2004 Ford Explorer Unknown Or Other Problems
- 34
- 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 34 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- lift gate · 4 records
- rebuilt transmission · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Unknown Or Other
The ignition keys loses the program and i constantly have to have noth reprogramed. I was told this was a recall that ford knows about. The cause the car inability to start
ODI 11245234
Unknown Or Other
I was getting stuff out of my back seat and my rear window just blew out shattering glass all over .the bottom piece that secures the glass to the door warpred about 6 inched on each side exploding the glass
1 injury
ODI 11174673
Body · Unknown Or Other
When the explorer was bought used in 2015 the cracks that are common in the glass lift gate cover panel did not exist. We purposely did not open the glass part of the lift gate to avoid cracking it. Eventually it cracked on its own just from opening the full tailgate. Then recently the lift gate latch keeper bolts/studs rusted to the point of failure behind the cracked panel and the glass lift gate released on its…
ODI 11014034
Steering · Unknown Or Other
The car was running fine and no warning light of any kind came on. We went to go start it today and it start up fine. When we tried to put it in all the gears and pressing on the gas it didn't do a thing. I mean it won't move at all.
ODI 11000945
Unknown Or Other
When putting the explorer into reverse it would shift hard and throw the vehicle back and then when you put it into drive the engine would race and rev up high and then slam into the next gear. It made the vehicle hard to be reliable. Took the explorer in and they said this is a known problem for ford vehicles and they don't know why there is no recall for it but the transmission was shot now having to pay $4500 out…
ODI 11000808
Unknown Or Other
While traveling on the i285 interstate we heard a loud pop/ snap and we were trying to figure out where it came from, my daughter noticed glass shards on clothes and that ts when we looked up and realized the moonroof had shattered.
ODI 10983683
Body · Unknown Or Other
I get a strong smell of rotten eggs when driving. It only happens when i drive for a long time. My back hatch is cracking in 3 or more spots i am afraid that it will probably fall off and cause damage to someone driving behind me.
ODI 11097563
Unknown Or Other
2004 ford explorer limited edition transmission went out. It does not gear back when at a stop and fixing to go. It goes very slow until it switches gears.
ODI 10871385
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
When driving and you then shifting from drive to reverse it goes into reverse hard. Sometimes it eases into gear and other times it is very hard. I thought well maybe it was me did my foot slip off brake or something?? It wasn't that i made a very conscious effort to make sure i did it correctly and still had the same problems. I also noticed that the vehicle doesn't shift from drive to park correctly kind of stops…
ODI 10787696
Body · Unknown Or Other
My car was parked in front of my residence on the street, it had not been driven that day. The back window in the tailgate exploded, causing damage to the tailgate. No one was driving it, it had not been touched that day. There was a prior crack in the tailgate which i have seen on other explorer's, and since learned that it is a defect in the care.
ODI 10781412
Exterior Lighting · Seat Belts · Unknown Or Other
Transmission went out at approx 93,000 miles, heat went out around 85,000 miles, seat belts have been replaced once under warranty and again don't work, electric seat doesn't work, misc. Other things
ODI 10839593
Body · Unknown Or Other
2 vertical cracks in upper rear hatch below window
ODI 10732780
Unknown Or Other
Truck suddenly accelerated when i was in traffic not moving.
ODI 10717714
Power Train · Seats · Unknown Or Other
Overdrive light starting blinking car started shifting really hard and jerking. This is a known issue with ford explorers and need to be recalled. I dont have another vehiclebi really need help please
ODI 10744717
Unknown Or Other
In the middle of the rear panel under the rear glass near the rear wiper cracks. The first time we paid to have the panel replaced. Because we were concerned that the glass would come loose causing an accident. Less than 18 months and the cracks have reappeared only now there are two cracks in the same location. We have seen multiple cars on the road with this same crack. The dealer says they have seen as well.…
ODI 10810133
Body · Unknown Or Other
The car was parked in a grocery store lot. I used the remote to open the back latch to store my groceries. It did not open. I tried again. Suddenly the back window exploded and the back hatch came off it hinges. I am unable to drive the car until it is repaired. I found many stories online that said the same thing has happened to other 2004 explorers and ford has not done anything with the complaints. This episode…
ODI 10615460
Unknown Or Other
Overdrive light comes on and the car will not shift gears.. Coded pressure control solenoid. Put one in and it still has the light blinking and runs like crap..
ODI 10717387
Unknown Or Other
When opening the rear hatch window, there was a failure in the pin in the hinge causing the window to fall. The window was not broken however a repair had to be made before the vehicle was drivable due to the possibility of the glass falling. *tr
ODI 10510632
Unknown Or Other
Both hinges on the rear hatch glass broken. Window ready to fall out of vehicle. Can't believe this item hasn't been recalled as there are tons of complaints about these hinges.
ODI 10924476
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
Power Train · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle transmission slips when climbing elevation. Starts clunking noise and won't shift. Rpms go way up and vehicle still will not shift. Hard to get vehicle into park on the gear shifter. Have thought the vehicle was in park only to have it roll when i take my foot off the brake. Took vehicle to mechanic today who says a new transmission is needed. Appx cost 3600.00 *tt
ODI 10432694
Body · Unknown Or Other
The paint on the roof of my 2004 ford explorer is chipping. I spoke with two auto body shops and 1 ford dealer, and they all said that the chipping is due to the fact that the primer did not adhere properly to the vehicle, so the paint is chipping. In reviewing this issue, i read online that there is a multitude of people experiencing the same issue. I spoke with ford, and they told me that there is no financial…
ODI 10412989
Unknown Or Other
Blend door motor for the heat melted...apparantly this is a common problem for explorers...is this not a fire hazard???? The piece is plastic and melts...could this not cause a fire?
ODI 10420688
Unknown Or Other
In sept 2009 the transmission on my 2004 ford explorer failed an needed to be replaced. The vehicle had an extended warranty and the cost of the repair was covered. 18 months later the rebuilt transmission failed at 60,400 or 20,000 miles after the rebuilt transmission was put in. The extended warranty expired on 1/30/11 or 60,000 miles. The rebuilt transmission according to ford expires with the vehicle warranty…
ODI 10391188
Unknown Or Other
Purchased 2004 explorer in november 2007. 95489 miles. No prior indication in drivability, noise or lights coming on. Going along, most speed available was 20 mph, rpms on 6; then jerked to change gears. Driving on highway in town during rush hour, overdrive light and check engine lights came on. Limped into nearest repair shop, which happened to be a transmission shop,. Transmission had to be rebuilt. Obviously…
ODI 10380355