2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

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

GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR TRUCK SLIP OUT OF GEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE WINDOWS WERE ABLE TO BE OPENED WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 05/29/13 *BF

THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH ITS FORD EXPLORERS PRODUCED 2002-2008. THE BACK DOOR PANEL CRACKS ALL THE WAY THROUGH JUST UNDER THE WINDOW. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND MANY DOCUMENTED WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODE. THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN ONLY TO ALARM THE DRIVER AND CAUSE A MAJOR FREEWAY ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT MOVING TO GET THE FORD COMPANY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. BUT THEY ARE WAITING FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVELY LONG FRACTURE IN THE REAR LIFTGATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM BELOW THE REARVIEW WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE SUN VISOR BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TR

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN BACK UP TURNING THE WHEEL IT JERKS AND MAKES A BANGING NOISE. GARAGE SAID IT BE $3500 TO FIX IT. IT SEEMS LIKE TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SUV ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GEAR LEVER WOULD NOT SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,456.

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT SHUT OFF, EXCEPT TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET ME STOPPED. ONCE STOPPED, I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT STARTED UP FIRST TRY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SAME THING HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASES. USUALLY HAPPENS WHILE BRAKING OR TURNING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 30MPH, THEN ENGINE JUST STALLS AND EVERYTHING TURNS OFF. THIS TO ME IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, BECAUSE WITHOUT TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE LIGHTING AT NIGHT, IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND INVESTIGATING THIS FURTHER SO WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO BE SAFE. THANKS! *TR

LIFTGATE HAS A CRACK AND THE HINGE TO THE LIFTGATE BROKE DUE TO CRACK. IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE DUE TO POSSIBLE FALLING WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AROUND A CURVE AND OVER A POTHOLE, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN JERKING AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER FIVE TIMES WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE CONTACT WAS A REAR PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER'S PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HEAD WAS THROWN THROUGH THE WINDOW AND STUCK THE GROUND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT AND ONE OTHER PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

BOTH HINGES ON THE REAR HATCH GLASS BROKEN. WINDOW READY TO FALL OUT OF VEHICLE. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ITEM HASN'T BEEN RECALLED AS THERE ARE TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE HINGES.

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS UNDER THE CARPORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW CRACKED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SLACK ADJUSTER ON THE SECOND AXLE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 415,000.

THE REAR WINDOW HINGE PIN (PASSENGER SIDE) HAS CORRODED AND BROKEN ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF OF THE REAR TAIL GATE. I NOTICED THE BROKEN HINGE BEFORE USING THE LIFT GATE WHICH HAS PREVENTED IT FROM FALLING OFF THUS FAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

ON THE BODY THE TAILGATE PANEL KEEPS CRACKING THIS MAKES MY TRUCK LOOK BAD COMPARED TO THE MONEY I PUT INTO IT. MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG IT IS NOT SHIFTING GEAR RIGHT. ON THE ELECTRICAL TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND IT ALSO KEEPS LEAKING WATER FROM SOMEWHERE. FORD NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS FOR SELLING THESE PIECES OF JUNK. IT MAKES NO SENSE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE HATCHBACK HINGE WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (RECASTRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW PANEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

THERE IS A CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD ISIGNIA ON THE REAR LIFT TAIL GATE. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR PANEL JUST BELOW THE REAR WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT PANEL. THE PANEL IS THE TOP HALF OF THE LIFT GATE WHERE THE GATE OPENS TO ENTER ITEMS WITHOUT OPENING THE ENTIRE TAIL GATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS THAT THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR WINDOW TO BLOW OUT BECAUSE THE PANEL IS NO LONGER SECURE DUE TO THE CRACK. OBI# 10487645 *TR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. OPERATOR OPENED REAR HATCH GLASS, AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT HINGE SEPARATED. THIS CAUSED THE GLASS TO SLAM DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THE OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID INJURY. THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK, BUT THE STRUTS ARE BENT. BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HINGES APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE REAR HATCH IS NOT USABLE UNTIL THE HINGES AND STRUTS ARE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE IN THE PARKING LOT THE GEAR SHIFT COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AND THE CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. THE KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND CALL FOR HELP ON MY CELL PHONE. WHEN HELP ARRIVED AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS THEY WERE ABLE TO MANUEVER WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE GEAR SHIFT ENOUGH TO PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED [XXX], HE PRECEDED TO TELL ME THAT FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND THAT HE COULDN'T HELP ME. HE SAID THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PART. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT ON FORDS AND ADVISED [XXX] AND AGAIN HE SAID FORD HAS NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM RELIEVED THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND IT DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AFTER A DAY OF SHOPPING I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED MY SUV. I WENT TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WHEN THE LEFT SIDE CAME APART FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED ON TOP OF ME. FORTUNATELY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO STAY INTACT WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RUN TO MY AID TO LIFT THE DOOR UP. I AM FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT AND MY THREE YEAR OLD SON WAS STANDING BY MY SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE FORD CORPORATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY CONTINUE NOT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE AT HAND; WHILE LEAVING VEHICLE OWNERS HELPLESS WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS. I READ THAT THIS WAS A GOOD AVENUE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE SINCE FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND WONDER IF MY HUSBAND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN SHOUTING DISTANCE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPEN TO MY SON, UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF!!!!! *TR

THE REAR PANEL CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON US23 AT BRIGHTON MI THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FRACTURE OF THE 5 WHEEL LUGS. ACCORDING TO THE MSP THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE BECAUSE OF METAL FATIGUE CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER USE OF IMPACT AND NOT TORQUE WRENCHES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED. THE PROBLEM IS BEING IGNORED BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS, AND I HAVE FOUND PUBLICATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER. THERE ARE LIKELY MILLIONS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES IN SERVICE, AND THE WHEEL LOSS WOULD PRODUCE RESULTS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS FORD/FIRESTONE TIRE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LUG NUTS HAD LOOSENED AND THE TIRE WAS ONLY BEING HELD IN PLACE BY ONE LUG NUT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BUT IN THIS OCCASION THE TIRE DETACHED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, STUDS, LOG NUTS, ROTORS, AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW FELL ON MY WIFE. THE HINGES ARE MADE OF A WHITE TYPE OF METAL THAT HAS CORRODED AND SHEARED OFF. THE PINS INSIDE APPARENTLY BROKE AND IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE FALLING OFF, IT JUST CAME OFF. THE WINDOW HIT MY WIFE IN THE ARM AND LEG. WE WERE LUCKY IT WASN'T ONE OF OUR KIDS CLOSING THE GATE AT THE TIME OR THAT THEY WEREN'T INSIDE WHEN IT HAPPENED OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF POST OF INJURIES INCURRED FROM THIS. FORD RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART AND YET THE 2004 WAS NEVER INCLUDED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. A PART OVER TIME SHOULDN'T BREAK OFF AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND THE REAR TIRES TO DRAG. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO SPEED AS HE MERGED INTO A REST AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

REAR HATCH WINDOW HINGE (LEFT SIDE) BROKE AND RELEASED THE GLASS WHILE DRIVING. WINDOW FELL TO ONE SIDE. I HAD TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY STOP. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROP WINDOW TO A SAFE POSITION AND LOCK DOWN. IT MUST REMAIN LOCKED DOWN UNTIL I CAN FIX IT. *TR

STARTED DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A TURN I FELT A GRAB. THOUGHT I MIGHT BE IMAGING THINGS BUT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE NEXT INTERSECTION TURN THIS TIME CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MAKE A WHEEL CORRECTION. ON THE THIRD TURN IT WAS MARKEDLY WORSE AND A GRUNCH SOUND ACCOMPANIED IT AND IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE TURN. AND THEN NEXT FEW TURNS MARKEDLY WORSE AGAIN TO THE POINT I AM CONSIDERING PULLING OVER AND GETTING A TOW AS NOW IT IS DANGEROUS. I FIGURED OUT THAT IT WAS MOSTLY STRAIGHT DRIVING TO THE MECHANIC GARAGE AND THREE TURNS SO I DROVE CAUTIOUSLY. A VERY DIFFICULT DRIVE MAKING TURNS AND I COULD BARELY TURN INTO THE GARAGE DRIVE AS THE STEERING BARELY WORKED AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY VERY LOUD GRUNCHING. IT WAS A QUICK FIX AS A BOLT IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD COME OUT. HAD THIS HAPPENING ON A HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION TO NAVIGATE OFF THE HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES. *TR

TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SLIP AND ENGINE REVS ALSO WHEN PUT IN REVERSE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO JUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

4 YEARS AGO THE PLASTIC NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM CRACKED RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM ON MY BACK HATCH. I LOOKED INTO IT AND THERE WAS 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT I HAD AT AN AVERAGE COST OF ONLY $800. THEN TONIGHT MY WIFE GOT SOME CHAIRS OUT OF THE REAR HATCH THEN WHEN CLOSING IT THE REAR GLASS FALLS OUT OF THE EXPLORER BECAUSE " THE ALUMINUM REAR HATCH HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE" WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE COST OF $300. MIND YOU THE LITTLE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW HINGE ON IS ONLY THE SIZE OF AN ERASER HEAD, BOTH OF THE REAR HATCH DEFECTS ARE NOT UNDER ANY RECALL YET MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND OR POSTED VIA THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO FAMILIES AS IT SHOULD BE TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY " WHICH SEEMS NOT TO CARE " AND ALSO TO THE NHTSA AS IT COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS WAS TO HAVE HAPPENED TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGH WAY AT 70 MPH. *TR

WHEN CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW HATCH, THE LEFT HINGE THAT HOLDS THE GLASS COMPLETELY LET GO OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATLEY MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONE CLOSING IT AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT BROKE THE OTHER HINGE AND PULLED THE GLASS OFF COMPLETELY. THE RIGHT HINGE WAS ALSO BENT, AS THE WINDOW WILL NOW NOT SIT LEVEL TO BE PUT BACK INTO PLACE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS THERE IS A LARGE HAZARD OF TH WINDOW FALLING. WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN STANDING UNDERNEATH AS USUAL, OR HE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THE WINDOW AND IT BROKE AND SEN "EXPLODING" GLASS PIECES EVERYWHERE. I SEE THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WIDESPEAD ISSUE WHEN LOOKING THROUGH COMPLAINTS. ALSO, THE TAILGATE IN MY EXPLORER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME MYSTERIOUS CRACK THAT SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE HAD. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE, THEN IT WAS CRACKED. COULD THESE ISSUES BE SOMEHOW RELEATED? OR IS THE ENTIRE HATCH JUST FULL OF FLAWS. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY 0F 2011, AND TRADED IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE OF 5 YEARS. I ALSO PURCHASED THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. BEFORE DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT I HAD THE DEALER FIX THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A CRACK GOING DOWN THE BACK OF THE TRUNK BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG AT THE TIME SO I LEFT THE CRACK ALONE. IN APRIL OF 2012 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BELT, CHECK TRANS, SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS, AND A TICKING IN THE HEATER WHEN KNOB WAS TURNED TO HEAT (NOT COOL). I TOLD HIM TO JUST FIX WHAT WAS ON THE WARRANTY AND ALSO GIVE IT A OIL CHANGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANS WAS FINE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK MY HEAT WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT MY BRAKES, ROTTERS, EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS AND THE BACK TIRES WERE SHOT. SO I HAD HIM REPLACED THEM BECAUSE THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. JUST LAST WEEK MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WITH MILES OVER 65.(NO LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE TIME)SO I TOOK IT TO 6 DIFFERENT PLACES GETTING ESTIMATES ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG. ALL SHOPS SAID THE SAME THING. "START WITH FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTERS AND OIL CHANGE". THE DAY AFTER I PAID FOR ALL THIS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. (EGR VALVE CODE) THE MAN AT AUTO ZONE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT WITH SPRAY AND LET IT DRY BEFORE REPLACING. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND HAD THEM DO THIS. THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, O/D LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE I WAS HAULING A BUS AND JUMPING. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND HE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE NEW SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS SHOWING UP. LATER THAT DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MILES THIS WAS FRIDAY 9/21/12. *TR

THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR. THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VISOR THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE ON THE CEILING HAS BROKEN OFF. WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD THE VISOR FALLS DOWN AND BLOCKS YOUR VIEW TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I DON'T WANT TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM ASKING FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED. THANKS *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKED IT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN SO IT WENT INTO HIGH RPMS THEN THE TRANSMISSION GRABBED AND SHOT THE VEHICLE FORWARD AND I LOST CONTROL AND WE SPUN IN CIRCLES OFF THE FREEWAY. HAD IT NOT OF RAINED ALL DAY THE SUV WOULD HAVE FLIPPED. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID AND IT MUST BE REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP OR GARAGE ONLY AND I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR AND I SEE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THESE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE VEHICLES AND ME MY CHILD OR MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY HURT IF NOT KILLED HAD THIS BEEN ON DRY PAVEMENT!!! *TR

I HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER BLEND DOOR REPLACED ON MY FORD EXPLORER. THE COST WAS OVER $1000.00. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REMOVED. I KNOW THAT A TSB WAS ISSUED BY FORD ON THIS PROBLEM,MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS NOT ONLY COSTLY TO REPAIR,BUT IN MY OPINION CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE HEATER FUNCTION. THIS CAN LEAD TO A POOR OR NON VISIBILITY SITUATION AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM.PLEASE CONTACT FORD ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE. THE BLEND DOOR IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND THE BLOWERS AIR PRESSURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

AFTER COASTING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN CLUNKS AS I ACCELERATE

FILLED UP THE TANK AND IT REGISTERED NO FUEL, BAD FUEL SENSOR. *TR

I LEFT WORK ON FRIDAY WHEN SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE NOTICED I HAD A HESITATION/SLIPPAGE OF GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I PICKED UP MY CHILDREN WENT TO THE STORE NOTICED A MILD BURNT SMELL WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID BURNING SO I WAS TOLD TO PARK THE CAR. I FINISHED MY SHOPPING CAME OUT GOT THE KIDS IN THEIR SEATS STARTED TO BACK UP AND HAD NO TRANSMISSION. MY KIDS AND I WERE STRANDED 8 MILES FROM HOME BECAUSE WE HAD NO FAIR WARNING THAT IT WAS GOING. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT BEFORE. THE GUY I BOUGHT IT FROM HAD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 2 YEARS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND GET THINGS LIKE THIS FIXED. MY KIDS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAS THAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY HOME INSTEAD OF IN A PARKING LOT. *TR

OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER - MY SON OPENED THE LIFTGATE AND THE RIGHT HINGE SNAPPED LEAVING THE WINDOW DANGLING IN MY 10 YR OLDS FACE. AFTER MUCH READING ONLINE, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY FORD OWNERS. THE RUSTED OUT PLASTIC PIECES ARE SNAPPING OFF AND ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL FROM THE HINGE. I WAS ABLE TO RUSH TO THE BACK OF THE CAR TO GRAB THE GLASS BEFORE IT FELL. MY ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE IS SORE FROM TRYING TO HOLD THE GLASS AND TRYING TO SHUT THE WINDOW LIFT GATE SO I COULD GET THE CAR HOME. WITH ONE ADULT AND THREE KIDS, I WAS STUCK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW & WHAT TO DO WITH THIS WINDOW DANGLING. WE ARE SHOCKED THAT FORD HAS YET TO RECALL THE 2004 MODELS BUT HAS RECALLED PREVIOUS YEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PROBLEM & IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET VERY HURT. THE HINGES & STRUTS NEED TO BE RECALLED ON THIS MODEL. *TR

THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS IS FALLING OFF. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN AUGUST 2012. THE HINGE SEEMED TO BE IN TACT THEN BUT HAS SLOWLY BEEN CORRODING AND FALLING OFF. THE GLASS MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE WHEN I DRIVE OVER POT HOLES, BUMPS, ETC. I DO NOT USE THE GLASS IN FEAR IT WILL FALL ON ME. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS "REAR LIFTGATE AJAR" ONLY TO FIND THAT SOMEHOW THE GLASS LIFTGATE IS NOT LATCHED. NOBODY USES IT SO UNSURE IF THE CORROSION AND BROKEN HINGE IS CAUSING THE GLASS TO AJAR FROM THE LATCH. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE, AS IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OTHER 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT RECALLED AND THE PART IS $50/PIECE. THE LEFT HINGE IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME AS WELL. I AM SCARED THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE RIGHT HINGE ON THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE IS CORRODED AND AS A RESULT IS HALF BROKEN OFF. THE WINDOW RATTLES DUE TO IT BEING LOOSE. THE LEFT HINGE IS NOW STARTING TO DO THE EXACT SAME THING. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER WILL INDICATE 'REAR LIFTGATE AJAR' AND IT IS THE WINDOW HATCH THAT IS AJAR. I FEEL THIS ISSUE W/THE HINGE WILL AJAR FROM THE LATCH. I CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS WAS A RECALL AND HE STATED NOT ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE AFTER GIVING HIM MY VIN. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I REFRAIN USE OF THE WINDOW IN THE FEAR IT WILL FALL ON ME. NOW MY FEAR IS THE WINDOW WILL FALL COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING.

FIRST ISSUE WAS WITH THE SOLENOIDS NOW THE ISSUE IS WITH 1-2 SHIFT RATIO. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. *TR

2000-2005 EXPLORERS HAVE A RATE OF 1 OUT OF 10 HAVING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL OR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS VEHICLES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND FAILURES. I WOULD LIKE ANY INFORMATION POSSIBLE TO FURTHER THIS. THERE WAS MENTION ON FORD COMPLAINTS AND FAILURES WEBSITE FOR OUT OF WARRANTY EXPLORERS A "GOODWILL REPAIR"? I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY AND SAID MY VEHICLE DID NOT FIT THE CRITERIA. YET WHEN I ASKED FOR THE GUIDELINES TO BE SENT OR EMAILED TO ME, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE...I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH MY DAUGHTERS DISABILITY MONEY SO THAT SHE WOULD HAVE A SAFE RIDE TO DR'S ETC. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER THE GEARS WENT TOTALLY OUT WHILE DRIVING. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TOOK 4 HOURS UP UNTIL 4AM. LENGTHY WAIT FOR ANYONE LET ALONE A DISABLED CHILD. NOW MY DAUGHTER AND I AS A SINGLE MOTHER CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE. OR THE REPAIRS FOR FORDS MISTAKES. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR MISTAKES AND FIX THEM ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS OR SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT THEIR FOOT UP THEIR TAILPIPE AND SUE THE COMPANY. ANY HELP SUGGESTIONS OR OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH THIS MATTER WOULD BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU ..[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT AT 74,000 MILES. *TR

UPON OPENING THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE HINGES COMPLETELY GAVE OUT AND THE LIFT GATE FELL AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AND HOLD IT, AS MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS STANDING BENEATH IN ORDER TO HAND ME HIS BEACH TOYS, AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I HAD TO HOLD THE (VERY HEAVY) LIFT GATE UNTIL A MECHANIC ARRIVED TO DETACH ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND PLACED THE LIFT GATE INSIDE THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I THEN HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO LIFT GATE WHILE EXHAUST FUMES FILLED THE TRUCK. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE TAILGATE CRACKED, WHICH I SEE IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BACK PANEL DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CRACKS, WHICH CAUSED THE LIFTGATE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME VERY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.