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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER - I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DEC. 03. STARTING AT APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS OLD, IT STARTS STALLING OUT, JUST DYING COMPLETELY. NO SIGNS, NO SYMPTOMS, JUST DIE AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I CHALKED IT UP TO BAD GAS OR SOMETHING? FINALLY, ON THE 3RD. DEAD TIME, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY CHANGED A FUSE AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT DIED AGAIN ... AND AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY INSTALLED A BLACK BOX (FLIGHT RECORDER & TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE MACHINE REGESTERED "3". I HAD TO KEEP THE BUTTON BY THE STEERING COLUMN SO I COULD PUSH IT QUICKLY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FIRST STALL, I PUSHED THE BUTTON & IT REGISTERED "2". IT DIED AGAIN JUST A BLOCK DOWN THE ROAD (RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON CASINO ROW, HWY 90). I PUSHED THE BUTTON AGAIN & IT REGISTERED "3". THE NEXT WEEK I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY HAD THE CAR 4 DAYS THIS TIME & COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. FINALLY THEY CALLED THE ENGINEERS WHO SAID TO "CLEAN & TIGHTEN THE GROUNDING STRAPS". THAT FRIDAY, IT DIED AGAIN. A COUPLE OF TIMES IT HAS DIES, MY NEWLY LICENSED DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING & NOW SHE IS AFFRAID OF MY CAR! THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS WHEN IT DIES. WE WERE COMING BACK FROM WALMART & I KEPT TELLING HER "TURN, TURN", SHE YELLED "I CAN'T". THE CAR HAD DIED AGAIN! BECAUSE OF THE HURRICANE, I COULDN'T TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK IN. IT DIED A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES DURING EVACUATION. 5 IN SLOW TRAFFIC JAMS & ONCE WHEN COMING 60 MPH OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO AN EXIT. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN IT BACK IN TO THE DEALER AGAIN (AT THE URGING OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE) AND THEY KEPT IT 10 DAYS & STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG! THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK & SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER.?! I AM A UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTRUCTOR AND I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME TO TAKE IT IN CONSTANTLY TO THE DEALER. PLUS, I PAY AN OUTRAGEOUS CAR PAYMENT JUST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SIT IN REPAIR.
Power train, Oct 19, 2005
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SLAMS INTO REVERSE. WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN SECOND GEAR IT WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. MY WIFE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THEY KNOW THAT THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BUT THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALSO CONTACTED THE FORD MANUFACTURER I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Power train, Oct 18, 2005
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER JERKS INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT ALSO SLIPS GEARS IN THE LOWER GEARS WHEN DRIVING IN A LOWER SPEED ZONE. THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM, BUT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Power train, Oct 13, 2005
I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT, PURCHASED BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 1 MILE ON IT ON 6/25/04. I HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT JERKING OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, GOING IN REVERSE, OR SHIFTING GEARS. I TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING WHEN THIS JERKING OCCURS. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED AND SUBSEQUENTLY SERVICED ON 2/03/05 ...THEN AGAIN ON 7/18/05... AND AGAIN ON 8/24/05 ...AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 DAYS ON 10/15/05... ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE NECESSARY PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER SO FORD CONSTANTLY PUTS A "BAND-AID" ON THE PROBLEM SO IN THE INTERIM, I AM SUBJECT TO MAJOR INCONVENIENCES AND DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. *JB
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2005
THE ISSUE I AM ENCOUNTERING WITH MY FORD 2004 IS ON SEVERAL OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE INDICATOR CAME ON AND SHUTS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DOWN. WELL AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I DECIDED TO REPORT THE MATTER TO ONE OFF THE DEALER''S, AFTER A WEEK OF HOLDING ON TO IT THE REPORT CAME BACK THAT THEY COULD FINE NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP. WELL AFTER SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Oct 7, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. SHE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES SINCE 8-23-05. THE CAR STALLED AT 40 MPH OR LESS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND AN AIR FILTER PIECE. IT STILL STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8-19-05. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON PRIOR TO STALLING. THE RPMS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THIS DID HAPPEN ONLY WHEN SHE TOOK FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, 25,500 MILES. THE MILES THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE MILEAGE WAS 23,800. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER , AND SAID THEY WERE NOT SYMPATHETIC. *AK
Tires, Oct 6, 2005
LTR FWD EMAIL FM CONSUMER RE DEFECTIVE MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN P235/70R-16 TIRES FOR A 2004 FORD EXPLORER, REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, DOT/I32005-5097. *TS WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. A SOON AS THE CONSUMER PULLED OF THE ROAD THE TIRE BLEWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH RESULTED IN INTERIOR LINER SEPARATION AND SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY A PRO-RATED PRICE FOR A NEW TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT O THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRE WILL FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER. *NM
Power train, Oct 6, 2005
THE TRUCK'S TRANSMISSION SLIPS GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THIS WAS A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM AROUND 35K MILES, AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN INFREQUENTLY. FORD SENT A LETTER, JANUARY 2005, STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID USED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE, THAT OVER TIME, IT COULD CAUSE DELAYED/HARSH ENGAGEMENTS. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE FLUID REPLACEMENT (42K MILES APPROX), I MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE. HE SAID THAT THIS WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. AT 49K MILES, I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FIRST PHONE CALL I RECEIVED, THE SERVICE CENTER EMPLOYEE SAID THAT HE DROVE THE CAR ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. THEN, I EXPLAINED THE SYMPTOMS DIRECTLY TO THE MECHANIC. THE NEXT DAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1050. THEN, TWO DAYS LATER, AFTER REMOVING THE CASING TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY, THEY SAID THAT THEY FOUND DEPOSITS OF METAL IN THE VALVE BODY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER DISASSEMBLY TO DETERMINE PARTS AND SERVICE REQUIRED. THE PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $400 PLUS PARTS. I AM AMAZED THAT A NEW VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM LIKE THIS, AND FORD IS ACCEPTING NO RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ANY OTHER CONSUMERS, AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO RESOLVE THIS. *NM
Power train, Sep 30, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER IN DEALERSHIP SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR SLIPPING IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS AROUND CORNERS, STILL NOT FIXED! DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO ATTEMPTED TO FIX SEVERE DELAYED JERKING AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE ON 3 OCCASIONS. HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR 35,000 SERVICE, DEALERSHIP TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX REAR END AGAIN AND REPLACE BEARINGS IN THE HUB WITH OUT MY PERMISSION! GOING TO ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE TO REQUEST FORD REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AS IT IS VERY EVIDENT THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR YEARS AND STILL EXIST WITH THE NEWER MODELS. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT, EXCEPT MY WALLET! THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY TROUBLES IN JULY, IT IS NOW THE LAST DAY OF SEPTEMBER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT! LEMON LAW - 3 ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM AND YOU QUALIFY.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 22, 2005, crash
DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE ROLLED THROUGH A STOP LIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ONCE AND WITHOUT WARNING. IT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AFTER THE INSURANCE COMPANY APPROVED IT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CALLER WAS INJURED. *AK
Suspension, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2005
BRAKES, SHOCKS,REAR AXLE, CRUSE CONTROL,ALIGNMENT
Power train, Sep 19, 2005
WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT WENT INTO GEAR ROUGH AND I ASKED THE SALES PERSON ABOUT IT AND HE SAID THAT IS HOW THIS VEHICLE GOES INTO GEAR. WE STARTED TO NOTICE HESITATION WHEN WE ACCELERATED FROM EITHER A STOP OR WHILE DRIVING. WE BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY CALIBRATED THE COMPUTER. THEN WE STARTED TO GET REAR END LEAKS AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CONTINUED AND WE BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE OF THE POOR SERVICE AT THE PURCHASING DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED A SOLENOID VALVE AND OVERHAULED MAIN CONTROL. THIS DID NOT HELP AND THEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO SHOW NEW SYMPTOMS. NOW WHEN WE BACK UP IT LOCKS UP AND THEN JERKS BACK INTO GEAR GOING BACKWARDS. I HAVE TOLD BOTH DEALERSHIPS OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT RESIDUAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS ASSURED THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT HAS. OUR LAST COUPLE OF VISITS WE HAVE BEEN LIED TO AND THE WORK ORDER HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTLY REFLECTING WHAT WE SAID AND WHAT WAS FOUND BY THE TECH'S. THERE IS NO MENTION ON THE REPORT THAT TWO OF THEN HAD THE REVERES PROBLEMS HAPPENING TO THEM. I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE WITH IT LIKE THAT BUT THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE IT. I DO HAVE A TECH'S STATEMENT WRITTEN ON IT AND SIGNED. NOW THEY REPLACED THE REAR END ABS SENSOR AND FOLLOWED THE 05-3-8 RECALL 4X4 CONTROL MODULE PER HOTLINE. THEY SAID THEY DID TWO ROAD TESTS BUT I CHECKED MY MILEAGE AND THEY ONLY DROVE 1.9 MILES. HOW CAN YOU DO TWO TRANSMISSION ROAD TESTS WITHIN 1.9 MILES? WE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND INJURE OR KILL OUR FAMILY AND POSSIBLE SOMEONE ELSE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER AND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION WITH NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT. THIS AT THE VERY LEAST WILL COST US ALL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR FORDS MISTAKE AND LACK OF RESPONSIBLE ACTION. BUT IN TRUTH OUR FAMILIES WILL END UP EITHER INJURED OR DEAD FIRST. WHY WILL NO ONE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM? R.S. *NM
Steering, Sep 9, 2005
DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER - THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING DIFFICULTY AS WELL AS POPPING/JOLTING SENSATION. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF SPEED, BUT ONLY OCCURS IN SHARP TURNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT THIS INFORMATION IS NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED. THIS APPLIES TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2004 AND 2005 MODELS. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A U TURN THE VEHICLE IS IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE BECAUSE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE ON ITS ON.*AK
Air bags, Aug 29, 2005
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS POPPED OUT AFTER THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS SHUT. *JB
Power train, Aug 29, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 41000 MILES. WHILE THIS IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, FORD HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Aug 25, 2005
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE PAUSES AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 24, 2005
WE LEASE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER [XXX]. THE VEHICLE STALLS. WE HAVE HAD DUTHLER FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN TRY AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON FOR WELL OVER 3-WEEKS. WE THOUGHT IT WAS REPAIRED THE LAST TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST 3,000 MILES...UNTIL YESTERDAY. THEY VEHICLE STALLED 2-TIMES AND LOST ACCELERATION 3-TIMES. ALL THE DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY (4) HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND FOTURNATELY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED (YET). FORD AND THE DEALER SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Wheels, Aug 19, 2005
I NOTICED AN INCREASING NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT TIRES OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER 2WD EDDIE BAUER ON 8/18/05 - 8/19/05. I CHECKED AND DISCOVERED THAT 2 OF THE 5 RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LUGS NUTS WERE BROKEN OFF. WHEN I FURTHER CHECKED THE TENSION OF THE 3 REAMINING LUG NUTS, I DISOVERD THAT 2 OF THEM WERE ALSO BROKEN OFF BUT WEDGED IN THE RIM. I HAD ONE LUG NUT HOLDING THE WHEEL ON IN PLACE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AS I DRIVE HOME FROM MY EMPLOYER AAA MICHIGAN AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH. I ROTATED THESE TIRES 1,000 MILES AGO, JUST AS I HAVE ROTATED TIRES ON 20 CARS OVER THE COURSE OF 35 YEARS. I HAD HAND TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE QUALITY OF THESE LUG NUTS FOR POTENTIAL DEFECTS.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 15, 2005
DT: 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE ROLLED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN ORDER FOR IT COMES BACK ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. *AK
Power train, Aug 14, 2005
THERE IS A WHINE OR "HOWL" COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER WITH LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALER IN CAMDENTON, MO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM THAT THERE IS A LOUD WHINE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND PEAKS AT 62. THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THOSE AND SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY NEED A REAR PINION SEAL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS AND HAVING GIVEN US THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE FIXED, THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T BAD ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPAIR AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN IN LONGER. I WAS TOLD THAT TWICE, ONCE ON THE PHONE AND ONCE IN PERSON WHEN I GOT THERE TO PICK IT UP. I TOLD THE MAN THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT AND THAT THE WHINE IS GETTING WORSE, NOT BETTER. *NM
Power train, Aug 9, 2005
DELAY/HARSH CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE. *NM
Power train, Seats, Aug 7, 2005
TRANSMISSION ON 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.6 AWD DOESN'T ENGAGE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WITHOUT HESITATION. ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE ABOUT 15K. TOOK TO THE DEALER AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. DEALER PUT "ADDITIVE" IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 3K MILES TO WORK OUT OF THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE 24K ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE SHIFTING IS GETTING WORSE. WORRIED ABOUT PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ETC, NOT KNOWING IF THE TRUCK WILL MOVE OR NOT. LEATHER SEAT COVERS WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE DEALER, AS AFTER 6 MONTHS THERE WERE NUMEROUS CRACKS IN THE LEATHER. *NM
Tires, Aug 7, 2005
TIRE FAILURE. WE TOOK THE TIRE IN TO GET IT PLUGGED, BUT IT WAS THE INNER LINING, IT SPLIT APART AND THE TIRE WAS NOT SAFE TO PLUG. (GOODRICH TIRE) WE TOOK THE TIRE TO AN AUTHORIZED GOODRICH DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS A COSMETIC FIX AND THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE TO FIX. AFTER THE FIRESTONE ORDEAL, I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY EXPLORER ANY MORE. I WILL LET THE COMPANY KNOW ABOUT THE GOODRICH TIRE FAILURE. *NM
Power train, Aug 1, 2005
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER HESITATES, THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR, AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WORSENING OVER TIME. IT HAPPENS WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, BUT UP TO NOW, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY WORSE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE. UP TO NOW THIS HAS BEEN MORE OF A NUISANCE THAN ANYTHING, HOWEVER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PROCEED INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED POSITION EARLIER TODAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED FOR 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING. SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS THAT I KNOW HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM