2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

REAR PANEL CRACKED IN THE SHED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION A YEAR AGO REPLACE FRONT HUBS SEVERAL TIMES. AND JUST LAST WEEK I HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK WHEEL BEARING AGAIN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD HAS NOT DONE A RECALL ON THESE THINGS.I SEE A LOT OF FORDS WITH THE SAME CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH.THIS IS JUST CRAZY. IF I NEW WE COULDN'T CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOT THIS TRUCK.I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. WE ALSO HAVE A 1994 DIESEL THAT WE HAD TO PUT A TRANSMISSION IN AT 80,000 MILES IT SITS IN THE SHED AND NOW MY HUSBAND DRIVES A CHEVY.OUR FORD DIESEL ONLY HAS 134,000 ON IT WHAT ASHAMED. IT WILL NOT EVEN CRANK WHEN ITS COLD. BAD WORK FORD!!!! *TR

THERE IS A CRACK RUNNING VERTICALLY THROUGH THE ENTIRE REAR PANEL JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. IT RUNS RIGHT ALONG SIDE THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS HAPPENED IN DEC. 2014. I DO NOT KNOW/RECALL IF THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING OR NOT. I JUST DISCOVERED THE CRACK. I THOUGHT THAT IT HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE WE WERE VISITING BEND, OR AND IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD. THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE I DON'T BELIEVE. BUT, GIVEN I SEE AT LEAST ONE EXPLORER EVERY 2-3 DAYS WITH THE SAME CRACK IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.

THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER, THIS APPARENTLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN. *TR

LEAVING WORK AT END OF DAY, PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND REAR GLASS SHATTERED. THE EDGES OF THE BACK HATCH PULLED AWAY FROM THE TRUCK AND CURLED UP CAUSING THE GLASS TO BLOW INTO THE TRUCK. A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE HATCH (WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON MANY OF THIS YEAR MODEL) HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND I HAVE EMAILED FORD MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR FEAR OF WATER GETTING IN BEHIND THE PANEL. MY BELIEF IS THAT WATER DID GET BEHIND THE PANEL AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE PLASTIC PANEL TO PULL AWAY AND BLOW IN THE GLASS. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT SITTING IN THE 2ND OR 3RD ROW SEATING OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THAT FLYING GLASS. *TR

FUEL SPILL BECAUSE DEFECTIVE FILLING HOSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A RATTLING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FOUR LUG NUTS WERE DETACHED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND TWO OF THE RIM SPOKES WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE CAR IS IN PARKING CONDITION AT WORK AND AFTER A LONG AWHILE IT WOULD NOT START EVEN THE FULL BATTERY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE LOTS OF CHECKS FOR ALL COMPONENT LIKE RELAYS, FUSES AND WIRING CONNECTION THEY ARE ALL FINE, IN GOOD CONDITION. BUT FINDING OUT THE STARTER RELAY HAD NO POWER, NO CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH IT. I BELIEF THAT THE FAULTY IS ( PCM UNIT ) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT BLOCKED A CURRENT FROM THE STARTER RELAY. *TR

THE BACK HATCH HAS SPLIT NEXT TO THE FORD SIGN. IT GOT COLD AND WHEN I GOT UP TO CRANK MY TRUCK I SAW IT.IT WAS NOT HIT AND WAS IN THE SHED WHEN THIS HAPPEN. I WAS TOLD IT HAD A RECALL FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER. WE ALSO HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED.FORD REALLY NEED TO FIX THIS .I CAN SAY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *JS

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS NEAR THE REAR WIPER CRACKS. THE FIRST TIME WE PAID TO HAVE THE PANEL REPLACED. BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WOULD COME LOOSE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LESS THAN 18 MONTHS AND THE CRACKS HAVE REAPPEARED ONLY NOW THERE ARE TWO CRACKS IN THE SAME LOCATION. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS SAME CRACK. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN AS WELL. CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSES THE REAR GLASS TO FALL OUT CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS NO CRASH NOR INDICATION OF DAMAGE FROM OUTSIDE SOURCE. I BELIEVE THE CRACKED FORMED BECAUSE OF THE EXPANSION OF WATER WHICH SEEPED IN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I SEE THE CRACK ON EVERY EXPLORER ON THE ROAD WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF MINE. I NEED TO GET A RECALL IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NOT CAUSED BY ME AND WHICH EVERYONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THIS MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT. FIRST ONE FAILED AT 90,000 3 YEARS AGO. THIS WAS A REBUILD FORD TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. IT FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE AS IT WAS NOT A MOVABLE CAR AND STRANDED ON SIDE OF BUSY ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, THE REAR SPRINGS, THE THREE PASSENGER GEAR CALIPERS, FOUR REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS, THE BATTERY, FIVE REAR BRAKE PADS, AND SIX REAR ROTORS PLUS AN OIL CHANGE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,817.

I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD JUST REV. THE CARS BEHIND ME STARTED HONKING. I PUT IT IN THE LOWER GEARS AND FINALLY STARTED MOVING FORWARD AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE LOWER GEARS THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN TRAFFIC, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO 3 AND IT STARTED MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR WILL JUST SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND STOP MOVING FORWARD. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,200, THIS IS AFTER I JUST HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO AT A COST OF $1,800. FORD NEED TO DO A RECALL IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

CAR STARTS BUT WILL GO FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED IN REVERSE. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON, BUT WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR BACK IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT STALLED OUT. HAD IT TOWED AND THEN IT WAS FINE AFTER THAT. NOW ITS ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, NOW MY ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT POPS UP AND CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF AT 65MPH. THEN IT JERKS A COUPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND CAME BACK WITH 14 CODES MAINLY FOR TRANSMISSION.

MY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE IS 100% FACTORY SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING HAS VANISHED. I CHECKED ALL THE BELTS MADE SURE EVERYTHING IS RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE CORRECT PLACE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEEMS TO BE PUMPING BUT NOT WORKING. *TR

WHEN I SHIFT INTO REVERSE IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT GEAR AND WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO GEAR IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION FELL ON THE GROUND . THERE'S A BIG JOLT RIGHT BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO REVERSE. *TR

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, ITS NOT WANTING TO RUN. THEN WHEN I START TO PULL OUT IT STALLS. I MEAN, U PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND IT TAKES MAYBE FOUR SECONDS BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENS, THEN THE TIRES SPIN IT JERKS FORWARD AND MY KIDS SCREAM. IT JERKS U BACK IN THE SEAT. OK, WE'RE ON THE ROAD, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS GOING TO RUN. ONE MINUTE ITS ACTING LIKE ITS GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. THE NEXTS ITS LIKE IT ISN'T. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I CALL THE GUY WHO WORKS ON CARS, HE USE TO BE A HEAD MECHANIC FOR HAS HIS OWN SHOP NOW, HE AUTOMATICALLY TELLS ME ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAYS IF I CANT FIND A USED ONE, U WONT LIKE BUYIN A NEW ONE. AN THE BAD THING IS U HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ABOUT EVERY 120000 MILES. NOW ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE AUTO PARTS STORE SAYS ABOUT $725 WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PART, WHAT ABOUT THE LABOR??? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD A THIRD ROW SEAT. I HAVE THREE KIDS. I NEED IT TO BE SAFE, NOT A DEATH TRAP. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM, FIX IT!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STUDS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,884.

WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP, THE TRUCK CUTS OFF. EVEN WHILE IN MID TURN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE TWO ALUMINUM HINGES FRACTURED CAUSING THE LIFT GATE TO FALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE TWO PLASTIC HINGES ATTACHED TO THE WINDOW FRACTURED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL AND SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,500.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE JUST STALLED . WE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I HAD IT TOWED HOME THAT DAY. LATER I FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD COME OFF. *TR

I HAD JUST GOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE REAR OF MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FOLLOWING EXIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREETS TO GET HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. I TURNED A CORNER AND HEARD AND FELT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK FALL. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ALL THE LUGS EXCEPT ONE WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BALL JOINTS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER BALL JOINT BEING REPLACED TWICE NOW. OUR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL THE LUGS AND PULL THE REAR CORNER PANEL BACK OUT BUT THE INCIDENT RUINED THE RIM WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER I ASKED MY SON TO CHECK THE LUGS ON THE TIRE AND 2 WERE LOOSE AGAIN. *TR

SUN VISOR BRACKET CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED LEAVING SUN VISOR BLOCKING MY VIEW. HAD TO PULL OVER AND DISCONNECT THE WIRE AND REMOVE VISOR. 2ND INCIDENT, PRESSED BUTTON TO OPEN REAR GLASS AND THE HINGES SNAPPED EJECTING THE HEAVY GLASS PANEL AT ME. HAD A CHILD BEEN OPENING IT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AS IT WAS, I CAUGHT THE GLASS PANEL.

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE LOT. I USED THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE BACK LATCH TO STORE MY GROCERIES. IT DID NOT OPEN. I TRIED AGAIN. SUDDENLY THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED AND THE BACK HATCH CAME OFF IT HINGES. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. I FOUND MANY STORIES ONLINE THAT SAID THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER 2004 EXPLORERS AND FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING WITH THE COMPLAINTS. THIS EPISODE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS HAD IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN HIT BY THE FLYING GLASS DEBRIS.

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 25 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SINCE I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM MY PARKING LOT I CONTINUED DIRECTLY INTO THE PARKING LOT (ONLY MINOR TURNS WERE NECESSARY). UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE CAR LEFT TO PARK IN MY SPOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE ENTIRE HUB (AND CAR FRONT END) ACTUALLY LANDED INSIDE THE WHEEL (THUS MINIMIZING SECONDARY DAMAGE). UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND 2 LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STUDS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION OF THE HUB SHOWED THAT 4 OF THE 5 STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF FLUSH WITH THE HUB (THERE WAS ONE STUD REMAINING ON THE HUB). NEXT DAY, I REPLACED THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED THE TORQUES ON THE OTHER 3 WHEELS. I HAD TO HAVE A BODY SHOP REPLACE THE FRONT FENDER (IT WAS JAMMED UP AND BACK INTO THE HOOD AND PASSENGER DOOR). I STILL HAVE THE OLD HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR

DRIVER #1(ME) WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON STATESVILLE RD. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT SHE WAS INITIALLY A FEW CAR LENGTHS BEHIND VEHICLE #2. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT VEHICLE #2 MADE A SUDDEN STOP. DRIVER #1 STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND STRUCK VEHICLE #2 IN THE REAR. DRIVER #2 STATED THAT HE STOPPED TO TURN INTO CENTER AND WAS REAR ENDED BY VEHICLE #1. WITNESSES, STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE HONDA (VEHICLE #2) APPEARED TO HAVE OVER SHOT HIS TURN, AND SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PVA. *TR

UPON OPENING THE REAR GLASS HATCH, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HINGE BROKE WHEN FULLY OPEN AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN, HITTING ME IN THE HEAD. THE PANEL BELOW ON THIS SAME WINDOW TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD LOGO PLATE HAD ALSO CRACKED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW LATCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE FACING THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF AND NEARLY CAUSED THE RIGHT SIDE TO ALSO BREAK. I AM UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FOR THE WINDOW FAILED OR THE LATCH JUST BROKE. *TR

WHILE OPENING THE SMALLER WINDOW IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, THE WINDOW STARTED TO FALL. LUCKILY THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE TO CATCH IT. I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE WAS BROKEN. WE USUALLY TAKE OUR INFANT AROUND TO THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE WE LOAD THINGS. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD ALREADY BUCKLED HER IN. HAD THE GLASS FALLEN OR WE NOT PAID ATTENTION , IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR US. *TR

DAUGHTER DRIVING VEHICLE, RIGHT WHEEL BEARING CEASED, CAUSING REAR END OF VEHICLE TO FISH TAIL, HAD TO DRIVE HOME ON BACK ROAD (NOT HIGHWAY) AS THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED. CAR WAS SMOKING SO BAD, COULD NOT BE PLACED INTO GARAGE AS IT WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE. HAD TO BE TOWED, DAMAGED FROM BEARING TO REAR AXEL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE/CABLES. IF SHE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHAT WILL IT TAKE? ANYONE HEARD OF ANY CLASS ACTIONS TO MAKE FORD STEP UP TO BAT AND RECALL THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES? *TR

I WENT TO OPEN SMALL WINDOW TYPE REAR GATE AND THE LEFT HINGE BROKE. I CAUGHT THE GATE BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND AND HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOW TO GET CAR HOME SAFELY.

DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WAS OUT IN INTERSECTION AND IT JUST TOOK OFF SPEEDING SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND I SHUT IT OFF. STARTED IT BACK UP AND LIKE LOST ALL POWER NO CONTROL OF FOOT FEET EXPLORER STARTED SHAKING AND DIED TRIED TO START NO SUCCESS. TOWED IT HOME HAD MECHANIC PUT IT ON COMPUTER AND GOT P2111 FORD -THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM STUCK OPEN. AND I CHANGED THE TPS AND NO LUCK CHANGED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY NO LUCK STILL WON'T START. WAS DOING RESEARCH AND SEVERAL FORDS HAVE BEEN HAVING SAME PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN. # WASN'T ON THE LIST. IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM THAT I AM HAVING WHY CAN'T HE HELP ME TOO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOME OVER THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN TO FORD WITH A REDUCED AMOUNT TO THE TRADE IN ALLOWANCE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 08/12/2014 *JS

OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS.. CODED PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID. PUT ONE IN AND IT STILL HAS THE LIGHT BLINKING AND RUNS LIKE CRAP..

REAR GLASS LIFT GATE: CRACKS APPEARED IN THE REAR HATCH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR FORD LOGO.( I NOW NOTICE MANY FORD EXPLORERS WITH SAME CRACKS). TOP RIGHT GLASS HINGE TWISTED SIGNIFICANTLY AND TOP LEFT GLASS HINGE TWISTED SLIGHTLY. THE FASTENING BOLTS FOR BOTH GLASS HINGES ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS RESULTED IN THE REAR GLASS WINDOW SHIFTING, APPARENTLY CAUSING THE CRACKS IN THE TAIL GATE. I CONTACTED SUNSHINE FORD'S SERVICE DEPT. IN NEWBURGH, NY AND WAS TOLD FORD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING/REPLACING THIS DEFECT. THEY CHOSE THEIR WORDS CAREFULLY. THEY EMPHASIZED THAT "MY MODEL YEAR" WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. I ASKED IF "ANY" EXPLORERS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THEY WOULD NOT SAY; BUT INSTEAD REPEATED,"MY MODEL YEAR" WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. NHTSA HAS ALREADY RECEIVED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF INJURIES FROM OWNERS WHOSE LIFT GATE GLASS BROKE OFF ITS MOUNTING HINGE WHILE OPEN, AND CAUSED HEAD INJURIES. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A REAR LIFT GLASS PANEL DETACHES FROM AN EXPLORER IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. THAT COULD EASILY LEAD TO A MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE FATALITIES. I CHECKED AND FORD HAD A SIMILAR PART RECALL FOR 2002 & 2003 EXPLORERS. FORD CHANGED THE PART THEN AND HAS NOT MET THE # OF COMPLAINTS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL 2004 AND UP EXPLORERS. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK MANY EXPLORER OWNERS CHECK WITH THE DEALER AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS/IS A RECALL AND GIVE UP UPON HEARING NO. WE NEED TO GET ANYONE WE KNOW WITH THIS PROBLEM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME INNOCENT PERSON DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS "KNOWN" DEFECT! AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR WHICH FORD IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST. *TR

STOPPING AT RED LIGHT STEPPING ON BRAKE VEHICLE SPEED UP INSTEAD OF STOPPING. CAUSING ME TO SIDE SWIPE FOUR VEHICLES AND GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT PROPERLY SPECIFY WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING INTERSTATE 64 GETTING OFF THE EXIST GOING AROUND THE RAMP AND A KNOCKING NOISE STARTED AS I ROUNDED THE CURB, THEN OIL PRESSURE DROPPED, MY POWER WAS GONE AND, I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE RAMP, BUT LUCKILY THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST THE CURB TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. UPON HAVING IT CHECKED OUT BY A LOCAL MECHANIC HE SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGINE AND OIL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED? AS A SINGLE MOTHER I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS, AND FROM OTHERS COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE SEEN IT MAKES ME WONDER IF ITS WORTH THE TROUBLE TO FIND ANOTHER ENGINE AND WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN. I THOUGHT HAD FOUND A GOOD VEHICLE THAT ONLY LASTED A FEW MONTHS...FEELING IRRITATED...GET IT TOGETHER FORD BECAUSE THIS 2004 EXPLORER IS TROUBLE!! WAS THIS JUST A TEST DUMMY MODEL TO SEE WHAT PROBLEMS WOULD COME OF IT??? WE WANT AND NEED ANSWERS TO THESE PROBLEMS. WE'RE SPENDING SO MUCH HARD EARNED MONEY ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS MORE PROBLEMS THAT KEEPS HAPPENING OFTEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED WITHOUT ACCESSING THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ...UPDATED 04-10-14 *BF UPDATED 04/22/14

WHILE PARKED, I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRUCK IN REVERSE. HOWEVER, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT REVERSE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. HE STATED THAT THE FORDS WERE "WELL KNOWN" FOR HAVING BAD TRANSMISSION DUE TO CERTAIN PIECES NOT FITTING, ESPECIALLY THE 2002-2006 MODELS. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND REALIZED THIS PROBLEM IS A LOT BIGGER THAN JUST "A FEW" CASES. THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC OF NEGLECT! ADDITIONAL ISSUES INCLUDE THE THROTTLE BODY FOR WHICH YOUR ESTABLISHMENT HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED BUT LIMITED THE "RECALL" FOR YEARS 2009-2013. THIS SHOULD BE EXTENDED FURTHER TO COVER ALL INCIDENTS WITHIN A CERTAIN MILEAGE. MINE STARTED AROUND FIFTY THOUSAND MILES UNTIL I HAD IT REPLACED FOR $650! I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION ON THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, SPECIFICALLY WITH THE INABILITY TO REVERSE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE PLASTIC CRACKED THROUGH FORD LOGO WITH NO CONTACT. THIRD ROW SEATBELT STUCK AND HARD TO RELEASE.

WHILE DRIVING MY EXPLORER DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WITH OUT MUCH WARNING WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WENT FROM DRIVABLE TO NOT MOVING WITHIN ONE DAY. IT STARTED WITH A HARD SHIFT AND ACCELERATION BEING DELAYED WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN. THEN THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHIN TEN MILES OF MY HOME LEAVING US STRANDED IN THE DEAD OF WINTER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH VERY LITTLE ROOM TO PULL OVER SO WE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE, THE HYDRAULIC ARM FAILED AND THE GLASS OF THE LIFT GATE STRUCK A PASSENGER IN THE HEAD. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A LACERATION TO THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

WHEN ACCELERATING THE SUV SHAKES, IT HAS A HARD TIME SOMETIMES GOING FROM ONE GEAR INTO ANOTHER. I STARTED THE TRUCK TODAY AND IT MADE A THUMPING SOUND. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING ON IT AND I TAKE CARE OF IT. I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING THE TRUCK TO GO INTO GEAR TO GO IN REVERSE. *TR

CRACK IN REAR HATCH BELOW REAR WINDOW. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT FOR WHICH FORD IS NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. FORD SHOULD FIX PROBLEM AT NO COST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,846.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW OF THE TAILGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,627. ..UPDATED 03/25/14 *BF