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.
While driving down the road, all of a sudden without warning the steering wheel locked up and the car slowed down to a complete stop. I turned the ignition off and started the car again and then it drove fine. Luckily the cars behind me didn't hit me from behind. Although it almost happened. Thank God my three children weren't in the vehicle with me at the time.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
While driving down the road, all of a sudden without warning the steering wheel locked up and the car slowed down to a complete stop. I turned the ignition off and started the car again and then it drove fine. Luckily the cars behind me didn't hit me from behind. Although it almost happened. Thank God my three children weren't in the vehicle with me at the time.
- Britney W., Jackson, MS, US