CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2005 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
THE DEFROST NEVER WORKED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR WAS REPLACED IN THE DASH FOR THE AC AND HEATER. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT DIDNT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
AC WAS BLOWING ON HIGH BUT ONLY ABOUT 50% OF AIR WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS, TOOK TO FORD AND THEY FIXED AND THEN IN WINTER FOUND THAT HEATER WAS BLOWING ON HIGH BUT ONLY 50% OF AIR COMING THROUGH VENTS AND THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
THE DEFROST NEVER WORKED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR WAS REPLACED IN THE DASH FOR THE AC AND HEATER. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT DIDNT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
- rengri81, Fresno, CA, US