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.
WHILE DRIVING IF THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT IS OPENED YOU CAN FEEL THE AIR FROM OUTSIDE BLOWING STRAIGHT IN. I'M NOT SAYING A LITTLE AIR, ITS ENOUGH TO BLOW PAPER AROUND. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE EXPLORERS ARE MADE LIKE THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
WHILE DRIVING IF THE GLOVE DEPARTMENT IS OPENED YOU CAN FEEL THE AIR FROM OUTSIDE BLOWING STRAIGHT IN. I'M NOT SAYING A LITTLE AIR, ITS ENOUGH TO BLOW PAPER AROUND. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE EXPLORERS ARE MADE LIKE THIS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE.
- rengri81, Fresno, CA, US