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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
In july 2010, i noticed a crack in the panel portion of the back window hatch of my 2004 ford explorer. I reported this to my dealer, who more or less said welcome to the club, and told me to contact the body shop. The cost of $500-600 would have to be paid by me and there is no reason to think that it won't happen again. I am so disappointed in ford motor co., i thought i could expect more from a local…
ODI 10355227
Structure
Closing the glass liftgate on a 2004 ford explorer, the hinge pin pulled through the hinge structure causing the glass to drop. While attempting to catch the glass hand was pinned, but no injury was suffered. *tr
ODI 10342567
Door · Structure
Letter to the deputy administrator from senator burr on behalf of constituent concerning a crack in the plastic surrounding the rear window of her 2004 ford explorer *tgw
ODI 10334891
Structure
Noticed the lift gate hinge of our 2004 ford explorer is cracked. We've now removed the glass from the lift gate and are trying to find parts for it. This is a potential danger, not knowing when the glass can crack/shatter. This is obviously a defect in the manufacturing of the part. *tr
ODI 10328291
Structure · Visibility
Have a 2004 ford explorer i bought new. It now has approximately 95250 miles. After washing car 2-5-10, a mild day here in ct though wintertime, i noticed trim panel under rear window showed vertical crack most all the way through. Several days later crack had migrated all the way through to bottom of panel. Contacted ford customer service online 2-17-10 asking if this was a safety concern as had read others had it…
ODI 10346422
Structure
I own a 2004 ford explorer that has just experienced a random crack in the body in the hatchback. The crack appears immediately below the rear window, above and below the ford emblem. There was no precipitant to the event and there is no obvious trauma to the vehicle. I have had no repairs or problems with this area previously. The ford dealership i do business with said they have seen several vehicles with the same…
ODI 10302086
Structure
Went to open rear door and noticed a crack running down the back panel below the rear window. My ford explorer is a 2004 with less than 60,000 miles this should not of happened this is a defect that ford should take care of. Instead i was told to call my insurance company are you kidding this is fords problem not mine. It could fall off while i'm driving and hurt someone what is going on in america. *tr
ODI 10299545
Structure
About a year ago i noticed the panel below the rear window start to crack. As time went on the crack continued down the entire panel next to the ford emblem. The rear window now makes a rattling noise. I don't know if it will loosen enough for it to pop out if i hit a bump in the road. It has certainly reduced the value of the vehicle. I went online to see if anyone else was having this problem and was shocked to…
ODI 10443553
Structure
No accident involved, walked out of my house into the driveway and noticed "the explorer crack" on the left side of the ford emblem. Temp was 26 degrees that night. *tr
ODI 10297270
Body · Structure
Cracked tailgate panel where "ford" emblem is. Cracked while vehicle was sitting in driveway. Have noticed a lot of other explorers with same cracks. I believe it's defective materials being used and ford should take care of the problem. *tr
ODI 10294298
Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. He stated that his vehicle developed a vertical crack in the plastic tailgate which is attached to the rear glass. The crack appeared to the left of the ford emblem. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that they would repair it at the owners expense with a discount. The dealer also stated that the warranty does not apply. The upper part of the glass is made…
ODI 10285577
Structure · Visibility
Ford designed a plastic piece of molding that is glued to the back glass of every explorer. This has cracked on every explorer i have seen. It has been fixed once by ford, but it has broke again. I assume that if it has broke every two years so far, it will continue to break. Ford has refused to fix this defect. *tr
ODI 10286798
Structure
My 2004 explorer developed a vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the back glass. Crack appeared to the left of the ford emblem. Once the crack appeared it eventually started to move down the plastic piece, was visible on my vehicle for approximately 5 months. On september 7, 2009 as i was driving down the highway and my back glass shattered and the plastic tailgate piece unattached itself at the sides…
ODI 10283509
Structure
Cracked rear panel below window, this crack one day, no apparent reason. *tr
ODI 10291105
Structure
I have 2004 ford explorer. I have a cracked panel below the rear window, it cracked in two places. While driving that piece can fall off and hit a person walking or hit the car behind, which would result in paying the other person for damages or hospital bills. This problem or defect, recall which ever you want to call it, ford hasn't done anything about it so far. There are numerous people with the same vehicles,…
ODI 10274135
Automatic Transmission · Structure
I have a 2004 ford explorer. I have two complaints with this vehicle. The first is that the back gate cracked from the window. The second complaint is that my truck is making a loud thump in reverse, and after i put it in drive after being in reverse, the transmission is slipping making it dangerous to pull out into traffic. I was almost hit twice pulling into traffic from the engine slipping. *tr
ODI 10269884
Structure
The paint on the roof is all peeling off it looks like crap i was told that it would cost about 600.00 to 1,500 to repaint and fix it car paint should not peel off the roof i have read that other people have had the same trouble with the paint on there explorers. *tr
ODI 10408823
Structure
2004 ford explorer. Large crack in hatch back between glass and handle (around the ford logo). This occurred with normal vehicle use and dealer refuses to fix. Crack continues to expand. Afraid that if crack is left unfixed it will eventually cause the back glass to fall out of the hatch due to lack of proper support. *tr
ODI 10317620
Structure
My vehicle is a 2004 ford explorer - eddie bauer. In may of 2009 the paint began to bubble in places along the front of the hood. These spots became larger and eventually the paint chipped off, revealing a corroded bare aluminum surface. The hood is not metal, therefore it can not rust. It must be a paint defect. *tr
ODI 10280372
Structure
Noticed my 2004 ford explorer had a crack in the plastic panel under the rear window when i was washing it in my driveway. Not sure if this is a recall but i see about 100 others have filed a complaint about it. It should be a recall. *tr
ODI 10269630
Structure
Paint cracked and peeling on both sides of roof rack. Dealer was notified and said there wouldn't be any problem in submitting the claim on the paint. After my research and a month of run around the dealer finally acknowledged there was a paint problem. I was told by dealership that i was wasting my time on the claim because ford was not going to back it's vehicle up..what a waste of time and money on my part. Ford…
ODI 10264971
Body · Structure
On my roof i noticed that the paint is peeling just to the outside of both sides of the roof rack. The paint is cracked and peeling uniformly on both side which indicated it is a defect in the painting process. *tr
ODI 10258403
Automatic Transmission · Structure
I have had 2 problems with my ford explorer. 1. Crack in the rear window panel, ford won't fix. 2. Total transmission failure, had to replace at my cost. *tr
ODI 10259314
Structure
Paint on the roof of my vehicle has peeled off only to reveal rust. Of course, the warranty states that if there is no perforation then not their fault if more than 60 months have passed. *tr
ODI 10293940
Structure
Crack on panel on hatchback below window to the emblem below emblem and then off to the right back to the main crack making a piece of pie look. Motor to the back wiper blade under there where rain can short it out. Also if pie shape flies loose could hurt someone out side the suv. *tr
ODI 10254303