2004 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,408 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 75 involved a crash and 16 involved a fire. 105 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2005
THE ISSUE I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY FORD 2004 IS ON SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE INDICATOR CAME ON AND SHUTS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DOWN. WELL AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I DECIDED TO REPORT THE MATTER TO ONE OFF THE DEALER''S, AFTER A WEEK OF HOLDING ON TO IT THE REPORT CAME BACK THAT THEY COULD FINE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP. WELL AFTER SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. *NM
Suspension, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2005
BRAKES, SHOCKS,REAR AXLE, CRUSE CONTROL,ALIGNMENT
Power train, Electrical system, Tires, Seats, Jul 13, 2005
WITHIN THREE DAYS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE, I ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH REMOTE, SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULDN'T. DRIVER'S REAR WINDOW , SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULDN'T. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR SAME THINGS. REAR END MAKES A VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE. IT HAS BEEN TO DEALER'S THREE TIMES ALSO FOR FIXING. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND ALL OF THEM ARE DOING IT. VEHICLE, WHILE IN GEAR, WOULD JUMP/JERK. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID, IT STILL DOES IT SOMETIMES.
Electrical system, Jun 6, 2005
THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. 1ST) MY TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN MAKING A CLUNK OR THUD SOUND ALMOST EVERYTIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SOLENOID ASSEMBLY. I STILL FEEL SOME OF THE SAME SYMPTOMS WHEN REVERSING AND SLOWING DOWN. 2ND) MY EXPLORER NOW FAILS TO START. I DROVE TO PICK UP SOME FRIENDS. I DROVE A MAXIMUM OF 40 MILES THAT DAY BEFORE I WENT TO HIS HOUSE. AFTER 30 MIN I CAME OUTSIDE AND TRIED TO START MY VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT EVEN TURN OVER. THERE IS ENOUGH POWER, THE BATTERY HAS A GREEN LIGHT, AND THE FUSE IS GOOD. I USED TO BE A LOYAL FORD MAN BUT AFTER THESE PROBLEMS I AM SERIOUSLY THINKING OF TRADING THIS VEHICLE IN FOR A DIFFERENT BROWN.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2005
WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 25 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURES, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IN DRIVE, LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. REMEDIES USED WERE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AFTER COASTING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE.*AK
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2004
VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR NOT STARTING. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THEN, SECOND TIME, A COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING TOWED, AND THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE FOUND. *AK
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2004, fire
CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE LOT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY.*AK
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 3, 2004
SINCE NEW, I HAVE INTERMITTENT HARD START ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. ON ABOUT 7 OCCASIONS, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY SIMPLY TOLD ME SINCE IT STARTED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THERE WASN'T A LIGHT ON THE DASH DID NOT COME ON. THEREFORE THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY CODES. FINALLY AT 10,345 MILES, THE CAR BROKE DOWN. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE KEPT GETTING ABOUT 4 OR 5 CODES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CLEAR THEM. REPLACED THE ECM AND REPROGRAMMED. I STILL HAVE THE INTERMITTENT HARD START ISSUE WHICH IS INTERMITTENT. THE ECM HAS BEEN UPDATED 3 TIMES. I ALSO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHING FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AFTER START UP, THEY CLAIM, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. I ALSO HAD A EXHAUST GASKET REPLACED AS THERE WAS AN ANNOYING NOISE THAT WOULD GO ON AND ON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING WHILE IN PARK. LASTLY - TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS POOR SHIFT QUALITY. IT LIKES TO HANG UP AND HESITATE IN 3D GEAR, YOU WILL BE RUNNING 55-60 AND GO TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT UNTIL IT HITS 80-85MPH AND BY THEN YOU ARE AT 6 ON THE TACHOMETER.THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SOLENOID BODY AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND THE CAR STILL IS NOT FIXED. IT ALSO LIKES TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AS WE SPEAK. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 12,850. *AK
Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Interior lighting, Nov 30, 2004
COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE GAUGE POD, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS AT 2,300 MILES. NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACH, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP, OIL, BATTERY, RADIO (NOTHING IN THE DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS EXCEPT THE AIRBAG LIGHT). *AK FORD DEALER IN ALLENTOWN PA WAS VERY RUDE AND WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO NOT WORK IN A TIMELY MANNER AND KEEP US IN THE DARK. DROVE VEHICLE TO TEXAS (WITH NO GAUGES) TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. AT THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES EXCESSIVELY BETWEEN SHIFTS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Tires, Nov 23, 2004
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER WOULD SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN IT WILL SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO AS OF TODAY, WAS UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT. *JB THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH ON IT'S OWN WHILE HITTING THE RESUME BUTTON IN CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR OF THE BRAKING AND TIRE PRESSURE GAUGES, THROTTLE CONTROL, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL DEFAULT, GENERAL COMPUTER DEFAULTS AND THE REAR TRIM PIECE AT THE LIFTGATE OPENING WAS DISTORTED. *SC
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OTHER VEHICLES WERE POINTING AT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE BASE OF THE CHASSIS, THE VENTS, AND FROM THE TIRE HUB. THE HUB CAPS MELTED. THE FIRE ALSO DISINTERESTED THE BRAKES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED BY THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THIS DEALERSHIP PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND WHEELS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN. (NAR) *PH *CB THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF SWAY BAR HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER TURNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CENTER, OR IT WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING OF THE ROAD. *SC *JB