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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
124,900 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
In 2005 I purchased a 2004 Ford exxltspnbx 11900 from herz car sales. Just few month after that I experienced the first of 20 critical engine shutdowns that I experienced up to now. 2. the failure is that the engine of my car turns off spontaneously at speeds between 50 and 70 mph. The consequences are: - sudden loss of power - sudden loss of steering servo, I.e. a sharp sideways kick if the car is in a curve - sudden loss of braking power - the need to shift to neutral and restart the engine, with the danger to shift to 'R' or even 'P' in panic, and to lock up the steering wheel at full speed (!!!) panic is the right word for the feeling my wife and I have experienced in every occurrence of this failure. 3. after the first two failures I brought the car to a Ford dealership. The car was still under factory warranty, but the workshop couldn't localize the problem. They test-drove he car for 200 miles and concluded he car was ok, in spite of the fact that I told them that I had two events in 20,000 miles. The total frequency has been by now once in every 2,500 miles, on average. The shutdown seems to be occurring with the cruise control on, more likely on slight downhill slopes. 3. no solution for this problem so far.
Multiple problems with my Explorer. When shifting into reverse car jolts with a clunking noise. ABS light is on and 4X4 high light flashes. Service engine light on but no hose leaks can be found. Wrench light comes on even after tps replacement suggested by obd-II. Very unhappy with this vehicle. I have owned 7 Ford, this is the worst I have owned.
Ford Motor Company regarding dissatisfaction with lack of performance, reliability and quality of 2004 Ford Explorer XLT* consumer states has had multiple problems with 2004 Ford Explorer such as very hard shifting gears from a parked position, the vehicle shut down on I95 highway twice and pedals became inoperable, vehicle also slams into gear at high speed and wants to reimbursed for the multiple problems of his 3 year old truck.
Multiple problems with my Explorer. When shifting into reverse car jolts with a clunking noise. While driving car jolts occasionally. When braking car shakes. ABS light is on and 4X4 high light flashes. Explorer was taken in December 2004 and fixed for the truck jolting into reverse. Truck now having the same problem. Truck to be taken back to the dealer next week.
2004 Ford Explorer in dealership service 5 times for slipping in the rear while driving in low speeds around corners, still not fixed! dealership has also attempted to fix severe delayed jerking after placing the vehicle in reverse on 3 occasions. Had vehicle at dealership for 35,000 service, dealership took it upon themselves to attempt to fix rear end again and replace bearings in the hub with out my permission! going to arbitration with the BBB autoline to request Ford repurchase the vehicle as it is very evident these problems have existed for years and still exist with the newer models. Thank goodness no one was hurt, except my wallet! the dealership offered me an extended warranty for my troubles in July, it is now the last day of September and I have not received it! lemon law - 3 attempts to fix the same problem and you qualify.
Transmission going into reverse had started to be delayed and abrupt starting around April of 2005 at appr. 12,000 miles. It seemed to not shift into gear properly and would lurch into gear unexpectedly. We received a recall from Ford in May 2005 stating that we had not yet been in for our recall. No notice had come before that one. I immediately called dealer and took in for transmission fluid change 3 days later. There has been no change and if anything things have gotten worse. I need to take my child 75 miles one way frequently for doctors appointments and am quite concerned about the safety of this vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Davis, CA, USA