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.
Power train, Feb 28, 2005
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 04 EXPLORER IS FAILING. FORD ISSUED A RECALL TO ADD AN ADDATIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE SELANIOD WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO GO AWAY. NOW 500 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. NO HELP FROM THE FORD DEALER.
Power train, Feb 24, 2005, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER. (3AUG04). BROKE AND ARM AND STILL IN BRACE AND LONGER WEEKS AHEAD. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGE AS A PROBLEM BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE MY COMPLAINT OR CALL ME BACK. NO LAWYER WILL TOUCH THE CASE YET HEAR I AM WITH LOSS WAGES MAYBE UNABLE TO USE MY ARM (I'M A NURSING STUDENT) BUT HEY IF THAT;S HOW FORD WORKS.. I'LL NEVER BUY AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION SURGES FORCIBLE IN REVERSE, AND WHILE IN DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT GOES FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE.. PLEASE HELP.. AT MY WITS END THANKS.. *NM
Power train, Feb 23, 2005
THE GEARS ON THE VEHICLE WERE POPPING, WHICH WAS NOT LETTING THE VEHICLE HAVE MOVEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL RECURRING.
Power train, Feb 22, 2005
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE BACKWORDS WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. AT TIMES WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WILL DELAY GOING IN REVERSE AND SURGE BACKWARDS UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION PARTS. 5 WEEK BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER ALSO CLAIMS IT IS RELATED TO TRANSMISSION OIL.*AK
Power train, Feb 20, 2005
2004 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. DELAYS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND THEN LUNGES BACK WITH A CLUNKING SOUND. ALSO, HARD SHIFT AND CLUNKING IN DRIVE. *JB
Power train, Feb 18, 2005
DRIVER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND VEHICLE HESITATED. THEN, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 17, 2005
AFTER ONLY 300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER---DISCOVERED THE 2 FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE CAR SHOOK WHEN BRAKING. WE ASKED THAT THEY BE REPLACED. FORD AREA REP WOULD NOT ALLOW IT...THE DEALER, INSTEAD, "TURNED" THE ROTORS BY TAKING OFF 50% OF SURFACE. FORD SAID THIS STILL MET THEIR SPEC FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. WE BELIEVE IT IS UNFAIR!! *JB
Power train, Feb 17, 2005
BOUGHT NEW 2004 EXPLORER XLT JANUARY 1ST 2005, UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME I NOTICED A HESITATION IN THE CHANGING OF THE GEARS AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IT ALSO SEEMS TO SLIP WHEN MAKING TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. I TOOK IN TO FORD DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID THROTTLE BODY WAS STICKING AND REPLACED IT. ALSO THEY UPDATED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NO CHANGE TO THE VEHICLE, I TOOK TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY SAID. THEY SENT ME ON MY WAY WITH NO RELIEF IN SIGHT, THEY DID SUGGEST THAT I HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RECALL AND I DID, IT DID NOT CHANGE ANYTHING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NO MATTER WHAT FORD SAYS, IF I NEED ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC AND MY VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM AND HESITATES OR SPITS AND SPUTTERS, I AND MY FAMILY ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER AND THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND MY FELLOW CONSUMERS. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. IF FORD HAS ADMITTED THEY HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT RECALL AND CANNOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, HOW CAN THEY BE ALLOWED TO LET THE CONSUMER TAKE THE HIT?? *JB
Power train, Feb 15, 2005
MY EXPLORER LIMITED HESITATES A FEW SECONDS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT, IT SLAMS INTO GEAR. THE ENGINES DOES NOT REV DURING THIS PERIOD AS I HAVE HEARD OTHERS SAY THEIRS DOES. IT SEEMS TO ONLY DO THIS WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP AND NOT EVERY TIME. ALSO, IT SOMETIMES SLAMS INTO GEAR AFTER YOU'VE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET THEN HIT THE GAS. I HAVE BEEN TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION ADDITIVE PUT IN. THIS ACTUALLY MADE THINGS WORSE! I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND EXPECT IT TO PERFORM AS SUCH.
Power train, Feb 13, 2005
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE FROM PARK WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,THAN AFTER 5-10 SECONDS WILL JERK INTO GEAR,TRANSMISSION DOES NOT UPSHIFT CORRECTLY,SEEMS TO HESITATE BETWEEN GEARS. *JB
Power train, Feb 11, 2005
WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE PCM SOFTWARE WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2005, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE AND THE ATTENDANT SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT AUTOMATICALLY BURNED WHILE PARKED. *AK
Power train, Feb 8, 2005
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. SOMETIMES WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT DOES NOTHING AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE THEN SUDDENLY JERKS BACKWARDS AND MAKES A POPING SOUND. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN SLOWING DOWN IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ?DROPPING? OUT OF GEAR. THIS ONLY OCCURS OCCASIONALLY. I TOOK IT IN TODAY FOR THE RECALL NOTICE I HAD RECEIVED TO REPLACE THE WRONG TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP IN TIGHT PLACES.*AK
Power train, Feb 8, 2005
STILL HESITATES INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE AFTER FORD FIX OF ADDITIVE TO TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM GETTING WORSE, AFFECTING SHIFTING IN FORWARD GEARS NOW. *AK
Power train, Feb 2, 2005
VEHICLE HESTITATES BETWEEN GEAR CHANGES ESPECIALLY ON LOWER GEARS. ALTHOUGH AN ADDITIVE WAS PUT IN BY THE DEALER, GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IS EVEN WORSE. THE VEHICLE OFTEN SITS FOR 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE ENGAGING EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE AND EVEN THEN, THE CHANGE FEELS "ROUGH."*AK
Power train, Tires, Feb 1, 2005
I PURCHASHED MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER ON JANUARY 11, 2005. AFTER THE FIRST WEEK I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2005. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS LAGGING WHEN AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING AND THAT SOMETIMES THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING AND ESPECIALLY WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON; SO THEY CHECKED THAT AND SAID THAT THEY REPLACED THE SENSORS. THAT LIGHT IS STILL STAYING ON. AS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER THE PARTS TO FIX IT. AS OF JANUARY 31, 2005, THE PARTS STILL HAVE NOT COME IN. IN THE MEANTIME I AM HAVING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I DO QUITE A BIT OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE TIRE PRESSURE. *AK
Power train, Jan 31, 2005
IN ADDITION TO HARD SHIFTING IN THE TRANSMISSION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL "CHATTERS" LOUDLY WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE FEELS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND SLOPPY AT 14,000 MILES. *AK
Power train, Jan 29, 2005
MY TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND I FEEL I AM IN DANGER WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE AND USUALLY HAS LONG HESITATIONS WHILE USING THESE POSITIONS, AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Power train, Jan 28, 2005
MY TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND ALSO HAS PROBLEMS IN THE FORWARD GEARS. FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSON TO PUT A LUBRICANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS.*AK
Power train, Jan 28, 2005
WHEN REVERSING, LOUD BANGING CLUNKING NOISE IS HEARD FROM THE BACK. THE CAR JERKS BACK HARSHLY AFTER LONG DELAY IN GOING BACK INTO DRIVE. *AK
Suspension, Jan 27, 2005
*AKI WENT TO TAKE MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN FOR A STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION. IT FAILED DUE TO FAULTY BALL JOINTS. THE EXPLORER HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. ALSO, IF I DID NOT NEED AN INSPECTION, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2005
WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND DECREASING SPEED TO AROUND 25 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURES, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE IN DRIVE, LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. REMEDIES USED WERE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AFTER COASTING TO A STOP AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AND TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. WE ARE ABLE TO REPLICATE THIS ISSUE.*AK
Power train, Jan 26, 2005
DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGING IN EITHER REVERSE OR FORWARD GEAR IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE AUTO SUDDENLY SLAMS INTO GEAR AND LURCHES FORWARD. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE GEAR SUDDENLY ENGAGES AND CAUSES A SEVERE LURCH FORWARD WITH A BANG SO SEVERE I THOUGHT I HAD HIT SOMETHING. ALSO, THERE IS A CHATTER WHEN ACCELERATING DURING A TURN AND VIBRATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT AT VARYING SPEEDS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT. WHEN I COMPLAINED AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THAT THIS DELAY WAS NORMAL. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THEY REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH CAUSED A VIBRATION AND WHINE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. I RETURNED IT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL AGAIN WAS REPLACED AND THE DRIVE SHAFT BALANCED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS FOR QUITE SOMETIME. THE FLUID ADDITIVE IS NOT AVAILABLE NOR HAS THE SOLENOID BEEN REPLACED, BUT I UNDERSTAND THIS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. *AK
Power train, Jan 25, 2005
WHEN PLACING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IN REVERSE, IT HESITATES THEN ENGAGES IN GEAR WITH A NOTICEABLE JUMP AND "CLANGING" NOISE. PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN 8/2004. *NM
Tires, Jan 24, 2005
THE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB