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.
Our 2004 Ford Explorer's security alarm suddenly started going off at 3am, and again at 6 am on a Sunday morning, making our neighbors (with little babies and kids) big fans! Took it to a Ford dealership repair shop. They acted like they never heard of such a thing, and while scratching their heads suggested that maybe it was an electrical problem, which could cost tons to research and fix. Thus, we pulled the horn fuse and hope we don't need it! The lights still go off randomly, but at least our neighbors aren't egging our house! Reading this is not a rare problem w/this vehicle and would love to see the powers that be look into this one! PS Otherwise this car runs like a charm so far!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Our 2004 Ford Explorer's security alarm suddenly started going off at 3am, and again at 6 am on a Sunday morning, making our neighbors (with little babies and kids) big fans! Took it to a Ford dealership repair shop. They acted like they never heard of such a thing, and while scratching their heads suggested that maybe it was an electrical problem, which could cost tons to research and fix. Thus, we pulled the horn fuse and hope we don't need it! The lights still go off randomly, but at least our neighbors aren't egging our house! Reading this is not a rare problem w/this vehicle and would love to see the powers that be look into this one! PS Otherwise this car runs like a charm so far!
- cam970, Canandaigua, NY, US