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, Jan 22, 2005
'04 EXPLORER ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING, CAR JERKS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, FALSE FUEL READING TOOK TRUCK BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY DO NOT THINK ANY THING IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK, THIS HAS HAPPEN FOUR TIMES. *JB
Fuel system, Other, Jan 22, 2005
FORD EXPLORER 2004 - XLT - GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY FOLLOWING FUELING VEHICLE (FULL TANK). GAUGE WILL DISPLAY 1/2 TANK. OCCURRED THREE TIMES OVER 60 DAY PERIOD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. CHECK GAUGES, FUEL TANK SENSOR, ETC. GAUGE IS WORKING NORMALLY AT THIS TIME. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 19, 2005
CAR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT RESPONDING CORRECTLY. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THE REPLACED THE SOLENOID PACK SEVERAL WEEKS LATER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH A BATTERY SYMBOL AND SAID HI TEMP LOW OIL. ENGINE DIED WHEN GOING TO PARK AND THEN AGAIN AT STOP LIGHT THE NEXT DAY. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. TWO WEEKS LATER, ENGINE AGAIN DIED WITH A WRENCH SYMBOL AND SAID ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. DEALER HAS HAD IT A WEEK AND CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. DID FIND A PROBLEM WITH AND REPLACED ABS IN COMPUTER SYSTEM. *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 18, 2005
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55-60 MPH). BUT THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED A FULL TANK OF FUEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB
Power train, Jan 17, 2005
IN MAY OF 2004, I BOUGHT A NEW 2004 FORD EXPLORER. TWO MONTHS LATER IN JULY OF 2004, I FOUND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT WOULD PAUSE FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS, THEN JERK VERY HARD BEFORE REVERSING. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE NEW CAR FROM, WHO PROCEEDED TO TELL ME IT WAS "NOTHING". THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, AND I CONTINUED TO BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM WITH NO RESOLVE. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL JANUARY OF 2005. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO AN OUT OF TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP 2 HOURS AWAY, WHO TOOK MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS DUE TO THEM HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. I WAITED FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THE DAY I PICKED UP MY CAR FOR A SERVICE ADVISOR TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS WAS, AND THE ONLY ANSWER I RECEIVED WAS THAT IT WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR. I SINCE THEN LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET WHAT THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS, AND READ AN ARTICLE THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS NOT RECALLING CARS SINCE IT IS NOT A DANGER. THIS IS A DANGER. IT CAN CAUSE NUMEROUS NECK PROBLEMS FROM THE JERKING. I HAVE SUFFERED FROM LOWER BACK PAIN BEFORE BUYING THE CAR, AND THE JERKING FROM PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE WAS NOT HELPFUL. IF ANYONE OR ANYTHING IS AROUND THE CAR WHILE PUTTING IT IN REVERSE, THEY CAN BE DAMAGED BADLY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO GO PUBLIC. THE DEALERSHIPS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO RESPONSIBILITY NEGLECT FOR A POOR PRODUCT. *JB
Power train, Jan 14, 2005
MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 EXPERIENCED DELAYED/HARSH ENGAGEMENT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. IT WOULD HAVE A DELAY OF UP TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN WOULD ENGAGE AND MAKE A TERRIBLE CLANGING NOISE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT WOULD SQUEAL TIRES AND THEN JERK BACKWARDS. THIS PUT ME IN DANGER OF BEING IN A WRECK BECAUSE WHEN I WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE I WOULD EXPECT IT TO ACTUALLY SHIFT, BUT IT DID NOT. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE PCC SOLENOID WAS REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED. *JB
Power train, Jan 10, 2005
POWER TRANSMISSION-DOES NOT ENGAGE REVERSE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. HAD TO PAY PART OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
Suspension, Power train, Jan 7, 2005
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRACKER 11 MONTHES AGO. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE SHOCKS TOWERS. SO, I THOUGHT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WASN'T THE SHOCK TOWERS BUT THE SWAY BAR. THIS OCCURRED AROUND SEPTEMBER 2004.. THAN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROUGHT INTO THE SHOP. I ONLY HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IT HAD 23 MILES ON IT WHEN IT BROUGHT IT. I HAVE PUT ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE NEED TO BE REBUILT.*AK
Power train, Jan 7, 2005
VEHICLE TRAVELED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND AS A RESULT VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AND MADE AN IDLING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR FOURTH TIME THIS YEAR.*AK *NM
Power train, Jan 5, 2005
WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE ACCELERATING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Visibility, Dec 29, 2004
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING THE VISIBILITY IN THE RAIN DIFFICULT. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE FOR $437.00. *AK *TC
Power train, Dec 27, 2004
2004 FORD EXPLORER CLUNKS WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND I THINK FORD IS CONSIDERING A PROGRAM. I HAVE TAKEN MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE CONDITION. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME, AND I THINK THEY ARE AVOIDING REPAIRS. THE CARHAS ONLY 9,000 MILES AND IS UNDER WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION HAS WRONG FLUID AND FAULTY SHIFT SOLENOID PER FORD'S OWN PRESS RELEASES.*AK
Power train, Dec 23, 2004, crash
THERE WAS A DELAY AND JERK WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. THE GEAR POPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE WHILE IN REVERSE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK
Steering, Tires, Dec 22, 2004
STEERING FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS NOT UP TO SPEED OR THE 4 WD IS ENGAGED DURING LOW SPEED TURNS LIKE IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOTS OR TIGHT TURNS ON OFF RAMPS. *JB
Power train, Dec 21, 2004
THERE IS A DELAY IN THE GEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. VEHICLE TENDS TO JERK WHEN THE GEAR POPS. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *AK
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2004
VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR NOT STARTING. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THEN, SECOND TIME, A COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING TOWED, AND THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE FOUND. *AK
Power train, Dec 20, 2004
THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURING OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO FORWARD OR DRIVE. THE PROBLEM GOING INTO REVERSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AND QUITE OFTEN BUT YES IT IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION INITIALLY DOES NOTHING AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LURCHES OR THE DRIVE TRAIN BANGS, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN IN THEIR PRESENCE. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS CONVIENENT AND COULD TAKE SEVERAL VISITS FOR THEM TO AGREE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT THE PRESENT APPROACH TO RECTIFYING THE ISSUE IS THE CORRECT OR FINAL ONE. I ASKED FOR A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND THEIR POLICY ON REPAIRING THIS AND THEY REFUSED. I FEEL I AM ENTITLED TO ANY AND ALL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR CREATING A UNEXPECTED AMOUNT OF MOTION OR MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHES THERE SHOULD BE A GREATER EFFEORT TO BE PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING CONSUMER INQUIRIES NOT TRYING TO AVOID ANY EXPENSE ON THEIR PART IN FIXING THE ISSUE.*AK
Power train, Dec 19, 2004
2004 FORD EXPLORER HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. HAS A HESITATION BEFORE IT GOES INTO GEAR. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE COULD BE INJURIES BECAUSE WHEN IT HESITATES ONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES INTO GEAR. *JB
Power train, Dec 17, 2004
A PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WILL SHUTTER, THEN DIE. THIS RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES MAKING THIS PROBLEM A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL MOTORIST AND PASSENGERS. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT THIS INCIDENT. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE JERKING OF THE HARSH REVERSE ENGAGEMENT NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10008268. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE FEB 2004, ONE WEEK AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED. THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT CAUSED IT UNTIL I HAD THE HARSH TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT PROBLEM. AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM STOPPED. ON DEC 14, 2004 THE ENGINE SHUTOFF STARTED AGAIN. ON DEC 16, 2004 THE HARSH ENGAGEMENT STARTED AGAIN. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ALL SERVICES HAVE BEEN DONE. *JB
Power train, Dec 17, 2004
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT AND INTERMITTENT, TRANSMISSION WILL "BANG" INTO REVERSE, REV UP BEFORE ENGAGING WHILE GOING FORWARD FROM A STOP, HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AT LOWER SPEEDS, APPEARS TO "SLIP" WHEN MAKING TURNS. TRANSMISSION AND REAR END REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE PROBLEMS. *JB
Power train, Dec 16, 2004
WHEN DOWN SHIFTING TO REVERSE GEAR VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Power train, Dec 16, 2004
AS I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE SHIFT INTO REVERSE BETWEEN 4 AND 8 SECONDS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO REVERSE WITH A BANG. THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING TO ME, LATELY, ON A NUMBER OF OCCAISIONS. THE EXPLORER WAS BOUGHT IN JULY OF 2004 AND AS OF THIS DATE HAS 9,500 MILES ON IT, AND THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS 12-15-04.
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2004, fire
CONSUMER WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE LOT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
Power train, Dec 13, 2004
DELAY AND HARSH TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE AND DRIVE.*AK