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
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer limited. The contact stated that the rear liftgate was fractured and the contact was concerned that the window would possibly fall out while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that the failure was not a safety concern and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no…
ODI 10438582
Body · Unknown Or Other
The paint on the roof of my 2004 ford explorer is chipping. I spoke with two auto body shops and 1 ford dealer, and they all said that the chipping is due to the fact that the primer did not adhere properly to the vehicle, so the paint is chipping. In reviewing this issue, i read online that there is a multitude of people experiencing the same issue. I spoke with ford, and they told me that there is no financial…
ODI 10412989
Body
2004 ford explorer. In 2008 the rear back panel cracked and was replaced by ford at a cost of $100 to me. It is now 2011 and the rear back panel has cracked again but this time the crack(s) appear on either side of the ford emblem. Ford needs to recall these back panels because they are defective. *tr
ODI 10406229
Body · Fuel System, Gasoline
1-"miles to e" have always registered as dashes after a fill up since 2004. Dealer says nothing is wrong and to add gas additive (which doesn't work) or i can have it fixed at my expense. Dealer has been sold and new dealer now has "no record" of my previous complaints-- whenever i had the car in for service i asked them to check it. I see plenty of other complaints for this same problem but ford refuses to fix this…
ODI 10406670
Body
My 2004 ford explorer's rear trim underneath the rear window blew off the truck at 60mph. The (whole trim) shot through the sky like a boomerang. It sent a motorcyclist behind me off roading. It very well could have lead to his death as there were tree's a few feet away. I have not replaced any parts yet in fear it may happen again. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10402084
Body · Equipment
While removing grocery bags from the rear of my 2004 ford explorer xlt, the left liftgate hinge snapped and the window half of the rear liftgate door came apart leaving the left side of the door still attached to the hydraulic liftgate bar but otherwise dangling and unsupported. Then i could not shut the door so we propped it with pillows to ease the stress on the left side. I had problems with the liftgate…
ODI 10399208
Body
2004 ford explorer eb. Back liftgate cracked below glass. No accident or impact occurred. *tr
ODI 10397109
Body
Rear panel cracked under window. There was no damage to vehicle, an di have seen several ford explorers with the same crack. *tt
ODI 10425958
Body · Engine And Engine Cooling
2004 ford explorer: engine seized for no apparent or obvious reason at 53,000 miles. Not repairable. Also, rear plastic panel beneath window cracked. Just read that this is a very common occurrence. *tr
ODI 10379956
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that the rear tailgate metal was fractured in half in the center near the ford emblem. The contact was concerned that the rear windshield could shatter because of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a local mechanic for the failure. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage 88,200.
ODI 10384110
Body
I am the owner of a 2004 ford explorer, with apprx. 50,000 highway miles. In 2007 i walked outside to find the rear back panel under the window with the ford emblem was cracked. I took it to the ford dealership , it was still under warranty. The total cost for repair was 403.47, i had to pay 250.00 & the warranty covered the difference of 153.47. Here it is 2011, i walk outside to find the rear panel under the…
ODI 10378244
Body
I have a 2004 ford explorer, and one day the car is fine the next there is a crack on the rear panel i though it was my fault but then i started seeing more explores with the same crack it has to be a defect. *tr
ODI 10382865
Body
The rear door panel underneath the glass on my 2004 ford explorer cracked. This is a common problem with hundreds of complaints filed. Ford motor co should fix the problem. *tr
ODI 10380204
Body · Visibility
The tail gate on the 2004 explorer should be recalled,it will only get worse and lots of people will die when the back windows just start falling out. Every explorer i see it like this! Built ford tough..lol.....i guess it's ok for a few hundred to die until ford maybe recall it, it's there responsibility!!!!!!! I will never buy another ford till this gets fixed. Think of all the lawsuits in the making ford..bad…
ODI 10373722
Body
Crack appeared on plastic panel just to the left of ford emblem the car had 92k miles when occurred. Body shop estimate $500.00 to repair. *tr
ODI 10376270
Body
Rear applique has cracked down the middle for no reason. I contacted the a dealer and they were aware that this was a defective item from ford, but ford has not issued a recall. I contacted ford and was told they are not aware of this issued. *tr
ODI 10384577
Body · Structure
REAR PANEL VERTICAL CRACK BELOW WINDOW. *TR
ODI 10372018
Body
The hatch below my rear window has cracked on both sides of the ford logo on my explorer. It seemed to have happened over night. I am concerned that it may not be strong enough to hold the window in while driving. Ford has had three years of models with this some problem and hasn't made it right by it's owners. *tr
ODI 10369160
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate exhibited a fracture that started from the top of the manufacturing emblem and down to the bottom of the liftgate. The contact spoke with the manufacturer but was advised that there was nothing that could be done to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 89,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.
ODI 10441604
Body
Crack suddenly appeared in the rear panel below the window, from the glass to the bottom of the hatch.
ODI 10366094
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was fractured below the glass. The vehicle was never involved in a crash. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repairs nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
ODI 10364384
Body
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the lift gate strut fractured without warning. The failure was similar to nhtsa campaign id number:04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that his vehicle was not included in the recall and offered no additional assistance. No repairs were…
ODI 10390502
Body
Vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the rear window left of the ford emblem. Ford dealer said they have seen many of these, so i feel this is a design flaw & ford should fix for free. Ford giving me run a round. So much for ford tough. Who should i contact to get this fixed for free? Or should i take it to the news station about just how tough ford trucks are.... They crack like easter eggs....... I…
ODI 10375871
Body
10/20/2010 - spokane, washington - rear panel under back glass around ford logo cracked after a cool morning 32-35 degrees. The crack extends from the window all the way to the bottom of the panel. *tr
ODI 10361601
Body
2004 ford explorer cracked panel below the rear window. *tr
ODI 10360954