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: visibility
115 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, Nov 16, 2007
THE HEATERS BLENDING DOOR IS BROKEN SO THE AIR FLOW WILL NOT BE REDIRECTED. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE DASHBOARD SETTING AND I AM UNABLE TO REDIRECT AIR FLOW TO THE DEFROSTER. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $1500 TO REPLACE THE HEATER BECAUSE THE BROKEN PART IS MOLDED ONTO THE HEATING ELEMENT AND THEY NEED TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. I SEARCHED FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AND FORDS VEHICLES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BLENDING DOOR PROBLEMS. NOT BEING ABLE TO REDIRECT THE AIR FLOW IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Oct 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE USING THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE REAR WINDOW, THE GLASS HINGE FAILED AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO FALL FROM THE WINDOW FRAME. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I010000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE WINDOW HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,500 UPDATED 01/02/08. UPDATED 01/02/08.*LJ
Visibility, Structure, Sep 16, 2007
CRACK IN PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW NEXT TO FORD EMBLEM. BOTH REAR WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jul 10, 2007
THE HINGES ON THE LIFT GATE WINDOW ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT OF THE WINDOW FRAME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM ON THE 2002 AND 2003 MODELS BUT WERE NOT "AWARE" OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 2004 MODEL. *TR
Visibility, Mar 23, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR HATCH LIFT NEAR THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,400. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF UNTIL THE HATCH WAS PUSHED AND THEN THE LIGHT WOULD STOP FLICKERING. *AK
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2007
AUTOMATIC WINDOWS - REAR WINDOWS - MOTOR WENT OUT - REPLACED ONCE - DOING IT AGAIN, HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK IN. REAR AIR SYSTEM DOES NOT BLOW OUT HEAT. AGAIN, NEEDING TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN. HAD I NOT GOTTEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE I WOULD BE WITHOUT REAR HEAT. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 30, 2006
2004 EXPLORER HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND WINDOWS. *TS THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THEE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLAM INTO GEAR. THE ROTORS VIBRATED IN THE REAR. CONSUMER HEARD A HOWLING NOISE AT 40-55 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RING AND PINION. NM
Visibility, Aug 3, 2006
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTO WINDOW FAILS TO OPERATE. HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE AND FAILED AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. TAKING IT IN FOR 2ND REPAIR. *JB
Visibility, Dec 21, 2005
AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED DURING PRECIPITATION AND THE VEHICLE IS THEN STARTED UP AND DRIVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES COMPLETELY OBSCURED WITH FOG, EVEN WHEN THE WINDSHIELD DEFOG SYSTEM IS SELECTED TO HIGH BLOW. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO OF OPERATION THE WINDSHIELD IS CLEARED BY THE DEFOG SYSTEM. NEWBERG FORD SAYS ALL EXPLORER SPORT TRACS DO THIS & THEY CAN'T FIX IT. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Other, Visibility, Structure, Sep 29, 2005
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 THE ABS FAILED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ABS, MAINTENANCE, AND FOUR WHEEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND BLINKED WHEN HE LOST THE BRAKES. A DIAGNOSIS TEST WAS PERFORMED, AND IT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE REAR WHICH WAS CALLED ASY-T. THE FUEL GAUGE BROKE. IT SHOWED THE FUEL TANK LEVEL WAS HIGHER THAN WHAT IT REALLY WAS. THE DRIVER'S REAR WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COVER OVER THE HATCHBACK HANDLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THERE HAS BEEN A REPAIR DONE TO THE FOUR BY FOUR UNIT. THERE WERE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Dec 29, 2004
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING THE VISIBILITY IN THE RAIN DIFFICULT. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE FOR $437.00. *AK *TC
Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Interior lighting, Nov 30, 2004
COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE GAUGE POD, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS AT 2,300 MILES. NO SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACH, FUEL GAUGE, TEMP, OIL, BATTERY, RADIO (NOTHING IN THE DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS EXCEPT THE AIRBAG LIGHT). *AK FORD DEALER IN ALLENTOWN PA WAS VERY RUDE AND WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO NOT WORK IN A TIMELY MANNER AND KEEP US IN THE DARK. DROVE VEHICLE TO TEXAS (WITH NO GAUGES) TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. AT THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. TRANSMISSION ALSO HESITATES EXCESSIVELY BETWEEN SHIFTS.
Visibility, Equipment, Oct 13, 2004
CAR WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH REAR WINDOW TOWARDS GARAGE DOOR. THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CAR ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE ACTUAL DOOR EXPLODED OFF. THE PIECE OF THE DOOR FLEW UP INTO THE AIR AND CAME CRASHING BACK DOWN ONTO THE CAR. THEIR WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE. HAD ANYONE BEEN FACING THE CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SOME SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. OR HAD THE CAR BEEN IN MOTION ANYONE INSIDE THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR ANYONE DRIVING BEHIND COULD HAVE BEEN HURT.*AK
Visibility, Jun 30, 2004
WHILE PRESSING THE REMOTE KEY TO OPEN THE SUN ROOF IT WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAS TO PLAY WITH THE REMOTE KEY IN ORDER TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DEETRMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK
Visibility, Equipment, Jun 11, 2004
AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER ARE MOLDY, CAUSING ILLNESS. *AK