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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
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
90,100 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2004 Ford Explorer transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #2

Jan 062009

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,099 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Yeah when this happened i had one of the ford workers tell me it is a common problem.This make of transmission is either fords gravy train mobile to rack up the big bucks.It was a snap ring that gave out which caused a piece to crack off the transmission case .which spilled transmission fluid on the ground .After cleaning it up i was angry .But bottom line ford doesn't care because its all about the $$$$$$ not the quality by what i read here today .I wish i had bought an import, but lesson learned....

- shawne, St.John, NL, Canada

problem #1

Jan 062009

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,099 miles

Yeah when this happen i had one of the ford workers tell me it is a common problems.This make of transmission is eather fords gravey train moble to rack up the big bucks.It was a snap ring that gave out witch cause a piece to cracked off the tranmission case .which pissed tranmission fluid on the ground .After cleaning it up i was angry .But bottom line ford don't care because its all about the $$$$$$ not the quality by what i read here to day .I wish i have bought an import but lesson learned....

- shawne, St.John, NL, Canada

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