2004 Ford Explorer Structure Problems
- 80
- 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 80 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- Body · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 33 |
| 30–60k mi | 18 |
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Structure
Cracked rear hatch. I had heard about this problem and my hatch didn't crack till after this cold winter. But, this is the first winter that this explorer has been kept outside, not garaged. My garaged is under my house and insulated. It never gets below freezing in the garage. I called ford and asked them if they can help financially with the repairs. They said no. *tr
ODI 10700921
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
Glass, Side/Rear · Structure
Leaving work at end of day, pulled out of parking space and rear glass shattered. The edges of the back hatch pulled away from the truck and curled up causing the glass to blow into the truck. A crack in the plastic of the hatch (which i have seen on many of this year model) has not been recalled and i have emailed ford many times about this problem for fear of water getting in behind the panel. My belief is that…
ODI 10667027
Structure
Cracked panel below rear window, went to garage and found this, cracked all the way thru. *tr
ODI 10567648
Structure
Purchased this vehicle as used on 4-19-13 and had noticed the crack to the left of the ford emblem. Upon closer look today there is a second crack about 8 inches to the right of the emblem. *tr
ODI 10508913
Structure
The ford motor company is well aware of the problem with its ford explorers produced 2002-2008. The back door panel cracks all the way through just under the window. There are thousands of owners with this problem and many documented who have been driving the vehicle and had the back window completely explode. There is no telling when this is going to happen only to alarm the driver and cause a major freeway…
ODI 10549206
Structure · Visibility/Wiper
4 years ago the plastic next to the ford emblem cracked right of the emblem on my back hatch. I looked into it and there was 10's of thousands of the same complaint that i had at an average cost of only $800. Then tonight my wife got some chairs out of the rear hatch then when closing it the rear glass falls out of the explorer because " the aluminum rear hatch hinge on the right side broke" which has an average…
ODI 10477978
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
Structure
The rear hatch just came off as i was driving out out of a store, the hinge just broke off. *tr
ODI 10468378
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
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
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
Concerning my 2004 explorer xlt. The rear hatchback that opens the back windows has a broken latch. I am very upset that this part just seemed to implode and left me unable to close the rear back window. The garage i took it to said ford informed them the part was on back order until 07-18-2011. I am wondering if this is going to be a recalled item for the garage informed me it happens quite regularly. Please let me…
ODI 10405637
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
A couple of weekends ago, the passenger side hinge on our rear window hatch broke. My mom opened the back window hatch on my vehicle & when she went to shut it, the entire window came down on her. Then we could not get it shut. We had to stand there in 80+ degree heat holding the entire window (which is quite heavy), while my 2 year old baked in the car, until my dad & brother could get to the store we were at to…
ODI 10401329
Structure
Vehicle rear liftgate has a crack down the middle of it. Failure occurred at approximately 63,000 miles. Problem confirmed as common problem with this year/model of explorer. No repair or replacement as of this time. *tr
ODI 10403843
Engine And Engine Cooling · Structure · Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Tires
I purchased a 2004 ford explorer from a toyota dealership on 1/28/11. The car was a certified / warranted vehicle. I was assured by the toyota salesman that any problem with the car would be fixed under the warranty. Several problems which the car has include: mismatched tires, inoperable sunroof, leak in the differential seal & noise in the differential. I had the car inspected at a ford dealership & was told these…
ODI 10384752
Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear door panel cracked underneath the window. The contact was concerned because the windows were not secure and could fall out at any time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000.
ODI 10381502
Structure
2004 ford explorer: 1) plastic exterior panel below rear window is cracked, in 2006 ford had a repair assist program, thereby acknowling the failures. It no longer is offering that repair assistance?? There are numerous reports of this failure on internet forums. 2) left rear window hinge broke free from the window when i opened the window, i was fortuante it did not fall on my head (the riser piston was the only…
ODI 10381705
Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated the hatch back fiber glass failed. The fiber glass cracked in half. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the fiber glass failed due to stress. The contact stated the fiber class was defective. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but refused to assist with the repair. The failure and the current mileages were…
ODI 10379742
Structure
I awoke one morning and i found a large crack in the rear hatch of my 04 ford explorer. It was not like that the previous evening when i got home. I researched the problem online and found many similar stories. I also found that there is currently no manufacturer recall to remedy the situation. Plastic rear hatch cracked under extreme temperature. Rear glass may break while driving and pose hazard to other drivers.…
ODI 10369996
Body · Structure
REAR PANEL VERTICAL CRACK BELOW WINDOW. *TR
ODI 10372018
Delivery · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Structure · Suspension
Were a family a ford explorer my family has 4 of them ranging from the years 1996,99,2002,2004 and everyone of these vehicles have serious issues. Ranging from rotting suspension parts,to wheel bearing issues on newer models,rotting fuel and brake lines,this is supposed to be an american made company that is jeopardizing the lives of american and children with total disregard of human life,but i bet you the owners…
ODI 10365355
Structure
Crack suddenly appeared in the rear panel below the window. From the glass to the bottom of the hatch. Had window tightened. *tr
ODI 10365870
Automatic Transmission · Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact observed a long hair line fracture along the panel below the rear windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the rear windshield panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,000. The consumer also stated he had difficulty shifting the gear into reverse. Updated 01/06/11…
ODI 10363750
Glass, Side/Rear · Structure
1. Panel below rear window cracked nov 2009; crack is located to the left of ford emblem and is the length of the panel. Ford refused to repair free of charge; we did not repair it. 2. This morning tailgate glass blew out while car was parked in our garage and thankfully no one was near it when it happened as glass flew everywhere. Car had not been driven for over 24 hrs. *tr
ODI 10353863