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, Oct 2, 2009
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM !!! JERKS VERY HARD IN REVERSE , SLIPS BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD GEARS, SOMETIMES SLIPS WHILE IN TRAFFIC !! I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS !! *TR
Power train, Oct 2, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER (SOLENOID PACK) REPAIR 2ND TIME. *TR
Power train, Sep 23, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER NBX. OWNER PUT CAR IN PARK AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF IN HAND. CAR TRANSMISSION STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATES THEY HAVE FIXED NUMEROUS EXPLORERS WITH SAME ISSUE IN THE RECENT PAST. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE MATERIAL USED (APPEARS TO BE ALUMINUM) FOR THE "DONUT" SHAPED RING THAT CONNECTS THE GEAR SHIFT TO THE STEERING COLUMN. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WERE UNWILLING HELP WITH EXPENSE ($1,500) OF FIXING THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Sep 14, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH, LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. NEEDS TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED OR REPLACED. MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE OUT DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 30-35MPH. THIS IS ALL AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY TOLD US NO PROBLEMS, OVERFILLED TRANS FLUID, AND ADDED THE RECALL ADDITIVE FROM FORD. MY WIFE REPORTED. WE INFORMED FORD MULTIPLE TIMES ABOUT HARD SHIFTING OR SLIPPING FEELING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND VERY HARD AND LOUD ENGAGEMENTS INTO REVERSE. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM, I GUESS IT WILL JUST TAKE A TRAGIC EVENT TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 49,000 MILES. HOWLING NOISE FROM REAR. TOOK IT TO FORD; THEY REBUILT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AT A COST OF $1600.00. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT FORD FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE HAD TO HAVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED. IN LOOKING AT SERVICE BULLETINS; THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED. *TR
Power train, Sep 1, 2009
ABRUPT SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIR. SOLENOID WAS REPLACED TWICE, TRANSMISSION FLUID ADDITIVE, THEN TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH. UNINTENDED SHIFTING BY TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN VEHICLE TO SWERVE AT 50 PLUS MILES PER HOUR. OCCURS DAILY ON HIGHWAY AFTER LETTING OFF ACCELERATOR AND COASTING. *TR
Power train, Aug 18, 2009
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY '04 FORD EXPLORER SHIFTS INCREDIBLY HARD, WILL STALL IN MID SHIFT, AND CAN SLIP INTO REVERSE FROM PARK AT ANYTIME. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS IN THE 2002-2005 YEARS IN WHICH FORD/MERCURY PUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS INTO EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS AND THEY ARE JUNK. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY FORD BEING THEY'VE FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THEIR 2006 MODELS. THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Aug 17, 2009
I AM HANDICAPPED AND LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE BILL I HAD TO PAY. I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A USED 04 EXPLORER, THEY ARE QUITE HIGH SO I GOT THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. THE REAR AXLE HAS WHINED EVER SINCE I GOT IT. WHEN IT WAS DROWNING OUT THE RADIO AND FINALLY STARTED LEAKING THE DEALER, DON JENKINS FORD FINALLY AGREED TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS REDUCED TO LAYING ON THE FLOOR WHILE I WAITED BECAUSE IF I BROUGHT MY WHEELCHAIR I WOULD HAVE NO WAY TO GET IT HOME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION UNDER THE WARRANTY COMPANY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT, THE CAR ONLY HAS 65K MILES. THE PARKING BRAKE FELL APART WHEN THEY REMOVED THE AXLES BUT THEY COULDN'T GET THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR ANOTHER FACTORY DEFECT SO I HAD TO GIVE THEM ALMOST $400 TO GET MY CAR BACK. IT WAS OKAY FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO PAY FOR SHODDY PARTS AND QUESTIONABLE WORKMANSHIP BUT NOT FORD. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THIS MODERN MORALITY, IN MY DAY THEY CALLED THESE PEOPLE BY THEIR PROPER NAME, THIEVES. NO WONDER THE CAR COMPANIES ARE IN TROUBLE, CARS COST ALMOST ONE THIRD THE PRICE OF A STARTER HOME AND ARE MADE WITH SECOND RATE CHINESE PARTS JUST TO SUPPORT THE UNIONS. IT WILL BE A COLD DAY IN '!@#$% AND THE DEVIL WILL COME UPSTAIRS SELLING SNOWCONES BEFORE I WILL BUY ANOTHER CAR MADE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2009
THERE IS NO FAILURE YET FOR OUR VEHICLE BUT THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE THAT HAS. DO A INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER COMPLAINTS AND SEE FOR YOURSELF THE COMPLAINTS FOR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE KILLED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Aug 14, 2009
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FORD EXPLORER 2004... THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY EXPLORER, 3 OF THE 4 GEARS WERE GONE!.... THIS COST $7,000 TO BE REPLACED... I BELIEVE THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 3 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AT THIS COST. NOT TO MENTION I WORKED WITH A GUY WHO HAD AN EXPLORER AND A MOUNTAINEER AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON BOTH OF THOSE VEHICLES.. THEY WERE AN 02 AND 04. THEN THIS PAST WEEK I HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES DONE. AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAID I NEEDED A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS DONE... BUT I TOLD THEM I HAD ALREADY SPENT $8,000 (ALL BALL BEARINGS REPLACED $1000 + 7000 FOR TRANSMISSION)ON THE VEHICLE RECENTLY AND CAN'T GET IT DONE RIGHT NOW. AND THEY ASKED IF THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION... I SAID, "YES WHY", THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD 5 EXPLORERS FROM THE AROUND THE SAME AGE AS MINE THAT HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURES. NOW THAT'S A TOTAL OF 8 EXPLORERS IN MY AREA AND I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS FROM OTHER PEOPLE. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS AND OFFER SOME DISCOUNT ON A FIX FOR THIS OR HAVE ALL THE EXPLORERS FROM THIS TIME PERIOD RECALLED. I BOUGHT A NEW TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH IS WAS $4000 MORE THAN A REBUILT ONE, BECAUSE IT CAME WITH A LIFE-TIME WARRANTY.... I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION MADE INTO FORD'S EXPLORER SO, THAT PAST AND FUTURE PROBLEMS CAN BE RECTIFIED. *TR
Power train, Aug 11, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 30JUN08, IN MARCH 2009, IN LESS THAN A YEAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE/ENGINE CONTROL, THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR AT THE WILLOWBROOK FORD DEALERSHIP. I PAID A TOTAL OF 2033.60 IN REPAIRS. WHEN I GOT HOME LAST FRIDAY NIGHT AND WAS PARKING MY CAR, AS I WENT INTO REVERSE I FELT A JOLT IN SHIFTING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY DRIVING TO WORK AGAIN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING. THE O/D LIGHT BEGIN TO FLASH AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE OVER 40MPH. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, AGAIN I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH BUT NOW ITS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND O/D LIGHTS ARE FLASHING. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AS I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ONLINE. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSION? I HAVE UNTIL JUL10 BEFORE THIS CAR IS PAID OFF AND STILL OWE OVER 6000.00. THIS IS THE FIFTH FORD I'VE OWNED AND I AM TOTALLY DISGUSTED BY THIS WHOLE SITUATION. AS A SINGLE MOM OF 3, I DON'T HAVE ANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SITTING AROUND WAITING TO THROW IT AWAY IN FORD REPAIRS. SOMEONE HAS TO STEP IN FOR US CONSUMERS WHO ARE BEING RIPPED OFF. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Power train, Aug 6, 2009, crash
I WAS DROPPING MY SON OFF AT HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK. I OPENED MY DOOR, GOT OUT, WALKED AROUND THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND ACCOMPANIED MY SON UP TO THE FRONT DOOR. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE TRUCK STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD ON THE DRIVEWAY AND CRASH INTO THE HOMEOWNERS FENCE. WHEN I GOT INTO THE TRUCK, IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER AS WELL AS THE FENCE THAT IT CRASHED INTO. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS WALKING IN FRONT OF IT! THIS TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING. I TOO EXPERIENCED THE "THUMP" AS IT SLAMMED INTO REVERSE, ONLY FOR FORD TO DENY THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND FINALLY PUT THE ADDITIVE INTO THE TRANNY. WHAT A WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM! ...NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A FORD. I JUST HOPE NO ONE HAS TO LOSE THEIR LIFE FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Power train, Aug 4, 2009
WE OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE FORD RECALL TO REMEDY FACTORY TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEM WAS A BAND-AID TO FIX LIVER CANCER. THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS INTO REVERSE A FEW SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING, AND THE SHIFTS WHEN GOING FORWARD ARE "JERKY". FORD HAS TRIED TO PLACATE OWNERS WITH AN ADDITIVE. THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jul 28, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH 54K MILES HAS SLIP IN TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND WILL SLIP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS AUTOMATICALLY. IT CATCHES AND WILL PRODUCE A LOUD BUMP. IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Jun 16, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXTREME ENGAGEMENT INTO REVERSE. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR PRIOR TO THIS FINAL REPAIR BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. IF DRIVER DOESN'T ANTICIPATE THIS CONDITION PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC XLT. ONLY HAVE 37,871 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN 2ED GEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS FOR REVERSE TO ENGAGE. FORD DEALER CHARGED ME 159.00 DOLLARS TO CHANGE TRANS FLUIDS. I TOLD THEM THAT THE FLUID WAS DARK AND SMELLS LIKE METAL. I CALL THEM BACK UP TELLING THEM IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO ANOTHER SERVICE PERSON AND HE STATED THAT IF THERE WAS A METAL SMELL THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. AND WILL COST 75.00 TO CHECK IT OUT . THANK YOU FORD FOR A WASTED FLUID CHANGE. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2009
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER WITH V-8. HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT ABRUPT AND DELAYED SHIFTING WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED TRANSMISSION WITH NO LUCK, NO RECALL FROM FORD BUT HAVE HEARD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK NOW HAS OVER 90,000 MILES AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. REPLACED LEAKING TRANSMISSION PUMP LAST DECEMBE08 AND STILL HARD SHIFTING. WILL NOT RETURN TO FORD FOR REPAIRS WHEN TRANSMISSION OR OTHER DRIVE TRAIN PARTS FAIL DUE TO THE HARD UP AND DOWN SHIFTS, PLEASE HELP! *TR
Power train, May 30, 2009
2004 FORD EXPLORER REQUIRED NEW TRANSMISSION IN FIRST YEAR. LATER, A LOUD WHINE DEVELOPED FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR ON ACCELERATION. ANNOYING, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF MEANT TROUBLE. ABS AND 4X4 HIGH LIGHTS LATER BEGAN TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MECHANIC FOUND NO CAUSE. JUST RECENTLY, AT 79,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. FORD DEALER HAS HAD IT FOR OVER A WEEK, THEY SAY, AFTER DOING $1000 WORTH OF USELESS WORK ON IT, THAT THE ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE BAD, AND MUST BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY THIS WAS NOT CAUGHT UP TILL NOW, BUT MUST HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WHINE, THE ERRANT LIGHTS, AND A KA-CHUNK THAT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING FOR YEARS, ALSO NEVER ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. (NOTE: I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO CATEGORIZE THIS, SO I ENTERED IT IN THE OTHER CATEGORY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO MISCLASSIFY; ALSO DO NOT HAVE VIN AS THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP). *TR
Power train, Structure, May 25, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS THAT THE BACK GATE CRACKED FROM THE WINDOW. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THAT MY TRUCK IS MAKING A LOUD THUMP IN REVERSE, AND AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE AFTER BEING IN REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE ENGINE SLIPPING. *TR
Power train, May 20, 2009
VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF SUDDENLY JERKING HARSHLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH), BUT AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FORCED TO REPLICATE. AT APPROXIMATELY 97,000 MILES WHILE ON AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REFUSE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY FROM A STANDSTILL, APPEARING TO "LIMP" (IN FORD'S WORDS) UNTIL IT REACHED 10-15 MPH, THEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, BUT WOULD STILL QUIT ACCELERATING BRIEFLY UNTIL REACHING SPEEDS >40 MPH. AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO RUN FINE UNTIL GOING INTO MOUNTAINS, WHERE IT WOULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT GEAR FOR MAINTAINING SPEED. CAR CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL FINALLY REACHING A DEALERSHIP THAT WAS WILLING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. NO ERROR CODES WERE OBSERVED, SO WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE OVERHAULED OR REPLACED. THE OVERHAUL WAS NOT GOING TO BE GUARANTEED NOR WOULD THE DEALERSHIP PROMISE WHEN THE CAR WOULD BE REPAIRED AND RECOMMENDED A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION, WHICH I WAS FORCED TO SELECT. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS PROBLEMS, THOUGH NOT AS SEVERE AS FORMERLY, BUT THERE ARE STILL NO ERROR OR SERVICE CODES BEING RETURNED BY ANY OF THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS. I HAVE NO OPTIONS OTHER THAN TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY AGAIN, WHEREVER THAT MAY HAPPEN. *TR
Power train, May 20, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT MOVES IN REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Power train, Equipment, May 18, 2009
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND IS A UNIVERSAL COMPLAINT FOR EXPLORERS FROM 2002-2005. THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR REAR DIFFERENTIALS CAUSING THEM TO WHINE LOUDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN SOME CASES THEY WILL LEAK AND IN EXTREME CASES EVEN SEIZE UP CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVERS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE ARTICLES ON THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND I MYSELF HAVE HAD MY DIFFERENTIAL PARTS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. I STILL EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT "WHINE" IN THE REAR END AROUND 60MPH, NOT AS BAD AS BEFORE BUT STILL THERE HOWEVER. APPARENTLY WHEN THE FACTORY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED FORD DEALERS WILL ONLY REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IF THEY ARE PAID TO DO SO. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP OF THIS SITUATION AND HAVE A RECALL SENT OUT TO ALL OWNERS ADVISING THEM THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS. IT IS A DOWNRIGHT ANNOYING,COSTLY AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW AS THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH UNHAPPY OWNERS AT THE WHEEL. MYSELF INCLUDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Power train, May 12, 2009
TRANS IN 2002 TO 2005 FORD EXPLORERS ARE BAD. THEY SLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR. SOMETIME YOU HAVE TO WAIT 5 TO 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT WILL MOVE AND THIS ALMOST GOT ME HIT IN MINE BY A 18 WHEELER MORE THAN ONCE. TALKED WITH FORD DEALERS THEY ALL CLAM ITS A FORD MESS UP BUT THERE IS NO RECALLS YET. AND THIS IS WITH THEM BEGINNING WITH IN 20,000 TO 90,000 MILES ON THE EXPLORERS. I KNOW OF OVER 900 CASES OF THIS FIRST HAND AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET FORD OFF THEIR BUTT AND DO SOMETHING. NOONE CAN KEEP PUTTING OUT 3500.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANS WHILE THEIR STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLES. ALL OF THEM GO BAD RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT I SEE THIS EVERY DAY AND ITS NOT SAGE FOR FAMILY'S IN THESE VEHICLES. IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE ASAP SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE. THEY SLIP ALL THE TIME WHEN YOU BACK UP YOUR SITTING IN THE ROAD FOR 10 SECONDS WAITING FOR IT TO GO IN DRIVE THEN DRIVE SLIPS UNTIL YOU GET TO 35 MILES AN HOUR THEN THEIR FINE UNTIL YOU STOP AGAIN. CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY JUST SAY SORRY CANT HELP YOU SHOULD HAVE GOT THE EXTRA WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. ME PERSONALLY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN IM GOING TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND DRIVE IT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS AND LEAVE IT THERE. *TR
Power train, May 3, 2009
TRANSMISSION SLIPS - LURCHES INTO REVERSE - RECENTLY SLIPPED AND WOULDN'T PULL GOING UP HILL - 2 TIMES IN 2 DAYS. *TR
Power train, May 1, 2009
VEHICLE GOES FORWARD AFTER PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN CHECKED AT FORD DEALERSHIP. HAVE LETTER EXPLAINING THAT IF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED OUT THAT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES MAY OCCUR. FORD DEALERSHIP NOT AWARE AS THIS WAS NOT DISPLAYED AS A RECALL. HEREFORE,TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS NOT CHANGED AT THAT TIME. *TR