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.
I've been using the trip odometer as a way to gauge if I need more fuel but this is really annoying. I know there is a similar problem with the gearshift indicator not aligning but that's due to a loose cable. Possibly same issue? Any thoughts?
THE GAS GAUGE WILL NOT READ FULL UNTIL 6 HOURS AFTER I FILL THE TANK. SOMETIMES THE GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON ALONG WITH GAUGE LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. IT GETS ANNOYING BUT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
The fuel tank was never getting filled all the way. If the gauge showed a half tank and it took 9 gallons to fill, you would think the tank is full and that you had an 18 gal. tank esp.when the gas pump shuts off automatically and the gauge shows full. Right? Wrong the fuel tank is 22.5 gal capacity not 18. So the fill neck is getting backed up prematurely causing the pump to shut off and stop dispensing fuel. So the cure is an inspection of the fill neck and vent tube and replace if necc. and replace the fuel gauge sending unit, and yes you have to pull the tank for both of these. Fortunately I'm a Mechanic (Disabled and prematurely retired) so I can do the repairs myself. Otherwise I would lock the truck into 4Wheel D. LOW and drive it up Fords back side. XOXO Ford.
Immediately after I had the fuel pump replaced, the first time I filled up for gas the gauge is wildly inaccurate. Mostly shows tank as empty, then slowly rises to actual level, then back down again. Will take to my local mechanic to troubleshoot. The new fuel pump may have been wired wrong.
- Rocco D.,
Wilmington, NC, US
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Every time I fill the gas tank, I wonder if the fuel gauge will accurately show how a full tank or not. It's very inconsistent. Some days it does, some it doesn't. I've heard you can try updates to the computer, but haven't tried to resolve it. It's certainly annoying though.
WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE!! THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IT USED TO STICK AND THEN IT QUIT WORKING. THAT'S ONLY ONE OF THE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. PROBLEMS FROM THE VERY START AND IT KEEPS GOING. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE SUN VISOR FELL OFF(BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED), THE LEATHER, SPLIT, THE BACK WIND SHIELD BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JUMPS IN REVERSE. THE CAR NOW HAS 58,000 MILES. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME. THIS IS THE THIRD EXPLORER AND A NEW EXPEDITION. WE JUST BOUGHT A HONDA. I STILL HAVE THE EXPLORER UNTIL I CAN HAVE SOME EXPENSIVE REPAIRS DONE.
Gas gauge reads low, fill it up with fuel and it takes hours for the gauge to move. One day I get into car and it says I have low fuel, so I take it to gas station. I pump in 5 gallons and its overflowing. Gauge still reads low. Took to dealership and they said they updated PCM to fix it. Worked for a while but still have problems, not as much as I used to. I don't trust the dealership so I wont take it back there and have them muck it up more.
I bought my car not even a year ago and it has died 5 times on me already. It's so embarrassing! I always have to call my uncle to help me out with it. I really like my SUV, and it generally runs good but at times it starts messing up. The gauge is inaccurate, i.e. let's say I pump $5 of gas, it will mark that I pumped $10 or $15.
When I let people borrow my car I can't keep track of how much gas I have so I'm scared to drive it unless I pump more gas in it.
I bought this truck in October of 2008 with 21,000 miles on it. Then in January, of course when the 3month warranty was up, the gas gauge started. I would fill up the gas tank then the next day I would turn the car on and it would show that I have no gas in it at all and the check engine light would come on and stays on for days even after the gauge fixed itself. Damn truck will be the last Ford I buy!
I contacted the dealership when my fuel gauge stopped functioning and was told it was not a recall item. I see now that someone else has also had this complaint early on in the ownership of their vehicle. As you can see, I have very few miles on my explorer. It is well cared for and has had not only this problem, but broken visor mounts, and a cracked back door panel at the back window as well. All of which should be recall items. IF WE ALL JOIN TOGETHER AND SEND OUR COMPLAINTS TO THIS ADDRESS WE MAY GET THE RECALLS WE NEED:
Notice the gas gauge showed low when the day before I filled up. It was cold that morning. I filled up again then it popped back up. A few days later it's shows past the line and the "check gages" light is on. I filled up. seems fine. no lights. really crappy mpg though. I hope it's not a fuel pump problem.
I have had the same problem happen with my gas gauge, but now mine gauge will drop to show less gas than I actually have. I went from a half a tank of gas to about a quarter tank in amount 15 miles. This problem coupled with rust, a clunk, an antifreeze leak that I can not find. I think I will just trade it in. All this with only 66,000 miles. First and last Ford I will ever own.
The fuel gauge is not working again. It happened the first time when we had about 30k miles on it and the dealer replaced the sending unit/float assembly (located inside the fuel tank) under warranty. NOw the same issue is happening again. Filled it up with 17gal and it still shows less than a quarter tank and the low fuel warning beep keeps coming on. Maybe by tomorrow it will read half full. Will file a complaint with NTSB and wait for a recall...
2004 EXPLORER XLS, AFTER FILL UP THE GAS TANK THEN IT SLOWLY IS BACK TO FULL ON FUEL GAUGE. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. IT SAID COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS.
I am having a similar issue with my gauge; I can’t really say it only happens when it is cold as now even when it is warm it does it intermittently. I always track my fuel usage and always fill up every time I get gas so it eventually kicks in after about 15 to 100 miles. When it does "kick in" it pops right up to normal. Recently I have stopped waiting till empty to refuel, (I am now refueling at about 1/4 tank left) Seems to be helping. Time will tell.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've been using the trip odometer as a way to gauge if I need more fuel but this is really annoying. I know there is a similar problem with the gearshift indicator not aligning but that's due to a loose cable. Possibly same issue? Any thoughts?
- Amber W., Lake Havasu City, AZ, US