Print this page

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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,906 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Aug 272010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cracked rear panel on 2004 Ford Explorer. Drove it through a car wash and it shattered. It can fly off and hit someone.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #87

Aug 182010

Explorer

  • 115,000 miles
I discovered a crack in the plastic panel below the rear window of my 2004 Ford Explorer last night while unloading groceries. There had been no impact to this area of the vehicle so I had no idea where it came from. I checked with a local body shop and the estimator told me this is a very common issue with Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. It was apparently a manufacturing defect and that I should check with Ford. I stopped by the local Ford dealership but the service manager was out to lunch. The salesman I talked to said he saw the problem a number of time when he worked at the Lincoln Mercury dealer. Waiting for the service manager to call me.

- Reinholds, PA, USA

problem #86

Jun 102010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
I noticed a crack in the panel beneath my rear window in my 2004 Ford Explorer. The crack has continued to get larger since I noticed it a couple months ago.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #85

May 012008

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Ford Explorer transmission clunking and shifting roughly, taking long time to engage cause vehicle to roll back, does not seem to engage for a period of time. Also whines so loud folks in back seat can't hear front seat people talking. Appears each time driven. Was that way when purchased new and dealer fixed it, now once again same issue.

- Annandale, VA, USA

problem #84

Jan 012008

Explorer

  • 60,000 miles
Defect in hatch area of Ford Explorer causing a crack near the Ford emblem. Happened when vehicle had less than 60K miles. Called Ford dealer who said not covered under warranty.

- Woodbury Heights, NJ, USA

problem #83

Jul 012009

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
The panel under the rear hatch window has cracked and keeps getting wider.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #82

Aug 062009

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Ford Explorer crack back trunk lift.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #81

Jan 102009

Explorer

  • 53,000 miles
The rear hatch panel on my Ford 2004 Explorer cracked for no apparent reason. When I went to the local dealer he said it is a common defect. When I asked how much it would cost to repair he quoted me $650 I have seen dozens of this model in my daily driving experience in AZ. Why hasn't Ford made a replacement for all of us who have this problem. It irritates me that they say quality is number one but won't own up to a defect that is replete in emails on line?

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #80

May 092010

Explorer

  • 113,430 miles
Rear hatch cracked on my 2004 Ford Explorer.

- Leland, NC, USA

problem #79

Apr 052010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
The hatchback hinge on my 2004 Ford Explorer broke yesterday, luckily I caught it before it hit my 4 year old in the head. The same thing happened on a 2002 Ford Explorer I owned before, but that was recalled and Ford fixed it. This model is not included in the recall, but the part is obviously defective. It could have easily hit someone and hurt them, or fallen off while I was driving and caused an accident.

- Uniontown, PA, USA

problem #78

Apr 242008

Explorer

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Ford Explorer cracked rear panel.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #77

Mar 012010

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I am so angry., I own a 2003 and a 2004 Explorer. The 2004 has a crack that suddenly appeared in the rear panel. Ford knows this is and has been a problem with a defect in their product and talk condescendingly to their customers on the phone if you try to discuss it with them. They are not capable of doing anything but reading a response from a card, they are unable to have any type of conversation other than reading their canned response. This is the last time that I will buy a Ford.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #76

Dec 282009

Explorer

  • 102,000 miles
Rear glass on Explorer became disconnected from brackets. This matches prior complaint number RQ08003.

- Walcott, IA, USA

problem #75

Aug 172008

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles
My complaint isn't safety related but I have saw this on so very may Ford Explorer. The rear plastic below the rear hatch window cracks on either side of the Ford emblem. I thought maybe it was just mine.. but I have seen this on so many of Ford Explorer. To me this is a defect and from what I read Ford says its not a recall issue. But to me it is, its a defect that all though it is not safety related is still a defect none the less..

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #74

Jul 042009

Explorer

  • 94,000 miles
2004 Ford Explorer cracked rear panel.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #73

Feb 112010

Explorer

  • miles
Went to load something in the back of my Explorer and noticed a black line running down between the window and tailgate and could not believe it was cracked, ,did nothing to cause it to crack. I got online and found that many other owners have had the exact same thing to happen. I suppose it will be treated like the transmission issues that I and many many other owners have had also, just ignored but never recalled although case after case after case have been reported.

- Cave City, KY, USA

problem #72

Jan 282010

Explorer

  • 53,000 miles
Crack in rear panel on lift gate below window at the Ford emblem.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #71

Dec 152009

Explorer

  • 59 miles
On December 15, I went shopping and when I went to place items in the back of my vehicle, I noticed a crack all the way from the back window to the bottom of the panel. I take very good care of my vehicle. There was no indication that the vehicle had been hit as there were no damages.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #70

Dec 152009

Explorer

  • 80,000 miles
Plastic under back glass around Ford logo cracked after a cool morning. (maybe 35 degrees) now the crack stretches open and closed various amounts each day.

- Thomasville, NC, USA

problem #69

Dec 012009

Explorer

  • 93,000 miles
Cracked tailgate frame under the window, from top to bottom.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?