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 enjoy telling people about why many japanese cars are preferred by consumers. Car companies complain american workers are the problem. It damn sure wasn't an auto worker that ordered or designed this cheap plastic panel.
Same as everyone else - one day, I closed the lift and saw what I thought was graffiti - felt it and it was a crack. Will call Ford and see what lies will be told.
Early September I walked out to my car to see that I had a crack on the left side of the ford symbol on the back door. I was not sure how it got there and started looking at other explorers in the area-almost all of them I have seen have a crack. I took it and got a quote to fix it for about $500. Four days ago my car had another crack. I have sealed them and painted over it, but I do not think this is right!!!! I should not have to pay to fix it when I do not even use the back door. I want to replace the part (I think Ford should) but I wonder if a new part will crack again. I take good care of my car and it is in great condition, but these cracks look terrible!!!!!!
- asmileyga,
Ludowici, GA, US
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Ever since we noticed the crack in the rear panel....we have kept track of other ford explorer 3 out of 5 have crack even some so severe that piece of the body is missing not just cracked..... this needs to be a warrenty issue.
Crack developed in liftgate body directly under rear window. Runs from window interface, down around emblem, about 8 inches in total. Only have 50,000 miles on 2004 Explorer. Have probably opened and closed the rear door/gate 100 times over 4 1/2 years. Dealer says not under warranty as outside of 3 years, 36,000 miles. Anyone know of any relief coming back from Ford? I buy American, but to have a defect like this show up at less than 50,000 miles is baloney.
Here's another one to add to the 'Crack in the Back'. Maybe I can add two as my son's Mercury Mountaineer cracked in the exact same spot several months before mine?
I went to get the explorer out of the garage and noticed the crack in the panel below the rear hatch window. It was not there the night before. Of course the car is out of warranty. However sense this has happened I have seen approximately 8 other explorers with the same crack. Therefore this must be a common problem and(SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL)
One day this summer I walk out to my car parked at work and notice a line running down from under the rear window. Sure enough, a crack. Annoyed, because I knew I did not slam it and nothing else had happened to it, I called our local Ford dealership. They made it sound like that was very unusual. We had purchased the extended warrenty but of course we were over the miles. It was going to cost about $400.00 or more to replace it. Needless to say, it is still there. It really makes me mad to see how many people are having the same issue and Ford is not taking care of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I bought my car NEW in 2004. I noticed the crack last winter and also noticed HUNDREDS of others in my area. Ford said they will fix it.....for a nominal fee of course. Arrgghh!! They want to charge me $50 if my mileage is under 70k miles. Which it is, but this is a manufacturers defect, FORD should be paying this!!! I don't think I will EVER own a Ford after this. Found On Road Dead!
There is a crack on my Ford Explorer 2004 model. I have seen this on all the Ford Explorers I see. There should be a recall, but they have their money and that is that. This is really sad, as it could effect my future decisions and with the Buffalo weather, this is a nuisance too.
I live in Warren, OH. The 2004 Explorer is my wifes vehicle. She noticed the crack in the panel below the rear window last month. It was only part way. Before two days were up, the crack was all the way across, and under normal driving conditions. We took it in for warranty work on someting else and I had them quote a price to fix it. And now here I am. Rediculous! This should DEFINITELY be a recall item. I was on my way home from the dealership, and you wont believe this, but I saw another Explorer, about the same year, with a crack below the rear window just like ours! (ok, you might believe it) I didnt realize how common this was till I started doing research on it. I dont anticipate a response from Ford until the economy clears up. Which is never. Workin man gets screwed again!
The panel on our Explorer cracked today. Just like the rest. I was very surprised to find out that Ford is not correcting this defect in both design and materials. I have written to the law firm mentioned in an earlier complaint and will also contact the NTSB. I think I will also make a notice to post in the back window. Maybe a few tag lines will help, I wonder...
"Built Ford tough!" "Except for this piece."
"Ford has a better idea." "It has to do with NEW customers, NOT return customers."
"Quality is Job 1." "Fixing this is Job # 807."
"There's a Ford in your Future." "Wanna buy this one?"
When calling Ford Customer Service they said there was no recall or customer satisfaction complaint ever filed . . . WOW ..... do they think we are stupid????? Do they choose just to ignore the issue? When you see 9 out of 10 Explorers with the same problem to they think we are making it up? My confidence in Ford is definately not what it used to be :-(
Like many others have said about this problem, one day I went out and the crack was there. I was always careful when closing the door so nothing like this would happen. I check out all 2004 Ford Explorers that I see and 9 our of 10 of them have the crack in the same place. Come on Ford. Do something about it.
Crack under rear glass of our dark blue explorer just showed up one day. In past two days, I have seen two other dark blue explorers with exact same form of crack. Seems like ford needs to make it right for all of us.
I'm having the same issue as everyone else. I have a crack that has suddenly appeared this month on the rear panel below the window and to the left of the Ford logo. I purchased this vehicle new in 2004 and just paid it off this past May. I just saw another Explorer about the same model as mine, a Red one, that had the same exact crack as mine. That led me to do some checking online and it appears to be a widespread problem. Why hasn't a recall been issued? I have treated this rear door gingerly all these years and for this to happen really ticks me off. My car is silver and the crack really sticks out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Yet another issue with the EXPLODER.... Can't say we will ever buy another Ford....
- Meaghan E., Upper Black Eddy, PA, US