2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2014· STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/31/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

• 12/31/2010· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER IS FAILING; IS WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, AND THEN SHIFT BACK INTO GEAR HARD ENOUGH THAT IT MAKES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKE AND LURCH FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 68K MILES ON IT, AND IS ONLY USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD, AND I HAVE NEVER USED IT TO TOW ANYTHING. *TR

• 12/31/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER, IT FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE IGNITION TO LOCK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE COMPONENT REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,325 UPDATED 01-26-09 *BF THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. UPDATED 01/27/09. *JB

• 12/31/2007· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR HAS CRACKED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT MAY SHATTER AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT IS NOT A DEFECT AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,000.

• 12/31/2007· STRUCTURE

  2004 FORD EXPLORER'S REAR HATCH/TAILGATE HINGES BROKE. *TR

• 12/30/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN MOVED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED PER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID A SECOND TIME FOR $1000 AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

• 12/30/2010· STRUCTURE

  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 HAVE NEVER HAD THIS OFF ROAD AND KEEP IT IN A GARAGE.

• 12/30/2008· STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/30/2008· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR WINDOW LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO BE UNSTABLE AND POSSIBLY FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 12/29/2011· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 12/29/2010· TIRES

  I OWN A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORTTRAC THAT CAME WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE CAME APART, RUBBER STARTED TO FLY EVERYWHERE, BEATING MY TRUCK UP PRETTY BAD. THE TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING AIR WHEN I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER, THE TIRE HELD ITS AIR PRESSURE FOR 2 DAYS AFTER I HAD TAKEN IT OFF. JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW. *TR

• 12/29/2009· PARKING BRAKE

  PARKING LEVER DOES NOT PROPERLY LINE UP. HOPE THAT THIS DOES NOT LEAD TO THE "ROLL AWAY" ISSUES. *TR

• 12/29/2009· 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

• 12/29/2006· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  WHEN THE EXPLORER IS PUT IN REVERSE IT TAKES UP TO 5 SECONDS TO ENGAGE AND THEN JERKS BACKWARDS AFTER MAKING A LARGE CLUNKING NOISE. U JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.

• 12/29/2004· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING THE VISIBILITY IN THE RAIN DIFFICULT. DEALER WILL REPAIR VEHICLE FOR $437.00. *AK *TC

• 12/28/2017· POWER TRAIN

  WELL WE JUST BOUGHT THIS EXPLORER AND JUST AS I HAVE READ FROM OTHERS ON THIS WEBSITE OUR EXPLORER IS DOING SIMILAR THINGS. SUCH AS SHIFTING IN REVERSE TAKES 3-7 SECONDS TO TAKE HOLD, GOING UP THE MOUNTAINS THE SUV HAD MAJOR KICKBACKS AND JERKS. I HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AS OF NOW. WILL MAKE AN APT. AND PUT RESULTS LATER.

• 12/28/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE DEALER INSTALLED A WIRE HARNESS, CLUSTER, AND PCM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

• 12/27/2018· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED TOO HARD AND FRACTURED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS CURRENTLY TOO LOOSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

• 12/27/2009· STRUCTURE

  MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL CRACKED DUE POOR DESIGN. *TR

• 12/27/2006· SUSPENSION

  I HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATED FRONT TIRE WEAR, AND ASSOCIATED NOISE AND VIBRATION ON THIS VEHICLE, WITH CURRENT MILEAGE AT 37000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS BALANCED RELIGIOUSLY EVERY 5000-6000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I FIRST NOTICED THE WEAR AND VIBRATION AT ABOUT 25000 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE WHEELS BALANCED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND OUT OF SPECIFICATION. I THEN RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VIBRATION AND WEAR PROBLEM ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE NOISE WAS SIMPLY DUE TO TIRE WEAR. WHEN I INDICATED THAT A THIRD PARTY SHOP HAD FOUND LOOSE BALL JOINTS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE IN SPEC, AND THEN RECOMMENDED FRONT END ALIGNMENT WHICH I HAD PERFORMED. THE VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE FRONT TIRES CONTINUED AFTER THE ALIGNMENT WAS DONE. AT THIS RATE, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND LIKELY THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO REACHING 40000 MILES. SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB

• 12/27/2004· POWER TRAIN

  2004 FORD EXPLORER CLUNKS WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND I THINK FORD IS CONSIDERING A PROGRAM. I HAVE TAKEN MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE CONDITION. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME, AND I THINK THEY ARE AVOIDING REPAIRS. THE CARHAS ONLY 9,000 MILES AND IS UNDER WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION HAS WRONG FLUID AND FAULTY SHIFT SOLENOID PER FORD'S OWN PRESS RELEASES.*AK

• 12/26/2010· POWER TRAIN

  MY WIFE OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH WHAT I'VE FOUND TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DASH BOARD. IT USUALLY IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS ISSUE WITH THE EXPLORER HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A DECADE. I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. AFTER ALL FORD DID TAKE BAIL OUT MONEY. I THINK THAT A RECALL WOULD BE THE PROPER ACTION FOR THE FORD. MOTOR COMPANY. I AM ONE OF THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY ANOTHER BIG COMPANY. *TR

• 12/26/2008· 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 CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WOULD INSPECT VEHICLE. THIS WAS DONE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTED PART AND CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE. CORPORATE OFFICE REFUSED TO COVER THIS REPAIR. WE DECIDED TO HAVE OTHER HINGE REPLACED ALSO INSTEAD OF RISKING CHANCE OF INJURY AGAIN. COST $80.00 + SEVERAL NIGHTS OF HEADACHES (LITERALLY) FROM INJURY. *TR

• 12/24/2009· STRUCTURE

  2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 REAR PANEL UNDER WINDOW ON TAILGATE CRACKING AND FALLING OFF ALSO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60,000 MILES WAS OUTRAGED BY FORD WHEN THEY STATED THAT AFTER THE CAR LEAVES THE FACTORY ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/24/2008· 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

• 12/24/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TOOK CAR BACK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM, COMPLAINED OF A ROUGH SHIFT INTO REVERSE, TECHNICIAN SAID NORMAL WITH THIS TRANSMISSION, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER IN CITY WHERE I WORK THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. 20000 MILES LATER AND 18 MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, NOT IN WARRANTY ANY LONGER I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY GAVE ME A DECISION THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THIS SAME PROBLEM APPEARS AT LEASE 3 TIMES ON YOUR WEBSITE AS SERVICE BULLETINS. *TR

• 12/23/2014· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ACCORDING TO THE FORD DEALER, THIS APPARENTLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN. *TR

• 12/23/2004· POWER TRAINCrash

  THERE WAS A DELAY AND JERK WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. THE GEAR POPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A TREE WHILE IN REVERSE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK

• 12/22/2011· POWER TRAIN

  THERE WAS A NOTICEABLY JERK AND THE O/T OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE COMPUTER SAYING TO "CHECK TRANSMISSION". THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC SAID REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 12/22/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN DECEMBER OF 2004, THE TRUCK WAS 1 YEAR IN SERVICE AND HAD ABOUT 19,000 MILES. WE NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS AND DELAYING WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD PROBLEM FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THE "SOLENOID" (SP?) SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD AT THE TIME THIS WAS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. BEGINNING AGAIN IN EARLY DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN THE SAME PATTERN OF SLIPPING. THE TRUCK WAS NOW IN SERVICE FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAD 40,000 MILES. THE TRUCK WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE NEW "SOLENOID" SWITCH IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS LAST TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER ANYTHING OFF OF THE REPAIR CHARGE SO WE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE WERE TOLD WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF OUR REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT SOONER. NEXT WE WERE TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT NOT ENOUGH HAD FAILED YET SO THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE SERVICE REP OFFERED TO PAY FOR $400 OF THE REPAIR SINCE WE HAD REPLACED THIS PART ONCE AND TOLD US THAT WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR ANYTHING SINCE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM GRATEFUL FORD PAID FOR PART OF THE REPAIR, BUT I FEEL STRONGLY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPAIRED TWICE IN ONE YEAR FOR THE SAME PART. *JB

• 12/22/2004· STEERING,TIRES

  STEERING FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING UNIT IS NOT UP TO SPEED OR THE 4 WD IS ENGAGED DURING LOW SPEED TURNS LIKE IN SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOTS OR TIGHT TURNS ON OFF RAMPS. *JB

• 12/21/2012· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  THE REAR WINDOW HINGE PIN (PASSENGER SIDE) HAS CORRODED AND BROKEN ALLOWING THE WINDOW TO FALL OFF OF THE REAR TAIL GATE. I NOTICED THE BROKEN HINGE BEFORE USING THE LIFT GATE WHICH HAS PREVENTED IT FROM FALLING OFF THUS FAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/21/2010· STRUCTURE

  REAR PANEL VERTICAL CRACK BELOW WINDOW. *TR

• 12/21/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE COULD FEEL A SLIP IN THE GEARS. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHIFT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 02/23/11

• 12/21/2005· VISIBILITY

  AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND THEN PARKED DURING PRECIPITATION AND THE VEHICLE IS THEN STARTED UP AND DRIVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE WINDSHIELD BECOMES COMPLETELY OBSCURED WITH FOG, EVEN WHEN THE WINDSHIELD DEFOG SYSTEM IS SELECTED TO HIGH BLOW. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO OF OPERATION THE WINDSHIELD IS CLEARED BY THE DEFOG SYSTEM. NEWBERG FORD SAYS ALL EXPLORER SPORT TRACS DO THIS & THEY CAN'T FIX IT. *NM

• 12/21/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THERE IS A DELAY IN THE GEAR WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. VEHICLE TENDS TO JERK WHEN THE GEAR POPS. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER. *AK

• 12/20/2005· POWER TRAINCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE SON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALER SIX TIMES. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REPLACED ON ORDER TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING THE REAR SPEED SENSOR, THE SOLENOID BODY, AND SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE LUBRICATED. NONE OF THESE REPLACEMENTS SEEMED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY DURING ICY CONDITIONS. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE IN THE YARD. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED BECAUSE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY AT THEIR IMPOUND LOT. *AK

• 12/20/2005· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT "THUMPING" NOISE IN FRONT END AT ANY SPEED AS WELL AS VIBRATION. WHILE DRIVING AT IN TOWN SPEEDS AND CONTROLLED HIGHWAY SPEEDS,THE VIBRATION TAPERS OFF BUT NOISE INCREASES. DURING ACCELERATION VIBRATION IS SEVERE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALERSHIP SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS, EACH TIME I'M TOLD A TIRE ROTATION WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS...EACH TIME IT DOES NOT. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO SHOP 12/22/05 AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM. *NM

• 12/20/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURING OCCASIONALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO FORWARD OR DRIVE. THE PROBLEM GOING INTO REVERSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE AND QUITE OFTEN BUT YES IT IS INTERMITTENT. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION INITIALLY DOES NOTHING AND WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE LURCHES OR THE DRIVE TRAIN BANGS, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT IT HAS TO HAPPEN IN THEIR PRESENCE. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS CONVIENENT AND COULD TAKE SEVERAL VISITS FOR THEM TO AGREE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT THE PRESENT APPROACH TO RECTIFYING THE ISSUE IS THE CORRECT OR FINAL ONE. I ASKED FOR A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND THEIR POLICY ON REPAIRING THIS AND THEY REFUSED. I FEEL I AM ENTITLED TO ANY AND ALL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN OCCUR CREATING A UNEXPECTED AMOUNT OF MOTION OR MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE LURCHES THERE SHOULD BE A GREATER EFFEORT TO BE PROACTIVE IN ADDRESSING CONSUMER INQUIRIES NOT TRYING TO AVOID ANY EXPENSE ON THEIR PART IN FIXING THE ISSUE.*AK

• 12/20/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES FOR NOT STARTING. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THEN, SECOND TIME, A COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED. DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING TOWED, AND THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE FOUND. *AK

• 12/19/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER UPHILL ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD WHEN SHE FELT LIKE THE ENGINE IS LOOSING POWER. SHE STOPPED, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR IN THE ENGINE AREA. THEN SOME PEOPLE STOPPED AND PULLED HER AWAY BECAUSE FROM THE POINT MY WIFE WAS STANDING SHE COULD NOT SEE THE ACTUAL FIRE. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED DOWN COMPLETELY CREATING A BIG HOLE IN THE HOOD. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 120K MILES ON ODOMETER AND WE HAVE NOT MISSED ANY SERVICE MAINTENANCE POINTS. SHE SAID BESIDES THAT POWER LOSS THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/19/2004· POWER TRAIN

  2004 FORD EXPLORER HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. HAS A HESITATION BEFORE IT GOES INTO GEAR. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE COULD BE INJURIES BECAUSE WHEN IT HESITATES ONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES INTO GEAR. *JB

• 12/18/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE BOTTOM ABS PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORS EMBLEM IN OCTOBER 2015. ON DECEMBER 8, 2015 THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BACK WINDOW GLASS IN THE LIFTGATE BLEW-OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILE IN CALIFORNIA REGARDING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AND THE GLASS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK-OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING OPERATOR DISTRACTON TO DRINING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

• 12/18/2014· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  LEAVING WORK AT END OF DAY, PULLED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND REAR GLASS SHATTERED. THE EDGES OF THE BACK HATCH PULLED AWAY FROM THE TRUCK AND CURLED UP CAUSING THE GLASS TO BLOW INTO THE TRUCK. A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC OF THE HATCH (WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON MANY OF THIS YEAR MODEL) HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND I HAVE EMAILED FORD MANY TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR FEAR OF WATER GETTING IN BEHIND THE PANEL. MY BELIEF IS THAT WATER DID GET BEHIND THE PANEL AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE PLASTIC PANEL TO PULL AWAY AND BLOW IN THE GLASS. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT SITTING IN THE 2ND OR 3RD ROW SEATING OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THAT FLYING GLASS. *TR

• 12/18/2012· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE HATCHBACK HINGE WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED, CAUSING THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (RECASTRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

• 12/18/2009· 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 JAPANESE WORKERS SINCE THEIR CARS SEEM NOT TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.....I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEB OF 2008 AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS RIGHT AFTER THAT.....CAR ONLY HAD 48K MILES ON IT. *TR

• 12/17/2008· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ON DECEMBER 17, 2008 AT AROUND 6:50 A.M., I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE TO WORK. WE LIVE IN A QUIET VILLAGE TYPE RESIDENTIAL AREA. AFTER TWO MINUTES OR SO AFTER I PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, WITHOUT MY STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I ESTIMATE THE VEHICLE REACHED 45 MPH OR MORE IN A VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME, AND APPARENTLY INCREASING. THE VEHICLE SPEED WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL FOR 3 SECONDS OR MORE, DESPITE MY FOOT BEING AWAY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS SKIDDING ON BLACK ICE, BUT I REALIZED THIS COULDN'T BE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS INCREASINGLY ROARING AND GETTING LOUDER AS I GAINED SPEED. IT REMINDED ME OF THE SENSATION WHEN CRUISE CONTROL PICKS UP SPEED ON THE FREEWAY. BESIDES, I WASN'T LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT LIKE MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ONLY STUCK, BUT WAS BEING PRESSED EVEN FURTHER MORE. WHEN I REALIZED I WASN'T SKIDDING, I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. GOOD THING, THE STREET WAS DESERTED. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MEMORY WAS THE SUDDEN ROARING OF THE ENGINE AND THE RAPID ACCELERATION DESPITE MY FOOT BEING OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 38F, WITH A SLIGHT DRIZZLE. *TR

• 12/17/2008· STRUCTURE

  I OWN A 2004 EXPLORER AND A FEW WEEKS AGO I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCHBACK. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR A ESTIMATE AND WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE ATTENDANT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, HE STATED THAT THE COLD WEATHER CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRACK AND HE SAID THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO AT LEAST 75% OF THE EXPLORERS. I ASKED IS IT THE EXPLORERS ONLY AND HE SAID "YES." MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEREFORE THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IT COST $350.00 AND WHEN I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY THEY REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID" WE DEAL WITH THOSE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS" WHICH TO ME MEANT IF YOU STILL HAVE A WARRANTY THEN YOU ARE COVERED. THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL BECAUSE IF IT IS NOT BROKEN THEN DON'T FIX IT. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CRACK OCCURRED AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF IT WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENCE ON MY BEHALF OR SOMETHING THAT I DID TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED EVEN WITH EVERYDAY WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. COULD YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME IN ATTEMPTING TO GET THE FORD COMPANY TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE? I AM CONCERNED WITH THE CRACK AND MOISTURE OR WATER GETTING INSIDE AND POSSIBLY CREATING ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/17/2007· STRUCTURE

  A LARGE CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK RUNS VERTICALLY AND RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL WHICH IS SEVERAL INCHES. THIS CRACK IS NOT DUE TO ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE AND APPEARS TO EXPAND/CONTRACT IN DIFFERENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. THIS PANEL SUPPORTS THE GLASS IN THE REAR LIFT GATE. *TR