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
1,408 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2008
MY TRUCK BEGAN MAKING LOUD WHINNING NOISES JUNE 2007, THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT WHEN USING THE A/C AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, A/C DID NOT COOL OR GET A TIGHT SEAL FOR AIR FLOW, FRONT TIRE WEAR HAS ACCELERATED CAUSING SHAKY STEERING, POWER STEERING GOT WORSE, ALTHOUGH ALL FLUIDS WERE NEW AND BELTS LOOK WORN OUT AND WITH ALL THIS I ONLY HAD 52,120 MILES. I HAD WRECK IN 07 BECAUSE OF THE STEERING AND REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE FOR PAYMENT. WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED TO PILE UP AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE DIDN'T SOLVE ANYTHING, I TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND ALL SAID AC COMPRESSOR OR POWER STEERING NEEDED REPLACING AND OTHER COMPONENTS LOOKED PREMATURELY WORN. FINALLY HAD AC COMPRESSOR REPAIRED ON 7/26/08 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS THE CAUSE OF ALL MY PROBLEMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE MECHANIC GAVE ME THE PARTS AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A WEAK LEGO BLOCK. I HAVE ALL THE OLD PARTS IN MY TRUNK AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, IT STILL RUNS BAD, BUT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER IS THE INITIATOR, DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2008
THERE IS ALOT OF WHISTLING AND SQUEAKING IN MY FRONT END AND EVERYTIME I HAVE IT LOOKED AT I AM TOLD IT JUST NEEDS LUBRICATION AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE NOISE IS BACK WHICH I AM SURE MEANS SOMETHING IS WRONG AND NO ONE SEEMS TO FIND IT. THE SQUEAKING IS DRIVING ME NUTS AT EVERY TURN WHENEVER YOU BRAKE SOMETIMES JUST ACCELERATING WILL CAUSE IT TO SQUEAK. *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2008
I WAS DRIVING AND JUST ENTERED THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP MY BACK WINDOW ON MY TRUNK RAISED UP AND HALFWAY FELL OFF AND WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE. THE PASSENGER SIDE HINGE IS VERY LOOSE AND THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND THE SUSPENSION SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THAT WINDOW. I WAS TERRIFIED WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I PANICKED AND LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY SO CLOSE TO THE EXIT RAMP. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD HOW MUCH THE PARTS WERE AND HOW MUCH LABOR IS BUT THE SERVICE PERSON MENTIONED THAT HE HAS HAD ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT SHOCK THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE WINDOW. I AM WAITING FOR MY PARTS TO COME IN NOW. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 4, 2008
WHEN SERVICING FRONT BRAKE PADS, CALIPER PISTON CRUMBLED WHEN OPENING CALIPER. NORMALLY, SUCH PISTONS ARE METAL. THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS. IF THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, AN ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Power train, Aug 4, 2008
DURING THE ACCELERATION FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT THEN BEGAN FLASHING. THIS CAUSED UNEXPECTED POOR ACCELERATION AND IN TRAFFIC COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLY BEING REAR ENDED BY TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION CONTROL ASSEMBLY. $1400. WHY SHOULD A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK NEED SUCH DRASTIC SERVICE? *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jul 31, 2008
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON 7/14/2008 I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER SHIP DUE TO MY O/D LIGHT FLASHING. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION $3,200.00 DOLLARS SO THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION,I PICKED UP MY EXPLORER ON 7/28/2004 AND ONLY DROVE IT 30 MILES AND THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT PASSING GEARS. NOW THIS IS A NEW TRANSMISSION THE DEALER SHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THEY NOW HAVE MY VEHICLE AGAIN SO NOW I WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE OUT COME IS AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2008
(1) FORD RECALL 5R55S/5R55E/5R443 TRANSMISSIONS APRIL 04 2005. 04B22 FORD EXPLORER XLT (2) REPAIR INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ACTION FORD MERCURY, HARTSVILLE, SC. ON 10/23/06 WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BACK TO ACTION FORD MERCURY (4) TIMES, FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. (SEE ATTACHMENTS),10/11/04, 06/08/05. OBVIOUSLY, WITH (4) REPAIRS , SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. BOTH STATEMENTS REFERENCE SOLENOID REPLACEMENT. THIS TRANSMISSION OBVIOUSLY HAS A 'FACTORY DEFECT', AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED ONCE AND FOR ALL, OR REPLACED. EXPECTING A CUSTOMER TO CONTINUOUSLY BRING A VEHICLE BACK IN FOR REPAIRS, FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS, EVEN ONLY PAYING DEDUCTIBLE PAYMENTS IS LUDICROUS. I ALSO TALKED IN LENGTH WITH THE ACTION FORD MERCURY SERVICE MANAGER, 'RICHARD', AND HE STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. SEEMS THAT THIS IS NOT QUITE TRUE, AT LEAST NATIONALLY, IN REFERENCE TO THE INFORMATION RETAINED ON CONSUMER WEB SITES (SEE ATTACHED). ACTUALLY , THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 MODELS. *TR
Power train, Jul 29, 2008
PURCHASED MY FORD EXPLORER JAN 2004. PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING OCCURRED JUNE 29TH 2004. ONE YEAR LATER 2005, THE PROBLEM WORSEN, WITH SLIPPING AND HARD SHIFTING AT THE SAME TIME. FORD IS NOT BACKING THE EXPLORER AT ALL AND WE THE PEOPLE WITH THESE SAME COMPLAINTS NEED HELP, OR ALL OF OUR MONEY BACK FROM THE VEHICLE, SINCE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. *TR
Structure, Jul 28, 2008
1. OPENED REAR HATCH GLASS ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER. 2. HINGES FAILED ON GLASS HATCH DISCONNECTED FROM BODY. 3. THIS JUST HAPPENED. HAVE TO BUY REPLACEMENT HINGES. *TR
Structure, Jul 27, 2008
AS I STOPPED TO GET GAS I NOTICED MY VEHICLE HAD A CRACK RIGHT ON THE PLASTIC ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM DIRECTLY UNDER THE TAIL GATE GLASS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS WAS A COMMON ISSUE BUT COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY OUT OFF POCKET FOR IT OR THE COMPANY RECALL THE PART. I HAVE NO PROBLEM PAYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR ALOT (I OWN A SHOW STYLE CAR) AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE EVERYWHERE ELSE WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE FORD CO IS TRYING TO DO TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I GO THIS SITE FROM A FORUMS SITE ( HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2004/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML ) WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? *TR
Structure, Jul 25, 2008
I NOTICED A PAINT BUBBLE ON THE HOOD OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. IS THIS A PAINT DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO RUST? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD IS DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Jul 23, 2008
WHEEL BEARINGS GOING BAD, FROM TIME TO TIME. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2008
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER 2006 WITH 16,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES, I NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTED HARD GOING INTO 3RD GEAR AS I ACCELERATED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP, THEN SHIFT WITH A THUD. I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD. THIS WAS NOTICED DURING NORMAL IN TOWN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. AT 38,000 MILES I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED (AS MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ABOUT TO EXPIRE). I EXPLAINED THE SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN DETAIL. THEY REPORTED THAT THIS WAS WITHIN THE SPECS FOR THIS TRUCK. THAT IT WAS NORMAL ACCELERATION. IT IS NOW 54,000 MILES. THE PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL, THEN CLUNKS AND GRABS THE NEXT GEAR. THERE IS ALSO A DELAY AND CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I'VE JUST TAKEN IT IN AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THE SHOP REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO PARTICULATE OR DEBRIS IN THE PAN, SO IT IS PROBABLY SOMETHING INTERNAL. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THEY ARE SAYING I NEED A NEW/REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR
Equipment, Jul 16, 2008
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO HAVE THE COMPLETE REAR END FIXED. IT HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THIS PART OF A AUTOMOBILE. ESPECIALLY A 2004. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPAIR A REAR END AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG THAT FORD DID TO MY VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS BREAK THIS SOON. IT COST ME OVER $1200 OF WHICH WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. WE HAD TO SELL THINGS, BORROW MONEY WITH INTEREST AND WITH MY HUSBAND SO VERY ILL THAT HIS MEDICINE FOR 7 PILLS EVERY THREE MONTHS IS OVER $700 A 3 MONTH. SOMEONE HAD TO MAKE A MISTAKE. I HAVE DRIVEN FORDS SINCE I STARTED DRIVE OVER SEVERAL YEARS AGO. MATTER OF FACT THE FIRST CAR I DROVE WAS THE FORD PUSH BUTTON. PLEASE FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP US WITH THIS EXTREMELY HIGH REPAIR BILL. THIS CAR IS OUR ONLY TRANSPORTATION AND IS VERY WRONG FOR US TO HAVE TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR REPAIR FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. THANK YOU , NORMA GROTBERG *TR
Visibility, Jul 11, 2008
WHEN DECK GLASS WAS RAISED THE LEFT HINGE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO FALL. I CAUGHT THE GLASS PREVENTING IT FROM SHATTERING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE WEIGHT OF THE DECK GLASS THEN CAUSED THE RIGHT HINGE TO BREAK. HAD TO REPLACE HINGES THROUGH A AUTO BODY SHOP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES! MY QUICK REACTION IN CATCHING THE GLASS PREVENTED ANY INJURIES. HAD MY CHILDREN BEEN WITH ME IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT SITUATION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL FORD EXPLORERS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME THING HAPPENING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 6, 2008
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL PROPERLY ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IF YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE BUTTONS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS USED. THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM AS I THOUGHT IT WAS A FORD DEFECT AND SUBSEQUENTLY USED YOUR WEBSITE TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS. NO RECALLS OR CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE CURRENTLY LISTED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE SO THAT FORD MAY REPAIR IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 2, 2008
2004 FORD EXPLORER, STILL HAS HARSH SHIFT FROM PARK TO REAR, HAVE TO PRESS BRAKE HARD SO CAR DOES NOT JERK WHEN SHIFTING TO REAR, FLUID WAS REPLACED BY FORD DEALER 2 YEARS AGO BUT HARSH SHIFTING NEVER ADDRESSED SINCE IT WAS ON AND OFF 2 YEARS AGO, PRESENTLY HAPPENS MUCH MORE OFTEN. *TR
Power train, Jul 1, 2008
2004 FORD EXPLORER. GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. VEHICLE COULD START BUT NOT MOVE. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF AT METAL CAST INSIDE COLUMN. TOWED TO FORD DEALER. NEEDS ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED TO FIX THIS PART, COST OVER $1000. OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART. CALLED FORD HQ, BUT NO HELP WITH COVERING REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Jun 26, 2008
JUST NOTICED AFTER 32,000 MILES AND ABOUT 3 AND ONE-HALF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP THAT PAINT ON FRONT EDGE OF HOOD OF 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS BLISTERED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND BEGINNING TO CHIP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 22, 2008
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AROUND 30 -35 MPH MY VEHICLE TURNS OFF AND ALL THE GAUGES TURN ON. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS ON A CURVE GOING ABOUT 32 MPH AND I NEARLY RAN HEAD ON TO THE CAR IN THE ONLY LANE BECAUSE YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT GETS DIFFICULT. EVERYTIME I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS AT THIS SPEEDS AND DRIVING ON A MILITARY POST WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 30MPH CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2008
I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 XLT. I OPENED THE TOP PORTION OF THE HATCH AND 100+ LBS. CAME CRASHING ON MY HEAD. (THE WEIGHT IS FROM MORE THAN JUST GLASS.) I AM PREGNANT AND ALMOST PASSED OUT ON MY CONCRETE DRIVE. THE LEFT HINGE BROKE OFF AND OBVIOUSLY DID NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT ANYMORE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND WAS GIVEN A $500.00 BILL. I STILL BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO WARRANT IT FALLING ON MY HEAD. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, "WHEN DOES A SAFETY ISSUE BECOME A RECALL?" *TR
Structure, Jun 16, 2008
PAINT HAS STARTED TO BUBBLE AND PEEL OFF OF THE HOOD OF MY 2004 EXPLORER. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD MECHANIC THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING ALOT OF THIS BECAUSE OF THE METAL USED IN THE HOODS- SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING FOR A CAR BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. MY OLD EXPLORER WAS MUCH OLDER AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jun 15, 2008, crash
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE AND DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY-THE IMPACT HOWEVER DID CAUSE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *TR
Visibility, Jun 15, 2008
I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND UNDER MY DASH AND DID NOT HAVE HEAT. I ASKED FORD DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSIS PROBLEM AND WAS QUOTED $1400 TO REPAIR HEATER PLENIUM AND POSSIBLE BLEND DOOR REPAIR( DIAGNOSIS ALSO COST $90). DID NOT HAVE PROBLEM FIXED FOR THAT AMOUNT BUT WAS CONCERNED AS I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND HEAT IS NECESSARY TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD. LATER, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM ( FORD EXPLORER CLICKING SOUND AND NO HEAT) AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM SINCE 1995. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS COSTLY AND PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY A FIRST YEAR TECHNICIAN FOR LESS THAN WHAT I PAID AS I LATER FOUND OUT, THE BLEND DOOR ISSUE IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I THEN CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT FORD COULD OR WOULD DO FOR ME AND THIS ISSUE. IN MY OPINION AND MANY OTHERS I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH, HAVING A BLEND DOOR FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL NEED TO DEAL WITH IT BEFORE FALL AS I CAN NOT DEFROST WINDSHIELD WITH COLD AIR. *TR
Power train, Jun 13, 2008
AT 70,000 MILES, MY TRUCK IS STARTING TO SLIP WHEN SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THIS AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY SPORT TRAC WERE VERY COMMON. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN MAY OF 2004. WITHIN A YEAR, I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT FORD NEEDED TO ADD SOME TYPE OF FLUID TO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THIS, THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS TO PREVENT A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND ALSO PREVENT FAILURE DUE TO A MISTAKE AT THE PLANT. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT NOW THAT MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY, I NOW WILL HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THIS AMOUNT SEEMS TO VARY FROM $1800 TO $4000 AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED ON MULTIPLE FORUMS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE AND THEY ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AS IT WOULD SEEM THAT THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR