2004 Ford Explorer Engine Problems
- 41
- 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 41 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- cruise control · 8 records
- power steering · 6 records
- service engine · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
The original equipment harmonic balancer came apart. The inner portion separated from the rest. This allows. It would have caused the destruction of the serpentine belt, and crankshaft position sensor if i had not caught it in time. This would have resulted in loss of engine power, loss of power steering, and loss of power brakes! This seems to be a common problem with the 2004 ford 4.0 liter v6. This could result…
ODI 10547505
Engine · Power Train · Steering
This is the second ford explorer i have owned and both of them had the same transmission problems. Yet ford has no recall or even anything to fix them except $3,000.00 to a dealer out of you pocket for their mistake. I guess since no one has been proven to have gotten injured or died due to this issue, then there won't be a recall made on it. This is totally unsatisfactory for the ford motor co. Because they have…
ODI 10554392
Body · Engine
The back hatch window doesn't seem to line up with the latch. The back hatch also cracked right near the ford logo. I have seen many of the explorers that this has happened to. Its time ford fixes this defect. Also while doing around 60-65 mph my timing chains broke, all 3 of them at the same time. I could understand 1 maybe but all 3 ? This to has to be a manufacturer defect. *tr
ODI 10605586
Engine
While was driving on i-95 i gave the car a boost of speed to pass another vehicle. I noticed my back window become "dirty" (covered in coolant) and while the car seemed okay i moved to the right lane. There was no shoulder to pull off due to construction. Without a shoulder i had to keep going another couple miles; after a couple miles i started loosing speed gradually. With children in the car this was a safety…
ODI 10510913
Engine
This is in response to the investigation of ford for "limp mode". Every time that i use my cars cruse control under 50 mph the car goes in to limp mode. After i pull over and restart the car it run normaly, *tr
ODI 10508099
Engine
At about 65,000 miles, my transmission began slowly acting up; it vwas difficult to put into gear and clunks while driving. It is getting worse, and ford will not help with repairs because it is out of warranty. *tr
ODI 10505382
Engine · Service Brakes · Steering
While driving, the vehicle just shut off. I had no control of the vehicle once it shut off, except to utilize the emergency brake to get me stopped. Once stopped, i put it in park and it started up first try. No check engine light came on. Same thing happens on a regular bases. Usually happens while braking or turning at speeds lower than 30mph, then engine just stalls and everything turns off. This to me is a major…
ODI 10505180
Automatic Transmission · Body · Electrical System · Engine
On the body the tailgate panel keeps cracking this makes my truck look bad compared to the money i put into it. My engine or transmission acts as if something is wrong it is not shifting gear right. On the electrical tire pressure light keeps coming on and it also keeps leaking water from somewhere. Ford needs to go out of business for selling these pieces of junk. It makes no sense. *tt
ODI 10537794
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Structure · Suspension · Vehicle Speed Control
I purchased a 2004 ford explorer in july 0f 2011, and traded in my 2001 oldsmobile of 5 years. I also purchased the 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. Before driving it off the lot i had the dealer fix the abs system because the light was on. There is a crack going down the back of the trunk but nothing else was wrong at the time so i left the crack alone. In april of 2012 i took it to the dealership for a belt, check…
ODI 10476778
Engine
I had just purchased this vehicle to tow with. I was driving in the country with the cruise control on and set at about 45mph. All of a sudden i realized i the vehicle had turned itself off. No power steering, no brakes nothing. It did start right back up after getting off the road. Later in the day returning home it did the same exact thing at 50mph with cruise engaged. I talked with ford shop and they say it is a…
ODI 10468879
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
Transmission shifts very hard so bad that it jerks me and my children's heads forward when it happens. This occurs the worst when going into reverse and into 2nd and 3rd gears. Brakes lock up/stick after being pressed for 3 seconds. *tr
ODI 10472096
Belts And Associated Pulleys · Engine
2004 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to crankshaft pulley failure *tgw the consumer stated he was unable to move the vehicle from the road and had it towed to a repair shop, but was unable to make the repairs, due to other damage to one of the components. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where they informed the consumer the crankshaft pulley had failed, broke the v-belt, which in turn hit and…
ODI 10460484
Engine
I have a 2004 ford explorer and when i hit the 84000 mile my car started falling apart starting with the heater a/c vent actuator first time in late 2011 then again in jan 2015 this repair has cost me over $1200 then the engine light has come on and i've been told by ford repair shop which was $97 just to look at it that it was from different coils that were over $300 a piece which has been replaces a couple of time…
ODI 10678197
Engine · Power Train
Transmission is slipping, not fully gone yet, only a matter of time before it completely goes. I do not have the $2500.00 to replace the transmission. Every person i have talked to say this is a common problem with the ford explorers. I have taken into the garage over 10 times. Ford should be forced to recall these transmissions and ford should have to pay for it. *tr
ODI 10466556
Engine · Power Train
The transmission failed early on at about 88000 miles, we purchased and replaced this. My husband had been in auto repair and parts for over 20 years, so him and my son done the repair, without counting anything for labor the total cost for the repair was around $2000.00. From that point on we have had lots of major problems that had to be repaired or parts replaced. The intake and parts cost us around 700.00, no…
ODI 10661482
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Power Train · Service Brakes · Structure · Suspension
Exact dates are various , vehicle has 39000 miles on it presently , have multiple vehicles , drive over the road truck driver ... Changed brakes and rotors twice , emergency brake not working , had fixed , had to have ekg replaced and some exhaust sensor , tires wore out at 29000 , exhaust system replaced , both ball joints replaced , pinion gear gasket leaking from rear end , both cv joints leaking , appears right…
ODI 10627965