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.
8.7
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$680
Average Mileage:
101,800 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (9 reports)
replace plastic switch under dashboard (4 reports)
blend door and blend door actuator needs to be replaced (1 reports)
The first time was in 2007 and I had to replace actuator door. it was stripped and cost $300.00. Second time, 2010, had to replace heater box $1,100.00 to fix. Third time Oct 2013 no heat again, stated it is going to cost me $1,600.00.
Come on Ford, after the third time you need to step up and admit you have a problem with the heaters in Ford Explorers. After doing research on the internet there are thousands of complaints. The same problem I have . Not sure what I'm going to do, don't have money to fix it and winter is coming. Dealership states they can't do anything for me. Baystate Ford Easton,MA FORD SUCKS
In August my heat was working. In September, I went to turn on the heat, a clicking sound came on. Initially the sound would come on but go off and the heat was still working. One day the heat worked in the morning but by lunch time the car was clicking and the heat was not working. I do not have a $1000 to get this problem fixed, any suggestions.
My heater will blow air however it is cold, and it makes a clicking noise. What is the fix. I was told it could cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $600. It is getting cold now I have got to fine a way to this fixed at a cheaper cost.
had this fix in 2009 and it cost 864.00 the blend door was bad. Now it's 12/29/2011 and it's winter and it's now still blowing A/C. The blend door and the blend door act is broke. The ford dealer that repaired it went out of business early this year. So I called another ford dealer in the area to find out what it would cost to fix it and you'll never guess how much it will cost go ahead guess? I bet you can't guess? You guessed it $864.00. I have started looking online trying to find ford's complaint dept.The parts are less than $200.00 Not ready for another car payment yet.
- esloan,
Virginia Beach, VA, US
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FORD is an acronym for : Found On side of Road DEAD! This truck had all the "goodies" DVD, 6 disc changer etc. But the mechanics just completely went out of the window. I will NEVER purchase another one.
What a piece of crap! I've had the heat fixed twice and the A/C fixed once but no one can seem to find any reason why the heat doesn't seem to blow out very hard. It sounds like it's working but don't be fooled, you will freeze before it ever gets warm in the car! The glove box is like a refrigerator, I have to stuff rags in it to keep the cold air from freezing my passengers! Oh yea, the defrost doesn't work for crap either, I have to put down the windows to see when I'm driving.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A QUALITY VEHICLE AND THAT FORD STOOD BEHIND THE VEHICLES THAT IT MAKES.
Ford suck!!!! This heating problem has been going on for years now and now people are just starting put it up. I think that Ford should recall all of this and fix it for free. It's my second year having this car and all of my other cars never had this problem it's so BS!!!
My heater does not work. I have gone the whole winter without it. When it snowed, the defroster did not work since there was not heat coming out to defrost the windows and melt the snow. My husband was driving home from work and had to pull over because he could not see out of the window at all. I took the truck to the shop and they wanted to charge at least $500 to pull the dashboard out and see what the problem was. They think the door flap that switches from heat to air has melted over time (since it was made of plastic) and the part was on back order. Ford did not even have a date that the part would be available, so I was not going to pay $500 to have to wait on a part that we had no idea would be in. I think Ford should fix this problem for free. It is their part that failed. I mean, who puts a plastic part in an area where there is a lot of heat? If anyone knows of a recall on this, please let me know.
THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED , MY MOTHERS TRUCK DID IT , MY TRUCK DID IT AND THE TOWN COP TRUCKS ALL 6 FAILED , THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ...ITS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU CANT DRIVE YOUR TRUCK THAT YOU PAY FOR AT NIGHT OR IN THE COLD BECAUSE THERE'S NO DEFROST OR HEAT.. WHAT THE HECK...
We had this checked out, and was told it would be atleast $500 to take the dashboard off to fix a possible $20 item. I had never had the heating unit broken until know and I have only heard of Fords with this problem. This needs to be recalled and fixed over and over if necessary.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The first time was in 2007 and I had to replace actuator door. it was stripped and cost $300.00. Second time, 2010, had to replace heater box $1,100.00 to fix. Third time Oct 2013 no heat again, stated it is going to cost me $1,600.00.
Come on Ford, after the third time you need to step up and admit you have a problem with the heaters in Ford Explorers. After doing research on the internet there are thousands of complaints. The same problem I have . Not sure what I'm going to do, don't have money to fix it and winter is coming. Dealership states they can't do anything for me. Baystate Ford Easton,MA FORD SUCKS
- Brian M., South Easton, MA, US