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 just bought this vehicle and noticed this crack before I test drove it. I thought before yesterday that maybe the prior owner had cracked the panel under the rear window. Yesterday I went shopping at sam's club in Savannah, GA and parked next to a Ford Explorer that had a crack in the SAME EXACT place as my Explorer. I spoke with my uncle today and he said that he saw a Ford Explorer in Claxton, GA today that had the SAME EXACT crack on it as well. I don't think that it is coincidence that three vehicles within a 50 mile radius could have the SAME EXACT crack in the SAME EXACT spot on the panel under the rear window of the vehicle. I think that ford should recall these defective rear window panels.
We bought our '04 Explorer used & noticed the cracked rear panel. We wondered how in the world you would get a crack there then we saw another Explorer on the road with the same crack. I "googled" it today & found this was a common problem. So does Ford just say "tough luck" you're out of warranty??
This vehicle has never been hit and one day I shut the back end and the crack was there. Called Ford and they said well to bad it will cost about 600.00 to fix. Don't feel that I should have to pay out of pocket to fix I didn't do anything to damage it. Guess What I won't buy a ford again and all our life we have been a ford family. This to me is a defect in the construction of the explorer not my fault. I paid the price for the vehicle that they wanted and I made every payment on time. On the other hand If I had only sent 1/2 payments they would have done something to me. I kept up my end for the payment why can't they admit there is a problem on there end and fix my car. That's all I want is my car fixed and don't think I should have to pay for it.
Like everyone else, my crack occurred out of nowhere. I recently called Ford customer service number and the man on the phone looked up the year and model to verify that no recalls had been issued. No recalls had been issued but he also said there were ZERO issues similar to mine!!! Are you kidding me????!!! Has anyone had any kind of resolve lately??
I've owned this vehicle for approximately two and one half weeks. Today I drove it to Walmart to purchase grocery and when I returned to my vehicle to put my grocery in, I noticed a very noticeable crack in the rear panel. I'm not sure what could have happened to cause the crack parked in Walmart's parking lot. I would like to know if Ford will repair this or if this will be my expense. If the panel cracked from being parked, this will be the last Ford that I will ever purchase.
Service mgr said it wasn't covered by warranty and was only superficial. I spoke with another Ford owner whom told me she knew of two other Ford Explorers with the same exact problem.
I called ford and was told that it was out of warranty but to bring it to the dealer body shop.......yea, right so they can rip me off.......I told out the premier care warranty which cost me almost $2000 and it does not cover this. I have researched this all day and can't believe all the problems people are having.....Ford, make this a recall!!!!!!!!!!! shame on you
I SEE ALOT OF EXPLORER HERE IN GAINESVILLE AND SOME OUT OF GAINESVILLE AND I LOOK AT THE BACK PANEL AND SEE THAT ITS A CRACK ON THE PANEL AND I DONT GET IT WHY IS THAT ON EVERY EXPLORER OR ITS A JERK WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE
Ok this is the 3rd time this panel has cracked since I bought the vehicle new. The first 2 times were within the 30k warranty. Both times they replaced the panel and those happened within the same year. This time it took about 2 years to happen and its about 10" to the right of where the original cracks happened. If anyone knows anything about a permanent fix for this feel free drop me an email. I've gotta figure out if ford is going to pay for the fix on this since it's out of warranty now. The problem is that the panel is a light weight plastic and when it heats up in the sun - the panel starts to flex and it has nowhere to move since it is fastened in place at several points and eventually it starts to crack at the weakest point. If Ford reads this - please fix the problem.
One day I notice that my 2004 Ford Explorer XLT had a cracked panel below the rear window. I took vehicle to a body repair shop to be fixed along with some other repairs. I had my insurance company look at the vehicle before authorizing it to be fixed. The cracked panel was not enough to claim, my deductible was $500, repair cost is $423.13. I paid to have vehicle repaired, then I took it back to dealership to see if they would reimburse me, they told me to contact Ford Motor Customer Service. When I contacted Ford customer service, they told me my vehicle was no longer under warranty because I had 84,000 miles on it. I was not satisfied with that answer so I wrote a letter to Ford Customer Service Division, they responded by telling me that my compliant was already addressed at their Customer Relationship Center and they support the previous decision that the Customer Relationship Center answered. They stated in the letter that this issue has been closed. I am not happy with this letter that Ford Customer Service Division sent me. Now, I'm out of $423.13 for a defect that Ford Motor will not admit to. Since receiving the letter from Ford Motor I have seen at least 5 other Ford Exployers with the same problem and I plan to tell my two co-workers who have the same problem to submit a compliant through AutoBeef. This is a safety and major defect that Ford Motor needs to admit. Ford Motor needs to recall these vehicles or pay people for repairs that they have paid to place the crached panel.
One morning after getting off from work. I walked around to the back of my 2004 ford explorer to put my equipment up and saw this long crack on my back panel. I know that I didn't hit anything. I took it to a friend, who owns an auto shop and he said that it's stress and that he see them on the road just like mine everyday. FORD NEED TO FESS UP and fix the problem. It, only a matter of time before the newer vehicles run into the same problem.
Wow - I knew I saw other Explorers with the exact same issue as mine but I didn't expect to find this forum filled with a bunch of people from around the country with the same issue. To this day, I still can't figure out how the crack got there but I do know that it was not due to slamming the gate too hard or someone hitting it with something. The vehicle is parked in a garage so no one can get to it when I am home.
This is clearly a defect. The experience purchasing the vehicle changed my mind about Ford for the better. However, since this is clearly something that Ford needs to handle but has yet to do so, those feelings are slowly being reversed.
Hopefully they (Ford) will do us right by recalling this part instead of making "paying customers" pay for the repairs.
The problem is the same as everyone else. There is a crack in the panel below the rear window, to the left of the emblem and it goes all the way from the top of the panel to the bottom. It is about time that Ford recalls this problem that is so obviously a manufacturer's defect. Is there something that we can do, like a petition, an email with all our names, etc. that will get Ford's attention? This is so ridiculous, and not to mention very bad for their future business. It seems they should be trying everything to make their loyal customers happy, given the current economy situation and all. If they don't do something soon, this will definitely be the last Ford I ever buy.
I have seen lots of these in my area. my mother even calls me to tell me she is behind one on the road at least once a week. it also upsetting because its ugly and I pay a lot of money and keep up with maintenance and detailing of the truck i love so much!!! also i had to quit work to take care of 87 yr. old grandmother who has had a stroke and has very bad dementia. i can't afford to get it fixed. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS MANY AS I HAVE SEEN
Well I guess I'll join the rest of the crowd....Just walked out to my suv and there was this crack! Unfortunately I yelled at my son thinking that he or one of his friends had hit something. I really felt bad after seeing Explorer after Explorer with the exact same crack in the exact same place next to the Ford emblem. Well isn't that great advertising....my real concern is why should I pay to fix it when it wasn't my fault but indicative of a defect...we can't all be wrong! Also, what happens when I go to trade it.....I definitely wont get as much for it. I called Ford and filed a complaint....I doubt if anything comes of it. I'm going to start taking photos of other Explorers with the same problem and send them all to Ford!
Same as everyone else, crack just showed up, obviously a design flaw and poor choice of materials. Just as obviously, Ford has no intention of doing anything about it. Reminds me why buying American cars is such a bad idea anymore. We don't expect a perfect product, but we do expect a company to admit when they screw up and make it right. I've bought my last Ford.
One morning I woke up and decided to go clean my car since I had been giving my friends and cousins rides and it was dirty on the inside. When I went to the back of the truck, I noticed the crack and got really pissed off...I wanted to beat someone up.
I thought it was my dad or brother-in-law who had crashed against something and cracked it or someone was just trying to be mean to me.
I ended up forgetting about the problem and just decided to let it go, but now I see that most Ford Explorers like the one I own have the same crack. I was told they crack on their own. My family has always owned Ford cars and they are good cars overall in my opinion, but this time I got the wrong car!
i think the ford company should really fix this problem since most people pay money for their cars to look good and if its just the companies fault they should fix the problem before people stop buying their cars...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I just bought this vehicle and noticed this crack before I test drove it. I thought before yesterday that maybe the prior owner had cracked the panel under the rear window. Yesterday I went shopping at sam's club in Savannah, GA and parked next to a Ford Explorer that had a crack in the SAME EXACT place as my Explorer. I spoke with my uncle today and he said that he saw a Ford Explorer in Claxton, GA today that had the SAME EXACT crack on it as well. I don't think that it is coincidence that three vehicles within a 50 mile radius could have the SAME EXACT crack in the SAME EXACT spot on the panel under the rear window of the vehicle. I think that ford should recall these defective rear window panels.
- dgriner, Reidsville, GA, US