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.
Just another annoying problem that I was told by the dealership mechanic that this is a common problem but why should brake rotors at 50,000 miles be warping on a vehicle that isn't being driven hard and only used to drive to work 20 miles each way - not towing anything or being used off-road. Could it be these rotors are not up to specs when installed at the factory? Why won't the dealership answer to that? Where is FORD on all this stuff?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Just another annoying problem that I was told by the dealership mechanic that this is a common problem but why should brake rotors at 50,000 miles be warping on a vehicle that isn't being driven hard and only used to drive to work 20 miles each way - not towing anything or being used off-road. Could it be these rotors are not up to specs when installed at the factory? Why won't the dealership answer to that? Where is FORD on all this stuff?
- Cheryl H., Columbia, CT, US