8.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$1,500.00
Average Mileage:
67,837 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace something under the dash (4 reports)
- not sure (3 reports)
AC / heater problem
Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Explorer broken blend door
2009Apr 08
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
At only 55,000 miles, I started to hear a really loud clicking noise. It sounded like it was coming from the dash. It scared me at first, then I took it to a local Ford dealer. They said it was a broken blend door and they would have to take the dash out to replace it. All for the lovely price of 1500.00. I cannot afford that price, so I will not be having my heat on high when winter comes. I hope Ford recalls this soon. What a pain. Why do they use such a cheap part that apparently isn't working?
2008Jul 31
Explorer LX
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Apparently an inexpensive piece of plastic under the dash controls the air flow and is susceptible to breaking which virtually stops all all flow/cool air from being discharged. Ford is well aware of this problem but to my knowledge has not issued a recall. I was fortunate because I'd purchased the extended warranty. The dash has to be completely removed to make the repair and this is the primary reason for the high cost. Problems like this are why Ford is loosing billions of dollars and customer loyalty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008May 22
Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 31,250 miles
There was a loud clicking behind my dash and I knew it was the heater, my car had approximately 31000 miles on it then but the warranty was over my 3 years. I looked up the information on the internet and was surprised that this was such a common problem for Fords. I had an estimate which was approximately 1500.00 and was told the dash needed to come off. Not satisfied with that answer I went to a friend of mine who would have replaced it for free, with of course me buying the OEM Blend Motor. The problem I have with this is WHY does Ford continue to make a plastic piece (blend door pin) that they are well aware keeps breaking and they do nothing, it's not just the explorer. Also the best part of the whole thing is its almost in-accessible to get to the blend motor as the bolts that hold the heater housing on are almost impossible to undo, which means they either didn't give a sh** when they built this or assumed that their heater problems would miraculously fix themselves. My AC works just fine and heat comes out of the vents but the clicking is horrible and sounds as if the gears are stuck. As we pulled the whole front apart, we saw the poor craftsmanship of the car as it had been put together underneath everything. Lots of things were held together with electrical tape and not in a neat way your would expect for your $30,000 dollar car. Needless to say as for now I bought UGG boots to get through this winter since I refuse to give Ford my 1500 bucks I cannot afford to fix something they should have recalled in the 90's and I refuse to let my friend cut through the heater housing with a dremel to replace a piece of plastic to save on 10 hours of labor. There are heater treatments on the market but I am not sure I am that comfortable with that. This is why a bailout for Ford pisses me off. They would have happy customers that would gladly return if they took care of them in the first place. This was my 3rd Ford since my service team at my dealer was so awesome, but this will definitely be my last. I expect this kind of thing from foreign cars but not American made. This is something that should be recalled!!!!!!!!!!!
2008Nov 07
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
I have a clicking in my heater and I have been told that they have to remove the dash board to fix a $15 plastic part with minimum 5 hours of labor. Who the hell designs these things???? Apparently this is a common problem.
2008Jan 25
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
Some kind of air door or duct broke under the dash. It cost me $1500.00 to get it fixed by Ford. They had to take the whole dash out to fix it. I wonder why something like this would break for no reason at all. The car is not that old
2007Nov 01
Explorer XLT 3.2L, V6
- Automatic transmission
- 77,000 miles
The blending door pin, which is molded onto the heater, broke. The pin is inexpensive, but since it is molded onto the heater, the entire heater has to be replaced. Since the heater needs to be replaced, the entire dashboard has to come out. The estimate to repair a 49 cent piece - $1500.00.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your AC / heater problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 12
Explorer 4.6L V6
i hate ford!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont have anything good to say about the company.........i think it is total bs that its gonna cost 1500.00 to fix a piece of plastic... i have 2 small children that i have to drive to school with no heat both of them screaming im freezing.....maybe i should make the ford people drive them to school with no heat...i dont know bout the rest of you but i cant afford to pay 1500.00 for a piece of plastic....total bs.....i really hope that ford goes under for making such crappy vehicles...i will never own another one!!!!!
Heather N.
Hickory, NC, USA
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