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 assume the problem was already there when I purchased, just didn't notice. Most of the roof has peeled and am noticing bubbling on rear passenger side as well as paint coming off the hood(with no apparent damage-chips) I was told by Ford it is common.
Update from Feb 24, 2015: the wheel rims are peeling also.
The paint on the roof started peeling off in sheets in 2006, Ford paid to have it repainted. Started peeling against in 2010, painted again under warranty and now 2014 peeling a third time on roof and now on hood! Very frustrating.
In 2009 the paint on the leading edge of the hood bubbled up and was starting to rust. My dealer called Ford, and they agreed to cover half the cost of the repair...repainting the entire hood. Now the problem is back! I have another design-related problem with a cracked rear window panel,which I have reported separately. Ford should repair both problems, even though the car is out of warranty...it's their failure to produce a reliable product, and they should make it right. I have seen more than two dozen cars with one or both of these problems, all within a 5-mile radius of my home.
First year, so I have been told of the Aluminum hood on the Explorer. The paint is lifting off of my hood at the front corners and along the front curve of the hood. It has bubbled up and then literally pops off!
had for fix it when the car was under warrany but the paint keeps peeling on the roof and they no longer want to cover it and it was painted at a ford dealer. shouldnt they cover there own work ?
Took it to the dealership to show them they said Ford knows about the problem. Either pay $285 to repaint it or they said buy a bug shield to hide the paint pealing.
paint peeling all over the roof...what was ford doing when they designed this suv....just bad. i have owned mustangs and earlier explorer models and this one is cheaply made parts, maint problems unheard of with any other car companies...cant say much more....I'm getting more upset by the min.
when I first saw this it was a bumpy, now it peeling all across the hood, I put a bug guard across it to cover it up some, but I think it is something ford should know about. This peeling is a factory problem, maybe bad paint or underlay. something is causing the problem, its not the owners. Call Ford, it needs to be a recall.
The entire front edge of the hood has paint bubbling and falling off. The truck is in great condition other than the hood. I make it a habit of looking at other Explorers and see the same problem in many instances. Obviously, my problem is not unique.
Water/moisture is trapped under the folds of the front of the hood, therefore, it begins to bubble under the finish. eventually working its way to the front of the hood. Everytime I wash my Explorer a new chip appears. My resale value is GONE. No one would buy it.
Almost all of the paint peel off the roof while rinsing the top. Started as a small spot of bubbles and when the water hit it it peeled off in great bit sheets.
I purchased this car used in December of 2008. It came without any defects, paint included. After about 6-8 months, I began to notice the paint peeling on the roof of the car and thought, "Just my luck!" Yeah, I was pretty pissed and still am. Got estimates today on how much it'll cost to be repaired. The prices ranged from $531.97-$1,500.00!!!
For the price that I paid for this car and the recognition that Ford has attached to their name, you'd think that the paint would actually stay on the metal.
I'm proud to mention that I'm in the process of gathering people for a class action lawsuit against Ford for this issue. If you drive a 2004 Ford Explorer and have been having the same issue, with the paint on the roof peeling, email me at:
unbelievable, the paint is not covered under warranty, even though the car is only 2 yrs old, and I know 3 other people with the same vehicles that have the same problem, go figure!!! What a FINE paint Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
EXPLORER IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND IT JUST TAKES AWAY FROM THE CONDITION OF THE CAR.
- tre617tk, Scranton, US