT RAINS WATER FRY THE REAR TAILLIGHTS . *TR

WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR WHEEL OF MY 2004 FORD, EXPLORER BROKE OFF GOING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE. ALL FIVE LUGS SNAPPED OFF. NO ONE TOOK RESPONSIBILITY. I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IT WAS EITHER A DEFECT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE DEALER WHERE I HAD IT SERVICED. *NM

REAR PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW CRACKED.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THROTTLE BODY AND SEVERAL UNKNOWN SENSORS IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES LESS THAN TWENTY DEGREES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 38000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WHEN THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE THE COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER KNEW THAT THE WAS NO CRASH AND WHEN THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSES MACHINE WAS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY CONSIDERED AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. *AK

SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND FORD IS NOT WILLING TO HELP AT ALL. THEY SAY IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR ANYTHING. (REPAIR OR RENTAL). *NM

WHINING NOISE IN REAR END OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER, DEALER SAID THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT, SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT , IT DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING, 36,000 MILES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE, HESITATED, AND THEN LUNGED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 25,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

I PURCHASED MY 2004 EXPLORER AND AT ABOUT 36,000 MILES I HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. NOW AT 65,000 MILES ONCE AGAIN THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE GOING BAD. I HAVE NEVER OWNED NOR HAVE I EVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE WHERE THE WHEEL BEARINGS ONLY LASTING ABOUT 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE BEARINGS HOWEVER THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS EVERY 30,000 TO 40,000 MILES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY EXPLORER WOULD TURN OVER BUT REFUSE TO START. THE THIRD TIME IT TOOK 2 DAYS FOR IT TO FINALLY START. ON THE WAY TO THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER, THE SUV STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T PIN-POINT ANY PARTICULAR CAUSE BUT THEY DID HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT CALLED FOR UPDATING OF SOME SOFTWARE. *NM

AUTOMATIC WINDOWS - REAR WINDOWS - MOTOR WENT OUT - REPLACED ONCE - DOING IT AGAIN, HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN. REAR AIR SYSTEM DOES NOT BLOW OUT HEAT. AGAIN, NEEDING TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN. HAD I NOT GOTTEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE I WOULD BE WITHOUT REAR HEAT. *JB

ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2006 I WAS SHOPPING FOR PRESENTS... WENT TO MAY BE 5 STORES. AFTER LAST STORE, I STARTED CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT IT IN GEAR, THE GEAR STICK BROKE OFF INTO MY HANDS. TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE! THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AS IT BROKE OFF AT THE BASE. DEALER REPLACED $1000 WORTH OF PARTS. I FEEL THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY TIME AND WAS LUCKY VEHICLE WAS IN PARK RATHER THAN IN DRIVE WHEN IT HAPPENED. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT AWD REQUIRED A SIGNIFICANT REPAIR IN 7/05 AT 11,311 MILES BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. DEALER REPLACED SHIFT SOLENOID AND REFILLED FLUID. DEALER ESTIMATED THAT COST TO REPLACE SHIFT SOLENOID WAS $3,500 BUT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM RECURRED AND IN DECEMBER 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN SHE BACKED INTO A PARKED CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE SHIFT SOLENOID A SECOND TIME. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND CHANGING GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED. WHEN REVERSE IS ENGAGED, THERE WAS A DELAY, A HARD NOISE AND DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.

PURCHASED THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN SYRACUSE, NY IN THE FALL OF 2004. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD THE SERVICE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALER TO FIX A CONTINUING PROBLEM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND WHEN GOING UP HILL, ON OCCASION. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION ALSO CONTINUES TO MAKE A "CLUNKING" NOISE AND PHYSICALLY LURCHES ON OCCASION WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND FORD HAS STILL NOT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE FORD MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND THEY HAVE ONLY OFFERED TO SELL US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE MANAGER DID INDICATE THAT HE IS AUTHORIZED TO OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 75,000 MILES AT NO COST, BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT IN WRITING. WE FEEL THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM CAUSED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE VEHICLE AND ALL REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD, BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

WITHIN A WEEK OF BUYING MY 2004 EXPLORER I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE. I ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOUD "CLANG" WHILE DOING STEADY INTERSTATE DRIVING (OVER 200 MILES). OVER TIME TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME SLUGGISH, UNTIMELY, AND LOUD. A RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND A TRANSMISSION ADDITIVE WAS ADDED. PROBLEMS CONTINUED WITH THE TRANSMISSION (SAME AS NOTED ABOVE). IN JUNE '06- DEALERSHIP REPLACED SOME PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION (UNDER WARRANTY). FIVE MONTHS LATER, I'M CONTINUING WITH PROBLEMS. LOUD "CLANG" DURING LONG ROAD TRIP. JERKY, HESITANT SHIFTING CONTINUES. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE DURING 30 MILE TEST DRIVE. CAR STALLED IN PARKING LOT THIS WEEK, JERKY MOTION CONTINUES GOING UP STEEP INCLINE AND LOUD "CLANG" EXISTS ON LONG ROADTRIP. WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT IN ABOUT 400 MILES. I HAVE CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE CENTER RESULTING IN NO HELP. ALSO HAVE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT REGISTERING PROPERLY. *NM

ON 11/23/2006, MY WIFE, PUT SOMETHING IN OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER VIA THE REAR HATCH WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE GLASS HINGE BROKE. THE GLASS REMAINED IN TACT, BUT TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE THE HATCH I HAD TO REMOVE THE TWO STRUTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO RECALL #04V442000 ON THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE IN 2002. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JUMPED. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY TO THE DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 41,000 MILES. IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED, UNIVERSAL BALL JOINT REPLACED, WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, PARKING BRAKE REPLACED. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER. ON THE EVENING OF 11/21/06, WE WERE LEAVING MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL AND I GOT IN THE VEHICLE TO BACK THE CAR UP A FEW FEET SO THAT MY WIFE WOULD NOT HAVE TO STEP IN THE MUD. I STARTED THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE (FOOT ON BRAKE), AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MOVE THE CAR A FEW FEET, IT SURGED BACKWARDS, LIKE A CANNON BALL IN REVERSE; IT CRASHED INTO A NEON, WHICH WAS PARKED 6 FEET FROM OUR CAR, SENT THE NEON FLYING ABOUT 15 FEET INTO ANOTHER CAR; (THE NEON'S FRONT END WAS CRUSHED). I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THIS VEHICLE WHATSOEVER. WE ARE THANKFUL THAT IT HIT A PARKED CAR, RATHER THAN TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND. WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS? THE POLICEMEN THAT RESPONDED TO OUR CALL SUGGESTED THAT WE NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SO WE PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER. THE OTHER CAR IN THE INCIDENT WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND ALSO HAD TO BE TOWED. ONE OF THE POLICEMEN THAT RESPONDED TO OUR CALL SAID THAT THEY HAD A SIMILAR ACCIDENT HAPPEN WITH ONE OF THEIR POLICE CRUISERS (ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT); WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE IT SHOT BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER POLICE CAR, BUT THEY DID NOT SUSTAIN DAMAGE BECAUSE THE CARS WERE PARKED SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. PLEASE HELP US FIGURE THIS OUT. WE ARE AFRAID TO GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS DATE, FORD HAS NOT FIGURED OUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE. WE ALSO FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THIS MODEL OF THE EXPLORER. WE ARE ALSO WAITING FOR OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTER'S REVIEW OF THE INCIDENT BEFORE THE COLLISION WORK TAKES PLACE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOW HINGE IN THE REAR LIFT GATE FRACTURED, AND THEN THE WEIGHT OF THE WINDOW FRACTURED THE SECOND HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #04V442000 REGARDING THE STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

WHEN THE EXPLORER IS PUT IN REVERSE IT TAKES UP TO 5 SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN JERKS BACKWARDS AFTER MAKING A LARGE CLUNKING NOISE. U JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE CAR JOLTS WITH A CLUNKING NOISE. WHILE DRIVING CAR JOLTS OCCASIONALLY. WHEN BRAKING CAR SHAKES. ABS LIGHT IS ON AND 4X4 HIGH LIGHT FLASHES. EXPLORER WAS TAKEN IN DECEMBER 2004 AND FIXED FOR THE TRUCK JOLTING INTO REVERSE. TRUCK NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. *NM

WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER TURNS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASH (CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM ON MESSAGE CENTER) THEN I LOSE THE POWER STEERING WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED FOR CODES AFTER THE FACT BUT THERE WERE NONE (POSSIBLY BECAUSE THE BATTERY GAUGE SPIKED DURING THE INCIDENT). THEN THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, ONLY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN 2 TIMES AFTER THAT. YESTERDAY THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A DVR RECORDING DEVICE. CLEARLY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *JB

SHIFTING FROM "DRIVE" TO "REVERSE" TRANSMISSION ENGAGES HARSHLY. *NM

BUBBLING AND BLISTERING OF THE PAINT FROM THE HOOD OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

2004 EXPLORER HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND WINDOWS. *TS THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THEE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLAM INTO GEAR. THE ROTORS VIBRATED IN THE REAR. CONSUMER HEARD A HOWLING NOISE AT 40-55 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION. NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A DRY INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOUD POP THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BALLOON POPPED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND RAN INTO A DITCH WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FRACTURED APART.

THE HINGE ON THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW CAME APART UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAD POPPED IT OPEN USING MY KEYFOB RELEASE BUTTON TO LOAD SOME BAGS INTO IT AND THE HINGE IMMEDIATELY FAILED. THE WINDOW ITSELF TWISTED AND WAS HANGING BY THE 2ND HINGE THAT HADN'T FAILED AND THE GAS SHOCKS THAT ENABLE THE WINDOW TO STAY OPEN WITHOUT HOLDING IT. I WAS ABLE TO FIT IT BACK TOGETHER TO CLOSE IT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO ORDER PARTS. WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2003 BUT NO THE 2004 MODEL. I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO PICK UP A RECALL PACK THAT CONTAINED BOTH HINGES. THE PARTS MANAGER SOLD THEM TO ME @ COST BECAUSE THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, HOWEVER, IF ONE OF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN STANDING NEARBY IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT BY THE GLASS AS IT CAME DOWN. FINALLY, I WALKED AWAY ABOUT $20 POORER (BECAUSE I REPAIRED IT MYSELF) AND WITH SEVERAL SCRATCHES ON THE PAINT AROUND THE HINGE AND THE BACK TAILGATE. *NM