NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW, WENT TO GARAGE AND FOUND THIS, CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU. *TR
EVERY SINCE WE'VE FINANCED THIS LOUSY SUV 08/2012 WE'VE HAD A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE REAR AND STILL CANT FIGURED OUT WHAT THAT IS,BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD,WE HAVE REPLACE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND ABS SENSOR JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THE BEARING IS BAD AGAIN AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HAS A BAD BALL JOINT AND THE VISIBILITY THRU WINDSHIELD IS HORRIBLE,ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING, CNA ONLY SEE A FEW INCHES AHEAD!!! THIS CAR NEEDS SERIOUS RECALLS THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING IN LESS THEN A YR!!! AND WE BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 68,506 MILES!! WE ALREADY SPEND OVER A GRAND FOR A FUEL PUMP!!! THIS CAR SUCKS!!! PLZ HELP WE STILL OWE THOUSANDS AND EVERYTIME WE BLINK AN EYE IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF WHEEL PROBLEMS!!!! *TR
MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GROCERY STORE. I OPENED THE REAR HATCH TO LOAD MY GROCERIES. AS I REACHED UP TO CLOSE THE HATCH THE RIGHT SIDE OF IT COLLAPSED AND FELL RIGHT ON MY HEAD LEAVING A LARGE LUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH HAD SNAPPED AND THE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH HAS TWISTED THE HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY, I BROKE THE FALL OF THE HATCH OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS AND FRAME WERE RUSTED. AND THE REAR HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/30/14*LJ THE CONSUMERS STATED THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO GEAR. UPDATED 02/25/2015 *JS
PLASTICE PARTS ARE DETERIORATING, DESOLVING IN FRONT INSIDE DRIVE SUN VISOR-LIGHTED VISOR BROKE OFF; CENTERL REAR A/C AND HEAT MOON ROOF LIGHT CONSOLE FALLS OFF-PLASTICE CLIPS DESOLVED AND WILL NOT FASTEN INTO ROOF ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BLOCKED EYESIGHT AND AT TIME ON RIGHT TURN HITTING HEAD OR EYES . THIS IS UNSAFE AND FORD MOTOR KNOWS OF COMPLAINST. PART ARE NOT AVAILBLE. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUE. THE MODEL WAS THE EDDIE BAUER TOP OF THE LINE $40,,835 CAR FMV $5000 ONLY 54000 MILES PRI LEVEL CODE 450240U74 SHIP WGT 4357
MY 13 YR OLD WAS LOADING GROCERIES WHILE THE WINDOW WAS POPPED UP IT FELL W/O WARNING SEVERELY HURTING HER HEAD RT BRACKET ON UPPER WINDOW BROKE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED DIRECTLY ON THE LOGO WHERE THE LIFT GATE LOCK WAS LOCATED. THE DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR LIFT GATE TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. *TR
IN WINTER THE BLEND FOR ACTUATOR WENT OUT IN EXPLORER AND LEFT ME WITH NO GREAT SO WHEN I DRIVE I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TRY AND WIPE FROST OFF OF THE INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD IT IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN WINTER AND ALWAYS WIPING WINDOWS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT NIGHT AND AS SOON AS YOU PASS A CAR THE CARS HEADLIGHTS MESS WITH FROST ON WINDOW AND IT IS BLINDING NOT TO MENTION WHEN IT RAINS AND THE WINDOWS STEAM UP AND YOU CAN'T SEE THEN EITHER. *TR
THIS IS A COUNTY GOVT VEHICLE PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAD BEEN HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3-4 HOURS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55-70 MPH. I MADE ONE BRIEF STOP DURING THAT TIME, AND WAS MOSTLY USING CRUISE CONTROL. JUST PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE SPEED LIMIT DROPS FROM 70 TO 55, AND THEN TO 35 IN A RELATIVELY SHORT DISTANCE. I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL COAST TO REDUCE MY SPEED FROM 55 TO 35. THE 35 MPH SPEED STARTS ON A BRIDGE- THERE IS A SMALL INCLINE AND THEN A LITTLE LARGER DECLINE. AT ABOUT THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I LOST STEERING AND COASTED TO A STOP. I DON'T RECALL IF I HAD BRAKING. I WAS WITH A PASSENGER; IT WAS NIGHT, AND THIS OCCURRED IN AN AREA THAT WAS NOT SAFE. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR, AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I DROVE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, SO I FILLED THAT, RESTARTED, AND DROVE THE REMAINING 1 1/2 HRS WITH NO PROBLEMS. OTHER EMPLOYEES CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT 2 1/2 MONTHS LOCALLY-VERY LITTLE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WITH NO ISSUES. ON FEBRUARY 21, I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP IN THIS VEHICLE FROM THE SAME AREA, WITH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AS ABOVE. WHEN I WAS STILL ON THE BRIDGE WHERE THE SPEED DROPS TO 35, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS ALONE. THERE WAS A VEHICLE FOLLOWING VERY CLOSE BEHIND ME BUT FORTUNATELY I CONTINUED TO COAST AS THIS WAS ON THE DECLINE OF THE BRIDGE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER SLIGHTLY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK GAUGES; CHECK ENGINE, AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALL ON. THE CAR RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. I DROVE TO THE SAME GAS STATION; CHECKED THE GAUGES-ALL WERE NORMAL AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. I DROVE THE 1 1/2 HRS REMAINING WITH NO PROBLEMS. ON A WEB SEARCH, I FOUND MULTIPLE CASES OF VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON EXPLORERS WITH NO RESOLUTION. I COULD FIND NO RECALLS ON THE VIN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE LIFT GATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURER'S EMBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
WHEN SETTING CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 35 TO 40 MPH THE ENGINE DIES. THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OUT OF TRAFFIC. TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN IT WILL RESTART AND RUN UNTIL YOU TRY TO SET THE CRUISE AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE LEFT HINGE THAT HELD THE TRUNK WINDOW SNAPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WINDOW WAS HELD BY THE CONTACT WHILE ANOTHER PERSON LATCHED THE WINDOW BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND CALLED FOR A TOW. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE RUBBER HOSE COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD SPRUNG A LEAK, LEADING TO THE COMPLETE LACK OF BRAKING. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC, OR JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER MOVING SITUATION, I WOULD LIKELY HAVE CRASHED, WITH DIRE RESULTS TO ME AND POTENTIALLY TO OTHERS. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SITUATION LIKE THIS IN OVER 30 YEARS OF DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MILLION MILES .VERY DISCONCERTING. VERY DISAPPOINTING. I WOULD LIKE FOR FORD ENGINEERS TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES. *TR
THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HARMONIC BALANCER CAME APART. THE INNER PORTION SEPARATED FROM THE REST. THIS ALLOWS. IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SERPENTINE BELT, AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT IT IN TIME. THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES! THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 FORD 4.0 LITER V6. THIS COULD RESULT IN SOMEBODY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. I WAS REPLACING THE WATER PUMP ON MY VEHICLE WHEN I SAW THIS DEFECT. *TR
THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH OF THEM HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. YET FORD HAS NO RECALL OR EVEN ANYTHING TO FIX THEM EXCEPT $3,000.00 TO A DEALER OUT OF YOU POCKET FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I GUESS SINCE NO ONE HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE GOTTEN INJURED OR DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THEN THERE WON'T BE A RECALL MADE ON IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY FOR THE FORD MOTOR CO. BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKERS THAT SCREW UP, THE CONSUMER ENDS UP FOOTING THE LARGE BILL OF REPAIRING IT. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE EXPLORERS FROM 2000 - 2005 YET NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO ADDRESS IT. FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF PUTTING SUCH FAULTY VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD AND ENDANGERING ANOTHER HUMANS LIFE FOR THEIR PROFIT. THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WILL BUY AND FORD PRODUCT AND I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE I KNOW NOT TO BUY FORD EITHER. I WONDER HOW FORD WOULD LIKE THE MEDIA EXPOSURE FOR THIS ISSUE. NO GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE OR PRODUCT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED RESISTANCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE REAR TRUNK WINDOW AND THE LEFT HINGE BECAME FRACTURED. THE WINDOW FELL ONTO THE CONTACT UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH SAVED THE WINDOW FROM FALLING AND SHATTERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HINGE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,602.
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ON IT'S OWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND ABLE TO GET IT INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY MODULE WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF REPAIR OF $644.00. *TR
JUST BOUGHT A 2004 EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION WITH 105,000 MILES ON IT AS SOON AS I GOT HOME THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. IT LUNGES HARD WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD. THEY REFUSE TO DO A RECALL. I'M SURE SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ITS DEALT WITH. I PRAY IT'S NOT YOU OR YOURS. *TR
MY SUV SHUTS OFF, AT FULL SPEED!!! I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS..... IT IS AN ISSUE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE! IT IS SO COMMON THAT MECHANICS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BEFORE YOU FINISH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S ALSOI COMMON FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPLACE MOTORS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES SHUT OFF ON THEM, AT FULL SPEED!!!. I AM AFRAID FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY, AS WELL AS MY OWN.
THE BACK HATCH WINDOW DOESN'T SEEM TO LINE UP WITH THE LATCH. THE BACK HATCH ALSO CRACKED RIGHT NEAR THE FORD LOGO. I HAVE SEEN MANY OF THE EXPLORERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. ITS TIME FORD FIXES THIS DEFECT. ALSO WHILE DOING AROUND 60-65 MPH MY TIMING CHAINS BROKE, ALL 3 OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME. I COULD UNDERSTAND 1 MAYBE BUT ALL 3 ? THIS TO HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND OPERATED NORMALLY FOR FIVE MILES. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, REACHING SPEEDS OF UP TO 65 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
REAR LIFT GATE HINGES CRACKING AT PIN CAUSING REAR GATE GLASS TO SHIFT DOWN AND TAILGATE NOT TO LATCH CORRECTLY. *TR
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING WITH MY SON WHO IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AT MY SCHOOL ON AUGUST 20, 2013. I WORK AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND IT WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF THE FALL SEMESTER 2013 STARTING. I ARRIVED ABOUT 10:15 A.M. AND COULD NOT FIND PARKING. I FOUND A PARKING STALL IN THE STAFF PARKING LOT. I PUT THE FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE AND WAS GOING BACKWARDS TO PARK IN THE STALL. WHEN I MOVED THE SHIFT GEAR HANDLE TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE INTO THE PARKING STALL, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS JUST BROKE OFF. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I HAD TO ACT QUICKLY AND HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF FROM THE CAR TO MAKE IT STOP. I WAS REALLY SCARED! LUCKILY, I DROPPED OFF MY SON SO HE CAN GO TO HIS FIRST CLASS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO BANNING, CALIFORNIA AND HAVE MY MECHANIC FIX IT. STILL TO THIS DAY, FORD CANNOT PROVIDE A PART TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVEL. FORD SAYS ITS ON BACKORDER, NO ONE HAS THE PART. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN I WILL HAVE THE PART TO FIX MY TRUCK. I NEED HELP, I HOPE YOU CAN ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL 2004 FORD EXPLORERS WITH GEAR SHIFT LEVEL BREAKING OFF. VERY UPSET NEED YOUR HELP TO GET MY TRUCK FIXED. THIS MATTER HAS MADE ME SICK WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER RIGHT AWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING SOME UNRELATED REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND WHEN IT DID, THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE OPERATED IN THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
I OPENED THE LIFT GATE WINDOW TO LOAD GROCERIES WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW SUDDENLY LET GO UP NEAR THE HINGE. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW TO DROP AND THEN THE LEFT HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW TO DROP. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT SO IT DIDN'T BREAK AND EVENTUALLY RELEASE THE SUPPORT STRUTS SO I COULD GET IT INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE FASTENER NEAR THE HINGE WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE WINDOW THE WEIGHT WAS FINALLY TOO MUCH FOR IT SO IT SNAPPED, RELEASING THE WINDOW ON THAT SIDE. FORTUNATELY THIS FASTENER FAILED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON A FREEWAY OR THE WHOLE REAR WINDOW MAY HAVE COME OFF AND POSED A DANGER TO THE CARS BEHIND. FORD HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODELS WHICH USED THE SAME HINGE ASSEMBLY, DON'T KNOW WHY 2004 WAS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
WHEN DRIVING TO WORK I BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE IN THE FRONT END PART OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER LEAVING WORK AND DRIVING LESS THAN 1 MILE THE NOISE GOT LOUD, SO I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP AND FIXED. 1 YEAR AND 1 WEEK LATER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
ON MAY 31ST OF 2013 AT APPROX. 4PM, AFTER REMOVING SOME ITEMS FROM THE BACK OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER VIA THE WINDOW HATCH, I PROCEEDED TO SHUT THE WINDOW AND I HEARD A SNAP FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT SIDE (AS I AM FACING THE VEHICLE)OF THE WINDOW FALL. I WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE WINDOW AND BEGAN TO TRY AND LINE THE WINDOW BACK UP AND CLOSE IT BY SECURING IT TO THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT THE BASE. NOTICING ME STRUGGLE WITH THE WINDOW A GENTLEMAN CAME OVER AND BEGAN TRYING TO HELP ME, ONLY TO FIND THAT THE WINDOW WOULD NOT BUDGE DUE TO THE RIGHT SIDE (AS I AM FACING THE VEHICLE) SHOCK/SUPPORT/STRUT BEING FROZE. WE COULD NOT GET THE SHOCK TO RETRACT WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM CLOSING. WHILE I CONTINUED TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP THE GENTLEMAN WENT TO GET HIS TOOLS TO REMOVE THE SHOCK/SUPPORT/STRUT. WITH THE SHOCK/ SUPPORT/ STRUT REMOVED WE COULD THEN ALIGN THE WINDOW AND CLOSE IT BY LOCKING IT INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM AT THE BASE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE SOCK/SUPPORT/STRUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE FREEZING UP, IT PREVENTED THE WINDOW HATCH FROM CLOSING PROPERLY WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE TO SNAP UNDER THE PRESSURE. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE REAR WINDOW HATCH SINCE AND WILL BE CONTACTING FORD AS TO WHAT THEIR COURSE OF ACTION WILL BE FOR SUCH A FAILURE. ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY 180 DEGREES TO THE SIDE BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE BRAKE HYDRO LOCK SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,902.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE LICENSE PLATE AREA ON THE HATCH BECAME FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE HATCH WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT AND TWO CHILDREN SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SURGE AND WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FLY WHEEL WAS SPINNING BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000.
WHEN OPENING THE REAR HATCH WINDOW, THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE PIN IN THE HINGE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL. THE WINDOW WAS NOT BROKEN HOWEVER A REPAIR HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF THE GLASS FALLING. *TR
WHILE WAS DRIVING ON I-95 I GAVE THE CAR A BOOST OF SPEED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. I NOTICED MY BACK WINDOW BECOME "DIRTY" (COVERED IN COOLANT) AND WHILE THE CAR SEEMED OKAY I MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. WITHOUT A SHOULDER I HAD TO KEEP GOING ANOTHER COUPLE MILES; AFTER A COUPLE MILES I STARTED LOOSING SPEED GRADUALLY. WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE - I WAS FORTUNATE TO MAKE IT TO AN EXIT WHERE UPON IMMEDIATELY THE CAR DIED AS I SLOWED AND WHITE SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PROBLEM WAS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE COOLANT. SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER IT RESULTED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DUE TO DESIGN OF THE ENGINE THIS REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE SEEN THIS THERMOSTAT COMPLAINT NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT IS TIME THAT FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PLASTIC PARTS THAT ARE CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE. THIS PART SHOULD BE ALUMINUM ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. PLEASE CONSIDER RECALL TO REPLACE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING WITH METAL: FORD MUST USE METAL PARTS BECAUSE PLASTIC WARPS IN THE HEAT. THE AFFECTED PARTS ARE THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND IT'S CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE. I HAVE GOOD MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGED REGULARLY, FLUIDS CHECKED AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY. I ALSO DRIVE VERY CONSERVATIVELY AND AM EASY ON MY DRIVING. FORD MUST FIX THIS! BETWEEN THIS ISSUE AND A BOLT IN MY STEERING COLUMN FALLING OUT (CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING) MY CONFIDENCE IN FORD IS DIMINISHED. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS 99 LBS SHE OPENED HATCH AT GAS STATION AND THE WINDOW PORTION OF THE ENTIRE HATCHBACK FELL OFF ALSO THERE IS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC DOWN THE HATCH WHICH I SEE ON EVERY OLD EXPLORER. *TR
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS USED ON 4-19-13 AND HAD NOTICED THE CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. UPON CLOSER LOOK TODAY THERE IS A SECOND CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORIZONTAL PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *TR
THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE INVESTIGATION OF FORD FOR "LIMP MODE". EVERY TIME THAT I USE MY CARS CRUSE CONTROL UNDER 50 MPH THE CAR GOES IN TO LIMP MODE. AFTER I PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR IT RUN NORMALY, *TR
WE WAS DRIVE THE STREET DOING 30 MPH UNTIL WE CAME UNTIL A STOP LIGHT . WHEN THE LIGHT TURN GREEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ACT LIKE IN DIDN'T WONT TO GO INTO GEAR . WHEN ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR IN ONLY PUT ALMOST LESS THEN 9 TO 8 THOUSAND MILE ON IT. WHEN THE CAR FULL SERVICE EVERY TIME... DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANY MORE. *TR
I WAS CLOSING THE UPPER DOOR ON THE BACK OF MY SUV WHEN THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE AND THE DOOR ALMOST DROPPED TO THE GROUND. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE IT BACK UP BUT THE HYDRAULIC SHOCK ON THE DOOR BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE CAR. I CANNOT GET IT BACK INTO THE WINDOW OPENING PROPERLY IT IS OPEN ABOUT AN INCH. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR IN CASE THE WINDOW FALLS OUT. *TR
AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLOWLY ACTING UP; IT VWAS DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO GEAR AND CLUNKS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS GETTING WORSE, AND FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH REPAIRS BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORIZONTAL PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT MY WIFE TURN THE CAR ON TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE AIRBAG POP BY IT SELF SHE HURT HER LEFT ARM AND RIGHT ARM CALLED FORD THE SAME DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO WAIT A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THEY COULD SEND A LETTER TO ME FOR I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER WAITED AND TOOK IT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND PULLED THE RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE AND WAITED FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE MODULE THEY PULLED THEY SEND ME A LETTER SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY AIRBAG POP. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026