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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT TRIED TO SHIFT TO DRIVE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,242.
I AWOKE ONE MORNING AND I FOUND A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH OF MY 04 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT THE PREVIOUS EVENING WHEN I GOT HOME. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR STORIES. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO MANUFACTURER RECALL TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLASTIC REAR HATCH CRACKED UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURE. REAR GLASS MAY BREAK WHILE DRIVING AND POSE HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. PLAN ON REPLACING, HOWEVER I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY OF THE ORIGINAL PART. *TR
WIFE AND KIDS WHERE DRIVING HOME AND THE TRANNY STARTED KICKING IN AND OUT OF GEAR (SLIPPING). IT JERKED INTO FIRST AT THE STOPLIGHT IN TOWN. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER FOR 3 YEARS NOW. TODAY I WENT TO OPEN MY REAR HATCH AND THE WINDOW HINGES JUST BROKE. NOW MY WINDOW IS HANGING THEREAND I DON'T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THEM FIXED SINCE I DON'T HAVE ANY EXTRA MONEY. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TAILGATE WINDOW HINGES FAILED ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE WINDOW FELL OUT AND DAMAGED THE LIFT STRUTS. I WAS NOT INJURED. *TR
I BACKED SUV OUT OF GARAGE AND PUT IN PARK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE STILL RUNNING (TO CLOSE GARAGE DOOR), CLOSED THE SUV DOOR, TURNED AROUND AND SAW THAT SUV WAS MOVING FORWARD INTO MY GARAGE. I OPENED THE SUV DOOR WHILE IT WAS MOVING AND JUMPED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, PUSHED ON THE BRAKE AND SUV DID NOT STOP, I WAS LOOKING DOWN AT THE FLOOR TO SEE WHY SUV DID NOT STOP, PULLED UP MY FOOT AND PLACED IT BACK DOWN ON THE BRAKE. SUV STILL DID NOT STOP. IT THEN MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE ENGINE WAS REEVING UP AND THEN THE SUV TOOK OFF FORWARD, RAN THROUGH THE BACK OF MY GARAGE, RAN THROUGH MY BACK YARD, RAN OVER A TREE IN THE YARD, RAN THROUGH MY BACK YARD FENCE AND MY NEIGHBOR'S FENCE AND CRASHED INTO THE BACK SIDE OF NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. ALL WHILE THIS WAS OCCURRING, I WAS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH MY LEFT LEG STICKING OUT OF THE CAR (SINCE I JUMPED IN THE SUV IN A HURRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT MY LEG WAS STILL OUT OF THE SUV), I CONTINUALLY ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES (EACH TIME LIFTING MY FOOT UP SO THAT I COULD PLACE IT DIRECTLY ON THE BRAKE), THE ENGINE REEVED UP AGAIN WHILE GOING THROUGH THE YARD. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE SUV WAS THE TALL CONCRETE FOUNDATION OF MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE THAT IT RAN INTO. I JUMPED OUT OF THE SUV, FELL TO THE GROUND AND LAID THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE I REALIZED THAT MY SUV WAS STILL RUNNING, THEN I JUMPED BACK INTO THE SUV AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF.
REAR PANEL VERTICAL CRACK BELOW WINDOW. *TR
THE HATCH BELOW MY REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FORD LOGO ON MY EXPLORER. IT SEEMED TO HAVE HAPPENED OVER NIGHT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN WHILE DRIVING. FORD HAS HAD THREE YEARS OF MODELS WITH THIS SOME PROBLEM AND HASN'T MADE IT RIGHT BY IT'S OWNERS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 4-LANE HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING, JUST THUMP AND DONE. MY RESEARCH REVEALS THAT DEALERSHIP ARE REPORTING THAT 1 IN 10 2004 EXPLORERS HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT OVER 1 YEAR AGO, LEAVING NO DEFAULT HEAT FOR DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD.
WERE A FAMILY A FORD EXPLORER MY FAMILY HAS 4 OF THEM RANGING FROM THE YEARS 1996,99,2002,2004 AND EVERYONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES. RANGING FROM ROTTING SUSPENSION PARTS,TO WHEEL BEARING ISSUES ON NEWER MODELS,ROTTING FUEL AND BRAKE LINES,THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN AMERICAN MADE COMPANY THAT IS JEOPARDIZING THE LIVES OF AMERICAN AND CHILDREN WITH TOTAL DISREGARD OF HUMAN LIFE,BUT I BET YOU THE OWNERS OF FORD DON'T HAVE THESE ISSUES THEY PROBABLY DRIVES FOREIGN HAHA BUT SERIOUSLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT BY THIS AND IT COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO FIX AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS PLEASE DO A RECALL ITS SO UNFAIR AT THIS POINT. *TR
BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER ONE YEAR OF AVERAGE USE (NO TOWING OR OFF-ROADING) THE TRANSMISSION FAILED (ABOUT 97,000 MILES). HAD IT REBUILT AND NOW 2 YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS LATER IT IS FAILING AGAIN (AT 122,000 MILES). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HINGE ON THE TAILGATE WAS BROKEN WHERE THE GLASS WAS HANGING. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,500.
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW, FROM THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE EXHIBITED A FRACTURE THAT STARTED FROM THE TOP OF THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM AND DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL WAS FRACTURED BELOW THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SHE HIT A DEER. THE AIR BAG ONLY OPENED IN THE COLUMN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. POWDER RESIDUE CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT AT ALL. NO ONE WAS INJURED; YET, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE STRUT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE NUMBER THREE PISTON BROKE AND CEASED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,800.
BACK GLASS HATCH FELL OFF IN MY HANDS COULD HAVE REALLY HURT SOMEONE. *TR
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW. FROM THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH. HAD WINDOW TIGHTENED. *TR
VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD DEALER SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE, SO I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW & FORD SHOULD FIX FOR FREE. FORD GIVING ME RUN A ROUND. SO MUCH FOR FORD TOUGH. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE? OR SHOULD I TAKE IT TO THE NEWS STATION ABOUT JUST HOW TOUGH FORD TRUCKS ARE.... THEY CRACK LIKE EASTER EGGS....... I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS OFF ROAD AND KEEP IT IN A GARAGE.
10/20/2010 - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - REAR PANEL UNDER BACK GLASS AROUND FORD LOGO CRACKED AFTER A COOL MORNING 32-35 DEGREES. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED BY THE EMBLEM IN THE REAR LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE TODAY. THE FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. PER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL OUT FOR THIS YEAR MODEL, UNLIKE THE 2003 AND OLDER MODELS, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO SEVERAL POINTS, DROP THE KIDS OF AT SCHOOL, ONE AT DAYCARE, AND A STOP FOR BREAKFAST. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH OUR CAR. AFTER ARRIVING TO WORK, MY WIFE GOT A CALL THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS, MALFUNCTIONS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WERE ALWAYS PERFORMED. *TR
2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LONG HAIR LINE FRACTURE ALONG THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. UPDATED 01/06/11 UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/11
THE HATCH BACK CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. RIGHT BELOW THE WINDOWS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY TAKE OFF AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF UPDATED -1/10/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PANEL ON THE REAR HATCH WAS CRACKED AND COULD POTENTIALLY FALL OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE CRACKED PANEL AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THE PLASTIC PANEL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT REPLACED THE PLASTIC PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. ON OCTOBER 7, 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HAD A CRACK IN THE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED SHE MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT, IF THERE FAILURE BECAME A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO CRACKS BELOW THE REAR WINDOW ON THE TAILGATE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
I HAVE 2004 AWD LIMITED EDITION FORD EXPLORER WITH 69,000 MILES. I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $5,000. THIS CAR IS FAR TOO NEW, WITH FAR TOO FEW MILES TO BE IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
RIGHT REAR TIRE KEEPS COMING OFF. THE LUG NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENS. THE RIM WAS REPLACED, BUT STILL ARE BREAKING OFF. *TR
2004 EXPLORER WITH 110K MILES - DEVELOPED CRACK IN LIFTGATE PANEL APP DEC 2008. FORD COVERED 80% OF REPAIR COST OF $750 SINCE VEHICLE WAS UNDER 75K MILES, EVEN THOUGH AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. SEPT 29, 2010 REAR HATCH WINDOW HINGE BREAKS CAUSING DOOR TO FALL ONTO MY HANDS AND LEGS...SORE BUT NOT PERMANENT. TWO CO-WORKERS HAD TO HELP ME RAISE IT UP ENOUGH TO LOCK IT IN PLACE. DEALER REPAIRED FOR $65 PARTS IN $170 LABOR. DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH WHEN THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE THROTTLE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,830 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,839.
FORD EXPLORER 2004 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE - PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH ONLY 56,497 MILES ON VEHICLE. DRIVEN NORMALLY WITH NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. NO RECALLS OR CLASS ACTIONS AT THIS TIME ACCORDING TO FORD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM POSTED ON LEGITIMATE INTERNET SITES. COST OF REPAIR $2800.00. *TR
A CRACK HAS FORMED IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL. IT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT WHILE NOT IN USE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL I BEGAN NOTICING MANY OTHER EXPLORERS AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR (2002-2004) WITH THE SAME DEFECT. I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT ALL I COULD FIND WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING AND NO ACTION FROM FORD. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU, BUT AT ONE WEBSITE THERE ARE AT LEAST 290 OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE POSTED A COMPLAINT. IF YOUR INTERESTED, HERE IS THE LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. *TR
DEFROSTER HEAT CONTROL FAILED, COULDN'T SEE THROUGH WINDSHIELD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN MOVED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED PER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID A SECOND TIME FOR $1000 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
THERE ARE MANY CRACKS BELOW REAR WINDOW WHICH ARE GETTING LARGER AND LARGER. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE ENTIRE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE HINGES ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THESE LARGE CRACKS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY CONCERNS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND FOR SAFETY REASONS, FORD NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES THAT THIS AFFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT REALLY BAD.
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. ASIDE FROM BEING UNSIGHTLY, I'M AFRAID THAT THIS CRACK WILL WEAKEN THE PANEL WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO KEEPING THE REAR WINDSHIELD SEATED PROPERLY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89000. UPDATED 01/03/11
PANEL BENEATH REAR GLASS CRACKS ON FORD EXPLORERS. SEVERAL REPORTS OF SAME OCCURRENCE ON INTERNET AND 3 (INCLUDING MYSELF) WHERE I WORK. ALMOST ALL SAME DESCRIPTION, "PANEL BREAKS NEAR FORD EMBLEM". *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL IN THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS SPLIT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
1. PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW CRACKED NOV 2009; CRACK IS LOCATED TO THE LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM AND IS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE; WE DID NOT REPAIR IT. 2. THIS MORNING TAILGATE GLASS BLEW OUT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS NEAR IT WHEN IT HAPPENED AS GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE. CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 24 HRS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. WHEN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ENGAGE BACKWARD RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,602.
ONE OF THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES HAS FAILED. THE PIN HAS PUSHED THROUGH THE HINGE. THE STRUCTURAL STRENGTH OF THE ALUMINUM USED AS SEEMED TO FAILED. THE OTHER HINGE SHOWS SIMILAR SIGNS OF FAILING BUT HAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. *TR
CRACKED REAR PANEL ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. DROVE IT THROUGH A CAR WASH AND IT SHATTERED. IT CAN FLY OFF AND HIT SOMEONE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER . WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO GET THE BATTERY JUMPED IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, AFTER THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THERE WAS A WRENCH SYMBOL THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026