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: structure
446 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 11, 2011
CRACK APPEARED ON PLASTIC PANEL JUST TO THE LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM THE CAR HAD 92K MILES WHEN OCCURRED. BODY SHOP ESTIMATE $500.00 TO REPAIR. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jan 1, 2011
THE TAIL GATE ON THE 2004 EXPLORER SHOULD BE RECALLED,IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL DIE WHEN THE BACK WINDOWS JUST START FALLING OUT. EVERY EXPLORER I SEE IT LIKE THIS! BUILT FORD TOUGH..LOL.....I GUESS IT'S OK FOR A FEW HUNDRED TO DIE UNTIL FORD MAYBE RECALL IT, IT'S THERE RESPONSIBILITY!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD TILL THIS GETS FIXED. THINK OF ALL THE LAWSUITS IN THE MAKING FORD..BAD BUSINESS!!! FIX MY FOUND ON ROAD...BEFORE YOU GET SUED...MY BACK WINDOW WILL FALL OUT SOON AND GUESS WHO`S GETTING SUED. FIX YOUR JUNK FORD YOU LIED TO ME QUALITY IS JOB 1000 MAKING MONEY AND LYING IS JOB 1..YOUR SICKLING BOYCOTT FORD I ALREADY HAVE 3000 PLUS WITH THIS PROBLEM JUST WAIT FORD YOU'LL GET YOURS... *TR
Structure, Jan 1, 2011
NOTICED A NUMBER OF CRACKED REAR PANELS ON LATE MODEL FORD EXPLORERS (2004-2006)- THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ON THE FORD EXPLORER- FORD HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP EXIST- FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES OR OFFER A GOODWILL REPAIR THESE FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. *TR
Structure, Dec 30, 2010
VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TAILGATE ATTACHED TO THE REAR WINDOW LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD DEALER SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE, SO I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW & FORD SHOULD FIX FOR FREE. FORD GIVING ME RUN A ROUND. SO MUCH FOR FORD TOUGH. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE? OR SHOULD I TAKE IT TO THE NEWS STATION ABOUT JUST HOW TOUGH FORD TRUCKS ARE.... THEY CRACK LIKE EASTER EGGS....... I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS OFF ROAD AND KEEP IT IN A GARAGE.
Structure, Dec 21, 2010
REAR PANEL VERTICAL CRACK BELOW WINDOW. *TR
Structure, Dec 11, 2010
I AWOKE ONE MORNING AND I FOUND A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH OF MY 04 FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT THE PREVIOUS EVENING WHEN I GOT HOME. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR STORIES. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO MANUFACTURER RECALL TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLASTIC REAR HATCH CRACKED UNDER EXTREME TEMPERATURE. REAR GLASS MAY BREAK WHILE DRIVING AND POSE HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. PLAN ON REPLACING, HOWEVER I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY OF THE ORIGINAL PART. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 5, 2010
I HAVE HAD MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER FOR 3 YEARS NOW. TODAY I WENT TO OPEN MY REAR HATCH AND THE WINDOW HINGES JUST BROKE. NOW MY WINDOW IS HANGING THEREAND I DON'T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THEM FIXED SINCE I DON'T HAVE ANY EXTRA MONEY. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Dec 4, 2010
THE HATCH BELOW MY REAR WINDOW HAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FORD LOGO ON MY EXPLORER. IT SEEMED TO HAVE HAPPENED OVER NIGHT. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MAY NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE WINDOW IN WHILE DRIVING. FORD HAS HAD THREE YEARS OF MODELS WITH THIS SOME PROBLEM AND HASN'T MADE IT RIGHT BY IT'S OWNERS. *TR
Structure, Dec 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO CRACKS BELOW THE REAR WINDOW ON THE TAILGATE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 28, 2010
TAILGATE WINDOW HINGES FAILED ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE WINDOW FELL OUT AND DAMAGED THE LIFT STRUTS. I WAS NOT INJURED. *TR
Structure, Nov 17, 2010
2004 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACKED REAR PANEL SPLITTING THE ENTIRE BACK PANEL. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK IT COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE WHOLE PANEL COULD BREAK OFF BY THE REAR WINDOW. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ON LINE AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY YEAR EXPLORER. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT.
Structure, Nov 15, 2010
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW. FROM THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH. HAD WINDOW TIGHTENED. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Nov 11, 2010
WERE A FAMILY A FORD EXPLORER MY FAMILY HAS 4 OF THEM RANGING FROM THE YEARS 1996,99,2002,2004 AND EVERYONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE SERIOUS ISSUES. RANGING FROM ROTTING SUSPENSION PARTS,TO WHEEL BEARING ISSUES ON NEWER MODELS,ROTTING FUEL AND BRAKE LINES,THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN AMERICAN MADE COMPANY THAT IS JEOPARDIZING THE LIVES OF AMERICAN AND CHILDREN WITH TOTAL DISREGARD OF HUMAN LIFE,BUT I BET YOU THE OWNERS OF FORD DON'T HAVE THESE ISSUES THEY PROBABLY DRIVES FOREIGN HAHA BUT SERIOUSLY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT BY THIS AND IT COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO FIX AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS PLEASE DO A RECALL ITS SO UNFAIR AT THIS POINT. *TR
Structure, Nov 10, 2010
CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW, FROM THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH.
Structure, Nov 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HINGE ON THE TAILGATE WAS BROKEN WHERE THE GLASS WAS HANGING. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Structure, Nov 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL WAS FRACTURED BELOW THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Visibility, Structure, Nov 3, 2010
BACK GLASS HATCH FELL OFF IN MY HANDS COULD HAVE REALLY HURT SOMEONE. *TR
Power train, Structure, Nov 2, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LONG HAIR LINE FRACTURE ALONG THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. UPDATED 01/06/11 UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/11
Structure, Oct 30, 2010
FORD 2004 EXPLORER PAINT BUBBLING AT FRONT OF ALUMINUM HOOD. CLEARLY A DEFECT. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID HE REPAINTED 70 SO FAR THIS YEAR BUT FORD WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF IT. ASKED TO MEET WITH THE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR. SET UP A MEETING WHEN HE WOULD BE IN TOWN. HE WOULD NOT EVEN COME OUT TO TALK TO ME AND SENT SOMEONE ELSE OUT TO TELL ME FORD WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE IN MY WARRANTY IT READS, "RUST MUST PERMANENT FROM THE INSIDE OUT". I ARGUED THAT IT IS AN ALUMINUM HOOD AND WILL NEVER RUST! I THEN WROTE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND HAVE NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM. I KEEP CHECKING FOR RECALLS AND HAVE SEEN NOTHING TO DATE. MY WIFE AND I SEE MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. SHAME ON FORD!! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING TAKEN CARE OF WITH THIS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AND NOT SOMETHING ANY OF US CONSUMERS EVER DID TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2010
10/20/2010 - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - REAR PANEL UNDER BACK GLASS AROUND FORD LOGO CRACKED AFTER A COOL MORNING 32-35 DEGREES. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE WAS FRACTURING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HINGE WOULD NEED REPLACING AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. ANY REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,100.
Structure, Oct 20, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. ON OCTOBER 7, 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HAD A CRACK IN THE PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED SHE MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT, IF THERE FAILURE BECAME A RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
Structure, Oct 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PANEL ON THE REAR HATCH WAS CRACKED AND COULD POTENTIALLY FALL OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE CRACKED PANEL AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THE PLASTIC PANEL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT REPLACED THE PLASTIC PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Structure, Oct 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL WAS CRACKED BY THE EMBLEM IN THE REAR LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Structure, Oct 17, 2010
2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. *TR