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.
I am so frustrated!! A week after I bought my car, it cracked right under the back exterior window. The dealership would not fix it and toold me it would take $1000 to fix!! That is ridiculious!!!! Ford needs to do something about all of these complaints or they will lose many many buyers!!
i too have the rear plastic panel that is cracked by the emblem-i have taken it to the dealer and same response is there is no recall-this is also making my liftgate ajar light and sensor go off repeatedly-very disappointed with the response from Ford and the dealer-i have also noticed numerous other Ford and Mercury suv with the same problem-this also adds to the rear transmission that has had to be repaired 2x already-any updates from Ford suggestions
When the crack first occurred, we contacted the Ford dealer where we purchased this truck. We asked them if there was a recall on this part because we had seen several in our area that were cracked.We were told there was no recall and the part was not under warranty because it is not a drive train or electrical issue. We decided we did not have the money to repair it at the time because we were expecting a baby at the time. Just 1 month after the crack appeared, the back glass shattered and fell out! As it turns out, the back glass runs under the fiberglass and after you open and close the top portion of the hatch too many times, the glass can not hold up to the pressure and busts!! We now have a junkyard hatch on the back because after the glass breaks it costs about $600.00 to repair! This problem SUCKS and Ford will not fix it until someone is killed!
- bulldogpaysme,
Allentown, PA, US
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This is an obvious problem that Ford needs to address to keep customers happy. I've seen countless numbers of Explorers around the state that has the same exact problem. How about not spending some money on an ad campaign and spend the money fixing customers cars that have an issue like this one. Good PR would be worth a lot more than someone watching a commercial on TV! If Ford doesn't do anything, this may be the last ford that I own!
Crack below back window next to ford emblem. Ford's reaction to this problem will dictate whether or not I buy another Ford ever again. This is my 3rd ford vehicle (Ranger, Explorer, Explorer). Out of principle, I cannot buy another unless they do the right thing.
First and regularly, the front visor plastic attachments keep cracking -- you would think that Ford would manufacture them out of Nylon and not the cheap plastic that is presently being used -- sounds like a racket to me. Next, the crack on the exterior rear panel where the window is located -- I am afraid that water will seep in and do damage to the interior wall of the back door. Cheap plastic again.
Apparently there are MANY of us out there with this very same crack on the back panel of our cars! I too have no scratches, dents, etc except for this unsightly crack! This has caused a VERY annoying rattle! I know it's coming from this crack! I'm afraid it's going to rattle so much that the window is going to break. There is not a day that goes by that I don't see another Ford with this crack! Come on Ford...fix this problem!!
Just like the other complainers, I came out of the bowling alley and put my equipment in the back and saw that the panel was cracked in half on the left side of the ford emblem. I thought maybe water got behind it causing it to freeze and crack the panal. But with reading several of the complaints here, I think that this was not the case. I looking at trying to replace this panal myself, if I can figure out how to replace it.
I first thought someone must have hit my car with their fist and cracked the back panel but then I began to see more and more explorer's with the same thing. Between this and my visors and my lumbar support and my rear passenger window, I'm wondering what's next? I love my ford but its not loving my back!
On Saturday 13 March 2010, my wife and I drove the vehicle and never noticed any defect to the area of concern. But, on Sunday morning around 14 March 2010, as my son and I was packing the vehicle prior to taking him back to college--after his spring break, we noticed the crack. I reported the problem to my insurance company. While returning from my son's college campus, I stopped at Fort Jackson, located in Columbia, SC., to do some shopping and noticed an Explorer that was parked in front of my vehicle had the same crack. So, I took a picture of the defect. While I was taking the picture, the owner of the vehicle walked up and pointed out the crack. The owner informed me that he never noticed the crack before and it certainly wasn't there the day before. This is no coincident--this has to be a defect! Two different Explorers with the same defect, in the same position.
After a very cold night the next day I noticed three cracks on the rear lift gate window it seemed to have happened over night I called and complained to ford and they said they never heard of anything like this happening and that I was the first to have this problem. Anyways , after traveling around town for the next several months I noticed that It was impossible for them to have never heard of this crack seeing nearly every dam ford explorer on the road seemed to have the same problem. And are you kidding me 400 dollars to fix? I hope they aren't replacing with the same piece of crap plastic again.
(Same Complaint about Ford like everyone else ) Ford has around 577 Complaints about Cracked panel below the rear window - 214 Windows Complaints don't Roll Down or Up. ( My Ford Explorer 2004 has both Problems ) Since my Panel Cracked I started to notice several other Ford Explorer Panels Cracked in the same area. Both of my Windows in the back of the vehicle don't roll Down. I went to ford to see the dealer. I told him about my complaints he told me to use my Insurance because these issues aren't on recall ( I Was So Upset ) Ford needs to correct the problem free of charge! This vehicle is a defect. Whoever is reading this please contact you local news for we could get our vehicles repaired. 10connects.com - cbsnews.com - tampabay
As per other complaints not there one day there the next . All ford car dealers approached say out of warranty. Stiff. Am considering taking to our consumer affairs people to see where i stand under statutory laws in NSW Australia. Will let you know how i go.
WOW- I can't believe how many people have the same complaint and still Ford does nothing. I've only owned 1 Ford before this and it was a 1997 Explorer-standard, and as a matter of fact its still running great at 199,000 miles (now needs a clutch) but that was my incentive for buying this 2004 Eddie Bauer. BAD IDEA:( I only drove this truck 3000 miles in a year {used the 1997 for everyday use} and to my disappointment I came out of the store one day (a day it started to warm after several snows) and BAM, there it was next to the Ford logo- a crack from top to bottom, I though someone tried to break in. After inquiring with my mechanic who referred me to a body shop, I took it in to find that it would cost @ $300.00 to fix with NO guarantee it wouldn't happen again, then THE KICKER- he takes me to the lot to show me 3 other 2004 Explorers waiting to repaired for the same problem. Seriously???
Needless to say, I did NOT fix it as I did not have $300 spare dollars to throw away IF the repair didn't take. Seems to me that quality is NOT a priority for Ford anymore. I will be going back to a Dodge after this truck. Sad thing...my stepdad and sister BOTH work for Ford :(
This piece was fine one day, cracked from top to bottom the next. What's so aggravating about Fords is it's the small stuff that ends up costing a fortune that break. This is inexcusable.
Same as the others...just out of the blue I noticed a crack in the rear panel door just below the window and to the left of the Ford symbol. The crack was not there last week when I checked for it after reading all of the complants, but today it is. I am really, really disgusted with Ford right about now.
I see I'm not alone, walked outside the beginning of Feb and saw the crack identical to most of the pictures I see here,,had first thought someone had attempted to break into my Explorer but now see its just another issue with Ford
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am so frustrated!! A week after I bought my car, it cracked right under the back exterior window. The dealership would not fix it and toold me it would take $1000 to fix!! That is ridiculious!!!! Ford needs to do something about all of these complaints or they will lose many many buyers!!
- philana, Tyler, TX, US