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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,485 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 ignition keys loses the program and I constantly have to have noth reprogramed. I was told this was a recall that Ford knows about. The cause the car inability to start
I was getting stuff out of my back seat and my rear window just blew out shattering glass all over.the bottom piece that secures the glass to the door warpred about 6 inched on each side exploding the glass
I get a strong smell of rotten eggs when driving. It only happens when I drive for a long time. My back hatch is cracking in 3 or more spots I am afraid that it will probably fall off and cause damage to someone driving behind me.
When the Explorer was bought used in 2015 the cracks that are common in the glass lift gate cover panel did not exist. We purposely did not open the glass part of the lift gate to avoid cracking it. Eventually it cracked on its own just from opening the full tailgate. Then recently the lift gate latch keeper bolts/studs rusted to the point of failure behind the cracked panel and the glass lift gate released on its own. Luckily the Explorer was parked. However, the interior lights came on as a result. This drained my battery in this summer's heat. I had to purchase a new battery. To avoid this battery issue from happening again, I rigged the lift gate latch with zip ties through the holes to temporarily hold the lift gate shut. It won't hold long like this so I need to fix the attachment parts that rusted behind the glass and then the colored cover panel that is now badly cracked, the cracking of this very poorly designed and poor choice of material body part let water get behind it and hold there after it cracked like virtually all those on other Explorer. This trapped water caused rust of the latch attachment studs behind it. Ford's issuance of vsb's about this issue are proof they were fully aware of there bad material choice for this panel and I feel they should still be on the hook to repair and replace parts despite failure occurring after the vehicles warranty expiration, based on such a poorly designed and widespread tailgate issue that is later in the vehicle's life a safety issue, since the glass lift gate can open upon latch attachment bolt failure, due to rust.
- Fenton, MO, USA
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The car was running fine and no warning light of any kind came on. We went to go start it today and it start up fine. When we tried to put it in all the gears and pressing on the gas it didn't do a thing. I mean it won't move at all.
When putting the Explorer into reverse it would shift hard and throw the vehicle back and then when you put it into drive the engine would race and rev up high and then slam into the next gear. It made the vehicle hard to be reliable. Took the Explorer in and they said this is a known problem for Ford vehicles and they don't know why there is no recall for it but the transmission was shot now having to pay $4500 out of pocket to get my vehicle fixed as I need it for dr appointments. They said the O/D had put shavings down in the pan as well as other problems with the transmission and it would cost more to replace individual parts than to do the entire thing. Frustrating to know that Ford knows this is an issue and doesn't do anything to help the consumer.
While traveling on the I285 interstate we heard a loud pop/ snap and we were trying to figure out where it came from, my daughter noticed glass shards on clothes and that ts when we looked up and realized the moonroof had shattered.
Both hinges on the rear hatch glass broken. Window ready to fall out of vehicle. Can't believe this item hasn't been recalled as there are tons of complaints about these hinges.
2004 Ford Explorer limited edition transmission went out. It does not gear back when at a stop and fixing to go. It goes very slow until it switches gears.
Transmission went out at approx 93,000 miles, heat went out around 85,000 miles, seat belts have been replaced once under warranty and again don't work, electric seat doesn't work, misc. Other things
In the middle of the rear panel under the rear glass near the rear wiper cracks. The first time we paid to have the panel replaced. Because we were concerned that the glass would come loose causing an accident. Less than 18 months and the cracks have reappeared only now there are two cracks in the same location. We have seen multiple cars on the road with this same crack. The dealer says they have seen as well. Called Ford regarding this issue. However, Ford refuses to acknowledge that there is a default in the panel which can causes the rear glass to fall out causing serious accidents.
When driving and you then shifting from drive to reverse it goes into reverse hard. Sometimes it eases into gear and other times it is very hard. I thought well maybe it was me did my foot slip off brake or something?? it wasn't that I made a very conscious effort to make sure I did it correctly and still had the same problems. I also noticed that the vehicle doesn't shift from drive to park correctly kind of stops you before entering park then will go in after you were denied the gear the first time. Currently still dealing with this was hoping there was a recall for either issue.
My car was parked in front of my residence on the street, it had not been driven that day. The back window in the tailgate exploded, causing damage to the tailgate. No one was driving it, it had not been touched that day. There was a prior crack in the tailgate which I have seen on other Explorer's, and since learned that it is a defect in the care.
Overdrive light starting blinking car started shifting really hard and jerking. This is a known issue with Ford Explorer and need to be recalled. I dont have another vehiclebi really need help please
Overdrive light comes on and the car will not shift gears.. coded pressure control solenoid. Put one in and it still has the light blinking and runs like crap..
The car was parked in a grocery store lot. I used the remote to open the back latch to store my groceries. It did not open. I tried again. Suddenly the back window exploded and the back hatch came off it hinges. I am unable to drive the car until it is repaired. I found many stories online that said the same thing has happened to other 2004 Explorer and Ford has not done anything with the complaints. This episode could have been very serious had it occurred while driving or if someone had been hit by the flying glass debris.
When opening the rear hatch window, there was a failure in the pin in the hinge causing the window to fall. The window was not broken however a repair had to be made before the vehicle was drivable due to the possibility of the glass falling.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Malabar, FL, USA