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.
Automatic Transmission · Body
I bought it brand new in 2004 and have taken very good care of this vehicle, but it hasn't returned the favor. I have had multiple transmission problems that ford says that they all do it and won't fix it. My tailgate cracked next to the ford symbol, once again won't fix it. My paint on my hood is peeling off. I only have 50,000 easy miles on it but looking at it and driving it you would think that it had 150,000 on…
ODI 10246262
Body · Latches/Locks/Linkages
2004 ford explorer right rear liftgate glass hatch hinge has failed. Glass hatch did not fall but is hanging by remaining hinge and is unstable or unsafe. Issue same as nhtsa action number: rq08003. *tr
ODI 10246080
Body · Hood
Paint bubbles in the hood. The dealer just responded that it was a manufacturers problem and that i would just need to replace the entire hood at a large cost. *kb
ODI 10429563
Body
Have 2004 eddie bauer explorer with crack in the rear gate. Needs to be recalled. I was online and foudn at least 200 people with the same crack. Ford will not replace. *tr
ODI 10251215
Body
2004 ford explorer rear tailgate plastic panel cracked by the ford logo. I've notice other ford explorers with the same problem. Also many complaints on the internet. Ford will do nothing!!!!!! *tr
ODI 10253207
Body
I have a 2004 eddie bauer explorer and piece below tailgate window cracked from top to bottom contacted my dealership and told me he would go 20/80 i figured that was better than nothing even though ford should have paid it all. *tr
ODI 10255241
Body
2004 ford explorer rear lift gate glass hinge snapped and allowed glass to fall. Issue appear to be similar to action # rq08003. *tr
ODI 10240357
Body
My complaint isn't safety related but i have saw this on so very may ford explorers. The rear plastic below the rear hatch window cracks on either side of the ford emblem. I thought maybe it was just mine.. But i have seen this on so many of ford explorers. To me this is a defect and from what i read ford says its not a recall issue. But to me it is, its a defect that all though it is not safety related is still a…
ODI 10313612
Body
I bought a 2004 ford explorer xls and just started to notice the paint on the roof is beginning to peel off, which is now happening in two locations. I searched online and did see other similar complaints due to a primer defect in these models. As of today no recall has been offered but i feel ford should fix this problem. I complained to ford and they told me that this is not covered under my warranty. I spent a…
ODI 10245253
Body
As i stopped to get gas i noticed my vehicle had a crack right on the plastic along the right side of the ford emblem directly under the tail gate glass. I called the dealer and was told it is was a common issue but could not do anything about it unless i pay out off pocket for it or the company recall the part. I have no problem paying to resolve the issue, the problem i have is i take good care of my car alot (i…
ODI 10235902
Body · Frame And Members
I noticed a paint bubble on the hood of my 2004 ford explorer. Is this a paint defect that is causing my vehicle to rust? I would like to know if ford is doing anything to fix this problem since it seems that many other owners are having the same problem. *tr
ODI 10235819
Body
The rear hatch door cracked and noticed so took to auto body shop and they told us it was a ford defect and if fixed it would crack again due to the make of this car. *tr
ODI 10611174
Body
My 2004 ford explorer has a cracked rear lift gate just below the window, adjacent to the center ford emblem. It was described to me by my local ford dealer as a manufactured defect as a result of the horizontal plastic deck lid being glued to the metal lift gate. During contraction and expansion of these two materials during fluctuations in weather, the lid will crack. I have noticed approximately 30-40% of…
ODI 10261850
Body · Power Train
Back rear hatch cracked. Just like the 100's of others i found on my internet search of the problem. Our transmission also failed and had to be replaced, at our own cost. *tr
ODI 10259316
Automatic Transmission · Body
2004 ford explorer transmission clunking and shifting roughly, taking long time to engage cause vehicle to roll back, does not seem to engage for a period of time. Also whines so loud folks in back seat can't hear front seat people talking. Appears each time driven. Was that way when purchased new and dealer fixed it, now once again same issue. *tr
ODI 10345723
Body
Just noticed after 32,000 miles and about 3 and one-half years of ownership that paint on front edge of hood of 2004 ford explorer is blistered in several places and beginning to chip. *tr
ODI 10232448
Body
2004 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED REAR PANEL.
ODI 10322462
Body · Unknown Or Other
REAR BODY PANEL AROUND BACK WINDOW SPLIT
ODI 10505215
Body
A crack formed below the rear glass panel on our 2004 ford explorer. The crack formed due to a flaw in the rear door panel. I have noticed the same crack on the same spot on either side of the ford emblem on nearly 80% of the ford explorer's we see on the highway 's in the atlanta area. *tr
ODI 10296021
Automatic Transmission · Body · Cruise Control · Electrical System · Hub
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. When he activated the cruise control while driving, it deactivated itself without warning. He had to restart the vehicle to re-set the error code. The failure occurred intermittently, and mostly on the interstate. Also when he would turn on the turn signals, the automatic warning system would make an alarm noise and blink until the turn signal would cut off. The automatic…
ODI 10291050
Body
Defect in hatch area of ford explorer causing a crack near the ford emblem. Happened when vehicle had less than 60k miles. Called ford dealer who said not covered under warranty. *tr
ODI 10344914
Body
Four weeks ago i discovery an crack just below my rear window of my 2004 ford explorer xlt 4.0 v6...later i have seen this damage on three other cars at traffic lights and in parking lots. Just today i notice i this problem in yet another explorer, and i was able to speak with the owner, and he said it just happen two week earlier. I also have had the hinge of my 2004 explorer to break also, i had read that this was…
ODI 10256286
Body · Fuel Gauge System · Fuel System, Other
My gas gauge on my 2004 ford explorer has failed me many times. I took it to my dealership & they told me to add some fuel additive to my gas tank & this would cure the problem. Well it has not & my warranty is out!!! I'm very concerned for my wife's safety if she runs out of gas, so we have to keep a written log as to the mileage before fill-up's. I'm told the sensor is bad & would cost close to $1,000.00 to…
ODI 10226585
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that as she approached the vehicle, she noticed that the horizontal panel under the rear lift gate was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised her that the panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was replaced for the horizontal panel and emblem. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10499656
Body
2004 ford explorer. A crack appeared on the rear tailgate panel directly below the tailgate glass and next to the ford emblem. The dealer, summerville ford, summerville, sc, informed me that although he sees this problem often on this explorer body style, no recall has been issued and ford would not pay for the repair. Obviously, ford is aware of this poor design resulting in body integrity failure, based on the…
ODI 10242390