CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2005 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
6.4
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$460
Average Mileage:
75,350 miles
Total Complaints:
769 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
waiting for Ford to recall (296 reports)
not sure (205 reports)
replace panel (117 reports)
possible class action lawsuit (63 reports)
call Ford motor company 1-800-241-3673 (27 reports)
2004 Ford Explorer Lift Gate Applique - You can purchase the rear panel applique to fix this problem from fordpartswebsite.com, although it will still need to be painted and installed.
Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
Ford Explorer Lift Gate Cracks - Become a part of this active Facebook page of Ford / Mercury owners who share information on dealing with the cracked trim panel that Ford would not.
Went to pop the hatch...and noticed a crack...near the Ford emblem. Where the heck did that come from? I wasn't there the NIGHT before. Makes noooo sense. My 95 Explorer looks better than this one! Sooo many quirky issues! Looking into buying a CHEVY!!
Apparently this rear panel crack is quite common. Over 380 complaints on this site plus, just in my neighborhood going to and from work, I came across 4 other vehicles with the same problem. I've called Ford and they won't do anything. I definitely think this is a common enough issue for them to do a recall and fix these things.
Add me to the growing list with this crack , was thinking it might not happen. Then in July panel cracked about 6 inches from bottom or window. A guy at work had same problem so it was just a matter of time . This and hood that the paint came off ,ford would not fix but lots with the same problem. Will be my last ford
I have seen so many explorers with this defect.. cracked panel below rear window. I've called and emailed and Ford has said "Sorry, Can't help." BBB complaint will be my next step... I will start taking pics of all the different explorers I see with the same problem and send it to ford. It is ridiculous that they aren't taking accountability for this obvious defect.
The plastic under the window in cracked. I see allot of Ford explores with this issue.. I call Ford and the person on the line gives me some Bullshit line that its not a safety issue therefore he doubts they will ever recall it. Hey look around every Ford explorer of these years 02-04 is having this issue.. Hey sure its a safety problem. THe glass window is enclosed in this.. What is it going to take... The window flying out and killing somebody? Its not covered under warranty or expended warranty and its over 1k to fix.. Give me a break Ford!! Step up to the plate and fix for your customers...
Pictures show the Explorer butt-crack when it first appeared. It is now extends to the bottom of the panel. On cold days the crack is about 3/32" wide, making me think the problem is thermal stress.
I live in Michigan and know lots of folks who work for Ford. I want to support both our local and national economies buy buying American, but Ford's total brush-off of this problem strains customer loyalty. Come on Ford, with so many complaints you know this is not an isolated problem. Do the right thing by your loyal customers, or they might not be so loyal next time they have to shell out $KKKK for their next vehicle.
I just purchased the SUV a month ago. Had I known this was an issue, I would have reconsidered the purchase. I don't know what to do. I should not have to pay for the repair out of pocket if Ford knows this is an issue.
As so many others have mentioned the panel below the rear window is cracked all the way up through the middle. How can Ford honestly not do something to fix the ones that have broken? I have 5 cars in our family, 4 of which are Fords, but this issue along with several others that I have now reported are becoming an issue, and probably one that other manufactures are taking care of properly. time to compare higher quality cars...
My Ford Explorer's tailgate cracked near the logo. I have seen scores of Ford Explorers with the same problem. I have called the dealer and they will not fix it because there is not a recall. It is obviously a manufacturing/design problem. It is a shame that a company like Ford treats its customers this way. If this is not fixed I will not buy/recommend Ford again.
I spoke to the Service person at Jim Click Ford in Tucson and he said that it also happened to his car. He said there was no recall and it "only" cost $750 so he just got it fixed. He suggested that I call Ford Motor.
I called Ford Motor Customer Service. Very calm and soothing voice told me that there was not recall and there was no customer satisfaction program regarding the issue and that he recommended that I do take it in to a Ford dealership and have it diagnosed. I reminded him that I spoke to a Service Rep who had the same issue. Didn't need to have it "diagnosed". He recommended that I also save all my receipts in case it is recalled. Please. My next contact is Jim Click who owns the dealership.
I think Ford has a series design flaw that they should fix since it is so wide spread. I have babied the car when closing because of seeing so many vehicles with the problem. Mine finally broke too. It looks terrible and takes away from the value when it is time to trade or sell. Will seriously look at vehicles other than Ford if nothing is done about it.
Call this number its Fords Customer Satisfaction hotline. 1-800-392-3673 to skip the garbage and speak to a rep press 1,5,1,2,2.
I spoke with a rep and she said there were no other customer complaints about this. I attempted to direct her to this site but she refused to look. She stated, unless a customer calls in and complains then we have no idea of the issues, we do not look at online sources. Please call in and complain so we may avoid such a costly repair.
Last year I noticed a crack under my rear window and at first I thought one of the kids closed the lift gate too hard. So I took it in to a auto shop to have it repaired and not even a couple of months later it happens again! Then one of my friends noticed my crack and said that every ford explorer they see no matter what year, has a crack right there. So when I'm out driving I will look at every explorer that so happen to pass and notice that this is so true! Why does Ford not do anything about this? I
the crack in the rear panel is a problem in a lot of fords. after i noticed the crack in mine, i started noticing other fords that i passed and saw the same problem. With the same thing going on in so many fords, this should be a recall. There is nothing that the owners did to cause this crack. one day its not there, the next day it was. Has to be a defect and ford should be responsible for fixing.
Not sure how Ford cannot issue a recall as this is clearly a manufacturing defect. Looks ridiculous, and is a daily reminder that maybe Ford isn't so great after all. :(
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Went to pop the hatch...and noticed a crack...near the Ford emblem. Where the heck did that come from? I wasn't there the NIGHT before. Makes noooo sense. My 95 Explorer looks better than this one! Sooo many quirky issues! Looking into buying a CHEVY!!
- witchydar, Litchfield, NH, US