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'd say at least once each day the hatch window on my 2004 Ford Explorer unlatches itself. If I'm driving with the windows open it opens quite rapidly creating a distraction as I'm speeding along the highway. Once I heard it unlatch itself as I came down the front stoop walking towards the driveway 12 hours after I had parked it there. The keys were alone in the house, so I know it wasn't the remote sending a signal. At other times it opens as I walk away from the car. Yesterday it unlatched itself as I walked away from it in the dealers parking lot where I had just left the keys with the mechanic. It doesn't make any sense. I have as associate who is having the same sort of problem, but it doesn't happen every day. If anyone knows what the problem is I'd sure appreciate your advice. The dealer doesn't have any idea what to do about it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I'd say at least once each day the hatch window on my 2004 Ford Explorer unlatches itself. If I'm driving with the windows open it opens quite rapidly creating a distraction as I'm speeding along the highway. Once I heard it unlatch itself as I came down the front stoop walking towards the driveway 12 hours after I had parked it there. The keys were alone in the house, so I know it wasn't the remote sending a signal. At other times it opens as I walk away from the car. Yesterday it unlatched itself as I walked away from it in the dealers parking lot where I had just left the keys with the mechanic. It doesn't make any sense. I have as associate who is having the same sort of problem, but it doesn't happen every day. If anyone knows what the problem is I'd sure appreciate your advice. The dealer doesn't have any idea what to do about it.
- June R., Glen Head, NY, US