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
Engaged release button to lift rear glass hatch. Glass was lifted and as i reached in to get something out of vehicle, glass fell on top of my head. I was dazed for a few seconds unsure of what had happened. When i pulled myself from under glass, i saw glass was hanging off of one side of vehicle. My husband inspected vehicle and found that left hinge on glass had broken causing glass to fall. He contacted ford…
1 injury
ODI 10252872
Structure
While driving 2004 ford explorer we heard loud noise, then noticed the rear hatch door had a 6 inch crack to the left of the ford emblem. I believe this could become a road hazard to other vehicles while driving. I have also written down other local license plates with same problem with ford explorer. *tr
ODI 10252747
Body · Structure
2004 ford explorer with the back plastic door been split in half, it looks like this is happening to a lot of ford explorers, we have taken the truck to the dealer. The problem is not on a recall and it will be on our own expenses. *tr
ODI 10265161
Structure
I wanted to file a concern/complaint about my 2004 ford explorer. The hatch door below my rear window has cracked. I am very disappointed in this as i have seen and found on the internet that this is very common in this make and model. Ford has no recall on this to my knowledge and should investigate the commonness of this problem and do right by their customers. *tr thank you,
ODI 10256877
Structure · Visibility
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact noticed that the frame supporting the side/rear glass was fractured. The dealer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 07e104000 (visibility:glass, side/rear); therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 66,783.
ODI 10250329
Body · Structure
Tailgate, plastic which run around "ford" the width of the gate cracked. Cold weather the crack gets large, hot weather it closes up. It cracked on its own. *tr
ODI 10255593
Structure
CRACK IN PANEL UNDER BACK GLASS. *TR
ODI 10267608
Automatic Transmission · Equipment · Structure · Vehicle Speed Control
Of the numerous issues with this vehicle, the worst is the transmission (40,000 miles ). Same old story. Started with clunking and hesitation and surging when shifting into reverse and now is 'clunking' into gears 2 and 3 during normal driving. The rear drivers side window motor has been replaced twice. The rear window panel has a vertical crack to the left of the ford symbol that just mysteriously occurred even…
ODI 10243102
Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While the contact was attempting to close the rear glass door, the door completely detached from the hinge, which connected it to the vehicle. The failure occurred without prior warning. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 10/14/08 *bf updated 10/23/08. *jb
ODI 10239582
Structure
CRACKED REAR PANEL IN TAILGATE BELOW WINDOW. *TR
ODI 10354043
Structure
Went into my garage to get into my explorer and noticed a cracked panel below rear window. Seen other ford suv's with same cracked panel by the ford emblem on rear panel. Called ford and asked if there was a recall on this and they told me no and refused to help me get the problem fixed. I did nothing. The crack just came out of no where. It wasn't something i did. Its a manufacture problem seeing that there is…
ODI 10262720
Structure
The back panel under the back widow cracked and ford was contacted to see if any recalls were in place for that part. We were told there was not a recall for that issue. My husband was slowing down to turn into a parking lot and went over a bump. Because the glass runs under the panel, it got stressed and busted. We have replaced the part with another ford back hatch. *tr
ODI 10326058
Structure
2004 ford explorer rear back panel has a significant crack which came on suddenly. I did not realize that this problem has happened to others until i started checking on how to fix it via the net. *tr
ODI 10229454
Structure
Paint has started to bubble and peel off of the hood of my 2004 explorer. I was told by a ford mechanic they have been seeing alot of this because of the metal used in the hoods- should not be happening for a car barely 4 years old. My old explorer was much older and never had this problem. *tr
ODI 10231124
Structure
Closed the back glass of the tailgate with normal amount of force and crack appears from glass to fiberglass ( right next to ford symbol). *tr
ODI 10227396
Structure
I have a 2004 ford explorer with peeling paint on the roof of the vehicle. I contacted ford's home office and was told that their mechanism to repair the defect expired after 12 months or 12,000 miles. The vehicle is not old enough or exposed enough to the elements for this to happen. *tr
ODI 10220542
Power Train · Structure
The back hatch has a crack underneath the window in the middle around the ford emblem. Just appeared....as i've noticed several ford 2004 explorers in this area have the exact same defect. Recall is very much necessary. As well as the car jolting into drive and reverse....i still owe several thousand dollars on this loan and refuse to pay for any repairs....ford should do a recall on both...they need to hire some…
ODI 10296361
Structure
Exterior paint on the hood of my ford explorer 2004 is blistering and chipping. I don't think this should be happening. *tr
ODI 10228386
Structure
All of the paint on my 2004 ford explorer is falling off just on the roof. *tr
ODI 10267023
Cruise Control · Engine And Engine Cooling · Gear Position Indication (Prndl) · Radiator Assembly · Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. She depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle started and began to vibrate. She then placed the vehicle in reverse and heard a loud clunking noise. She smelled a strong gas odor inside the passenger compartment. The contact looked in her rearview mirror and noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the exhaust…
Fire reported
ODI 10204077
Structure
A crack has appeared in the plastic panel below the window on the rear lift gate. It extends from top to bottom just left of through ford emblem. It has not been hit or damaged in any way. It split on its own. *tr
ODI 10210665
Power Window Devices And Controls · Structure
Crack in panel below rear window next to ford emblem. Both rear windows will not go up or down. *tr
ODI 10203145
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
Structure
Rear panel to the left below the back window, next to the ford emblem is cracked. The vehicle has not been involved in any accident, it just happened on it's own. After searching the internet, i have found that many 2004 ford explorers have had the same problem. I was told it would cost approx. $400 to repair. I think there should be a recall on this issue, as it seems to be a defect. *tr
ODI 10192018
Structure
Paint is peeling on the roof of my 2004 ford explorer. Went to the dealer where i bought the vehicle and had them look at it. They said i"n 6 years i am only the 2nd person to have this problem" and "that it is not covered under warranty". They would not acknowledge a manufacturer defect or problem. I am just writing here to get this information on record, because it is my understanding that this is not an uncommon…
ODI 10261614