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.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 2016
TRANSMISSION SLIPPIND O/D LIGHT FLASHING RPM'S HIGH JUST BOUGHT CAR NOT HAPPY
Air bags, Mar 28, 2016, crash
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 3/20/2016 - THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT.
Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2016
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT APPROX 93,000 MILES, HEAT WENT OUT AROUND 85,000 MILES, SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND AGAIN DON'T WORK, ELECTRIC SEAT DOESN'T WORK, MISC. OTHER THINGS
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2016, crash
WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A SOMETIMESS A DELAYED REPONSE WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVES IT IS SUDDEN AND UNXPECTED. AS RESULT OF THIS I RECENTLY BACKED INTO A FENCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE FENCE
Air bags, Jan 30, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I WAS TRAVELING HOME ON A LOCAL CITY STREET. I WAS COMING TO AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE BEEN GOING NO MORE THAN 35 MPH AT THE MOST WHEN THE "SIDE" AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVERS AND DASH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONLY THE FOUR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH AND NOT BUMPY. I DID NOT HIT THE BRAKES HARD. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR DID ANYTHING HIT ME. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THEM TO DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT BECAUSE I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A SPEED THAT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE MADE CALLS TO FORD AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE LISTED FOR THE RECALL AT THIS TIME.
Engine, Jan 27, 2016
CAME HOME FROM WORK FRIDAY EVENING AND SAT. MORNING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOOK BATTERY IN AND TESTED, IT WAS DEAD. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. ONLY CLICKED, RELAY AND STARTER WERE FINE. HAD TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAS SHUT DOWN MY ENGINE FOR NO REASON. THE KEY NO LONGER CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE?? I HAVE SEEN ONLINE FORUMS AND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NOW I HAVE TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER 40 MILES AWAY AND PAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE AND KEYS REPROGRAMMED. OVER $120!!! THIS ISSUE LEFT ME STRANDED WITH NO VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND TOW COSTS!!!
Engine, Jan 6, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS PARKED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2015
I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE BOTTOM ABS PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORS EMBLEM IN OCTOBER 2015. ON DECEMBER 8, 2015 THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BACK WINDOW GLASS IN THE LIFTGATE BLEW-OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILE IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE GLASS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK-OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING OPERATOR DISTRACTON TO DRINING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2015
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS NEAR THE REAR WIPER CRACKS. THE FIRST TIME WE PAID TO HAVE THE PANEL REPLACED. BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WOULD COME LOOSE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LESS THAN 18 MONTHS AND THE CRACKS HAVE REAPPEARED ONLY NOW THERE ARE TWO CRACKS IN THE SAME LOCATION. WE HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS SAME CRACK. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN AS WELL. CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A DEFAULT IN THE PANEL WHICH CAN CAUSES THE REAR GLASS TO FALL OUT CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 13, 2015
WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD ALMOST TO MY PARENTS HOUSE WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSIVE SOUND. I LOOK IN MY MIRROR TO DISCOVER THAT MY REAR WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT A ROCK HAD HIT IT BUT WHEN I GOT OUT I DISCOVERED THAT THE HYDRAULIC ARMS HAD EXPANDED AND PUSHED OUT THE SIDES OF THE HATCH, WHICH RESULTED IN THE SHATTERING OF THE WINDSHIELD. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR BUT FORTUNATELY THE GLASS ONLY EXPLODED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND NOT INTO THEIR SEATS.
Wheels, Nov 30, 2015, crash
THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHEN I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 70 NEAR KINGDOM CITY, MO. ALL FIVE (5) BOLTS AND LUG NUTS SECURING THE WHEEL/TIRE WERE BROKEN OFF. MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF INTERSTATE WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND THEN LEFT. THE VEHICLE SPUN AND ENTERED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CABLE STOPPING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENTWINED WITH THE CABLE SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO FLIP ON ITS SIDE AND COME TO REST. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. MY WIFE AND I HAD DIFFICULTY RELEASING THE SEAT BELTS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS LAYING ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RELEASE BOTH SEAT BELTS AND OPEN THE SUN ROOF FOR BOTH OF US TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE AREA WAS SMOKING, BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE. LUCKILY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DID NOT COMPLETELY ROLL OVER OR THAT MY VEHICLE NOR MY LOOSE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WERE NEAR ME ON INTERSTATE 70 AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT. UPON EXAMINATION OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND TIRE WERE COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE FIVE (5) LUG BOLTS HAD ALL SHEARED. THERE APPEARED TO QUITE A BIT OF FLUID AROUND THE WHEEL WELL. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BRAKE FLUID. WE WERE ABLE TO FIND ONE OF THE LUG NUTS, WHICH STILL HAD A PART OF THE SHEARED BOLT REMAINING INSIDE. I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT THAT ALL FIVE LUG BOLTS SECURING THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD FRACTURE AND SHEAR ALLOWING THE WHEEL AND TIRE TO BECOME FREE OF THE VEHICLE AXLE. THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL WROTE UP AN ACCIDENT REPORT, #150733145. MY WIFE AND I WERE PRETTY SHAKEN UP BY THE ACCIDENT. HER RIGHT SIDE, ARM AND WRIST AND MY HEAD, NECK AND SIDE HURT AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2015
WHEN DRIVING AND YOU THEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE IT GOES INTO REVERSE HARD. SOMETIMES IT EASES INTO GEAR AND OTHER TIMES IT IS VERY HARD. I THOUGHT WELL MAYBE IT WAS ME DID MY FOOT SLIP OFF BRAKE OR SOMETHING?? IT WASN'T THAT I MADE A VERY CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO MAKE SURE I DID IT CORRECTLY AND STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK CORRECTLY KIND OF STOPS YOU BEFORE ENTERING PARK THEN WILL GO IN AFTER YOU WERE DENIED THE GEAR THE FIRST TIME. CURRENTLY STILL DEALING WITH THIS WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR EITHER ISSUE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2015
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY RESIDENCE ON THE STREET, IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN THAT DAY. THE BACK WINDOW IN THE TAILGATE EXPLODED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE. NO ONE WAS DRIVING IT, IT HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED THAT DAY. THERE WAS A PRIOR CRACK IN THE TAILGATE WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER EXPLORER'S, AND SINCE LEARNED THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE CARE.
Structure, Oct 3, 2015
THE REAR HATCH HINGE HOLDING THE REAR WINDOW BROKE. IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT BUT THE HATCH WINDOW FELL ON ME.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 23, 2015
SUN VISOR BRACKET CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED LEAVING SUN VISOR BLOCKING MY VIEW. HAD TO PULL OVER AND DISCONNECT THE WIRE AND REMOVE VISOR. 2ND INCIDENT, PRESSED BUTTON TO OPEN REAR GLASS AND THE HINGES SNAPPED EJECTING THE HEAVY GLASS PANEL AT ME. HAD A CHILD BEEN OPENING IT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AS IT WAS, I CAUGHT THE GLASS PANEL.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2015
ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH AT 1:00 PM I WAS GOING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 52 OUT OF ROCHESTER WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF IN MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY FACE. AFTER REALIZING WHAT HAPPENED I COULD NOT SEE OUT THE PASSENGER WINDOWS OF MY TRUCK (SAFETY HAZARD AS THE AIRBAGS ARE NOW BLOCKING VISION OF THE HIGHWAY), SO I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY (VERY DANGEROUS). BECAUSE I WAS SO SHAKEN UP I HAD TO STAND OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AS I WAS SO SCARED THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG WAS NEXT. I HAD SOMEONE COME PICK ME UP. I LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE AND WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTYWHAT??? ON MONDAY I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CASE WAS BEING ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL LEVEL AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WITHIN 24 HOURS. I CALLED AGAIN ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD SEND AN E-MAIL TO HAVE THE REP CALL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WEDNESDAY I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD SEND AN EMAIL AND THEY ALSO CONNECTED ME TO A VOICEMAIL SO I LEFT A MESSAGE. I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL AT 5:00 ON THURSDAY AND WAS TOLD THAT FORD WILL PAY FOR THE COST TO DOWNLOAD THE DATA I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I WANT COMPENSATION AND I WANT ANSWERS! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, I COULD HAVE KILLED OTHERS IF I HAD LOST CONTROL, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD AND DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
Engine, Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING BELT FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Aug 5, 2015, crash
I'VE HAD TWO (2) ACCIDENTS (REAR-ENDED AND FRONT ACCIDENT), IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I DIDN'T THINK OF IT AT THE TIME, BUT BOTH ACCIDENTS SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, YET THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HIT THE WHEEL HARD AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAY, BUT IT WASN'T AN INJURY THAT REQUIRED ANYTHING FURTHER. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DON'T WORK. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 31, 2015
MY SUV SHUTS OFF, AT FULL SPEED!!! I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS..... IT IS AN ISSUE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE! IT IS SO COMMON THAT MECHANICS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BEFORE YOU FINISH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S ALSOI COMMON FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPLACE MOTORS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES SHUT OFF ON THEM, AT FULL SPEED!!!. I AM AFRAID FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY, AS WELL AS MY OWN.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTS WERE FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME AND THE FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE FRONT END MOTOR MOUNT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PINION, BARONS, AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. MA 10/23/15 *CN
Power train, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2015
OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTING BLINKING CAR STARTED SHIFTING REALLY HARD AND JERKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD EXPLORERS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. I DONT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLEBI REALLY NEED HELP PLEASE
Structure, Jul 14, 2015
WENT TO OPEN REAR WINDOW HATCH AND RIGHT HINGE SNAPPED OFF CAUSING WHOLE REAR WINDOW PANEL TO FALL ON ME. THE LEFT HINGE MANAGED TO STAY IN PLACE AND WAS ABLE TO GET CENTER LATCH REATTACHED TO KEEP THE WINDOW PANEL FROM COMPLETELY FALLING OFF. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL LEFT HINGE SNAPS. TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR BUT BOTH HINGES COULD HAVE EASILY SNAPPED AND POTENTIALLY FALLEN INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS A HEAVY LOAD BEARING HINGE AND IF BROKEN WHEN A CHILD OPENED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. I NOTICE THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND IS A DANGER NOT ONLY TO THE OWNER BUT POTENTIALLY TO THOSE ON THE ROAD BEHIND THIS MODEL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2015
2 VERTICAL CRACKS IN UPPER REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW
Structure, Jun 16, 2015
I WENT TO OPEN SMALL WINDOW TYPE REAR GATE AND THE LEFT HINGE BROKE. I CAUGHT THE GATE BEFORE IT HIT THE GROUND AND HAD TO DRIVE VERY SLOW TO GET CAR HOME SAFELY.
Suspension, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.