2004 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MY VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN PARK EVEN THOUGH I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND CONSOLE INDICATOR DISPLAYED PARK. I HAD SHIFTED INTO PARK ON A STEEP HILL. AS I EXITED THE VEHICLE, I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND ONE OF MY PASSENGERS ALERTED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS. I JUMPED BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE MOTION STOPPED. I VERIFIED THAT PARK WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH IT WAS. I THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO PARK, AND THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED INTO PARK. WITHOUT MY PASSENGERS ALERTING ME TO THE VEHICLE MOTION, MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CRASHED AND POTENTIALLY INJURED THOSE IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER DETERMINING THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, I EXAMINED THE TIRE TRACKS IN THE SNOW TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY CHANCE THAT THE VEHICLE SLID RATHER THAN ROLLED ON THE ROAD. THE TIRE TRACKS SHOWED CLEAR TIRE INDENTATIONS AND DID NOT INDICATE SLIDING, LEADING ME TO DETERMINE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE INTO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE CONSOLE INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK. *TR

HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SUPPORTS_FOR_SUN_VISORS_CRACKED.SHTML THE SUN VISOR CLIP HAS BROKEN AND I AM UNABLE TO USE THE VISOR, IT JUST DANGLES. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE VISOR FOR SUN PROTECTION. I FEEL FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL BECAUSE SO THIS IS HAPPENING IN TOO MANY VEHICLES SO THERE HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WITH NO WARNING OR ABNORMAL INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS, BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS ON A LEVEL PAVED STATE HIGHWAY, BETWEEN INTERSECTIONS, OPERATING BETWEEN 30-35MPH. *KB *TR

CRACKED PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW. ALSO, REAR WINDOW APPEARS LOOSE. *TR

THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HATCH BROKE AS I OPENED THE HATCH. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE HATCH HINGE PRIOR TO THIS. *TR

TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING JUST FINE TILL ONE DAY IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND THEN IT WAS SHIFTING HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD. REAR WINDOW HINGES BROKE. REAR TAIL GATE CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE BY FORD SYMBOL. ALSO JUST THE OTHER DAY MY PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING NO SIGNS NOTHING OF ANYTHING WRONG. I'M GOING TO START BUYING CHEVY THIS IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE. NO WONDER AMERICA IS NOT DOING GOOD OUR CAR COMPANY'S CAN'T MAKE GOOD PRODUCTS ANYMORE. *KB

REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS BACK GLASS FAIL OFF. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL ON TOP OF ME AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD AND KNOCK ME DOWN TO THE GROUND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

THE REAR LIFT GLASS HINGES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE DURING USE OF THE LIFT GLASS. THE PIN BROKE RIGHT THROUGH THE HINGE ON BOTH SIDES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND LIFT GATE WINDOW WAS OPEN. LEFT SIDE JUST FELL, AND THEN RIGHT ABOUT 1 MINUTE LATER, I JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE SOME 2X4'S IN THE BACK WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM FALLING TO THE GROUND. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY DANGEROUS DEFECT. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSE FOR A RECALL ON THE '02 & '03 EXPLORER AND SEEMS TO BE WIDE SPREAD ON THE '04, YET NO RECALL FOR THE '04. *KB

I WAS AT A GROCERY STORE WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN, CAME OUTSIDE, POPPED THE TAILGATE (TOP HALF OF THE TRUNK ON FORD EXPLORER) AND LOADED MY GROCERIES IN THE CAR. MY 12 YEAR OLD THEN WENT TO CLOSE THE TRUNK (TOP HALF ONLY) AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TAILGATE CAME OFF OF THE HINGES. THE WINDOW/TAILGATE WAS EXTREMELY HEAVY, SO I HAD TO RUN TO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND HELP HER TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP. THEN, AS WE WERE TRYING TO PUT THE WINDOW/TAILGATE BACK ONTO THE HINGE, THE OTHER HINGE BROKE AND THE WHOLE WINDOW CAME DOWN. THE WINDOW WAS ONLY CONNECTED BY THE WIRING AND THE SHOCKS THAT ARE INSIDE THE WINDOW. WE EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THIS FALLING WINDOW/TAILGATE. MIND YOU I HAD NO WARNING THAT THESE WERE GOING TO FAIL...NO CRACKS, NO PROBLEMS CLOSING THE TAILGATE, NOTHING! MY DAUGHTER, A WOMAN WHO WAS IN THE PARKING LOT, AND I COULD NOT GET THE WINDOW BACK ON SO I COULD DRIVE IT HOME (45 MINUTES AWAY), SO I HAD TO CALL MY BROTHER IN LAW TO COME HELP ME BECAUSE HE WAS CLOSEBY. HE ENDED UP HAVING TO TAKE THE SHOCKS OF THE WINDOW/TAILGATE OFF COMPLETELY, SO THAT WE COULD PUT THE WINDOW/TAILGATE INTO THE CAR SO I COULD DRIVE IT HOME. THE WIRING WAS STILL CONNECTED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY, AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE...EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DONE RECALLS ON THE 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORER PLASTIC HINGES FOR THE TAILGATE. SAME PROBLEM, DIFFERENT YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE LOOKING TO FIND IF MY 2004 EXPLORER HAD A RECALL, AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM ON THEIR 2004 EXPLORER. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 30-50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000. (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT SHE COULD FILE A CLAIM AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I NOTICED THE PLASTIC HINGE FOR THE BACK TAILGATE GLASS WAS BREAKING OFF. AFTER VISITING SEVERAL FORD USED CAR LOTS, I SEEN SEVERAL EXPLORERS WITH THE BROKEN HINGE AND REALIZED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS, BUT THEY ARE STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT. I RECIEVED AN ESTIMATE OF $360 TO REPAIR THE HINGES, BUT BEING A SINGLE PARENT OF FOUR THERE IS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. I HOPE THAT FORD WILL STEP UP AND RECALL THIS ISSUE BUT NO LUCK YET. *TT

WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT OFF WENT TO TURN. THE LUG NUTS SHEARD OFF, THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. I HAD MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE ALL THREE TIMES. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS MATTER RESOLVED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN OPENING THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE HINGE FRACTURED AND FELL BACK, STRIKING HIM IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MINOR INJURY AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,900.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS WAS HANGING BESIDE THE STRUTS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE HATCH BACK CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOWS. I JUST SHUT THE GLASS DOOR AND NOTICE A CRACK. *TR

THE FIRST TIRE I HAD PROBLEMS WITH WAS THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE THAT KEPT GOING FLAT, I HAD IT CHECKED TO BE FIXED WHEN THE SERVICE MAN SHOWED ME THE DEFECT IN THE TIRE. THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE HAD A SLIT OR WHERE THE SEAM WAS SPLITTING ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE, ONLY ON THE INSIDE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AS WELL. TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVING MY THREE CHILDREN AND MY GRANDMOTHER TO GO SCHOOL SHOPPING MY BACK LEFT TIRE BLEW. LUCKILY I WAS ON A DIRT ROAD AND ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH. UPON CHANGING THE TIRE I NOTICED THE SAME SEAM RIPPAGE OR SLIT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE SO I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE RIGHT BACK TIRE AND FOUND THE SAME THING ON IT. SO I HAVE 3 OUT OF THE 4 TIRES ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAVE THIS DEFECT. ITS VERY DISTURBING TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THAT BOTH BACK TIRES MIGHT HAVE BLOWN. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THESE TIRES AND SO FAR HAVE NOT FOUND ANY RECALLS ON THIS SPECIFIC TIRE. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER SR-A, P235/70R16 104S. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL GAUGES WERE ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY, AND WAS TAKEN THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 42,933. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW WOULD POSSIBLY FALL OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN CLIMBING ELEVATION. STARTS CLUNKING NOISE AND WON'T SHIFT. RPMS GO WAY UP AND VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT SHIFT. HARD TO GET VEHICLE INTO PARK ON THE GEAR SHIFTER. HAVE THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK ONLY TO HAVE IT ROLL WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC TODAY WHO SAYS A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. APPX COST 3600.00 *TT

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. AT 70,000 MILES I STARTED TO NOTICE A CHANGE IN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SUDDENLY KICKING WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST AND THERE IS NO RECALL AT THE PRESENT MOMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE NO TRANSMISSION SHOULD START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SUCH LITTLE MILEAGE. THIS MATTER REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE PROMPTLY. *TR

IT SEEMS THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AND SHIFT HARD. *TT

THE LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER (MODEL EXXLTSPNBX) BROKE WHILE CLOSING. THERE IS ONLY ONE BOLT HOLDING EACH OF THE TWO HINGES ONTO THE GLASS AND THE BOLT BROKE ON ONE OF THE HINGES. FORTUNATELY, I HELD THE GLASS AS TO NOT SLIP DOWN AND PULL THE OTHER HINGE CAUSING IT TO BREAK. THE WINDOW LIFT DID HOLD IT BUT WOULD NOT SLIDE BACK UP. THE LIFT HAD TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SHUT AND LATCH THE WINDOW DOOR. THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW WAS CRACKED WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THIS MAY HAVE LEAD TO SHIFTING IN THE WINDOW AND ADDITIONAL STRESS ADDED TO THE BOLT IN THE HINGE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED IN THE 2002 AND 2003 HATCH WINDOW HINGES. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES ONLINE OF THE BOLT BREAKING IN THE 2004 MODELS BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED YET AS HAS THE TWO PREVIOUS YEARS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE GLASS SHATTERED ON THE GROUND. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTRER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,990 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN A CRASH OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

REAR WHEEL STUDS SHEER OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. GAVE NO WARNING, AND WAS NOT VISIBLE DUE TO WHEEL CAP COVERING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 MONTHS, TWO DIFFERENT WHEELS. BOTH REAR. *TT HAD TO REPLACE ALL 5 STUDS, LUGS, AND ROTOR ON FIRST FAILURE. REPLACED STUDS, LUGS, AND WHEEL ON SECOND. LUGS ARE STILL INTACT WITH THE STUDS. STUDS SHOW STRESS FRACTURING PRIOR TO BREAKING OFF. HAVE THE STUDS/LUGS FROM LAST BREAK.

THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR FORD EXPLORERS HAVE ABOUT A 10% FAILURE RATE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR MAY NOT ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED. THE TRANSMISSION ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEARS. THE SYMPTOM ALSO APPEARS DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION (MERGING ONTO HIGHWAYS, TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES). THE DANGER IS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER VEHICLES. WE HAVE NOT BEEN HIT, BUT WE NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE EXPECT A TOTAL FAILURE AT ANY MOMENT, AND DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL NEED TO BE TOWED FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE, AND UNRELIABLE. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PRODUCT, MUCH LIKE HONDA DID FOR THEIR 2003 ACURA TL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR HATCH OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLASS HAS SHATTERED ONCE BEFORE. THE LIFTGATE DEVELOPED A CRACK. UPDATED 9/28/2015 *JS

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, NOT FULLY GONE YET, ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT COMPLETELY GOES. I DO NOT HAVE THE $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. EVERY PERSON I HAVE TALKED TO SAY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORERS. I HAVE TAKEN INTO THE GARAGE OVER 10 TIMES. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

THE PAINT ON THE ROOF OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS CHIPPING. I SPOKE WITH TWO AUTO BODY SHOPS AND 1 FORD DEALER, AND THEY ALL SAID THAT THE CHIPPING IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PRIMER DID NOT ADHERE PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE, SO THE PAINT IS CHIPPING. IN REVIEWING THIS ISSUE, I READ ONLINE THAT THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I SPOKE WITH FORD, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO HELP ME, ALTHOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS ISSUE IS THEIR FAULT. I WOULD LIKE THERE TO BE A RECALL SO THAT I CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON IT. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND DO NOT PUT A LOT OF MILES ON MY CARS. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND THE GUY AT AAMCO SAID THE INSIDE OF IT WAS A MESS, EVERYTHING WAS CHEWED UP. IT COST ME $3,550 TO HAVE IT FIXED. AT THE TIME IT FAILED I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO ABOUT 25MPH. *KB

2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN 2008 THE REAR BACK PANEL CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD AT A COST OF $100 TO ME. IT IS NOW 2011 AND THE REAR BACK PANEL HAS CRACKED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THE CRACK(S) APPEAR ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE BACK PANELS BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPTEMBER 2009. IN JUNE 20111 MY HUSBAND AND WAS DRIVING AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE BOTH COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AS HE DROVE BUT FIGURED THAT IT COULD NOT BE THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 57,177 MILES ON IT. WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION 10 MINUTES LATER AND BY THAT TIME WE COULD NO LONGER REVERSE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER THERE AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THE PAPERWORK I HAVE FROM THEM STATES "VERIFIED CONCERN, PERFORMED ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS, PULLED CODE PO731, CHECKED FLUID LEVEL - FULL. DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND FOUND EXCESSIVE METAL DEBRIS INDICATING INTERNAL FAILURE. TECH RECOMMENDED REPLACING WITH A FORD REMAN UNIT." THE FORD DEALERSHIP'S ESTIMATE FOR ME WAS ALMOST $5,000.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED AROUND TO OTHER SHOPS AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A JASPER UNIT WHICH COST ME $3467.30. IT HAS A THREE-YEAR WARRANTY ON IT. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH 2004 FORD EXPLORERS. FOR ALMOST A YEAR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION DIED IT WOULD OFTEN HAVE DELAYED SHIFTING WHEN GOING IN REVERSE AND I JUST ASSUMED IT WAS A TOUCHY PEDAL, LOOKING BACK NOW I REALIZE IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION. THIS NEVER OCCURRED TO ME BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVING 57,000 MILES ON IT. I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT IT HAS THE PROBLEMS THAT IT DOES BUT I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BECAUSE WE STILL OWE MORE ON THE LOAN THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. *TR

CONCERNING MY 2004 EXPLORER XLT. THE REAR HATCHBACK THAT OPENS THE BACK WINDOWS HAS A BROKEN LATCH. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS PART JUST SEEMED TO IMPLODE AND LEFT ME UNABLE TO CLOSE THE REAR BACK WINDOW. THE GARAGE I TOOK IT TO SAID FORD INFORMED THEM THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL 07-18-2011. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A RECALLED ITEM FOR THE GARAGE INFORMED ME IT HAPPENS QUITE REGULARLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE OR AM ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEEDED REPAIR. . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS YET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOY WITHOUT ANY REASON. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM "PARK," INTO "REVERSE," THE COLUMN-MOUNTED GEAR SELECTOR, BROKE AWAY FROM THE COLUMN AND INTO MY MOTHER'S HAND. THE VEHICLE SAT IN A PARKING LOT FOR A FEW HOURS. LATER ON, WE FOUND A TEMPORARY WORKAROUND UTILIZING A PAIR OF "VISE-GRIPS," AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED; AND THE VEHICLE JUST SITS THERE, BECAUSE THE SHE IS TOO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

1-"MILES TO E" HAVE ALWAYS REGISTERED AS DASHES AFTER A FILL UP SINCE 2004. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG AND TO ADD GAS ADDITIVE (WHICH DOESN'T WORK) OR I CAN HAVE IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. DEALER HAS BEEN SOLD AND NEW DEALER NOW HAS "NO RECORD" OF MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS-- WHENEVER I HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE I ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT. I SEE PLENTY OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS AS WELL. 2-BACK HATCH BELOW WINDOW HAS CRACKED RECENTLY. HUSBAND HAD SAME VEHICLE DIFFERENT YEAR AND HIS CRACKED AS WELL. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM BUT SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. I SEE THERE IS NOW A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS DEFECT. JUST WANTED TO GO "ON RECORD" AS ANOTHER UNHAPPY FORD OWNER (OF OVER 40 YRS).

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACK ON THE REAR WINDOW PANEL BY THE FORD EMBLEM, ITS BEEN THIS WAS FOR AWHILE, JUST THURSDAY NIGHT I NOTICED GLASS ON THE GROUND BEHIND MY VEHICLE THEN LOOKED UP AND IT WAS MY BACK WINDOW. IT SHATTERED, THE PANEL BOWED OUT AS IF IT WARPED OUTWARD AND SHATTERED THE WINDOW. LUCKILY IT HAD BEEN PARKED AND NO ONE WAS AROUND WHEN IT HAPPENED. AS A RESULT OF THIS THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE AND REAR WINDOW WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I'M STILL WAITING FOR MY INSURANCE TO COME AND APPRAISE THE DAMAGES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISOR CAME OFF OF THE MOUNT CAUSING IT TO OBSTRUCT THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY. HE ALSO STATED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE THE PLASTIC MOUNT STARTED DISINTEGRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO MADE ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VISOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 115,000. UPDATED 08/19/11

MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER'S REAR TRIM UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW BLEW OFF THE TRUCK AT 60MPH. THE (WHOLE TRIM) SHOT THROUGH THE SKY LIKE A BOOMERANG. IT SENT A MOTORCYCLIST BEHIND ME OFF ROADING. IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE LEAD TO HIS DEATH AS THERE WERE TREE'S A FEW FEET AWAY. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS YET IN FEAR IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

PIN ON REAR HATCH WINDOW BROKE,WHICH CAN CAUSE WINDOW TO FALL OUT. *TR

A COUPLE OF WEEKENDS AGO, THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE ON OUR REAR WINDOW HATCH BROKE. MY MOM OPENED THE BACK WINDOW HATCH ON MY VEHICLE & WHEN SHE WENT TO SHUT IT, THE ENTIRE WINDOW CAME DOWN ON HER. THEN WE COULD NOT GET IT SHUT. WE HAD TO STAND THERE IN 80+ DEGREE HEAT HOLDING THE ENTIRE WINDOW (WHICH IS QUITE HEAVY), WHILE MY 2 YEAR OLD BAKED IN THE CAR, UNTIL MY DAD & BROTHER COULD GET TO THE STORE WE WERE AT TO RESCUE US. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO SHUT (THOUGH WE WERE TERRIFIED THE GLASS WAS GOING TO SHATTER AT ANY MOMENT DUE TO THE TENSION ON IT) & WE DUCT TAPED IT TO KEEP IT IN PLACE. WE HAD THE HINGE REPAIRED BY OUR LOCAL BODY SHOP, & HAD THEM REPLACE BOTH HINGES TO BE PROACTIVE. IT COST ABOUT $200. AFTER THIS HAPPENED I DID SOME INTERNET SEARCHES & WAS UPSET TO FIND SO MANY OTHER 2004 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM & I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAS RECALLED THE SAME HINGES ON 2002 & 2003 MODELS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE 2004 EXPLORER HAS NOT HAD THE SAME RECALL WHEN THEY'RE THE SAME HINGES? THIS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A BLATANT DISREGARD BY FORD. PEOPLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THIS WINDOW EITHER FALLING ON THEIR HEAD, OR FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER RECALL WAS EXPLAINED AS THIS: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK. THE EXACT SAME THING COULD BE SAID OF 2004 FORD EXPLORERS. I AM WRITING THIS IN THE HOPES THAT A RECALL CAN BE MADE ON THIS EQUIPMENT. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. THANK GOODNESS MY 11 YR OLD WASN'T THE ONE UNDER THIS WINDOW WHEN IT BROKE!! I DID EMAIL FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE & THEY WEREN'T EXACTLY HELPFUL. THEY BASICALLY SAID, SORRY & THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE 04 AT THIS TIME & THAT THEY WORK WITH NHTSA TO STAY ON TOP OF AREAS OF CONCERN. *TR

WHILE REMOVING GROCERY BAGS FROM THE REAR OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT, THE LEFT LIFTGATE HINGE SNAPPED AND THE WINDOW HALF OF THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR CAME APART LEAVING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DOOR STILL ATTACHED TO THE HYDRAULIC LIFTGATE BAR BUT OTHERWISE DANGLING AND UNSUPPORTED. THEN I COULD NOT SHUT THE DOOR SO WE PROPPED IT WITH PILLOWS TO EASE THE STRESS ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC BAR COLLAPSING ON MY PRIOR FORD EXPLORER BUT THOSE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THIS MORNING FORD DENIED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY PRESENT VEHICLE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON PRIOR RECALLS INVOLVING THE SAME LIFTGATE APPARATUS FAILURE THAT OCCURRED TO MY 2004 MODEL. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR TOWING TO BRING MY SUV FOR REPAIR THERE. MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT IS LESS THAN ONE MILE AWAY IS COMING TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND REPAIR IT. I THINK FORD HAS STILL NOT RESOLVE THESE LIFTGATE APPARATUS PROBLEMS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF BEING ON NOTICE OF THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEM AND EVEN HAVING PRIOR RECALLS FOR 2002-03 EXPLORERS!! I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED HAD THE DOOR COLLAPSED ON ME. IT ALSO COULD HAVE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO SHATTER AND MY LIFTGATE GLASS DOOR FULLY BREAKS AWAY FROM THE CAR, IT WILL RESULT IN BODY DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD O/D LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE FOLLOWED BY BANGING NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

2004 FORD EXPLORER EB. BACK LIFTGATE CRACKED BELOW GLASS. NO ACCIDENT OR IMPACT OCCURRED. *TR