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:
7 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,800 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.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. When the contact started the ignition and depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The failure occurs whenever the gear shifter is in the drive or reverse positions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 50,000.
On December 17, 2008 at around 6:50 a.M., I was driving my wife to work. We live in a quiet village type residential area. After two minutes or so after I pulled out of our driveway, my 2004 Ford Explorer suddenly accelerated at a very high speed, without my stepping on the gas pedal. I estimate the vehicle reached 45 mph or more in a very short span of time, and apparently increasing. The vehicle speed was out of my control for 3 seconds or more, despite my foot being away from the accelerator. At first I thought I was skidding on black ice, but I realized this couldn't be because the engine was increasingly roaring and getting louder as I gained speed. It reminded me of the sensation when cruise control picks up speed on the freeway. Besides, I wasn't losing control of the steering wheel. It felt like my gas pedal was not only stuck, but was being pressed even further more. When I realized I wasn't skidding, I quickly applied the brakes and vehicle slowed down. Good thing, the street was deserted. The most significant memory was the sudden roaring of the engine and the rapid acceleration despite my foot being off the gas pedal. The temperature outside was 38F, with a slight drizzle.
Details: On going problem with throttle control, when you are stopped or just starting out and give gas it dose not start to go so you give it a little bit more gas and then it will jump forward or backward( if you are backing up) to appoint that it will some times squeal the tires. The transmission also would shift so hard it feels like you are hit from behind. In for repair at sellers sexton Ford, St robert mo.
I have a 2004 Explorer limited and just turned 14,000 miles and my ABS light comes on every time I start the car and accelerate. Also the cruise stopped working. From what I have read it sounds like the ABS module which Ford has apparently been aware off. Not happy!! I would not expect this sort of problem with only 14,000 miles.
- De Pere, WI, USA
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Of the numerous issues with this vehicle, the worst is the transmission (40,000 miles ). same old story. Started with clunking and hesitation and surging when shifting into reverse and now is 'clunking' into gears 2 and 3 during normal driving. The rear drivers side window motor has been replaced twice. The rear window panel has a vertical crack to the left of the Ford symbol that just mysteriously occurred even though we don't even use the window. The truck stalls when the cruise control is applied below 45 miles an hour. My wife and I really loved this truck but like many others we have become embarrassed by our purchase. If this kind of fraud were to occur with any other product we would have some sort of recourse but not surprisingly the motor company's seem to enjoy a certain level of protection. The 'better business bureau' won't even listen to car complaints. Given the severe and ubiquitous nature of the complaints about this vehicle it comes as no surprise that no remediations is forth coming from this organization, the manufacturer or any other. The cost of these vehicles is a burden to say the least and is financially devastating to those of us who purchased them in good faith only to have a 30,000 dollar vehicle become useless and dangerous before reaching 50000 miles. Like all the other 'victims' of fraud, I am wasting yet more of my time by complaining about it.
I have discovered that my 2004 Ford limited V8 cruise control can kill the engine while the car is in motion. I have been using the coast button on my cruise control to reduce speed as I approach a speed sign lower than my existing speed. If I hold the button as the car slows to a speed below 35mph (approximate) the engine quits leaving me with no power steering or vacuum braking. I've tried it several time and the fault is consistent. Whenever the car slows to below the minimum cruise control the device should disengage, not stall the engine. I think this is a serious issue and owners should be aware of it.
When driving the vehicle will properly engage the cruise control. If you press the accelerate or decelerate buttons the engine will shut off while the vehicle is still moving. This occurs every time the cruise control system is used. The vehicle becomes very difficult to control and stop when the engine shuts off as the vehicle is moving. I have stopped using the cruise control as I am afraid for the safety of my family. I have not repaired this problem as I thought it was a Ford defect and subsequently used your website to search for recalls. No recalls or current investigations are currently listed regarding this problem. Please investigate this issue so that Ford may repair it.
I own a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT. When I attempt to use my cruise control around 30 -35 mph my vehicle turns off and all the gauges turn on. The first time it occurred I was on a curve going about 32 mph and I nearly ran head on to the car in the only lane because you loose power steering and it gets difficult. Everytime I have to pull over and turn the vehicle back on. It only happens at this speeds and driving on a military post where the speed limit is 30mph can be dangerous.
While driving vehicle suddenly started accelerating uncontrollably. Driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Vehicle continued to accelerate excessively. While making a right turn driver hit the curb and flipped four times landing upside down in a ditch. Driver and passenger sustained injuries, and were transported by an ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
While driving 70 mph check engine light came on, then, moments later the engine revved up and down, and the brakes failed, not allowing the vehicle to stop. Dealer stated the vehicle jumped timing.
While stopped at an intersection our 2003 Ford Explorer accelerated without touching the accelerator pedal. If the brake hadn't been firmly pressed the vehicle would have shot into the oncoming traffic. In order to temporarily correct the problem, the transmission was shifted into park and then back to drive where we were able to accelerate normally. Dealer cannot reproduce problem and suggested a computer software upgrade.
When shifting gears from drive to reverse a heavy knocking noise is produced. The gear selector would hang up in drive and the selector did not return. The vehicle would also unexpectedly jump out of drive. The shift solenoid was replaced but the problem remained the same.
Loud pop from rear-end. ABS light, wrench, and check engine light came on. Found to be a bad speed sensor and defective rear-end. SUV has been in the shop for 2 weeks and no rear-end in sight.
While turning left at low speed, without warning the vehicle accelerated. The driver was not able to control the vehicle and collided into a garage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem. Consumer was turning left towards garage when vehicle accelerated to about 50 to 60 mph.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Whitman, MA, USA