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.
Ford knows they have this problem with the rear coil springs. The dealer would not even acknowledge this when I questioned them on hearing that they had a problem with the rear coil springs. At 46914 miles I went in to the dealer for an oil change and was told that my right rear coil spring was cracked. At 48113 miles I took the Ex. for state inspection to my mechanic and he handed me a 4" piece of the rear coil spring. I need to get the taken care of now and I want Ford to pay for the two new rear coil springs!!!!!!! Its one thing to have 100,000 miles or more and this happens and another when you only have 47,000 miles on your vehicle. "HAY FORD" I WANT MY TWO NEW COIL SPRINGS PUT ON AT NO COST NOW!!!!!!!!!!
- jimbojig,
Allentown, PA, US
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I'm shocked at how common this problem is. It seems any problem I have with this vehicle (broken coil springs, rear diff, cracked lift gate) are all
Well known to Ford an e petite coed but far too many explorer owners. As I long time owner of Ford vehicles, I am not impressed.
- damnfordyounasty, Winnipeg, MB, Canada