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, Jun 13, 2005
2004 EXPLORER EXHIBITED SIGNS OF NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY INTO REVERSE AS EARLY AS AUG/SEP 04. PRONOUNCED DELAY OF SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AROUND 2004 HOLIDAY SEASON. CALLED DEALERSHIP UPON RECEIPT OF LETTER FROM FORD IN JANUARY, BUT TRANSMISSION ADDITIVE NOT YET AVAILABLE. AFTER ADDITIVE (MARCH 05), VEHICLE CONTINUED TO JUMP INTO REVERSE AND FORWARD SHIFTING AT LOWER SPEEDS BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD PARTICULAR IN CITY DRIVING AND IN BACKING OUT OF TIGHT PARKING AREAS. HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEALER TO ANAYLZE PROPER REPAIR AND MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY. NO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION YET.
Power train, Jun 2, 2005
TRANSMISSION LEAKS, HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES BY DEALER. TRANSMISSION HAS NO DIP STICK TO MEASURE LEVEL AND NO WAY FOR USER TO ADD FLUID. WHEN LEAK IS NOTICED USER DOES NOT KNOW OIL LEVEL AND CAN BE LEFT STRANDED IN DANGEROUS LOCATIONS. HAS ALSO BEEN REPAIRED FOR SLAMMING DUE TO SOLENOID PROBLEMS ALSO.
Power train, May 29, 2005
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS A WHINE IN THE REAR END AT APPX 56-58 MPH. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RING AND PINION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
Power train, May 29, 2005
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT HAS A DELAY AND THEN HARD SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE SOLENOID BECAUSE OF HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT AND NOW AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY.
Power train, May 24, 2005
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING GEARS SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. IT HESITATES CONSIDERABLY TO ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. WHEN ENGAGED IN DRIVE IT'S INITIALLY NONRESPONSIVE TO LIGHT ACCELERATION THEN SURGES FORWARD. AFTER TAKING TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SOLENOID WORK, IT CONTINUES TO MISENGAGE INTO MULTIPLE GEARS. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST FORD EXPLORER AND IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE OF ANY SUV I'VE DRIVEN. MY CONCERN IS THAT AFTER THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED, RESIDUAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE STILL PRESENT, WHICH MAY NOT BECOME APPARENT UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND WARRANTY.
Power train, May 24, 2005, crash
FLASHING LIGHTS ON PANEL. ACCIDENT IN WHICH CAR SKIDDED. DEALER SAID DEFECT IN REAR AXLE OF2004 FORD EXPLORER.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 20, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THERE IS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR BOTH OF THESES MALFUNCTIONS PRESENT A DANGER AND A HAZARD AND ARE VERY SERIOUS DEFECTS. *BF *NM
Power train, May 16, 2005
2004, V-6, AUTO TRANSMISSION, FORD EXPLORER, AN INTERMITANT PROBLEM WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. ENGINE REVS,FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONNECTION TO THE TRANSMISSION, AS IF IN NEUTRAL, THEN UNEXPECTANTLY IT ENGAGES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH BACKWARD. WE RECEIVED A SERVICE NOTICE FROM FORD THAT THIS CONDITION ONLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER, TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM PUT IN A SPECIAL FLUID WHICH WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WELL IT IS NOW MAY 16 HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IT, THE REVERSE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. WE ARE GOING TO THE DEALSHIP AGAIN,
Power train, May 11, 2005
CIRCUMSTANCES WITH OUR NEWLY LEASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE SUCH THAT WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU PROVIDE US WITH A NEW VEHICLE OF SIMILAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JUNE 25, 2004 AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT HAVE MADE IT HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THE 2 VERY SERIOUS MALFUNCTIONS ARE NOT MINOR, BUT ARE OF A VERY SERIOUS NATURE. 1. VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF THIS HAS OCCURRED IN SITUATIONS ON THE HIGHWAY THAT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO THE PASSENGERS AND THOSE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BUT IT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT AS OPERATORS WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN IT OR TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION THAT THE DEFECTS IN OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE SERIOUS. 2. DIFFICULTY PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, IT GOES NOT ENGAGE IN THE GEAR. AT OTHER TIMES, IT WILL ENGAGE THE GEAR AFTER A PROLONGED DELAY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT "UNEXPECTEDLY" JUMPS INTO GEAR AFTER A PROLONGED DELAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE PASSENGERS, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR ANY PEDESTRIANS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. BOTH OF THESE MALFUNCTINOS PRESENT A DANGER AND A HAZARD AND ARE VERY SERIOUS DEFECTS. INACCEPTABLE RESPONSE FROM FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDS, JOHN PISCAL CFO INNER CITY EDUCATION FOUDATION JPISCAL@ICEFLA.ORG 323.294.8515 CC: MR. MICHAEL PISCAL PRESIDENT & CEO
Power train, May 9, 2005
I HAVE A 2004 FORD SPORTS TRAC EXPLORER. THERE WAS A RECALL TO PUT AN ADDITIVE INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I DID. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT STEP DOWN GEARS AND I HAVE TO JUST ABOUT STAND ON THE BREAK AND QUICK PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE VA. . THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A SAFTEY ISSUE THEY COULD GO NOFURTHER. I COMPLAINED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING.
Power train, Apr 19, 2005
TRANSMISSION HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR PROBLEM OCCURS DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION, APPROXIMATELY 2500-3000 RPMS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ACCEPTABLE DURING LIGHTER AND HEAVIER ACCELERATIONS.*AK
Power train, Apr 12, 2005
TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE/ SLAMS INTO REVERSE AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS OF HESITATION/DELAYS IN SHIFTING IN FORWARD GEARS, AND IS DANGEROUS!. AFRAID EVERY TIME CAR SHIFTS GEARS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL LURCH OR HESITATE. BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 WEEKS AGO, USED, 19,750 MILES ON IT IN 37 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED . EVERY PERSON I KNOW WHO HAS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM - FORD IS A LARGE AUTOMOBILE MAKER, SHOULD PROVIDE A RECALL TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *AK
Power train, Mar 30, 2005
WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION THE FRONT AXLE LOCKS. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO EVALUATE THIS PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *BF *NM
Power train, Mar 29, 2005
AUTO TRANSMISSION JUMPING IN AND OUT OF REVERSE GEAR.
Power train, Mar 18, 2005
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING DELAY. DEALER HAS "FIXED" TWICE AND ADDED THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. MY FACTORY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 8,000 MILES AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE PROBLEMS I WILL HAVE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADJUSTED, REBUILT AND ADJUSTED AGAIN WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.*AK
Power train, Mar 10, 2005
AFTER SHIFTING IN REVERSE GEAR VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Mar 10, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER-DELAYED THEN HARSH SHIFT OF TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, WAS IN SHOP TO REPLACE SOLENOID AND BAD TRANSMISSION FLUID INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY"-PROBLEM PERSISTS-CAR WAS PURCHASED NOV 2004 AND HAS ONLY APPROX 4500 MILES. PROBLEM IS ONGOING SO THERE IS NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT DATE. *AK
Power train, Mar 9, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 22,000 MILES. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE UNLESS YOU STEP ON THE ACCELLERATOR. THEN IT ENGAGES WITH A LOUD BANG, SLAMS INTO GEAR AND LURCHES BACKWARDS. CAR ALSO PAUSES BETWEEN SHIFTS DURING ACCELERATION. HAVE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER YET WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION SOLENOID TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS ON BACK ORDER. *AK
Power train, Feb 28, 2005
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 04 EXPLORER IS FAILING. FORD ISSUED A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDATIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE SELANIOD WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO GO AWAY. NOW 500 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. NO HELP FROM THE FORD DEALER.
Power train, Feb 24, 2005, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. (3AUG04). BROKE AND ARM AND STILL IN BRACE AND LONGER WEEKS AHEAD. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE MY COMPLAINT OR CALL ME BACK. NO LAWYER WILL TOUCH THE CASE YET HEAR I AM WITH LOSS WAGES MAYBE UNABLE TO USE MY ARM (I'M A NURSING STUDENT) BUT HEY IF THAT;S HOW FORD WORKS.. I'LL NEVER BUY AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES FORCIBLE IN REVERSE, AND WHILE IN DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT GOES FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE.. PLEASE HELP.. AT MY WITS END THANKS.. *NM
Power train, Feb 23, 2005
THE GEARS ON THE VEHICLE WERE POPPING, WHICH WAS NOT LETTING THE VEHICLE HAVE MOVEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING.
Power train, Feb 22, 2005
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE BACKWORDS WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. AT TIMES WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WILL DELAY GOING IN REVERSE AND SURGE BACKWARDS UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION PARTS. 5 WEEK BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER ALSO CLAIMS IT IS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION OIL.*AK
Power train, Feb 20, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. DELAYS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND THEN LUNGES BACK WITH A CLUNKING SOUND. ALSO, HARD SHIFT AND CLUNKING IN DRIVE. *JB
Power train, Feb 18, 2005
DRIVER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND VEHICLE HESITATED. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Power train, Feb 17, 2005
BOUGHT NEW 2004 EXPLORER XLT JANUARY 1ST 2005, UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME I NOTICED A HESITATION IN THE CHANGING OF THE GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO SLIP WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID THROTTLE BODY WAS STICKING AND REPLACED IT. ALSO THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NO CHANGE TO THE VEHICLE, I TOOK TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY SAID. THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY WITH NO RELIEF IN SIGHT, THEY DID SUGGEST THAT I HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RECALL AND I DID, IT DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NO MATTER WHAT FORD SAYS, IF I NEED ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC AND MY VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM AND HESITATES OR SPITS AND SPUTTERS, I AND MY FAMILY ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER AND THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND MY FELLOW CONSUMERS. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. IF FORD HAS ADMITTED THEY HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT RECALL AND CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, HOW CAN THEY BE ALLOWED TO LET THE CONSUMER TAKE THE HIT?? *JB