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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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.
Transmission/differential/rear-end problems, purchased 2004 Ford Explorer XLT in March of 2006, first complaint was that the prndl indicator would not move into the right gear, reported the defect in may, problem stopped but then started again. Brought the vehicle back to the dealer and had to pay to get the problem repaired. But also found that the rear-end is shot the drive shaft keeps turning and the vehicle keeps rolling while in park. The vehicle also lurches when brake is depressed. Dealer states that the rear-end and differential is bad how can this be on a vehicle that has only 49000 miles on it.
- Shaker Heights, OH, USA
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- Shaker Heights, OH, USA