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 FAILURE FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP. THIS VEHICLE FIRST WENT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS WAS WHERE FORD PUT A STEEL LINKAGE ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORTED BY A HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM FRAME, EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER DONE MACHINE WORK KNOWS THAT A BRONZE BUSHING IS NEEDED TO PREVENT THE STEEL ROD FROM WEARING OUT THE SOFT ALUMINUM. FORD DENIED HAVING ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT SOLD BY FORD TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP (IT CONTAINED THE BUSHING NEEDED TO DUE THE REPAIR) $2500 REPAIR. I ALSO HAVE THE CRACK IN THE REAR EXTERIOR PANEL THAT IS ALSO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOW I'M BLESSED WITH THE GAS TANK PROBLEM, TANK WILL NOT TAKE ON FUEL FROM THE PUMP, IT HAS TO BE TRICKLED IN OR IT OVERFLOWS. THIS CAUSES A 15 - 20 MINUTE FUEL FILL UP. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THESE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS MY LAST FORD EVER......
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
JUST ANOTHER FAILURE FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP. THIS VEHICLE FIRST WENT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS WAS WHERE FORD PUT A STEEL LINKAGE ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORTED BY A HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM FRAME, EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER DONE MACHINE WORK KNOWS THAT A BRONZE BUSHING IS NEEDED TO PREVENT THE STEEL ROD FROM WEARING OUT THE SOFT ALUMINUM. FORD DENIED HAVING ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT SOLD BY FORD TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP (IT CONTAINED THE BUSHING NEEDED TO DUE THE REPAIR) $2500 REPAIR. I ALSO HAVE THE CRACK IN THE REAR EXTERIOR PANEL THAT IS ALSO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOW I'M BLESSED WITH THE GAS TANK PROBLEM, TANK WILL NOT TAKE ON FUEL FROM THE PUMP, IT HAS TO BE TRICKLED IN OR IT OVERFLOWS. THIS CAUSES A 15 - 20 MINUTE FUEL FILL UP. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THESE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS MY LAST FORD EVER......
- rangerbob, Mount Juliet, TN, US