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, Nov 19, 2004
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM NEUTRAL, CAR BUCKS WHEN FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR (REVERSE AND FORWARD). CAR HAS STALLED UPON STEERING INTO A U-TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY.*AK
Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 19, 2004
CAR HAS A HARD TIME ENGAGING INTO GEAR, WHEN BACKING UP IT FEELS LIKE I'VE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST JUMPS IN REVERS.I HAVE ALMOST RAN OVER SOMEONE BECAUSE OF A DELAY IN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE. IN DRIVE IT DOES THE SAME THING. I WORRY THAT I AM GOING TO HIT A CAR THAT MIGHT BE PARKED IN FRONT OF ME OR EVEN A PERSON. NOT ONLY THAT I WORRY THAT IF I DID HIT ANOTHER CAR I WOULDN'T KNOW THAT I DID IT. THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING. IT HAS LEFT US ALMOST STRANDED TWICE. THE CARS BATTERY HAS DIED FOR NO REASON, EVEN AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF HOURS PRIOR TO TRYING TO RESTART IT. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW MOTORS HAVE GONE OUT, THE REAR WINDOWS WERE STUCK OPEN IN A RAIN STORM WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH, THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 5,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE KEYLESS ENTRY QUITE WORKING, WICH ALSO KEPT OUR KEY CHAIN LOCKERS FROM WORKING. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER, IT WOULD JUST MAKE A CLICK, WHEN IT WOULD TURN OVER, IT SOUNDED LIKE GEARS WERE GRINDING. THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR TO BE SERVICED FOR THE FIRST TIME A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, DEC. 5, 2003 AND HAS GONE IN ATLEAST ONCE EVERY TWO MONTHS SINCE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICING A TOTAL OF 3 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR THAT WE HAVE OWNED IT. WE HAVE REQUESTED SINCE IT HAS BEEN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM 8 TIMES AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED THAT THE DEALERSHIP LEMON THE VEHICLE. BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT THEY CANNOT FIX IT.WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NOW. IT CAN POTENTIALLY HURT SOMEONE. *AK
Power train, Nov 18, 2004
WHEN GEARS ARE PUT IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES FOR 3-5 SECONDS THEN A LOUD CLUNK IS HEARD AND THE VEHICLES MOVES. JUST PURCHASESD THE EXPLORER FROM DEALER TODAY WITH 20,750 MILES ON IT AND NOTHING WAS DISCLOSED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I'LL TAKE BACK TOMMORROW AND HOPE THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. LEMON????*AK
Power train, Nov 12, 2004
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING GEARS. IT WOULD ALSO CLUNK AND HANG UP IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES WHEN ENGAGED IN DRIVE IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY AND KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IF NOT, I AM AFRAID TO THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES. AFTER TAKING TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP, IT NO LONGER SLIPS IN GEAR, BUT IT STILL CLUNKS. NOW IT HESITATES WHEN CHANGING GEAR. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE TRIED 4 TIMES TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS BUT THEY KEEP SAYING ITS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE ANY HESITATIONS WHEN THE GEARS CHANGE IN ANY VEHICLES I HAVE EVER DRIVEN OR OWNED. THIS WILL BE MY LAST FORD EVER! *JB
Power train, Nov 12, 2004
FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS, WHEN I PUT SUV INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A LOUD BANG. SOMETIMES SUV STICKS IN "PARK", THEN SLAMS BACK. ALSO WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT HESITATES AND FINALLY SHIFTS. UPON STOPPING, SUV ROLLS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS A GREAT DISTANCE UNTIL IT FINALLY LOCKS INTO "PARK." TOOK SUV TO SERVICE DEPT. @ DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *JB
Power train, Nov 10, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, HESITATION UP 5 SECONDS THEN BANGS INTO REVERSE. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF COMPUTER LAG. STILL DOING IT AND TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER AGAIN. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM.
Power train, Nov 6, 2004
VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THEN SLAMS INTO REVERSE WITH A SUDDEN JERK. HAVE TO KEEP BRAKE TO THE FLOOR WAITING FOR IT TO ENGAGE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM HURTING ANYONE. UPON WAITING FOR PART THAT IS ON BACK ORDER, THE VEHICLE NOW MISSES GEARS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SOMETIMES SLAMS INTO THE NEXT GEAR EVEN IF IT IS DOWN SHIFTING. PART WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HEAR LAST WEEK AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING US THAT IT MAY BE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH BEFORE IT GETS HERE! WE HAVE CHILDREN AND ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THIS IS NOT FIXED VERY SOON! MECHANIC SAID THAT ALL 2004 EXPLORERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES WHICH IS WHEN THIS BEGAN IN OURS. VERY WORRIED!!!!! *JB
Power train, Nov 4, 2004
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO INTO 4- WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THEN STALLED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE OR FORWARD THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK. *SC
Power train, Nov 3, 2004
1- IN REVERSE VEHICLE PAUSES- THEN PROCEEDS TO SURGE BACKWARD. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP- THEY FIXED IT- ADV BAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR. 2- VEHICLE WOULD GO FROM 65- TO - 40 AS IF I WAS HITTING THE BRAKE. TOOK TO DEALER - THEY ADVERTISING GENERAL CODE READ FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. 3- NOW IT HAS ACTUALLY BEGAN TO DIE INSTEAD OF JUST STALLING AND HESITATING. NOW THEY ADVISE ITS THE THROTTLE SENSOR. IN ALL 3 CASES - THE LITTLE WRENCH COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS A 2004 BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND ONLY HAS 16,450 MILES ON IT....... WHAT WILL GO WRONG NEXT?? LAST DATE IS LISTED BELOW THE STALLING IS AN ON/OFF THING. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 3, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE A HEAVY KNOCKING NOISE IS PRODUCED. *AK THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD HANG UP IN DRIVE AND THE SELECTOR DID NOT RETURN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO UNEXPECTEDLY JUMP OUT OF DRIVE. THE SHIFT SOLENOID WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *SC
Power train, Nov 2, 2004
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE AND HARSHLY SHIFTS WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES THERE IS A LAG OF UP TO 5 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING INTO REVERSE, WHICH MAY PUT ME IN DANGER WHEN TRYING TO TURN AROUND IN TRAFFIC. *AK
Power train, Oct 26, 2004
WHEN REVERSING, LOUD BANGING/CLUNKING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE BACK. THE CAR JERKS BACK HARSHLY.*AK
Power train, Oct 21, 2004
WHEN PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE IT HESITATES AND SLAMS IN TO GEAR. VERY LOUD HUMMING NOISE IN REAR WHEN IN ANY SPEED OF ACCELERATION. VEHICLE IS GOING TO DEALERSHIP TOMMOROW.
Power train, Oct 8, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE- STEP ON GAS - DOES NOT ENGAGE THEN SUDDENLY A CLUNK AND TAKES OFF VERY FAST IN REVERSE- WORRIED ABOUT HITTING SOMEONE- DEALER HAS REFLASHED & THEN REPLACED SOLENOID IN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *NM
Power train, Oct 6, 2004
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT JERKED, AND SOMETIMES IT RACED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Power train, Sep 27, 2004, crash
TRANSMISSION GOT STUCK IN NEUTRAL WHEN COLUMN SHIFTER WAS PUT IN THE PARK POSITION. AS MY WIFE GOT OUT TO HELP HER SISTER WITH HER NEW BORN AND BAGGAGE THE EXPLORER STARTED ROLLING, MY NIECE (IN THE BACK SEAT) GOT SCARED AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GOT RAN OVER. THE VEHICLE HIT A POLE AND TRAPPED MY NIECE UNDER THE REAR TIRE. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. ACTUALLY SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THE EXPLORER BACK IT HAS STARTED TO CLUNG REALLY HARD GOING INTO REVERSE, AND HAS GOT STUCK BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE RPMS TO SHOOT UP. I AM WAITING ON FORD TO FINALLY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AS I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED.*AK
Power train, Sep 21, 2004
PLACING THE VEHICLW IN REVERSE, VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN ENGAGES WITH A "CLUNK"; SHIFTING INTO DRIVE THE SAME PHENOMENON OCCURS RANDEMLY. THE MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT THIS JUMPING INTO GEAR HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AS WELL !*AK
Power train, Sep 20, 2004
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP, IT WOULD HESITATE WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAPED FORWARD WITH THE CONSUMERS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IT WAS PLACED IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. *SC THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL. *JB
Power train, Sep 17, 2004
ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION IN "REVERSE" IT HESITATES, SLIPS THEN SURGES. LOUD BANGING/CLUNKING NOISES HEARD, SOUNDS LIKE UNIVERSAL JOINT. DEALER STATES PARTS ON ORDER. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO FORD, DEALER BLAMES IT ON A DEFECTIVE SERVO, SYNCHRO OR SOLINOID. AWAITING NATIONWIDE BACK ORDERED PARTS FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURE, WHAT MAKES ME THINK THAT THIS SAME PART WON'T AGAIN FAIL. WHAT IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHICH STILL IS ENCOUNTERING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS I AWAIT THE REPAIR PARTS? SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY PROBLEM TO ME.*AK
Power train, Sep 10, 2004
GRINDING FEEL FROM THE REAR END RESULTED IN A REPLACED AND UPDATED COMPLETE REAR END FROM FORD. STILL HAVE VERY LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS IN FIRST GEAR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND I HAVE TO GET USE TO IT. ALSO HAVE NOTICABLE THUMPING FROM TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT AREA WHEN BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. DEALER HAS VERIFIED NOISE AND IS CONSIDERING A NEW DRIVE SHAFT. CAR IS NEW AND HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES.
Power train, Aug 27, 2004
4X4 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER - BANGS INTO REVERSE. *AK
Power train, Jul 15, 2004
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SURGED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK *NM
Power train, Jun 5, 2004
THE GEAR ON MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF. I BELEIVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. WHEN I TOOKTHE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT THEMSELVES. I AM AFRAID TO WONDER WHAT ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
Power train, May 11, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO HIGHER THAN 28 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB
Power train, Apr 13, 2004
WHINING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THAT FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T CURRENTLY HAVE A FIX FOR IT! THEY ASKED ME TO CALL THEM BACK IN 30 DAYS.