2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. (3AUG04). BROKE AND ARM AND STILL IN BRACE AND LONGER WEEKS AHEAD. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE MY COMPLAINT OR CALL ME BACK. NO LAWYER WILL TOUCH THE CASE YET HEAR I AM WITH LOSS WAGES MAYBE UNABLE TO USE MY ARM (I'M A NURSING STUDENT) BUT HEY IF THAT;S HOW FORD WORKS.. I'LL NEVER BUY AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES FORCIBLE IN REVERSE, AND WHILE IN DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT GOES FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE.. PLEASE HELP.. AT MY WITS END THANKS.. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL GO IN AND OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

IN FEB. 2004 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW EXPLORER. ABOUT 6 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS WITH A DELAY IN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED IT WAS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, WHICH THE DEALER DID REPLACE. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I TOOK THE EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE SAME PART AGAIN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE SO I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2006 TO THE DEALER. THEY PROCEED TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED, TWICE. THIS TIME THEY TELL ME MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. WELL IT SEEMS TO ME IF IT WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME THEN IT WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING JUST ABOUT EVERY YEAR. I WOULD DRIVE MY TRUCK LOCALLY AND IT NORMALLY WOULD NOT WANT TO MOVE. ONE DAY ON MY LUNCH HOUR, I TRIED TO CROSS A MAJOR 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS LUNCH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, TO BE T-BONED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. TALK ABOUT, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; I WAS SO UPSET THAT I HAD TO GO HOME FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. IT IS JUST AS SCARY TO THINK MY TRUCK WOULD BREAK DOWN DUE TO MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS WITH MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED SO OFTEN AND MOST TIMES AT NIGHT. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID COST ME $550.00 AT 80K MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL 100K BUT THE DEALER SUGGESTED IT DUE TO MY MANY PROBLEMS. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I JUST WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE MY TRUCK HAS SAT AT THE DEALER SINCE DEC 2007, I CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD FOR FAULT TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IS NOT DRIVABLE. I ASKED THE FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SHIFTING PROBLEM WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASE AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT THEY COULD FIND. *TR

WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE A HEAVY KNOCKING NOISE IS PRODUCED. *AK THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD HANG UP IN DRIVE AND THE SELECTOR DID NOT RETURN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY JUMP OUT OF DRIVE. THE SHIFT SOLENOID WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SC

VEHICLE STALLED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILLS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE REAR END FIXED. IT HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THIS PART OF A AUTOMOBILE. ESPECIALLY A 2004. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPAIR A REAR END AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG THAT FORD DID TO MY VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS BREAK THIS SOON. IT COST ME OVER $1200 OF WHICH WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. WE HAD TO SELL THINGS, BORROW MONEY WITH INTEREST AND WITH MY HUSBAND SO VERY ILL THAT HIS MEDICINE FOR 7 PILLS EVERY THREE MONTHS IS OVER $700 A 3 MONTH. SOMEONE HAD TO MAKE A MISTAKE. I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS SINCE I STARTED DRIVE OVER SEVERAL YEARS AGO. MATTER OF FACT THE FIRST CAR I DROVE WAS THE FORD PUSH BUTTON. PLEASE FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP US WITH THIS EXTREMELY HIGH REPAIR BILL. THIS CAR IS OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND IS VERY WRONG FOR US TO HAVE TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR REPAIR FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. THANK YOU , NORMA GROTBERG *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OTHER VEHICLES WERE POINTING AT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE BASE OF THE CHASSIS, THE VENTS, AND FROM THE TIRE HUB. THE HUB CAPS MELTED. THE FIRE ALSO DISINTERESTED THE BRAKES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED BY THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THIS DEALERSHIP PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK

IN MAY OF 2004, I BOUGHT A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER. TWO MONTHS LATER IN JULY OF 2004, I FOUND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT WOULD PAUSE FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, THEN JERK VERY HARD BEFORE REVERSING. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE NEW CAR FROM, WHO PROCEEDED TO TELL ME IT WAS "NOTHING". THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND I CONTINUED TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM WITH NO RESOLVE. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL JANUARY OF 2005. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO AN OUT OF TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP 2 HOURS AWAY, WHO TOOK MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS DUE TO THEM HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I WAITED FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THE DAY I PICKED UP MY CAR FOR A SERVICE ADVISOR TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS WAS, AND THE ONLY ANSWER I RECEIVED WAS THAT IT WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR. I SINCE THEN LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET WHAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS, AND READ AN ARTICLE THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS NOT RECALLING CARS SINCE IT IS NOT A DANGER. THIS IS A DANGER. IT CAN CAUSE NUMEROUS NECK PROBLEMS FROM THE JERKING. I HAVE SUFFERED FROM LOWER BACK PAIN BEFORE BUYING THE CAR, AND THE JERKING FROM PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE WAS NOT HELPFUL. IF ANYONE OR ANYTHING IS AROUND THE CAR WHILE PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, THEY CAN BE DAMAGED BADLY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO GO PUBLIC. THE DEALERSHIPS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO RESPONSIBILITY NEGLECT FOR A POOR PRODUCT. *JB

WHILE PRESSING THE REMOTE KEY TO OPEN THE SUN ROOF IT WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAS TO PLAY WITH THE REMOTE KEY IN ORDER TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DEETRMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK

PURCHASED MY FORD EXPLORER JAN 2004. PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING OCCURRED JUNE 29TH 2004. ONE YEAR LATER 2005, THE PROBLEM WORSEN, WITH SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING AT THE SAME TIME. FORD IS NOT BACKING THE EXPLORER AT ALL AND WE THE PEOPLE WITH THESE SAME COMPLAINTS NEED HELP, OR ALL OF OUR MONEY BACK FROM THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. *TR

2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER 4X4: ENGINE FAILED, SAFE MODE WHEN NOTHING APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE. OTHERS ON NEWS GROUPS CLAIM THEY FOUND IT TO BE FAULTY ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND THE ENGINE STALLED. *NM THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHLY AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE REPAIR THE CONSUMER NOTICED A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. AIR COMING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WAS THE REASON FOR THE NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE WINSHIELD WAS REMOVED AND RESEALED. *TC *JB

TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN NEUTRAL WHEN COLUMN SHIFTER WAS PUT IN THE PARK POSITION. AS MY WIFE GOT OUT TO HELP HER SISTER WITH HER NEW BORN AND BAGGAGE THE EXPLORER STARTED ROLLING, MY NIECE (IN THE BACK SEAT) GOT SCARED AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GOT RAN OVER. THE VEHICLE HIT A POLE AND TRAPPED MY NIECE UNDER THE REAR TIRE. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. ACTUALLY SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE EXPLORER BACK IT HAS STARTED TO CLUNG REALLY HARD GOING INTO REVERSE, AND HAS GOT STUCK BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE RPMS TO SHOOT UP. I AM WAITING ON FORD TO FINALLY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE FUSE BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH CHATTERING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL AND DELAYED SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS, ESPECIALLY REVERSE, SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. WHEN I AM IN AN URBAN PARRALLEL PARK SITUATION, I HAVE HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME HARD ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS BECAUSE OF THE DELAYTED SHIFTING. AS YOU SHIFT, YOU NATURALLY PUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN THERE IS A DELAY, THE CAR THEN BOLTS INTO REVERSE AT A HIGH SPEED. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER 5-6 TIMES, AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE SOMETHING, BUT NOTHING EVER WORKS TO ELIMINATE THE CHATTERING AND THE DELAYED SHIFTING.*AK

LOUD POP FROM REAR-END. ABS LIGHT,WRENCH,AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND TO BE A BAD SPEED SENSOR AND DEFECTIVE REAR-END. SUV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS AND NO REAR-END IN SIGHT. *AK

AT ALL TIMES THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN WET WEATHER IT WILL SKID. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK

PAINT IS COMING OFF DRIVERS RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 3 WEEKS. *AK

THE GEAR ON MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF. I BELEIVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. WHEN I TOOKTHE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT THEMSELVES. I AM AFRAID TO WONDER WHAT ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKE PEDAL SHUTTER WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE CONTACT FELT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ROTORS. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS AT 12,000 MILES. APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AT 24,000 MILES. TWO MONTHS LATER ,THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AGAIN, AND THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY AT 26,000 MILES. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AT 30,000 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 36000 MILES. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER ARE MOLDY, CAUSING ILLNESS. *AK

STILL HESITATES INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE AFTER FORD FIX OF ADDITIVE TO TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM GETTING WORSE, AFFECTING SHIFTING IN FORWARD GEARS NOW. *AK

AFTER PURCHASING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER I NOTICED HESITATION AND LURCHING UPON ACCELERATION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PROCEEDING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. SEVERAL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE AND FORD WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH ALL OTHER PERSONS THAT DRIVE THE VEHICLE HAVE IDENTIFIED IT. WITH THE NEW INFORMATION RECENTLY RELEASED ON THESE VEHICLES, I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND WISH TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. *JB

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM CONSUMER WAS TURNING LEFT TOWARDS GARAGE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 50 TO 60 MPH. *LA

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN DRIVING AT ALL/VARIOUS SPEEDS. FAILURE IS FELT DURING/ATTEMPTED TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION WHILE DRIVING. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT AND SUDDENLY POWER STEERING KICKS IN AND BECOMES UNSAFE AS GREAT PRESSURE IS BEING APPLIED TO STEERING WHEEL TO OVERCOME POWER STEERING FAILURE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO KNOWN FAILURES AND CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING SYSTEM. AS A SYSTEMS SAFETY ENGINEER, I SUSPECT DEFECT IN SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURE HAS YET TO ADMIT. REQUEST ASSISTANCE TO FORCE MANUFACTURE/DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE AND DETERMINE PROBLEM. *NM

I WAS PARKING IN AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE AT JEFFERSON/WOODWARD IN DETROIT. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5-7 MPH LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT. I FOUND AND SPOT AND BEGAN TO TURN INTO IT. WHEN I TURNED MY WHEEL, MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND WOULDN'T STOP EVEN THOUGH I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A BRICK WALL. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT ED SCHMID FORD IN FERNDALE. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT MY INSURANCE PREMIUM MAY INCREASE BECAUSE THIS ACCIDENT IS VIEWED AT AND AT FAULT ACCIDENT. FORD IS GOING TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO CHECK OUT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR.*AK

OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUCCUMB TO AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION AFTER WARRANTED FACTORY REPAIR FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING AND BASICALLY LEAVES YOU COASTING WITHOUT SPEED CONTROL DURING A REGULAR SHIFT INTERVAL. *TR

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SURGED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK *NM

WHILE FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK GASOLINE GAUGE REGISTERED FALSE READING. CONSUMER HAD A FULL TANK OF GASOLINE THAT DAY. THE NEXT DAY THE GASOLINE GAUGE REGISTERED A HALF OF A TANK. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK

PURCHASED A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC V6 IN NOV 04. OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE, ENGINE WOULD GIVE A "HARD" JERK. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, STOPPED(ESPECIALLY) IF ROADS WERE WET, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FORWARD, VEHICLE TIRES-GOOD TIRES/EVEN WEAR,ROTATED REGULARLY AND/OR VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL AS ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD. ALWAYS A VERY ANNOYING NOISE IN REAR RIDING AS PASSENGER. BUT IT TO DEALER @ BEGINNING, CHECKED IT OUT UNDER WARRANTY, NOE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER"75930". DROVE IT FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER, PARKED IT, NEXT DAY DROVE IT < THAN A 1/4 MILE TO STORE, SHOPPED, RETURNING HOME THE "TRANSMISSION" GAVE A VERY LOUD NOISE, GRINDING AND A HARD JERK, ENOUGH TO HURT ONE DRIVING OR PASSENGER'S BACKS. 2ND GEAR UNABLE TO ENGAGE, RPM RACE TO 4000 2ND GONE! FORD DEALER QUOTES A REPAIR(REBUILT) @ $3555.0+TAXES @ RATE OF "$100.00" AN HOUR = LABOR NEARLY A "$1000.00. BROUGHT IT TO A REPRIABLE TRANS SHOP QUOTED $3000.00 COMPLETE WE HAVE BEEN A"DIE-HARD" OWNERS OF FORDS FOR YEARS, EVEN OWN A 1956CROWN VIC., 86 F250, 99 LINCOLNCON'T, 00MUSTANG, AND THIS )$ FORD EXPLORER IS THE WORSE VEHICLE PUCHASED @ "$38,000". NEVER MIND ALL THE PREVIOUS ONES, NEVER HAVE I EVER DEALT WITH A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE OF POOR WORKMANSHIP/DESIGN. REPORTS REVEAL THAT THESE 04'S DEFINITELY HAVE FORD MANUFACTUTRER DEFECTS OR CRAFTMANSHIP FAULTS. WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE UP ON "AMERICAN" VEHICLES, AH AH? @ "75,930+ MILES A BROKEN TRANSMISSION. *TR

WHINING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THAT FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A FIX FOR IT! THEY ASKED ME TO CALL THEM BACK IN 30 DAYS.

I HAVE A BAD TRANSMISSION. I SHIFTS TERRIBLY INTO THE UPPER GEARS AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE, IT OFTEN HESITATES AND THEN WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT SOUNDS LIFE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE WITH A LOUD CLANK AND BIG JOLT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY ONE, 2004, AND IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT AND INTERMITTENT, TRANSMISSION WILL "BANG" INTO REVERSE, REV UP BEFORE ENGAGING WHILE GOING FORWARD FROM A STOP, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AT LOWER SPEEDS, APPEARS TO "SLIP" WHEN MAKING TURNS. TRANSMISSION AND REAR END REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEMS. *JB

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55-60 MPH). BUT THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB

FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS, WHEN I PUT SUV INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A LOUD BANG. SOMETIMES SUV STICKS IN "PARK", THEN SLAMS BACK. ALSO WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT HESITATES AND FINALLY SHIFTS. UPON STOPPING, SUV ROLLS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS A GREAT DISTANCE UNTIL IT FINALLY LOCKS INTO "PARK." TOOK SUV TO SERVICE DEPT. @ DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *JB

OTHE VEHICLE WAS RECEIVED ON 2/16/2004, ON 2/18/2004 THE DRIVERS SIDE RUNNING BOARD BROKE WHEN I STEPPED ONTO IT WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE I STEPPED UP ONTO THE RUNNING BOARD AND IT CRACKED AT THE SEAM CAUSING ME TO FALL BACK INTO THE DRIVING LANE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE RUNNING BOARD ON 2/24/2004. ON 2/26/2004, THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE, THIS WAS ONLY THE SECOND TIME SOMEONE ENTERED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM WAITING FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THIS ONE. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THERE IS TRAFFIC MOVING NEAR THE VEHICLE A PERSON COULD FALL BACK AND BE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

DT: THE CAR WILL NOT START IN THE MORNINGS, AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT SITS FOR A WHILE IT WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND OUT WHY IT WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, AND VEHICLE STARTED CORRECTLY AFTER THAT. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THIS PROBLEM CAME BACK. OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK FOR REPAIRS YET. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT COVER IS LOSE AND COMING OFF. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2004. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD AT THIS TIME. FORD WAS CONTACTED WITH THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD, BUT WA GOING TODAY.*AK

I BROUGHT MY SUV DEC 2004. I HAD ONLY 40 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE A LITTLE OVER 7,000. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING MY SUV IT WOULDN'T START UP. I TOOK IT IN TO BE SERVICED BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. A MONTH LATER IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE WHOLE TRUCK JUMPS INTO REVERSE. IT ALSO HESITATE TO GO INTO REVERSE. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS. I CONTINUE TO TAKE IT FORD TO GET SERVICE. FIRST THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG NOW THYE'RE SAYING THAT IT'S A RECALL AND "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM.. I'M CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF TRYIMG TO GET FORD TO GIVE ME A NEW TRUCK. BUT THEY ONLY TRYING TO OFFER 2,500 DOLLARS. I DON'T WANT THE MONEY I WANT A NEW TRUCK. I PAID FOR A NEW TRUCK NOT A TRUCK THAT WILL CONTIUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS. MY ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON TOO. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT BACK TO FORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. IT'S SUCH A HASSEL TO KEEP TAKING MY TRUCK BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS AND IT'S NOT BEING FIXED. I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. I HAVE LEMON. *AK

2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING AND NOT SHIFTING RIGHT.I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED TWICE,THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG IT WAS JUST OVERFILLED,THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE RESEALED PUMP BOLTS.I AM KEEPING AN EYE ON ANY MORE PROBLEMS AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE TRACKING THE TRANS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICAL.IF I COULD I WOULD DEMAND TO GET ANOTHER VEHICAL AND IT WOULD NOT BE A FORD BEING THOUGH I PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO RETURN FOR MORE SERVICE WITH MORE PROBLEM.I BOUGHT THIS THINKING IT WAS A QUALITY VEHICAL BUT I KNOW KNOW I MADE A MISTAKE.THANK YOU . NANCY SAKEVICH. *AK

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND I WAS CLOSING THE REAR HATCH WHEN THE HINGE PINS SNAPPED AND LUCKILY I WAS HOLDING IT WHEN IT BROKE. IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES THEN I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL 2004S. *TR

WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 25 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURES, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IN DRIVE, LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. REMEDIES USED WERE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AFTER COASTING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND WHEELS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN. (NAR) *PH *CB THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF SWAY BAR HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER TURNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CENTER, OR IT WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING OF THE ROAD. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED HEAVILY. CONSUMER HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BUT, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STILL EXISTS. *AK *NM

THIS IS INTERMITTENT STALLS, POOR THROTTLE, NO START. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE FAILED. *AK

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION ON A WARM ENGINE, AND THEN MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION INTO THE "REVERSE" POSITION. IMMEDIATELY, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED EXTREMELY HARD SHIFTING. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. THE SOLENOID PACK WAS REPLACED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN ON THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 05/15/09 *BF UPDATED 05/18/09.*JB

2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS**CC THE ABS LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. *NM

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN HIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED IN WHICH THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN HIM. THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. *CC THE SEAT BELTS HAD BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED AND ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR SCRAPES. *NM