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.
Was driving down the road and the engine fail safe mode light came on. I pulled over, shut off the engine, restarted and it went out. I drove about 10 mi, it came on again. I let the car sit for about 2 hrs, light disappeared. The light came on again today 6/6/11 on my way home from work (1 mi). I love the explorer, but I'm beginning to lose trust in ford products. From what I've read, it could be the throttle position sensor or throttle body.......$$$$$$, so I'm frustrated. I have always maintained the car, oil change, engine service on a regular basis. Never have driven the car hard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Was driving down the road and the engine fail safe mode light came on. I pulled over, shut off the engine, restarted and it went out. I drove about 10 mi, it came on again. I let the car sit for about 2 hrs, light disappeared. The light came on again today 6/6/11 on my way home from work (1 mi). I love the explorer, but I'm beginning to lose trust in ford products. From what I've read, it could be the throttle position sensor or throttle body.......$$$$$$, so I'm frustrated. I have always maintained the car, oil change, engine service on a regular basis. Never have driven the car hard.
- djohn56, Altus, OK, US