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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,408

Of the 2004 reports, 75 involved a crash and 16 involved a fire. 105 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train477 reports · 34% of complaints
Owner complaints1,408Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train477
  2. Structure446
  3. Visibility101
  4. Vehicle speed control84
  5. Engine and engine cooling78
  6. Electrical system62
  7. Air bags54
  8. Service brakes54

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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: structure

446 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Structure, Apr 27, 2013

    MY DAUGHTER WEIGHS 99 LBS SHE OPENED HATCH AT GAS STATION AND THE WINDOW PORTION OF THE ENTIRE HATCHBACK FELL OFF ALSO THERE IS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC DOWN THE HATCH WHICH I SEE ON EVERY OLD EXPLORER. *TR

  2. Structure, Apr 20, 2013

    PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS USED ON 4-19-13 AND HAD NOTICED THE CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. UPON CLOSER LOOK TODAY THERE IS A SECOND CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM. *TR

  3. Structure, Apr 17, 2013

    BODY/CHASSIS MOUNTS ARE DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING. BODY IS NOW LOOSE ON THE FRAME AND HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE MOUNTS ARE NOT RUBBER LIKE MOST; THEY ARE SOME SORT OF URETHANE COMPOSITE. INTERNET RESEARCH AND TRUCK OWNER SITES CONFIRM THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. FORD DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY/RECALL ISSUE AND HAS DIRECTED OWNERS OF SUSPECT VEHICLES TO YOUR DEPARTMENT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN SALT OR SNOW . THE CAB SHAKING AND RATTLING IS CAUSING MOVEMENT THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EFFECT THE BRAKE LINES AND STEERING COLUMN AS THEY ARE ATTACHED TO BOTH THE BODY AND THE CHASSIS. FORD IS NOW USING ANOTHER COMPOUND FOR THE MOUNTS APPARENTLY IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS. *TR

  4. Structure, Apr 5, 2013

    I WAS CLOSING THE UPPER DOOR ON THE BACK OF MY SUV WHEN THE RIGHT HINGE BROKE AND THE DOOR ALMOST DROPPED TO THE GROUND. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE IT BACK UP BUT THE HYDRAULIC SHOCK ON THE DOOR BROKE AND LEAKED FLUID ALL OVER THE CAR. I CANNOT GET IT BACK INTO THE WINDOW OPENING PROPERLY IT IS OPEN ABOUT AN INCH. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR IN CASE THE WINDOW FALLS OUT. *TR

  5. Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2013

    REAR BODY PANEL AROUND BACK WINDOW SPLIT

  6. Structure, Feb 22, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE HORIZONTAL PANEL UNDER THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED FOR THE HORIZONTAL PANEL AND EMBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,652. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. *TR

  7. Structure, Feb 15, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVELY LONG FRACTURE IN THE REAR LIFTGATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM BELOW THE REARVIEW WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

  8. Structure, Feb 11, 2013

    THE REAR PANEL CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

  9. Power train, Structure, Jan 30, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  10. Structure, Jan 17, 2013

    WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 OR 3 DAYS UNDER THE CARPORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BACK PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW CRACKED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. *TR

  11. Visibility, Structure, Dec 21, 2012

    THE REAR WINDOW HINGE PIN (PASSENGER SIDE) HAS CORRODED AND BROKEN ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF OF THE REAR TAIL GATE. I NOTICED THE BROKEN HINGE BEFORE USING THE LIFT GATE WHICH HAS PREVENTED IT FROM FALLING OFF THUS FAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

  12. Structure, Dec 18, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE HATCHBACK HINGE WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (RECASTRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

  13. Structure, Dec 8, 2012

    THERE IS A CRACK TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD ISIGNIA ON THE REAR LIFT TAIL GATE. THE CRACK RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR PANEL JUST BELOW THE REAR WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT PANEL. THE PANEL IS THE TOP HALF OF THE LIFT GATE WHERE THE GATE OPENS TO ENTER ITEMS WITHOUT OPENING THE ENTIRE TAIL GATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS THAT THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR WINDOW TO BLOW OUT BECAUSE THE PANEL IS NO LONGER SECURE DUE TO THE CRACK. OBI# 10487645 *TR

  14. Structure, Dec 7, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW PANEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

  15. Structure, Nov 23, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

  16. Structure, Nov 20, 2012

    VEHICLE WAS PARKED. OPERATOR OPENED REAR HATCH GLASS, AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT HINGE SEPARATED. THIS CAUSED THE GLASS TO SLAM DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THE OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID INJURY. THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK, BUT THE STRUTS ARE BENT. BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HINGES APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE REAR HATCH IS NOT USABLE UNTIL THE HINGES AND STRUTS ARE REPLACED. *TR

  17. Structure, Nov 15, 2012

    THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS IS FALLING OFF. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN AUGUST 2012. THE HINGE SEEMED TO BE IN TACT THEN BUT HAS SLOWLY BEEN CORRODING AND FALLING OFF. THE GLASS MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE WHEN I DRIVE OVER POT HOLES, BUMPS, ETC. I DO NOT USE THE GLASS IN FEAR IT WILL FALL ON ME. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYS "REAR LIFTGATE AJAR" ONLY TO FIND THAT SOMEHOW THE GLASS LIFTGATE IS NOT LATCHED. NOBODY USES IT SO UNSURE IF THE CORROSION AND BROKEN HINGE IS CAUSING THE GLASS TO AJAR FROM THE LATCH. I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MY VEHICLE, AS IT HAS ON NUMEROUS OTHER 2004 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT RECALLED AND THE PART IS $50/PIECE. THE LEFT HINGE IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME AS WELL. I AM SCARED THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THINK THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

  18. Visibility, Structure, Nov 10, 2012

    AFTER A DAY OF SHOPPING I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED MY SUV. I WENT TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WHEN THE LEFT SIDE CAME APART FROM THE VEHICLE AND LANDED ON TOP OF ME. FORTUNATELY THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDOW WAS ABLE TO STAY INTACT WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RUN TO MY AID TO LIFT THE DOOR UP. I AM FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT AND MY THREE YEAR OLD SON WAS STANDING BY MY SIDE. I HAVE READ THAT MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE FORD CORPORATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY CONTINUE NOT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE AT HAND; WHILE LEAVING VEHICLE OWNERS HELPLESS WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS. I READ THAT THIS WAS A GOOD AVENUE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE SINCE FORD CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND WONDER IF MY HUSBAND WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN SHOUTING DISTANCE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPEN TO MY SON, UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF!!!!! *TR

  19. Visibility, Structure, Nov 5, 2012

    REAR HATCH WINDOW HINGE (LEFT SIDE) BROKE AND RELEASED THE GLASS WHILE DRIVING. WINDOW FELL TO ONE SIDE. I HAD TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY STOP. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PROP WINDOW TO A SAFE POSITION AND LOCK DOWN. IT MUST REMAIN LOCKED DOWN UNTIL I CAN FIX IT. *TR

  20. Visibility, Structure, Oct 24, 2012

    THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE BROKE OFF AND THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW FELL ON MY WIFE. THE HINGES ARE MADE OF A WHITE TYPE OF METAL THAT HAS CORRODED AND SHEARED OFF. THE PINS INSIDE APPARENTLY BROKE AND IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE FALLING OFF, IT JUST CAME OFF. THE WINDOW HIT MY WIFE IN THE ARM AND LEG. WE WERE LUCKY IT WASN'T ONE OF OUR KIDS CLOSING THE GATE AT THE TIME OR THAT THEY WEREN'T INSIDE WHEN IT HAPPENED OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF POST OF INJURIES INCURRED FROM THIS. FORD RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART AND YET THE 2004 WAS NEVER INCLUDED. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. A PART OVER TIME SHOULDN'T BREAK OFF AND CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

  21. Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 29, 2012

    4 YEARS AGO THE PLASTIC NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM CRACKED RIGHT OF THE EMBLEM ON MY BACK HATCH. I LOOKED INTO IT AND THERE WAS 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT I HAD AT AN AVERAGE COST OF ONLY $800. THEN TONIGHT MY WIFE GOT SOME CHAIRS OUT OF THE REAR HATCH THEN WHEN CLOSING IT THE REAR GLASS FALLS OUT OF THE EXPLORER BECAUSE " THE ALUMINUM REAR HATCH HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE" WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE COST OF $300. MIND YOU THE LITTLE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW HINGE ON IS ONLY THE SIZE OF AN ERASER HEAD, BOTH OF THE REAR HATCH DEFECTS ARE NOT UNDER ANY RECALL YET MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND OR POSTED VIA THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO FAMILIES AS IT SHOULD BE TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY " WHICH SEEMS NOT TO CARE " AND ALSO TO THE NHTSA AS IT COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS WAS TO HAVE HAPPENED TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGH WAY AT 70 MPH. *TR

  22. Visibility, Structure, Sep 26, 2012

    WHEN CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW HATCH, THE LEFT HINGE THAT HOLDS THE GLASS COMPLETELY LET GO OF THE GLASS. FORTUNATLEY MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONE CLOSING IT AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT BROKE THE OTHER HINGE AND PULLED THE GLASS OFF COMPLETELY. THE RIGHT HINGE WAS ALSO BENT, AS THE WINDOW WILL NOW NOT SIT LEVEL TO BE PUT BACK INTO PLACE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS THERE IS A LARGE HAZARD OF TH WINDOW FALLING. WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN STANDING UNDERNEATH AS USUAL, OR HE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO CATCH THE WINDOW AND IT BROKE AND SEN "EXPLODING" GLASS PIECES EVERYWHERE. I SEE THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY WIDESPEAD ISSUE WHEN LOOKING THROUGH COMPLAINTS. ALSO, THE TAILGATE IN MY EXPLORER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME MYSTERIOUS CRACK THAT SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES HAVE HAD. ONE DAY IT WAS FINE, THEN IT WAS CRACKED. COULD THESE ISSUES BE SOMEHOW RELEATED? OR IS THE ENTIRE HATCH JUST FULL OF FLAWS. *TR

  23. Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 22, 2012

    I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN JULY 0F 2011, AND TRADED IN MY 2001 OLDSMOBILE OF 5 YEARS. I ALSO PURCHASED THE 12 MONTH 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. BEFORE DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT I HAD THE DEALER FIX THE ABS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THERE IS A CRACK GOING DOWN THE BACK OF THE TRUNK BUT NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG AT THE TIME SO I LEFT THE CRACK ALONE. IN APRIL OF 2012 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A BELT, CHECK TRANS, SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS, AND A TICKING IN THE HEATER WHEN KNOB WAS TURNED TO HEAT (NOT COOL). I TOLD HIM TO JUST FIX WHAT WAS ON THE WARRANTY AND ALSO GIVE IT A OIL CHANGE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANS WAS FINE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK MY HEAT WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUDDY THAT MY BRAKES, ROTTERS, EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS AND THE BACK TIRES WERE SHOT. SO I HAD HIM REPLACED THEM BECAUSE THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. JUST LAST WEEK MY RPM STARTED JUMPING WITH MILES OVER 65.(NO LIGHTS WERE ON AT THE TIME)SO I TOOK IT TO 6 DIFFERENT PLACES GETTING ESTIMATES ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG. ALL SHOPS SAID THE SAME THING. "START WITH FUEL FILTER, OIL FILTERS AND OIL CHANGE". THE DAY AFTER I PAID FOR ALL THIS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. (EGR VALVE CODE) THE MAN AT AUTO ZONE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT WITH SPRAY AND LET IT DRY BEFORE REPLACING. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND HAD THEM DO THIS. THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, O/D LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS DRIVING LIKE I WAS HAULING A BUS AND JUMPING. I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND HE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE NEW SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS SHOWING UP. LATER THAT DAY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MILES THIS WAS FRIDAY 9/21/12. *TR

  24. Structure, Aug 19, 2012

    THE PINS ON THE LIFTGATE WINDOW ARE BREAKING THROUGH THE HINGE. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BROKEN CLEAN THROUGH AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BEGINNING TO BREAK THROUGH EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T USED IT SINCE THE OTHER ONE BROKE. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK UNDER THE WINDOW ON THE BACK LIFT DOOR. *TR

  25. Structure, Aug 19, 2012

    OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER - MY SON OPENED THE LIFTGATE AND THE RIGHT HINGE SNAPPED LEAVING THE WINDOW DANGLING IN MY 10 YR OLDS FACE. AFTER MUCH READING ONLINE, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY FORD OWNERS. THE RUSTED OUT PLASTIC PIECES ARE SNAPPING OFF AND ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL FROM THE HINGE. I WAS ABLE TO RUSH TO THE BACK OF THE CAR TO GRAB THE GLASS BEFORE IT FELL. MY ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE IS SORE FROM TRYING TO HOLD THE GLASS AND TRYING TO SHUT THE WINDOW LIFT GATE SO I COULD GET THE CAR HOME. WITH ONE ADULT AND THREE KIDS, I WAS STUCK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW & WHAT TO DO WITH THIS WINDOW DANGLING. WE ARE SHOCKED THAT FORD HAS YET TO RECALL THE 2004 MODELS BUT HAS RECALLED PREVIOUS YEARS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PROBLEM & IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET VERY HURT. THE HINGES & STRUTS NEED TO BE RECALLED ON THIS MODEL. *TR