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.
I have been a ford fan for the last 30 years. I had a 1988 Ford Bronco XLT, full sized-it was my best friend....got me thru many snow storms and floods and many trips to North Carolina, Topsail Island. Had that transmission replaced once with a rebuilt one..had other problems but dealt with them at a cost, because I loved this truck. So, after 255,000 miles, the body cancer took over, I handed it over to my mechanic and sadly said goodbye.
Here steps in a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT..I have babied this vehicle from the get go..oil changes/checkups every 3000-4000 miles, new tires, anything and everything to keep this car for a long, long time. There is 99,500 miles on my Explorer, AND this gear shifting (on the column) has gotten out of control. I get stuck trying to put it in reverse and my friend has to get out of the truck and rock it back n forth til it pops into gear this is another one of Ford's selling features that wasn't disclosed on their ""truth in vehicle guidelines".
this really sucks-it upsets me so very much..... PLEASE, FORD MOTORS-RECALL THIS FORD EXPLORER FOR TRANSMISSION DEFECTS-Make it right..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have been a ford fan for the last 30 years. I had a 1988 Ford Bronco XLT, full sized-it was my best friend....got me thru many snow storms and floods and many trips to North Carolina, Topsail Island. Had that transmission replaced once with a rebuilt one..had other problems but dealt with them at a cost, because I loved this truck. So, after 255,000 miles, the body cancer took over, I handed it over to my mechanic and sadly said goodbye.
Here steps in a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT..I have babied this vehicle from the get go..oil changes/checkups every 3000-4000 miles, new tires, anything and everything to keep this car for a long, long time. There is 99,500 miles on my Explorer, AND this gear shifting (on the column) has gotten out of control. I get stuck trying to put it in reverse and my friend has to get out of the truck and rock it back n forth til it pops into gear this is another one of Ford's selling features that wasn't disclosed on their ""truth in vehicle guidelines".
this really sucks-it upsets me so very much..... PLEASE, FORD MOTORS-RECALL THIS FORD EXPLORER FOR TRANSMISSION DEFECTS-Make it right..
- bouncecook, Ewing, US