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.
Ford did a recall on the 2002 model for the same problem I have. The hatchback/liftgate wouldn't open anymore, the struts were stuck and then a few months later one hinge broke. After that happened the glass started to lean and then the second hinge broke and it is leaning much more. Water leaks in from the rain. I am so scared that it will just fall off either at home of God forbid while I am driving. Someone told me that there was a recall on Ford for that problem, but when I looked it up, it wasn't for the 2004 even though they has been complaints made about it. I bought the car 2016 after my car was ruined in a flood. I really think that Ford needs to recall all vehicles that have these kind of hinges and struts. A mechanic that has done some work on my car had also worked for Ford and he said he would be afraid the glass would break if he tried to fix it and that it is a very expensive piece of glass. I am on disability and I can't afford to have it repaired. Ford needs to take responsibility for making hinges and struts that actually fall off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Ford did a recall on the 2002 model for the same problem I have. The hatchback/liftgate wouldn't open anymore, the struts were stuck and then a few months later one hinge broke. After that happened the glass started to lean and then the second hinge broke and it is leaning much more. Water leaks in from the rain. I am so scared that it will just fall off either at home of God forbid while I am driving. Someone told me that there was a recall on Ford for that problem, but when I looked it up, it wasn't for the 2004 even though they has been complaints made about it. I bought the car 2016 after my car was ruined in a flood. I really think that Ford needs to recall all vehicles that have these kind of hinges and struts. A mechanic that has done some work on my car had also worked for Ford and he said he would be afraid the glass would break if he tried to fix it and that it is a very expensive piece of glass. I am on disability and I can't afford to have it repaired. Ford needs to take responsibility for making hinges and struts that actually fall off.
- Priscilla C., French Settlement, Louisiana, US