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: power train
477 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, May 22, 2008
FORD EXPLORER 2004 - BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2004 MY FORD EXPLORER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS AFTER 1 YEAR I BOUGHT IT. FORD DEALER FIXED IT BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE 1 YEAR AFTER THE FIX WAS MADE AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AND IT WILL COST ME AROUND 1400 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I DID NOT HAVE THEM FIX IT AND FIGURED THAT I CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. THAT DID NOT GET ME ANYWHERE. THIS WAS BACK IN 2006 OR 2007 AND I AM STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A MECHANICAL HAZARD BECAUSE A FAILED TRANSMISSION DRIVING ON A FREEWAY CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT. I HAVE A WIFE, A 4 YEAR OLD AND A 1 YEAR OLD AND ALWAYS FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. *TR
Power train, May 17, 2008
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER LAST YEAR. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE BUT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW WHEEL BEARING. A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS ISSUES. A LOUD ROAR AS I DRIVE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I HEARD THE FAMILIAR SOUND OF ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING TALKING TO ME. I PICK MY DAUGHTER UP EVERYDAY FROM SCHOOL AND RELY ON THIS VEHICLE TO BE FUNCTIONING IN A SAFE MANNER. I RESEARCHED A BIT AND FOUND COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT REGARDING THESE ISSUES. I CAN SEE THAT THIS COMPLAINT IS OLD NEWS BUT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ON GOING PROBLEM. IT IS NOT CHEAP EITHER! I AM DISGUSTED WITH THIS CAR AND DEMAND THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. JOSEPH SULLIVAN *TR
Power train, May 16, 2008
2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH SEALS LEAKING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT AXLE SEAL AND PINION SEAL WERE REPLACED. THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING AND ALSO WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE CHARGES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED ON MARCH 31, 2008 THE REAR AXLE SEAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING, AFTER HAVING THE FRONT AXLE SEAL AND PINION SEAL REPLACED 2 WEEKS PRIOR. *JB
Power train, May 13, 2008
PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED STRONG JERKING MOVEMENT WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM, STATED IT WAS COMMON. NOW 43K MILES, SAME PROBLEM; MUCH STRONGER. I'M NOTICING THIS JERKING WHILE DRIVER FORWARD AS WELL. ON OCCASION THE CAR WILL JUST JUMP FORWARDED AS IF SOMEONE WAS JUMPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I'VE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, SOME WITH INJURIES ON WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM; OVER 197 COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. ONCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES PEOPLE ARE BEING QUOTED OVER $3K TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, May 7, 2008
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I WENT TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE SO I COULD BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. IT WAS DANGLING BY SOME SORT OF CORD. I COULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK, AND COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I'VE HAD THREE MECHANICS LOOK AT IT, AND ALL OF THEM SAID THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BREAK. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1100 TO FIX, BECAUSE A WHOLE NEW STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE ORDERED FROM FORD. I CONTACTED FORD VIA EMAIL, AND THEY ARE NOT ISSUING A RECALL AT THIS TIME, WHICH I THINK IS UNACCEPTABLE GIVEN HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2008
PURCHASED A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER AUTOMATIC V6 IN NOV 04. OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE, ENGINE WOULD GIVE A "HARD" JERK. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, STOPPED(ESPECIALLY) IF ROADS WERE WET, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED FORWARD, VEHICLE TIRES-GOOD TIRES/EVEN WEAR,ROTATED REGULARLY AND/OR VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL AS ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD. ALWAYS A VERY ANNOYING NOISE IN REAR RIDING AS PASSENGER. BUT IT TO DEALER @ BEGINNING, CHECKED IT OUT UNDER WARRANTY, NOE VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER"75930". DROVE IT FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER, PARKED IT, NEXT DAY DROVE IT < THAN A 1/4 MILE TO STORE, SHOPPED, RETURNING HOME THE "TRANSMISSION" GAVE A VERY LOUD NOISE, GRINDING AND A HARD JERK, ENOUGH TO HURT ONE DRIVING OR PASSENGER'S BACKS. 2ND GEAR UNABLE TO ENGAGE, RPM RACE TO 4000 2ND GONE! FORD DEALER QUOTES A REPAIR(REBUILT) @ $3555.0+TAXES @ RATE OF "$100.00" AN HOUR = LABOR NEARLY A "$1000.00. BROUGHT IT TO A REPRIABLE TRANS SHOP QUOTED $3000.00 COMPLETE WE HAVE BEEN A"DIE-HARD" OWNERS OF FORDS FOR YEARS, EVEN OWN A 1956CROWN VIC., 86 F250, 99 LINCOLNCON'T, 00MUSTANG, AND THIS )$ FORD EXPLORER IS THE WORSE VEHICLE PUCHASED @ "$38,000". NEVER MIND ALL THE PREVIOUS ONES, NEVER HAVE I EVER DEALT WITH A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE OF POOR WORKMANSHIP/DESIGN. REPORTS REVEAL THAT THESE 04'S DEFINITELY HAVE FORD MANUFACTUTRER DEFECTS OR CRAFTMANSHIP FAULTS. WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE UP ON "AMERICAN" VEHICLES, AH AH? @ "75,930+ MILES A BROKEN TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Apr 22, 2008
TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IS NOT DRIVABLE. I ASKED THE FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SHIFTING PROBLEM WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASE AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT THEY COULD FIND. *TR
Power train, Apr 21, 2008
OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUCCUMB TO AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION AFTER WARRANTED FACTORY REPAIR FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT WHILE DRIVING AND BASICALLY LEAVES YOU COASTING WITHOUT SPEED CONTROL DURING A REGULAR SHIFT INTERVAL. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2008
IN FEB. 2004 I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW EXPLORER. ABOUT 6 MONTHS INTO OWNERSHIP THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS WITH A DELAY IN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED IT WAS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, WHICH THE DEALER DID REPLACE. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I TOOK THE EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE SAME PART AGAIN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE SO I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK AGAIN IN DECEMBER OF 2006 TO THE DEALER. THEY PROCEED TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED, TWICE. THIS TIME THEY TELL ME MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. WELL IT SEEMS TO ME IF IT WAS REPAIRED CORRECTLY THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME THEN IT WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING JUST ABOUT EVERY YEAR. I WOULD DRIVE MY TRUCK LOCALLY AND IT NORMALLY WOULD NOT WANT TO MOVE. ONE DAY ON MY LUNCH HOUR, I TRIED TO CROSS A MAJOR 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND THIS 2004 FORD EXPLORER, LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS LUNCH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, TO BE T-BONED BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. TALK ABOUT, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; I WAS SO UPSET THAT I HAD TO GO HOME FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. IT IS JUST AS SCARY TO THINK MY TRUCK WOULD BREAK DOWN DUE TO MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS WITH MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK. THIS HAPPENED SO OFTEN AND MOST TIMES AT NIGHT. THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID COST ME $550.00 AT 80K MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL 100K BUT THE DEALER SUGGESTED IT DUE TO MY MANY PROBLEMS. I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I JUST WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE MY TRUCK HAS SAT AT THE DEALER SINCE DEC 2007, I CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS. IT SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD FOR FAULT TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Power train, Mar 7, 2008
PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER NEW AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SOON AFTER PURCHASE. NOT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE PROPERLY. TOOK THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BACK TO DEALERSHIP. RECEIVED TRANSMISSION ADDITIVE RECALL AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK AGAIN. ABOUT 5,000 MILES AFTER ADDITIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WORSENED. SOLENOID REPLACE AT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 35,000 WITH OTHER TRANSMISSION PARTS REPLACED. NOW AT 59,000 MILES OF USE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY GONE AND MUST BE REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Mar 6, 2008
MY VEHICLE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE WILL HESITATE THEN ENGAGE APPROX. 30 SEC. LATER AS IF REARENDED. WHEN I AM IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATE MY 04 EXPLORER XLT WILL HESITATE THEN ENGAGED. *TR
Power train, Mar 5, 2008
I JUST PURCHASED A USED FORD EXPLORER XLT FROM A DEALER AND TOOK FOR TEST DRIVE SEEMED OK PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE NEXT DAY UPON DRIVING THAT THE TRANSMISSION GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OUT OF MY GARAGE TOOK A FEW SECONDS BEFORE CLUNCKING INTO GEAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT MY GARAGE I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC WHICH HE CHANGED OUT MY FLUID ADDING THE ADDITIVE THAT HE NEW WAS REQUIRED HE OWNS A TRANS SHOP AND IS VERY REPUTABLE HE STATED ABOUT THE RECALL ALSO HE CHECKED MY DIFFERENTIALS IN FRONT AND REAR AND NOTICED REAR WAS ALL FULL OF SILVER SHAVINGS WE CHANGED OUT FLUIDS ALSO BUT THE SHIFTING AND VIBRATING STILL IS OCCURRING I DID PURCHASE A FULL WARRANTY AND AFTER READING ALL THE NEGATIVE PRESS ON THIS SITE I HOPE THE PURCHASE OF A FORD VEHICLE AND WARRANTY WAS WORTH THE MONEY. *TR
Power train, Mar 4, 2008
SINCE OWNING THE CAR, IT HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IT WILL SUDDENLY LURCH BACKWARDS. CAUSING THE CAR TO MOMENTARILY LOOSE CONTROL. IT IS A CONCERN WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, AND COULD POTENTIALITY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID AND A FEW GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE TRUE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2008, crash
HI! MY 2004 FOR EXPLORER HAS BEEN SUFFERING FROM TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR OVER 3 YEARS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR WHILE UNDER WARRANTY MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE DEALER DOING LITTLE TO SATISFY ME OR ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE TO A POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME A PUBLIC HAZARD TO DRIVE. IT SEEMS TO JUMP IN AND OUT OF GEAR AS IT WISHES WITH A CLUNKING SOUND, ESPECIALLY WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS PAST WEEK AFTER BEING ADVISED TO DO SO WHEN I CALLED FORD'S 1-800 NUMBER AND THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CATCH IS THAT MY SUV IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AT ONLY 46K MILES. BEAR IN MIND THEY FAILED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE IN THE PAST. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. MANY COMMENTS FROM OTHER DISGRUNTLED OWNERS MAY BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.OFFROADEXCHANGE.COM/MODFORUMS/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=26.NEW EVIDENTLY THE PROBLEM GOES AS FAR BACK AS PRODUCTION OF 2004 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD IS FAILING TO OWN UP TO THIS. I URGE YOU TO PLEASE TAKE ACTION SO THAT THIS ISSUE MAY BE DEEMED PART OF A RECALL. THESE VEHICLES ARE POSING A PUBLIC THREAT AND FORD IS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2008
DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING SUV REAR AXLE GRINDS CHATTER. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Feb 3, 2008
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SHIFT SLIPPAGE, DELAYED ACCELERATION. *TR
Power train, Jan 29, 2008
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IN 2006 I HAD TO HAVE THE SOLENOID SHIFTERS REPLACED IN MY VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THE 2004 EXPLORER MODEL. MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WILL TAKE THIS COMPLAINT AND RESEARCH FOR YOURSELF THE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND PLACE A GOVERNMENT RECALL CORRECT THE MATTER ONCE AND FOR ALL. IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO HESITATE BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR IN MY CASE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES WHILE AT HIGH SPEEDS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY OTHER QUESTIONS. THANKS. *CN
Power train, Jan 12, 2008
1 - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO REVERSE. STARTING HAPPENING AT APPROX. 11K MILES. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE UNDER WARRANTY TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE, BUT STILL SHIFTED HARD. ONE REPAIR AT 11K AND ONE REPAIR AT 34K. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS 'NORMAL' BY DEALER (BERGSTROM FORD OF NEENAH). HOWEVER, AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS, DEALER (BERGSTROM FORD OF NEENAH) MADE REPAIRS THAT THEY BELIEVED WOULD HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE. ISSUE NEVER WENT AWAY. 2 - COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 67K. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. COULD NO BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL AT A RETAIL STORE. TOOK TO FORD DEALER (LES STUMPF FORD) AND GOT NO ASSISTANCE. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NO ASSISTANCE FROM FORD TO MAKE REPAIRS. *TR
Power train, Dec 24, 2007
TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM, COMPLAINED OF A ROUGH SHIFT INTO REVERSE, TECHNICIAN SAID NORMAL WITH THIS TRANSMISSION, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER IN CITY WHERE I WORK THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. 20000 MILES LATER AND 18 MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, NOT IN WARRANTY ANY LONGER I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY GAVE ME A DECISION THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THIS SAME PROBLEM APPEARS AT LEASE 3 TIMES ON YOUR WEBSITE AS SERVICE BULLETINS. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2007
DRIVING VEHICLE, STOPPED, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE BRIEFLY , GOT BACK IN VEHICLE, PULLED ON GEAR SHIFT LEAVER TO PUT IN DRIVE WOULD NOT GO IN DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR, PRNDL LEAVER BROKE OFF, COULD NOT REMOVE KEY, COULD SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1,501.19. I DID NOT BY THIS VEHICLE FROM OURISMAN FORD. I BOUGHT IT FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. *TR
Power train, Dec 6, 2007
IN ORDER TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE PARK POSITION, IT IS NECESSARY TO PUSH THE LEVER UP, LET IT RETURN DOWN A SHORT BIT, AND THEN PUT IT INTO PARK. THE LEVER WANTS TO STOP HALF WAY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE MAY RETURN TO REVERSE WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE PARK POSITION. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel system, Other, Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Seats, Nov 8, 2007
2004 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED-OWNED SUV FOR 38K BEEN IN SHOP REPEATEDLY-FROM MINOR TO MAJOR THINGS. SUV IS A $ 34,000 TURD. CURRENTLY NEEDING TO GO BACK TO SHOP FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS. THE DAY OUR WARRANTY EXPIRES CAR IS GONE. *TR
Power train, Oct 31, 2007
REAR AXLE NOISE/WHINING. *TR
Power train, Oct 19, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE CONTACT'S HOME. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALER AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN EACH GEAR, BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN IT ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND DROVE BACKWARDS. WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, IT DROVE FORWARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE SHIFT INDICATOR AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN IT WAS TEST DRIVEN. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,578. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB
Power train, Oct 17, 2007
ON MY EXPLORER IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 5 OCCASIONS NOW FOR THE TRANSMISSION. DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, SOMETIMES FEELING AS IF SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED ME. ON THE FIRST TRIP IN AN ADDITIVE WAS ADDED TO THE TRANSMISSION, SECOND TRIP THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK WAS REPLACED, THIRD TRIP THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK WAS REPLACED, FOURTH TRIP THE DEALER COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND THE FIFTH TRIP THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE REPRODUCED. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS IS WHAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO DO. 1 DAY AFTER GETTING MY EXPLORER BACK SAME ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *JB