2004 Ford Explorer Visibility Problems
- 59
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 59 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear window · 20 records
- passenger side · 6 records
- side visor · 6 records
- same problem · 6 records
- window hinge · 5 records
- hinge broke · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 20 |
| 30–60k mi | 15 |
| 100–150k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Structure · Visibility
The rear lift gate window of my 2004 ford explorer exploded while the vehicle was parked. According to the ford dealer, this apparently is something that is known to happen. *tr
ODI 10667900
Visibility
While opening the smaller window in the back of the car, the window started to fall. Luckily there were two people to catch it. I noticed the passenger side hinge was broken. We usually take our infant around to the back of the car while we load things. Fortunately, we had already buckled her in. Had the glass fallen or we not paid attention , it could have seriously injured her or us. *tr
ODI 10605470
Visibility
My 13 yr old was loading groceries while the window was popped up it fell w/o warning severely hurting her head rt bracket on upper window broke can cause serious injury. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10554301
Visibility
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the sun visor became detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000 and the current mileage was 154,000. *tr
ODI 10510534
Body · Visibility
The rear window hinge pin (passenger side) has corroded and broken allowing the window to fall off of the rear tail gate. I noticed the broken hinge before using the lift gate which has prevented it from falling off thus far. I have read that this is a very common problem on this vehicle and ford will not own up to the problem. *tr
ODI 10489450
Body · Visibility
After a day of shopping i pulled into my driveway and parked my suv. I went to open the rear window hatch when the left side came apart from the vehicle and landed on top of me. Fortunately the right side of the window was able to stay intact while my husband was able to run to my aid to lift the door up. I am four months pregnant and my three year old son was standing by my side. I have read that many complaints…
ODI 10483942
Body · Visibility
The rear liftgate window hinge broke off and the entire rear window fell on my wife. The hinges are made of a white type of metal that has corroded and sheared off. The pins inside apparently broke and it didn't appear to be falling off, it just came off. The window hit my wife in the arm and leg. We were lucky it wasn't one of our kids closing the gate at the time or that they weren't inside when it happened or…
1 injury
ODI 10482036
Body · Visibility
Rear hatch window hinge (left side) broke and released the glass while driving. Window fell to one side. I had to make an immediate emergency stop. It was difficult to prop window to a safe position and lock down. It must remain locked down until i can fix it. *tr
ODI 10483459
Body · Visibility
When closing the rear window hatch, the left hinge that holds the glass completely let go of the glass. Fortunatley my husband was the one closing it and was able to catch the glass before it broke the other hinge and pulled the glass off completely. The right hinge was also bent, as the window will now not sit level to be put back into place. This should be recalled, as there is a large hazard of th window falling.…
ODI 10477164
Visibility
This issue involves the driver side sun visor. The plastic piece on the left side of the visor that holds it in place on the ceiling has broken off. When you hit a bump or dip in the road the visor falls down and blocks your view to see what is going on in front of you. This is a real safety concern to me. I don't want to hit someone or something because of this. I am asking for a recall to be issued. Thanks *tr
ODI 10475175
Body · Visibility
The hinges that hold on the rear window are starting to break. The 02 and 03 model explorers were recalled for this but ford refuses to issue a recall for the 2004 models even though this appears to be a huge issue affecting a large numbers of explorers. I have caught it before total failure but many people have had the glass come loose and injure them. It is a huge safety issue. *tr
ODI 10464236
Structure · Visibility
On 19 apr 2012 while opening the back hatch window, the passenger side hinge of the window failed. When this occurred the driver side hinge was bent and the hydrulic lifts popped open the window rather rapidly which could have severely injured me if it hit me. I was unable to close the window myself so i could drive again. A bystander helped me out to close it. After reading other reports and complaints online, this…
ODI 10456026
Visibility
Rear window hinge fractured causing glass to fall off of rear door. This is the same problem as the 2002-2003 ford recall #04s20. Ref nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000. Ford does not include the 2004 explorer in their recall but the problem is the same. I have heard of other 2004 explorer owners having the same problem and the service manager at the dealer who replaced the hinge said it is a common problem on the…
ODI 10453569
Hatchback/Liftgate · Visibility
While at work my rear lift gate window exploded. At first site i thought it was vandalism but nothing (car chargers/cd's/ road side kit etc) was taken. After further investigating, things just didn't add up nor were consistent with the site of my destructive rear window and uplifting of the panel underneath the shattered glass (which was mostly on the ground as opposed to being inside my vehicle.) *tr
ODI 10442784
Structure · Visibility
The hinges that hold on the rear window are failing and i cannot open the rear window because i am afraid that it will fall off. Other year explorers were recalled for this very reason and i cannot understand why the 2004 model was not recalled. The parts are the same as they were in other years. *tr
ODI 10450814
Structure · Visibility
While loading groceries, i noticed the hinges to my rear window were cracked. I quit using the window in fear of it breaking. The cost to replace the plastic hinge is completely outrageous! I also had a friend call today and his hinge broke, thankfully the glass did not break. Ford knows the hinges are defective. Why would a major company like ford overlook this problem and take a chance of many law suits due to…
ODI 10455253
Visibility
Http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/accessories-interior/supports_for_sun_visors_cracked.shtml the sun visor clip has broken and i am unable to use the visor, it just dangles. It can cause an accident. One needs to be able to use the visor for sun protection. I feel ford should do a recall because so this is happening in too many vehicles so there has to be a manufacturing problem. [xxx] information…
ODI 10436614
Body · Visibility
Cracked panel below rear window. Also, rear window appears loose. *tr
ODI 10439306
Visibility
The hinge on the glass hatch broke as i opened the hatch. There was no damage to the hatch hinge prior to this. *tr
ODI 10433687
Body · Visibility
The rear passenger window hinge broke causing the glass to fall on top of me and hit me in the head and knock me down to the ground. *tr
ODI 10439850
Unknown Or Other · Visibility
I have a 2004 ford explorer, about a month ago i noticed the plastic hinge for the back tailgate glass was breaking off. After visiting several ford used car lots, i seen several explorers with the broken hinge and realized this is a very common problem. I have contacted ford and expressed my concerns, but they are standing by their product. I recieved an estimate of $360 to repair the hinges, but being a single…
ODI 10432774
Visibility
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the sun visor came off of the mount causing it to obstruct the drivers visibility. He also stated that as a result of the heat in the vehicle the plastic mount started disintegrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who made advised him that there were no recalls related to the failure and stated that the visor assembly needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 10404040
Visibility
Pin on rear hatch window broke,which can cause window to fall out. *tr
ODI 10399894
Visibility
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear window on the hatch shattered. The contact looked at the hatch and found a crack on the metal piece of the hatch directly underneath the window. The contacts insurance company inspected the vehicle and said it was a defect. The manufacturer told the contact that this was an isolated incident and the rear window was not under warranty or…
ODI 10395260
Visibility
The sun visor on the 2004 ford explorer has a weak bracket that holds the visor. If the bracket fails, that can cause the driver to lose control and have an accident. *tr
ODI 10378298