2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

A LARGE CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK RUNS VERTICALLY AND RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL WHICH IS SEVERAL INCHES. THIS CRACK IS NOT DUE TO ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE AND APPEARS TO EXPAND/CONTRACT IN DIFFERENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. THIS PANEL SUPPORTS THE GLASS IN THE REAR LIFT GATE. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, OR HESITATES TO ENGAGE, OR HESITATES TO CHANGE GEARS ON THE HIGHWAY. PLACEMENT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE "POUNDS" INTO GEAR. 4X4 LOW & HIGH HESITATE OR FAIL TO ENGAGE, AND OFTEN "STICK" - FAILING TO DISENGAGE OR REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE. *JB

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER (44,000 MILES). I WAS HAVING MY AC FIXED AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN OIL ADDITIVE THAT NEEDED TO BE PUT INTO MY TRANSMISSION TO PREVENT HESITATION AND SLIPPING DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. 6 MONTHS LATER I BEGAN EXPERIENCING HARSH ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AS WELL SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SPEEDING UP AND SLOWING DOWN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (WORLD FORD) WHERE THE WORK WAS DONE AND THEY EXPLAINED I MIGHT NEED TO INSTALL A SOLENOID INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT WOULD COST ME $900.00. KNOWING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING. FORD CORPORATE RAN ME AROUND FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS (HANGING UP THE PHONE, PLACING ME ON HOLD FOR A LONG TIME AND PROMISING TO CALL ME BACK BUT IT NEVER HAPPENS). I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF MY VEHICLE AN IMPROPERLY FORMULATED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO SPOKE TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THE $900.00 SOLENOID DOES NOT HELP THE PROBLEM AT ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ACTIONS I CAN TAKE TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ALL YOUR HELP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, HESITATING AND JERKING WHILE GOING INTO GEAR. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK THE LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A HOWLING NOISE THAT IS BEING HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

WE NOTICED A SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN WERE STOPPED, THEN MADE A SLOW RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN. WE FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND A NOISE FROM THE REAR END. IT ALSO FELT AS IF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ON. IT FELT AS IF THERE WAS A SLIGHT WHEEL HOP. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION GEAR, AXEL SEALS, CLUTCH PACK AND HAD TO REPROGRAM THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE COMPUTER. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V442000 REGARDING HATCHBACK HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE HINGES SHEARED OFF AND THE HATCH ON THE LIFTGATE FELL OFF WHEN OPENING. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT FORDS REPLACEMENT HINGES HAVE NOT BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR. *NM

2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED-OWNED SUV FOR 38K BEEN IN SHOP REPEATEDLY-FROM MINOR TO MAJOR THINGS. SUV IS A $ 34,000 TURD. CURRENTLY NEEDING TO GO BACK TO SHOP FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS. THE DAY OUR WARRANTY EXPIRES CAR IS GONE. *TR

PURCHASED MY 2004 EXPLORER IN FEBRUARY '04. AT APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE WHICH WAS HARSH AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JOLT REARWARD. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND IT WAS FIXED. VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN. VEHICLE NOW HAS 40,000 MILES. SEEMS THIS MAY BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS ALSO POOR AS THIS PROBLEM EXHIBITS ITSELF, ESPECIALLY NOTED WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. DOWNSHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST IS VERY HARSH. IS THIS GOING TO BE INVESTIGATED? IT SEEMS A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED BY GIVEN THE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT NATURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING AS IF IT WERE IN A LOT OF WIND. TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANICS DISCOVERED THE REAR TIE ROD ENDS WERE PACKED WITH MUD CAUSING THE TIE RODS TO CORRODE AND RUST. THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN DECEMBER OF 2004, THE TRUCK WAS 1 YEAR IN SERVICE AND HAD ABOUT 19,000 MILES. WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AND DELAYING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD PROBLEM FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THE "SOLENOID" (SP?) SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME THIS WAS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. BEGINNING AGAIN IN EARLY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN THE SAME PATTERN OF SLIPPING. THE TRUCK WAS NOW IN SERVICE FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAD 40,000 MILES. THE TRUCK WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE NEW "SOLENOID" SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING OFF OF THE REPAIR CHARGE SO WE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE WERE TOLD WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. NEXT WE WERE TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT ENOUGH HAD FAILED YET SO THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE SERVICE REP OFFERED TO PAY FOR $400 OF THE REPAIR SINCE WE HAD REPLACED THIS PART ONCE AND TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR ANYTHING SINCE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR PART OF THE REPAIR, BUT I FEEL STRONGLY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPAIRED TWICE IN ONE YEAR FOR THE SAME PART. *JB

VEHICLE REAR-END WHINE. *NM

1. OPENED THE BACK HATCH GLASS 2. THE LEFT HINGE BROKE AND THE GLASS FELL. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE GLASS TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING. I PUSHED THE GLASS BACK UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE GLASS CLOSED AND LATCHED. MY LEFT SHOULDER HAS BEEN HURTING SINCE THE INCIDENT. *JB 3. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HINGE BRACKET. THEY REPLACED BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HINGES.

GASOLINE ODOR. *JB

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY FORD EXPLORER 4DOOR SPORT TRAC HAS STALLED, BECAUSE MY TEENAGE CHILDREN HAVE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED/KICKED THE INERTIA CONTROL DEVICE FOR FUEL SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING/DRIVING. THIS DEVICE HAS ITS OWN PUSH START BUTTON TO RESTART FUEL OPERATIONS ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I WAS ON THE BELTWAY 495 DOING 65 MPH THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY PULL OFF AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER ON TWO OCCASIONS. ON 11-18-2005 THE DEALER FAILED TO COVER THIS DEVICE SAYING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER THE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL CARS RETURNED FOR THE SAME THING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIE ROD HOUSING THAT ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL FAILED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT CAUSE D AN ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 -20 MPH. THE WHEEL HIT THE TELEPHONE POLE WHICH CAUSED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE, AND URGED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

HELLO, I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKS AT CARMAX, HE TOLD ME ALL EXPLORERS NO MATTER WHICH SUFFER FROM REALLY BAD RING AND PINION GEARS. MY FATHER IN LAW BOUGHT A BRAND NEW EXPLORER LAST YEAR, THIS YEAR IT HAS 50K MILES AND THE RING AND PINION ARE WHINING LIKE CRAZY. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECT BUT THEY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL 2010 WHEN MOST OF THE PEOPLE'S WARRANTIES EXPIRE IN MY OPINION. THEY SAY THE SAME TO EVERYONE, THAT ITS NOT TOO BAD TO CONSIDER REPLACING IT. *JB

PLASTIC BODY PART JUST UNDER REAR LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF A PROBLEM, BUT FORD HAS DECLINED ACTION. THIS VEHICLE HAD APPROX. 30,000 MILES WHEN NOTICED. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT. *TR

DELAYED SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND REVERSE TO DRIVE, SOMETIMES 10 SECONDS TO CATCH GEAR. HARD SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, SLAMS INTO GEAR. CLUNKING WHEN PARKING OR WHEELS AT FULL LOCK. *NM

FORD EXPLORER 2004 - BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2004 MY FORD EXPLORER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS AFTER 1 YEAR I BOUGHT IT. FORD DEALER FIXED IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE 1 YEAR AFTER THE FIX WAS MADE AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND IT WILL COST ME AROUND 1400 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I DID NOT HAVE THEM FIX IT AND FIGURED THAT I CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. THAT DID NOT GET ME ANYWHERE. THIS WAS BACK IN 2006 OR 2007 AND I AM STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MECHANICAL HAZARD BECAUSE A FAILED TRANSMISSION DRIVING ON A FREEWAY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT. I HAVE A WIFE, A 4 YEAR OLD AND A 1 YEAR OLD AND ALWAYS FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE REAR BRAKES ALSO FAILED DURING BRAKE APPLICATION ON GRAVEL ROADS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PURCHASED BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 1 MILE ON IT ON 6/25/04. I HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT JERKING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, GOING IN REVERSE, OR SHIFTING GEARS. I TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING WHEN THIS JERKING OCCURS. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY SERVICED ON 2/03/05 ...THEN AGAIN ON 7/18/05... AND AGAIN ON 8/24/05 ...AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 DAYS ON 10/15/05... ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE NECESSARY PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER SO FORD CONSTANTLY PUTS A "BAND-AID" ON THE PROBLEM SO IN THE INTERIM, I AM SUBJECT TO MAJOR INCONVENIENCES AND DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES HIS VEHICLE IS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON NOVEMBER 6, 2005. THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 55 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL HOWLING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SHIM THE PINION AND RING GEARS TO SILENCE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,700.

THE ISSUE I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY FORD 2004 IS ON SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE INDICATOR CAME ON AND SHUTS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DOWN. WELL AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I DECIDED TO REPORT THE MATTER TO ONE OFF THE DEALER''S, AFTER A WEEK OF HOLDING ON TO IT THE REPORT CAME BACK THAT THEY COULD FINE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP. WELL AFTER SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. *NM

2004 FORD EXPLORER IN DEALERSHIP SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR SLIPPING IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS AROUND CORNERS, STILL NOT FIXED! DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO FIX SEVERE DELAYED JERKING AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ON 3 OCCASIONS. HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR 35,000 SERVICE, DEALERSHIP TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX REAR END AGAIN AND REPLACE BEARINGS IN THE HUB WITH OUT MY PERMISSION! GOING TO ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE TO REQUEST FORD REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS VERY EVIDENT THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR YEARS AND STILL EXIST WITH THE NEWER MODELS. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT, EXCEPT MY WALLET! THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY TROUBLES IN JULY, IT IS NOW THE LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT! LEMON LAW - 3 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND YOU QUALIFY.

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER JERKS INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT ALSO SLIPS GEARS IN THE LOWER GEARS WHEN DRIVING IN A LOWER SPEED ZONE. THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM, BUT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *JB

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 THE ABS FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ABS, MAINTENANCE, AND FOUR WHEEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND BLINKED WHEN HE LOST THE BRAKES. A DIAGNOSIS TEST WAS PERFORMED, AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR WHICH WAS CALLED ASY-T. THE FUEL GAUGE BROKE. IT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK LEVEL WAS HIGHER THAN WHAT IT REALLY WAS. THE DRIVER'S REAR WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COVER OVER THE HATCHBACK HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THERE HAS BEEN A REPAIR DONE TO THE FOUR BY FOUR UNIT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN MOVING GEAR SELECTOR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND SOMETIMES DRIVE, THERE IS A LAG OF ABOUT 3 TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A POWER SURGE OF VEHICLE GOING INTO GEAR. WORRIED TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AGAIN. TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS SAME ON SAME INCIDENT THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. AND GUESS WHAT, I BELIEVED THEM. *JB

DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING DIFFICULTY AS WELL AS POPPING/JOLTING SENSATION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED, BUT ONLY OCCURS IN SHARP TURNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT THIS INFORMATION IS NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED. THIS APPLIES TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE IS IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE ON ITS ON.*AK

LTR FWD EMAIL FM CONSUMER RE DEFECTIVE MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN P235/70R-16 TIRES FOR A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, DOT/I32005-5097. *TS WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. A SOON AS THE CONSUMER PULLED OF THE ROAD THE TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTED IN INTERIOR LINER SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY A PRO-RATED PRICE FOR A NEW TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT O THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRE WILL FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER. *NM

PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN 2004, NOTICED AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WOULD DELAY A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND THEN SPEED INTO REVERSE OR SHIFT HARD, THAT WAS AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES.CAR AT TIMES WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, HAD THE TRANSMISSION IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND SHIFT SOLENOID REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. SHIFTED OKAY FOR AWHILE AND GOES BACK TO SHIFTING HARD AGAIN AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES OR UPON STARTING MY CAR WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WOULD MAKE A CLUNK SOUND AND JUMP FORWARD OUT OF GEAR. GOOD THING NO OTHER CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME OR MY WIFE OR CHILDREN NEAR THE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLES SCARES ME AND BEING IN THE MILITARY WITH A LIMITED BUDGET WE CANNOT JUST BUY ANOTHER CAR SO EASILY AND SO WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DEATHLY AFRAID. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE RIGHT, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR COMING OUT OF GEAR INVOLUNTARILY. ALSO CAR IS STARTING TO DELAY WHEN AT A STOPPED POSITION TO START DRIVING THE CAR HESITATES TO GO INTO GEAR. DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED BY AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER ERROR???? I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT GET DRIVEN AROUND ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I AM NOW WORRIED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR MY WIFE. THIS IS STILL GOING ON AND GETTING WORSE. HERE IT IS JUNE 2010 AND FORD IS GETTING AWAY WITH RIPPING OFF CUSTOMERS AND NOT BEING MADE TO FIX OUR INVESTMENTS NOR THE MONEY WE'VE HAD TO SPEND ON THEIR MISTAKE. I AM TAKING MY FORD BACK IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION GUY THAT REPAIRED IT LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS BE IGNORED? YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU CAN PRESSURE AND BRING IT TO LIGHT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WE LEASE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER [XXX]. THE VEHICLE STALLS. WE HAVE HAD DUTHLER FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN TRY AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR WELL OVER 3-WEEKS. WE THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED THE LAST TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 3,000 MILES...UNTIL YESTERDAY. THEY VEHICLE STALLED 2-TIMES AND LOST ACCELERATION 3-TIMES. ALL THE DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY (4) HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND FOTURNATELY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED (YET). FORD AND THE DEALER SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE VEHICLE HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT THE COMPANY HAS RECALLED, AFTER SUPPOSEDLY FIXING THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT JUMPS WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND MAY LEAD TO OTHER ISSUES. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT ON MY OWN. IT IS UNSAFE. *NM

SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS POPPED OUT AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS SHUT. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 41000 MILES. WHILE THIS IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, FORD HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

I NOTICED AN INCREASING NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT TIRES OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER 2WD EDDIE BAUER ON 8/18/05 - 8/19/05. I CHECKED AND DISCOVERED THAT 2 OF THE 5 RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LUGS NUTS WERE BROKEN OFF. WHEN I FURTHER CHECKED THE TENSION OF THE 3 REAMINING LUG NUTS, I DISOVERD THAT 2 OF THEM WERE ALSO BROKEN OFF BUT WEDGED IN THE RIM. I HAD ONE LUG NUT HOLDING THE WHEEL ON IN PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AS I DRIVE HOME FROM MY EMPLOYER AAA MICHIGAN AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. I ROTATED THESE TIRES 1,000 MILES AGO, JUST AS I HAVE ROTATED TIRES ON 20 CARS OVER THE COURSE OF 35 YEARS. I HAD HAND TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF THESE LUG NUTS FOR POTENTIAL DEFECTS.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES SINCE 8-23-05. THE CAR STALLED AT 40 MPH OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND AN AIR FILTER PIECE. IT STILL STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8-19-05. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON PRIOR TO STALLING. THE RPMS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THIS DID HAPPEN ONLY WHEN SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, 25,500 MILES. THE MILES THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE MILEAGE WAS 23,800. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , AND SAID THEY WERE NOT SYMPATHETIC. *AK

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE PAUSES AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

THERE IS A WHINE OR "HOWL" COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER IN CAMDENTON, MO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM THAT THERE IS A LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND PEAKS AT 62. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THOSE AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY NEED A REAR PINION SEAL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND HAVING GIVEN US THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE FIXED, THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPAIR AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN LONGER. I WAS TOLD THAT TWICE, ONCE ON THE PHONE AND ONCE IN PERSON WHEN I GOT THERE TO PICK IT UP. I TOLD THE MAN THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT AND THAT THE WHINE IS GETTING WORSE, NOT BETTER. *NM

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HESITATES, THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR, AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME. IT HAPPENS WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, BUT UP TO NOW, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY WORSE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE. UP TO NOW THIS HAS BEEN MORE OF A NUISANCE THAN ANYTHING, HOWEVER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION EARLIER TODAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM

TIRE FAILURE. WE TOOK THE TIRE IN TO GET IT PLUGGED, BUT IT WAS THE INNER LINING, IT SPLIT APART AND THE TIRE WAS NOT SAFE TO PLUG. (GOODRICH TIRE) WE TOOK THE TIRE TO AN AUTHORIZED GOODRICH DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS A COSMETIC FIX AND THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO FIX. AFTER THE FIRESTONE ORDEAL, I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY EXPLORER ANY MORE. I WILL LET THE COMPANY KNOW ABOUT THE GOODRICH TIRE FAILURE. *NM

OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. ONCE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES THERE IS A LOUD AND HARD "CLUNK". THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID AND ESTIMATES THIS REPAIR WILL COST ~$900. *JB

MY CAR WON'T SHIFT IN TO GEAR ANY MORE. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LAG- 2004 FORD EXPLORER I PRESENTED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] TO A LOCAL DEALER 2/28/05 FOR THE RECALL INVOLVING A CHANGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS NOT ALLEVIATED WHAT I HAVE NOTICED IS A CHRONIC AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE, THERE IS OFTEN A NOTICEABLE SHIFT LAG OF A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ACTUALLY ENGAGES. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED YESTERDAY, 7/26/05, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOSE DOWN ON A HILL, REQUIRING ME TO BACK UP TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, WELL KNOWN FOR ITS HILLY TERRAIN. BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION LAG, I ALMOST DRIFTED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY WENT INTO REVERSE. I HAVEN'T NOTICED THIS IN ANY FORWARD GEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT THIS IS THE THIRD AND MOST NOTICEABLE EVENT TO DATE. HAD A PEDESTRIAN WALKED IN FRONT OF ME, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN INJURY, OR EVEN A FATALITY. AFTER THIS EVENT, I AM RETURNING THE VEHICLE ASAP TO THE DEALER. I WILL ONLY USE REVERSE AT THIS TIME WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I FEEL THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGE. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SLAMS INTO REVERSE. WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN SECOND GEAR IT WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. MY WIFE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THEY KNOW THAT THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

2004 EXPLORER HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. RESTARTS FINE. SEEMS TO BE WITH CRUISE ON AND GOING DOWN HILL AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40. HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE. HAVE CALLED FORD THEY SAY TAKE TO DEALERSHP. SEE SEVERAL OF SAME COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE. VERY DANGEROUS. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT FOR INCIDENT DATE. *JB

WITHIN THREE DAYS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE, I ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH REMOTE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULDN'T. DRIVER'S REAR WINDOW , SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULDN'T. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR SAME THINGS. REAR END MAKES A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE. IT HAS BEEN TO DEALER'S THREE TIMES ALSO FOR FIXING. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND ALL OF THEM ARE DOING IT. VEHICLE, WHILE IN GEAR, WOULD JUMP/JERK. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID, IT STILL DOES IT SOMETIMES.

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A FAIRLY SEVERE SIDE-IMPACT COLLISON THAT KNOCKED OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER, EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SIDE-IMPACT CURTAIN AIRBAGS, 4 FEET SIDEWAYS, DESTROYED THE DRIVER'S DOOR (DIRECT IMPACT TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR) COLLAPSED IT INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND RESULTED IN $6,000 OF INSURANCE-ESTIMATED DAMAGE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THAT HAS THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THAT THE ON-BOARD CHECK SYSTEM DOES NOT INDICATE ANY FAULTS. MY WIFE DID KNOCK HER HEAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DURING THE COLLISION, BUT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED ANY LASTING INJURIES. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS SAFETY SYSTEM WE PAID EXTRA FOR DOES NOT OPERATE AS INTENDED, AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFORD THE PROTECTION PROMISED BY FORD. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE AND THE ACCIDENT IF YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THEM...JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO UPLOAD THEM TO.

2004 FORD EXPLORER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE NEW, VISITED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES WITH NO FIX

TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE HAD STARTED TO BE DELAYED AND ABRUPT STARTING AROUND APRIL OF 2005 AT APPR. 12,000 MILES. IT SEEMED TO NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY AND WOULD LURCH INTO GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY. WE RECEIVED A RECALL FROM FORD IN MAY 2005 STATING THAT WE HAD NOT YET BEEN IN FOR OUR RECALL. NO NOTICE HAD COME BEFORE THAT ONE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED DEALER AND TOOK IN FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE 3 DAYS LATER. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE AND IF ANYTHING THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I NEED TO TAKE MY CHILD 75 MILES ONE WAY FREQUENTLY FOR DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.