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.
ACCELERATOR AND THROTTLE STICK WHEN IN IDLE OR DRIVING --TRUCK REVS UP AND JUMPS -I WAS TOLD FORD HAD A PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE TIPPING WHICH WOULD BE WHERE IT JUMPS UP AND DOWN AND AROUND ---WENT TO FORD DEALER, WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY TECH SERVICE BULLETIN--BULL SH*T -------------
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
ACCELERATOR AND THROTTLE STICK WHEN IN IDLE OR DRIVING --TRUCK REVS UP AND JUMPS -I WAS TOLD FORD HAD A PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE TIPPING WHICH WOULD BE WHERE IT JUMPS UP AND DOWN AND AROUND ---WENT TO FORD DEALER, WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY TECH SERVICE BULLETIN--BULL SH*T -------------
- Veronica H., Glen Burnie, MD, US