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, Aug 31, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE LOST POWER. *AK
Power train, Aug 27, 2004
4X4 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER - BANGS INTO REVERSE. *AK
Air bags, Aug 26, 2004, crash
DURING A 45 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Aug 8, 2004
WE HAD JUST LEFT A GAS STATION AND WERE ON OUR WAY TO DINNER WHEN OUR SIDE-CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. WE DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR LARGE BUMPS, AND THERE WAS NO COLLISION TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT. MY HUSBAND, THE DRIVER, MANAGED NOT TO SWERVE AND HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING BEFORE PULLING OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. WE EXPERIENCED HEADACHES, NECK MUSCLE SORENESS AND TINNITUS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR US, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE WE PURCHASED IT. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR THE CAUSE OF THIS INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 4, 2004
AT ALL TIMES THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN WET WEATHER IT WILL SKID. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2004
VEHICLE STALLED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILLS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 21, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE FUSE BLEW. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Power train, Jul 15, 2004
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT SURGED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK *NM
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OTHER VEHICLES WERE POINTING AT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD, THE BASE OF THE CHASSIS, THE VENTS, AND FROM THE TIRE HUB. THE HUB CAPS MELTED. THE FIRE ALSO DISINTERESTED THE BRAKES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED BY THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THIS DEALERSHIP PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 6, 2004, crash
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM CONSUMER WAS TURNING LEFT TOWARDS GARAGE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 50 TO 60 MPH. *LA
Visibility, Jun 30, 2004
WHILE PRESSING THE REMOTE KEY TO OPEN THE SUN ROOF IT WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAS TO PLAY WITH THE REMOTE KEY IN ORDER TO CLOSE IT PROPERLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DEETRMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 28, 2004
2004 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER 4X4: ENGINE FAILED, SAFE MODE WHEN NOTHING APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE. OTHERS ON NEWS GROUPS CLAIM THEY FOUND IT TO BE FAULTY ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT.*AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2004
LOUD POP FROM REAR-END. ABS LIGHT,WRENCH,AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND TO BE A BAD SPEED SENSOR AND DEFECTIVE REAR-END. SUV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 WEEKS AND NO REAR-END IN SIGHT. *AK
Visibility, Equipment, Jun 11, 2004
AIR CONDITIONER AND DEFROSTER ARE MOLDY, CAUSING ILLNESS. *AK
Structure, Jun 6, 2004
PAINT IS COMING OFF DRIVERS RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONLY 3 WEEKS. *AK
Power train, Jun 5, 2004
THE GEAR ON MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2004 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF. I BELEIVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. WHEN I TOOKTHE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT THEMSELVES. I AM AFRAID TO WONDER WHAT ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.*AK
Steering, May 25, 2004
POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN DRIVING AT ALL/VARIOUS SPEEDS. FAILURE IS FELT DURING/ATTEMPTED TURNING OF THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION WHILE DRIVING. STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT AND SUDDENLY POWER STEERING KICKS IN AND BECOMES UNSAFE AS GREAT PRESSURE IS BEING APPLIED TO STEERING WHEEL TO OVERCOME POWER STEERING FAILURE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO KNOWN FAILURES AND CANNOT FIND PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING SYSTEM. AS A SYSTEMS SAFETY ENGINEER, I SUSPECT DEFECT IN SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURE HAS YET TO ADMIT. REQUEST ASSISTANCE TO FORCE MANUFACTURE/DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE AND DETERMINE PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 20, 2004, crash
WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARKED POSITION VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE.THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Steering, Suspension, May 20, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED CONSUMER CONTACTED WI DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING OVER STANDING WATER OR SNOW REAR ABS BRAKES FAILINTERMITTENTLY. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 19, 2004, crash
I WAS PARKING IN AN UNDERGROUND GARAGE AT JEFFERSON/WOODWARD IN DETROIT. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 5-7 MPH LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT. I FOUND AND SPOT AND BEGAN TO TURN INTO IT. WHEN I TURNED MY WHEEL, MY TRUCK IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND WOULDN'T STOP EVEN THOUGH I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I JUMPED A CURB AND HIT A BRICK WALL. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT ED SCHMID FORD IN FERNDALE. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT MY INSURANCE PREMIUM MAY INCREASE BECAUSE THIS ACCIDENT IS VIEWED AT AND AT FAULT ACCIDENT. FORD IS GOING TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO CHECK OUT MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR.*AK
Steering, May 12, 2004
AT SLOW SPEED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND VIBRATES. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *AK
Power train, May 11, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO HIGHER THAN 28 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB
Suspension, Apr 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED HEAVILY. CONSUMER HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BUT, MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH STILL EXISTS. *AK *NM
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER AND WHEELS NOT RETURNING TO CENTER POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN. (NAR) *PH *CB THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF SWAY BAR HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE FACTORY. THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER TURNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PHYSICALLY BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CENTER, OR IT WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING OF THE ROAD. *SC *JB