2004 Ford Explorer Driveline Problems
- 10
- 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.
What owners report
- rear differential · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Driveline
Both rear wheel bearings were worn and noisy at less than 74,000 miles. These bearings should have lasted much longer. $800.00 to repair/replace. *tr
ODI 10349975
Driveline · Power Train
2004 ford explorer with 49,000 miles. Howling noise from rear. Took it to ford; they rebuilt the rear differential at a cost of $1600.00. Car has always been serviced at ford for routine maintenance. Don't understand how this vehicle with such low mileage had to have rear differential replaced. In looking at service bulletins; this sounds like a defect that ford has not acknowledged. *tr
ODI 10282952
Driveline
I am handicapped and live on social security, this is important because of the bill i had to pay. I am making payments on a used 04 explorer, they are quite high so i got the extended service plan. The rear axle has whined ever since i got it. When it was drowning out the radio and finally started leaking the dealer, don jenkins ford finally agreed to look at it. I was reduced to laying on the floor while i waited…
ODI 10280779
Driveline
There is no failure yet for our vehicle but there are many out there that has. Do a internet search for the 2004 ford explorer complaints and see for yourself the complaints for wheel bearing failure and rear differential failure that will eventually get someone killed. This is a very common problem and ford will not acknowledge or do anything about it. *tr
ODI 10280550
Driveline · Mechanical
My complaint is with the 2004 ford explorer and is a universal complaint for explorers from 2002-2005. These vehicles have problems with their rear differentials causing them to whine loudly at various speeds. In some cases they will leak and in extreme cases even seize up causing a dangerous situation for the drivers. There are multiple articles on this situation online and i myself have had my differential parts…
ODI 10269065
Driveline · Equipment · Power Train
My concern is in regard to an ongoing problem that my vehicle and thousands of others like it have; the lack of safety one may be faced with if the rear on these vehicles fail due to substandard parts used in the rear differential on the ford suv's and f-150's. My understanding is that the costly repair that is required the manufacture will not honor after the basic warranty is over even though this is an ongoing…
ODI 10258885
Driveline
I own a 2004 ford explorer. Car started vibrating at low speeds especially after a stop and when turning. I have taken it to two mechanics and both told me the rear differential needs to be replaced. I am a college student and just purchased the vehicle so i will be unable to pay for the costly repair. I have read online that many many other ford customers have had the same problem and ford has done nothing about…
ODI 10229864
Driveline
There is alot of whistling and squeaking in my front end and everytime i have it looked at i am told it just needs lubrication and after a few weeks the noise is back which i am sure means something is wrong and no one seems to find it. The squeaking is driving me nuts at every turn whenever you brake sometimes just accelerating will cause it to squeak. *tr
ODI 10237007
Automatic Transmission · Axle Hubs · Cruise Control · Driveline · Stabilizer Bar · Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
Car has a hard time engaging into gear, when backing up it feels like i've hit another vehicle. The vehicle just jumps in revers.i have almost ran over someone because of a delay in engaging into reverse. In drive it does the same thing. I worry that i am going to hit a car that might be parked in front of me or even a person. Not only that i worry that if i did hit another car i wouldn't know that i did it. The car…
ODI 10100176
Driveline
Whining noise from rear of vehicle. Dealer stated that ford knows of this problem but doesn't currently have a fix for it! They asked me to call them back in 30 days.
ODI 10066098