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.
Suspension, May 21, 2005
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION ON MY '04 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY COMPLAINING OF AN UNCONTROLLABLE BOUNCING WHEN HITTING CERTAIN BUMPS ON THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ALSO SPEEDS AS LOW AS 35 MPH. THIS BOUNCING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES AND IS GETTTING WORSE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT CAUSES THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO JUMP TO THE SIDE ABOUT 6 INCHES, WHICH HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO WRECK TWICE THIS MONTH. BOTH SERVICE DEPARTMENTS I'VE VISITED HAVE DESCRIBED THIS AS "NORMAL" FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ORDERED PARTS AT MY OWN EXPENSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. I AM TOLD BY FIRESTONE AND SEVERAL INTERNET SOURCES, THAT MY PROBLEM IS RELATED TO WEAK SHOCKS, WHICH ARE SPECIFIED BY FORD FOR THIS VEHICLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 20, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND THERE IS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR BOTH OF THESES MALFUNCTIONS PRESENT A DANGER AND A HAZARD AND ARE VERY SERIOUS DEFECTS. *BF *NM
Power train, May 16, 2005
2004, V-6, AUTO TRANSMISSION, FORD EXPLORER, AN INTERMITANT PROBLEM WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. ENGINE REVS,FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONNECTION TO THE TRANSMISSION, AS IF IN NEUTRAL, THEN UNEXPECTANTLY IT ENGAGES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH BACKWARD. WE RECEIVED A SERVICE NOTICE FROM FORD THAT THIS CONDITION ONLY HAPPENS IN COLD WEATHER, TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM PUT IN A SPECIAL FLUID WHICH WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WELL IT IS NOW MAY 16 HERE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IT, THE REVERSE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. WE ARE GOING TO THE DEALSHIP AGAIN,
Air bags, May 16, 2005, crash
CONSUMER WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS HEADING SOUTH AND WENT LEFT OF CENTER, HITTING CONSUMER WHO WAS HEADED NORTH. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE, FLIPPING, ROLLING AND LANDING ON PASSENGER SIDE. *BF *NM
Power train, May 11, 2005
CIRCUMSTANCES WITH OUR NEWLY LEASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE SUCH THAT WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU PROVIDE US WITH A NEW VEHICLE OF SIMILAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON JUNE 25, 2004 AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT HAVE MADE IT HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THE 2 VERY SERIOUS MALFUNCTIONS ARE NOT MINOR, BUT ARE OF A VERY SERIOUS NATURE. 1. VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF THIS HAS OCCURRED IN SITUATIONS ON THE HIGHWAY THAT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO THE PASSENGERS AND THOSE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS, IT OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BUT IT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT AS OPERATORS WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN IT OR TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION THAT THE DEFECTS IN OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER ARE SERIOUS. 2. DIFFICULTY PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, IT GOES NOT ENGAGE IN THE GEAR. AT OTHER TIMES, IT WILL ENGAGE THE GEAR AFTER A PROLONGED DELAY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT "UNEXPECTEDLY" JUMPS INTO GEAR AFTER A PROLONGED DELAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE PASSENGERS, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR ANY PEDESTRIANS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. BOTH OF THESE MALFUNCTINOS PRESENT A DANGER AND A HAZARD AND ARE VERY SERIOUS DEFECTS. INACCEPTABLE RESPONSE FROM FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDS, JOHN PISCAL CFO INNER CITY EDUCATION FOUDATION JPISCAL@ICEFLA.ORG 323.294.8515 CC: MR. MICHAEL PISCAL PRESIDENT & CEO
Power train, May 9, 2005
I HAVE A 2004 FORD SPORTS TRAC EXPLORER. THERE WAS A RECALL TO PUT AN ADDITIVE INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I DID. I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. OCASSIONALLY WHEN STOPPING THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT STEP DOWN GEARS AND I HAVE TO JUST ABOUT STAND ON THE BREAK AND QUICK PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE VA. . THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A SAFTEY ISSUE THEY COULD GO NOFURTHER. I COMPLAINED TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 28, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. *MR THE THROTTLE RESPONSE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS. FORD ISSUED ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN TO REFLASH THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SURGE THAT ACCELERATES 3-5 MPH FROM SPEEDS BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MPH WITH A DEAD SPOT PROCEEDING THE SURGE. *SC *JB
Power train, Apr 19, 2005
TRANSMISSION HAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR PROBLEM OCCURS DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION, APPROXIMATELY 2500-3000 RPMS. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ACCEPTABLE DURING LIGHTER AND HEAVIER ACCELERATIONS.*AK
Suspension, Tires, Apr 18, 2005
VEHICLE FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY WAS, ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER, DESIGNED SO POORLY THAT EXCESSIVE AND UNSAFE TIRE WEAR PATTERNS WERE TO BEE EXPECTED. SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH SAME COMPLAINTS WERE IN DEALER'S WAITING ROOM THE SAME DAY. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES TO WORK WITH FORD, UP TO FORD DETROIT CUSTOMER SERVICE.*AK
Suspension, Apr 14, 2005, crash
2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC RAN INTO GUARDRAIL TWICE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. *MR WHILE DRIVING 70 KM A CROSS WIND BLEW THE REAR OF THE TRUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A GUARDRAIL. ANOTHER TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 55 KM WITH THE 4WD ON WHEN THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *NM WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL GRABBED THE SLUSH ABOUT 1 INCH THICK, THE CONSUMER RELEASED OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, SLIGHTLY CORRECTED THE STEERING TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING TO THE RIGHT, HIT THREE POSTS AND THEN CAME BACK. *SC *JB
Power train, Apr 12, 2005
TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE/ SLAMS INTO REVERSE AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS OF HESITATION/DELAYS IN SHIFTING IN FORWARD GEARS, AND IS DANGEROUS!. AFRAID EVERY TIME CAR SHIFTS GEARS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL LURCH OR HESITATE. BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 WEEKS AGO, USED, 19,750 MILES ON IT IN 37 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED . EVERY PERSON I KNOW WHO HAS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM - FORD IS A LARGE AUTOMOBILE MAKER, SHOULD PROVIDE A RECALL TO ITS CUSTOMERS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 12, 2005
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESEVIOR LEAKS BRAKE FLUID. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND CONTINUES TO LEAK.DEALER STATES FORD INSISTS IT IS NORMAL TO LEAK. DEALER STATES 3 OUT OF 4 EXPLORERS LEAK BRAKE FLUID.HAS BEEN TO DEALER ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES TO BE REPAIRED, STILL LEAKS. ONCE A WEEK THE FLUID HAS TO BE WASHED OFF THE RESEVIOR AND INNER FENDER WELL.*AK
Seat belts, Apr 1, 2005
WE RENTED A FORD EXPLORER 2004. MY 6YR OLD WAS IN THE 2ND ROW PUTTING ON HIS SEAT BELT WHEN IT SLIPPED OUT OF HIS HAND OVER HIS SHOULDER AND HAD HIM STRANGLED AROUND HIS NECK. WE (HIS PARENTS) COULD NOT LOOSEN IT. IT ONLY BECAME TIGHTER. WE DROVE UP TO A HOTEL WHERE THEY HAD SCISSORS AND CUT IT OFF HIS NECK SO HE BREATHE PROPERLY AGAIN.*AK
Power train, Mar 30, 2005
WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE IN EITHER DIRECTION THE FRONT AXLE LOCKS. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO EVALUATE THIS PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK *BF *NM
Power train, Mar 29, 2005
AUTO TRANSMISSION JUMPING IN AND OUT OF REVERSE GEAR.
Air bags, Mar 23, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH VEHICLE SLIPPED ON A PATCH OF ICE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT, AND DROPPED FIFTY FEET. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BROKE, AND PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM A CONCUSSION, AND HAD TO GET TWENTY STITCHES. DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN BACK. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2005, crash, fire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EXCESSIVELY. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN DRIVER HIT THE CURB AND FLIPPED FOUR TIMES LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN A DITCH. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED BY AN AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Air bags, Mar 21, 2005
2004 EXPLORER 4DR; DRIVER'S AIRBAG POOR FIT, COMING OFF STEERING WHEEL.*AK
Power train, Mar 18, 2005
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING DELAY. DEALER HAS "FIXED" TWICE AND ADDED THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. MY FACTORY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 8,000 MILES AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE PROBLEMS I WILL HAVE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN ADJUSTED, REBUILT AND ADJUSTED AGAIN WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN, MOMENTS LATER THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN, AND THE BRAKES FAILED, NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE JUMPED TIMING. *AK
Power train, Mar 10, 2005
AFTER SHIFTING IN REVERSE GEAR VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Mar 10, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER-DELAYED THEN HARSH SHIFT OF TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, WAS IN SHOP TO REPLACE SOLENOID AND BAD TRANSMISSION FLUID INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY"-PROBLEM PERSISTS-CAR WAS PURCHASED NOV 2004 AND HAS ONLY APPROX 4500 MILES. PROBLEM IS ONGOING SO THERE IS NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT DATE. *AK
Power train, Mar 9, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 22,000 MILES. VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE UNLESS YOU STEP ON THE ACCELLERATOR. THEN IT ENGAGES WITH A LOUD BANG, SLAMS INTO GEAR AND LURCHES BACKWARDS. CAR ALSO PAUSES BETWEEN SHIFTS DURING ACCELERATION. HAVE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER YET WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION SOLENOID TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS ON BACK ORDER. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 9, 2005
I HAVE A 2004 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER. ON TWO OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE CUT OFF ( STALLED ) AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION AND ON BOTH OF THE AFOREMENTIONED OCCASIONS THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER RECORDED THE CODES OF THE INCIDENTS ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS BUT NOT ON THE THIRD. FOLLOWING THE THIRD OCCASION MY LOCAL FORD DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR" PER TSB 04-21-9. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.
Suspension, Mar 3, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH FRONT OF VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIPPED. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SKID AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK