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.
Noticed the crack in the panel below the window one morning. Really ticks me off because I always keep my car in perfect shape...clean and polished. Called Ford, they said it wasn't covered and there was no recall on it.
I'm now afraid that the whole piece will go flying off and hit a car behind me while I'm traveling on the highway.
Hate to have to spend $500 to get this repaired, which is what the body shop quoted, but I'll have to...since I don't want to be responsible for any injuries if this piece does fly off!!
how many cracked rears will it take before ford steps up to the plate and fixes this OBVIOUS flaw?? someone said it was caused by too much pressure when closing liftgate? no way this is the case on my explorer. pretty sure i don't have that much power and i have driven jeeps for years and never had a problem like this...INSANE that this hasn't been recalled!! i love my explorer, but this is just wrong!
UGH!!!! WHY?!? SO annoying - ever since I got the crack I have seen other explorers with the same crack so I don't feel so bad, but I don't feel this should be an expense out of my pocket but FORD should be paying this.
- beachbumqt55,
Elizabeth, CO, US
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Same problem as everyone else has described. One morning a crack appeared from nowhere, I could not believe it, I did nothing wrong. Like everyone else I too, started looking at every explorer and have been amazed at how many have the same crack just below the rear window next to the emblem. I haven't call Ford yet but I plan to, don't expect any results. Would be nice if there was a class action law suit!
I was shocked to see this crack on my car, when leaving for work in the morning. Being a single woman, my car is very well taken care of. Since purchasing my car I have had NO problem whatsoever. I absolutely love my car, feel very safe and protected while driving it. For this to happen was a REAL shocker. At first I thought someone had purposely done this, but my mechanic advised me that this was known issue with the Explorers. There seems to be many valid complaints about this happening to other Explorers. I do hope that Ford will stand to it's name and fix the problem. Will keep you all posted.
Could not believe it! Took it to the local Ford dealer, they said they have never seen this happen. Had the body shop person give me an estimate to fix it, $1,200.00. Advised calling Ford and lodging complaint, I did, never have heard back from them. I now notice more and more of the cracks on other Explorers around now. Becoming an epidemic??
I first noticed it as an inch long hairline crack right next to the Ford emblem. It took about a week for it to finish its descent to the bottom of the plastic applique that my local Ford auto body shop wants over $400 to replace and paint. Now I notice the same problem on other similar Exploders in parking lots, so I know I'm not alone.
Unfortunately, Ford probably won't recall this if its not causing a safety concern. My guess: we deal with it until we go to trade it into the dealer and get a percentage knocked off due to a problem that isn't our fault.
The whole back panel is cracked. Ford told me they would charge me, even though they know it's a factory defect - It was going to cost me 400-500 bucks to fix and I would have done it had the guy not told me they could not guarantee it would not happen again as they have found no permanent solution for this problem. They used a very thin piece of poly urethane and the wrong glue when this was made in the factory that cannot withstand the heat and swelling with the weather changes.
have had several new fords always something needs to be fixed i will not buy another even with my a plan the employes at ford are rude an i im through with fords!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I owned this car since the beginning and and had transmission replaced at 63 thousand miles. 2004 Ford explorer 40,000 dollars worth of crap. Replaced chrome wheels because of cracks around the lugs at 70,000 miles. Now back panel finally crack since all the forums talked about it. Now I experience their pain. Ford you are piece of crap if you can sell a product and should warranty any defects that comes with the car. Knowing all the complaints on this site and others. You should try at least fix the problem before we as customers complain about it.
Ford has really been a no show on this vehicle since I bought it. At 3 mos. the leather seats were cracking and tearing and I fought with them for months. Denied, denied. So I really don't think they care about a crack on the car when it is 6 years old. Service sucks.
I can't believe Ford has not recalled this problem. It seems like every explorer I see has the same problem, especially the green explorers and mountaineers. Its not worth paying to fix, but sure wish I didn't have to see it all the time. And when it comes trade-in time, I will lose it if Ford (if that's what I buy) deducts for it. I know it was caused by some problem with the latch. The door frequently would not close properly. Eventually it just cracked.
A CRACK HAS FORMED IN THE REAR LIFT GATE PANEL NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AT ONCE. RECALL AND FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE. FORD KNOWS THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO ADMIT IT AND AND FIX IT AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. NEEDLESS TO SAY IF THEY DON'T I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.
SHAME ON YOU FORD! I have owned (3) Explorers and also own (2) FORD pickups. I have truly loved my Explorers but I can't see buying another FORD after being kicked to the curb like this. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Sure is a different song you sing after the sale isn't it? Your CEO was in Fayetteville the other day (not at the dealer from where I purchased, CROWN) and I sure hate I missed the opportunity to drive up with several others and let him see our lovely tailgates. You think he would be seen driving a piece of junk like I have to? NOT!
I work hard, very hard for my $ and take very good care of my vehicle. The sad thing is that if we do pay out OUR money to pay for YOUR defect it will not last. An employee advised us that he had replaced his Mother's three times and it continues to crack. So, GOT ANY ADVICE?
THIS IS A MANUFACTURE/DESIGN DEFECT AND FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS OR RECALL THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM...I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR...THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT OR SERVICE THEIR CUSTOMERS.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The first crack happened in 2009, this was below the rear window on the panel. The second crack happened this November 2010.
- Visenta M., Natalia, TX, US