2004 Ford Explorer Body Problems
- 208
- 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 208 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 7 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Hatchback/Liftgate · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 71 |
| 30–60k mi | 50 |
| 100–150k mi | 31 |
| 1–30k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
Rear glass liftgate hinge broke causing glass to fall out of position. Vehicle was stationary and liftgate glass was being opened when the hinge failed. This is the second ford explorer this happened to. The first one was a 2006 ford explorer.
ODI 11062592
Body · Unknown Or Other
When the explorer was bought used in 2015 the cracks that are common in the glass lift gate cover panel did not exist. We purposely did not open the glass part of the lift gate to avoid cracking it. Eventually it cracked on its own just from opening the full tailgate. Then recently the lift gate latch keeper bolts/studs rusted to the point of failure behind the cracked panel and the glass lift gate released on its…
ODI 11014034
Body
Bought a 2004 ford explorer in march 22, 2017 from lbsi automotive. Seen a crack in rear panel, didn't think much of it. On july 9 2017 went to open lift gate at walmart and hinge busted and window shattered on me and my husband hit my face glass all over me, cut my husband in few places, . Looking online to replace it and seen that the crack in rear panel was causing problems. I had a 3 month old son in back seat…
1 injury
ODI 11003953
Body
I was in my driveway and i popped my back window, so i could get some items out of my back part of my vehicle. When i went to close the back window, my window fell sideways, almost busting me upside my head. I've read a few things saying that this was a recall on the year, make and model of my vehicle. I'm not sure how to go about finding out if that is correct or not. If it wasn't recalled, it should of been.
ODI 10986403
Body · Unknown Or Other
I get a strong smell of rotten eggs when driving. It only happens when i drive for a long time. My back hatch is cracking in 3 or more spots i am afraid that it will probably fall off and cause damage to someone driving behind me.
ODI 11097563
Body · Seat Belts
The lift gate on my truck is cracking and getting worse. Two of my seatbelts are hard to get out of the retractor and they are so tight that they are uncomfortable to the wearer.
ODI 11003654
Body
I looked at the back of my 2004 ford explorer, ltd one morning (10/11/2016) and there was a crack straight down the back panel. The vehicle was parked in my driveway. After discovering the split in the panel i started to notice that there are several explorer with this same problem. I asked my dealer and they said there was no recall and the only suggestion would be to get it repaired myself. This is clearly a ford…
ODI 10939834
Air Bags · Body
Significant front end impact with no airbag deployment. Vehicle was moving forward at the time of the accident on a city street.
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10915190
Body
Cracks on rear panel happened a few years ago. I was told it's a common known problem with ford, but they won't repair it and it's not needed. Now the hatch won't fully close or lock shut due to the parts behind the ford emblem rusting out due td the cracks. Water has gotten behind it, also the rear wiper will not work due to the water getting through from the cracks. I can now not drive my only truck that fits my…
ODI 10903688
Body
The panel under the rear lift gate window has cracked 3 times now. This panel cracks near the ford emblem on either the right or left side. I called ford and filed a complaint and was told that they have no information on this being an issue. My panel has cracked for the 4th time and ford is refusing to do anything about it. I have had the vehicle since 2005. I can submit photos if needed to support this matter. The…
ODI 10865768
Body · Power Train
Paint peeling roof hood differential replaced twice bearings wear out repaired twice back of tailgate panel cracked replaced 3 times
ODI 10865592
Body · Unknown Or Other
My car was parked in front of my residence on the street, it had not been driven that day. The back window in the tailgate exploded, causing damage to the tailgate. No one was driving it, it had not been touched that day. There was a prior crack in the tailgate which i have seen on other explorer's, and since learned that it is a defect in the care.
ODI 10781412
Body
I have replaced the panel under the rear lift gate window 3 times at a cost of over $ 400 per time. This panel cracks near the ford emblem on either the right or left side. I called ford and filed a complaint and was told that they have no information on this being an issue. I am an auto insurance claims adjuster and i see this problem daily on my insured's vehicle. My panel has cracked for the 4th time and ford is…
ODI 10860854
Body
The rear hatch hinge holding the rear window broke. It happened in a parking lot but the hatch window fell on me.
ODI 10779503
Body
Went to open rear window hatch and right hinge snapped off causing whole rear window panel to fall on me. The left hinge managed to stay in place and was able to get center latch reattached to keep the window panel from completely falling off. Only a matter of time until left hinge snaps. Taking it in for repair but both hinges could have easily snapped and potentially fallen into the roadway. This is a heavy load…
1 injury
ODI 10734039
Body · Unknown Or Other
2 vertical cracks in upper rear hatch below window
ODI 10732780
Body · Exterior Lighting
My rear hatch in the back of my explorer has a crack in it. Which i think has caused the back window to shift which in turn has caused my door ajar light to flash while the door chimes go off and the interior flicker while you are driving down the road but there are no doors open . The lights flickering make it hard to drive in the night. I think ford should fix this problem for everyone. *tr
ODI 10714556
Body
The liftgate glass hinge on my 2004 ford explorer broke as i was closing the rear window glass. Without warning it just came undone with the screw popping loose. Cheaply made material of the liftgate glass hinge was clearly the cause, along with a faulty design that allows the bolt to strip out of the hinge. *tr
ODI 10701823
Body
Car was parked. I opened rear hatch (just the window part) and the passenger side hinge broke causing hatch to fall down on my head (quite painful!). About a year ago this same thing happened with the drivers side hinge (though i was able to catch it before it hit my head). I had that side repaired, but now it looks corroded so i worry it will happen again. *tr
ODI 10715046
Body
There is a vertical crack on the top rear lift gate 10" to the left of the vehicle logo toward the rear door. In cold temperatures, the crack is barely visible yet in warmer temperatures, the crack would expand. *tr
ODI 10704596
Body
There is a crack running vertically through the entire rear panel just below the window. It runs right along side the ford emblem. This happened in dec. 2014. I do not know/recall if the vehicle was moving or not. I just discovered the crack. I thought that it had happened because we were visiting bend, or and it was extremely cold. This isn't a safety issue i don't believe. But, given i see at least one explorer…
ODI 10980992
Body
The back hatch has split next to the ford sign. It got cold and when i got up to crank my truck i saw it.it was not hit and was in the shed when this happen. I was told it had a recall from someone that has the same thing happen to her. We also have had the transmission replaced.ford really need to fix this .i can say i will never buy another ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *js
ODI 10669404
Body
I noticed one day that the rear panel of my 2004 ford explorer xlt was cracked. There was no crash nor indication of damage from outside source. I believe the cracked formed because of the expansion of water which seeped in throughout the year. There is no recall for this problem and i see the crack on every explorer on the road within a few years of mine. I need to get a recall in order to fix this problem not…
ODI 10669632
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that after opening the rear glass lift gate window, the two aluminum hinges fractured causing the lift gate to fall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the hinges needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired since the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…
ODI 10626251
Body · Visibility/Wiper
Sun visor bracket cracked and disintegrated leaving sun visor blocking my view. Had to pull over and disconnect the wire and remove visor. 2nd incident, pressed button to open rear glass and the hinges snapped ejecting the heavy glass panel at me. Had a child been opening it, they could have been killed. As it was, i caught the glass panel.
ODI 10758636