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.
7.6
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$170
Average Mileage:
69,300 miles
Total Complaints:
67 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
should be recalled by manufactureer (31 reports)
not sure (19 reports)
replaced sun visor supports (12 reports)
new mount and visor (3 reports)
bought $25 fix from ezclipbrackets.com (2 reports)
Replacement Part For 2004 Ford Explorer Sun Visor Mount - I was able to find the replacement part for my broken sun visor at the attached page. I also called the dealer and they were able to order me a replacement part for $13.64.
Replacement Bracket For 2004 Ford Explorer Sun Visor Mount - I ended up creating a bracket made out of 22 gauge sheet metal. I included pictures showing how to install the bracket. I'm selling these for $12 (plus shipping) for one bracket, or $20 (plus shipping) for two. If you're like me you will probably have to replace the brackets for both of your sun visors.
My 2004 ford explorer sun visor fell in my lap going home from work cause the PLASTIC that holds it in place broke into hundreds of pieces. I was told I have to buy the whole visor and it will be a shade different cause they have discontinued my visor. Well by now I'm real mad so I email the ford company and they told me the same thing my dealer told me. I explained it should be a recall BUT they have standards to make it a recall. So I told them when I get the 100 dollars plus labor I'll get it fixed and that's just for one side. Thanks for listening.
My sun visors in my explorer have broken. First it started with the passenger side hold part breaking so that the visor would just fall off at random times. then the piece that holds in up broke so I finally disconnected the cord and laid it aside. Now the driver side visor is broken. I didn't think much of it until I decided I wanted to fix these small nuisances and learned that this is not a unique problem with Ford vehicles and don't know with the price tags if it's worth fixing.
My question is, has anyone found another option to fixing these hooks with out having to replace the whole visor or going to a dealership and overpaying for the parts?
Looks to me like Ford has a better way to take more of your hard earned money. I thought this was a unique problem but after seeing this web sight I see it is quite common. Ford should be embarrassed about this issue and should fix it for free. There has been no abuse, as a matter of fact the visors were hardly used. I am shocked to learn that after people have fixed these visors and the same thing has happened again. I had a 96 explorer xlt for 9 years and 12500 miles and never a problem with the visors. Come on ford, admit you screwed up using cheap parts and save your reputation by fixing the visors for free.
Second time the plastic/metal visor socket failed on passenger side (very rarely used on this one owner vehicle. Now both sides have failed. Was expensive to replace last time (around $160 I think). Junk parts like this should be replaced as a courtesy to Ford owners.
- Brenda B.,
Austin, TX, US
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I have replaced the visors already, and within 2 months they needed to be replaced again. I don't see the point in replacing them when they are just going to crack again. there needs to be a redesign (recall, replace) of the supporting piece. the plastic cracks with any opening movement, and its really frustrating not to be able to use the visor when the sun is beaming into your car and blinding you(which is also vary dangerous and cam cause an accident). I believe there needs to be a metal support and not plastic.
BOTH SUN VISORS CRACKED NO LONG AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE FINELY BROKE COMPLETELY LAST YEAR. MY WIFE WAS CAREFUL IN USING IT BUT IT BROKE COMPLETELY AAND NOW IT CAN NOT BE USE AT ALL.
This started with just a small piece of cracked plastic falling. I looked to see where it came from and noticed it was from the round thingymabob that holds the visor in. This is the driver's side visor, so it is pretty important. Also, I am only 4' 10 3/4", so I NEED the visor as the roof line of the car does not shield me AT ALL from the sun. I have to keep the visor up at all times, or it falls too low and I can't see at all. I went to our local Ford dealorship and ordered the part to fix the problem, even had the parts guy come out to my vehicle to show him exactly what was wrong and he STILL ordered the wrong piece! When I went to pick up the piece (after a 3 1/2 week wait) and discovered it was the wrong piece, I was then told that the entire visor has to be replaced, even though it is only the little plastic whatchamacallit that is broken! The assembly, plus labor, was going to be over $150.00. This vehicle should not be having these types of issues when this new. I know of vehicles on the road that are much, much older and the visors don't break. BS!
I'm am very pissed knowing that the whole visor has to be replaced. Why doesn't Ford make the bracket replaceable and make it with a stronger material, PS: use metal. For peat sake I'm on my third pair within two years. The visor poses a safety problem, if the bracket fails and falls, that can cause an accident.
The first visor, left side cracked when the car had only 65,000 miles, then the right side cracked a month later, they finaly came off after my trip to San Antonio . After the cracked I never used them again because were falling off and dropping pieces.
What a company makes a interior equipment to last 70,000 miles. My car is always parked on the shade. I went to purchase at the dealer, they both cost 180,00 new, they don't sell only the part that is broken. THIS IS A RIP-OFF
Well, the first visor support cracked on the driver side approx June 2009. Had it replaced and long and behold then about 3 weeks later the passenger side also cracked. I had the driver side replace, cost approx $80.00 didn't have the passgr side replaced (TOO EXPENSIVE). Mind you it was just the plastic little piece the supports the visor. The visor was perfect but the Ford dealership only sells the part as a whole assembly (RIP OFF) for approx $60.00. It get worse...... factory guarantee has run out on that new visor.GO FIGURE...... GUESS WHAT???? new visor has cracked again for the 2nd time. NOW I HAVE 2 BROKEN VISORS!. THIS SUCKS......SUN IN MY EYES. Oh and by the way the plastic piece the runs across the rear glass also cracked...... I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW FORD MY CRACK...... NO MORE FORDS FOR ME
Both visors are broken and they broke while still under the extended warranty. The dealership told us that they were not covered under the extended warranty. As many complaints about this there should be a recall and ford should fix it.
My sun visor support on the passenger side is all cracked and alot of pieces of plastic have fallen down. It cant stay up . Ford should issue a recall to fix this problem. To whom can I escalate this problem ?????. I contacted Ford l already but no luck
Both the driver and passenger sun visor mounts have cracked with small pieces of plastic falling out, the plastic just crumbles. After reading several forums apparently this same failure is happening with major numbers of Explorers. This is a design/improper material of construction issue and should be recalled by Ford. Don't hold your breath, they already have your money and want more for replacement parts.
bought it used and three days after I had it, went to put a sun shade in the windshield and folded the visors down to hold it in place, both fell out of the brackets and were dangling. Had to cut the wires and now I have no visors. Driving west in Florida sucks big time with out visors.
BOTH PLASTIC PIECES THAT HOLD THE SUN VISORS ON ARE CRACKED. ONE VISOR ACTUALLY IS ONLY HANGING BY ELECTRICAL CORDS. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT DOWN SO WE HAVE NO VISOR AT ALL ONE ONE SIDE. THIS IS ONLY 1 OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE GAS GAGE DOESN'T WORK, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, THE LEATHER IS CRACKED, ETC. IT ONLY HAS 58,00 MILES ON IT NOW BUT WE HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 20,000 MILES. NO MORE FORDS FOR US.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
the plate that holds the drivers side visor broke and has kept braking
until it just fell in pieces into my lap. Cannot keep the visor up at all.
THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE TO DRIVE WITH!!
Hopefully FORD will see the danger and many complaints and take care
of the problem like a good company should
Florence T
- Florence T., broken bow, OK, US