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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)
accessories - interior problem
Helpful websites
- 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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
It doesn't seem like much, but both of the casings that hold my overhead visors in place have broken. They were these terrible little pieces of cheap plastic that one day just crumbled as I flipped the visor down. Then about two weeks later my girl friend flipped hers down and the same thing happened.
I have read most people's issues with this and have seen that it cost them upwards of $200 for a replacement and I find that to be ridiculous considering Ford spend about a nickel on the piece of plastic to hold it in place. Up until now I have just managed to jam them into this awful looking hole that sits there now and just tell people that they essentially can never use them or they will hang by an electrical string coming from somewhere inside the vehicle. It just looks very trashy and makes driving into the sun very, very unsettling and dangerous.
Yet another safety issue to this piece of garbage Explorer that I'm positive Ford won't take the blame for somehow. It's all our faults for breaking our visors, not theirs for building a terrible vehicle and essentially lying to us in order for us to purchase it. What a great company.
- Christopher S., Tampa, FL, US