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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.

6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$460
Average Mileage:
75,350 miles
Total Complaints:
769 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. waiting for Ford to recall (296 reports)
  2. not sure (205 reports)
  3. replace panel (117 reports)
  4. possible class action lawsuit (63 reports)
  5. call Ford motor company 1-800-241-3673 (27 reports)
  6. do not buy Ford again (25 reports)
2004 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2004 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 35 of 39)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #89

Nov 162007

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

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

2004 Ford Explorer. A crack appeared on the rear tailgate panel directly below the tailgate glass and next to the Ford emblem. The dealer, Summerville Ford, Summerville, SC, informed me that although he sees this problem OFTEN on this Explorer body style, no recall has been issued and Ford would not pay for the repair. Obviously, Ford is aware of this poor design resulting in body integrity failure, based

on the other Explorers I have witnessed on our roads with the same damage and the other complaints to NHTSA and CarComplaints. But Ford is refusing to do anything to correct this failure. I notice the new Explorers no longer have this poor tailgate design. This is damage caused by Ford's poor design and should be acknowledged and repaired by Ford. I keep my vehicles in pristine condition and every time I see this unnecessary damage, caused by Ford, I'm livid!

- D R., Summerville, SC, US

problem #88

Jul 152008

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Unfortunately, as a single mother, I do not have an extra $500 or $600 laying around to have a problem fixed that FORD should be accepting responsibility for. This is my second Explorer and if the problem would have occurred with the first, I would not have bought the second. This one will definitely be my last Explorer, and probably my last FORD. Hopefully, FORD will accept responsibility and issue a recall on the panel. This is completely unacceptable!!!!!

- Kelly C., Sheridan, WY, US

problem #87

Apr 152008

Explorer XLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,389 miles

I was about to open my tailgate one day and noticed that there was a cracked panel (vertical crack) under the rear window. I went to the Ford dealership and they stated that the car was no longer under warranty, so it could not be fixed unless I wanted to pay around $650.00 ( the part only costs $96.00). I stated that there was no fault on my part, but that made no difference to them. The Service Manager did say that he has seen this numerous times and said that I should contact Ford Canada. I contacted customer service at Ford Canada, this August and they said that this was a complaint that was new to them and that they would record the information, and obviously looking at this website, this is not the first. The service agent once again said that the car was no longer under warranty, so it could not be fixed by Ford. They basically brushed me off, saying that this was a new problem. If this is the kind of service that Ford Canada offers, I will probably look for a different vehicle in the future. What ever happened to "The Customer".

- Vern P., North Vancouver, BC, Canada

problem #86

Jun 262008

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

I spoke with my local Ford dealership that i purchased it from and they said that it is not a recall and it is my responsibility to fix it!!!! But i see on here many people are having this problem and i know of several of my friends that have the same problem!!!!

- Kenny K., Lakeland, FL, US

problem #85

Aug 092008

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

My husband and I saw what we thought was a scratch under the back window. We looked closer and the panel has cracked on each side of the Ford emblem on the back. From what I'm reading, this isn't something strange, but rather common. I'm going to contact Ford and see what happens.

- mbratcher, Kansas City, MO, US

problem #84

May 062007

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

replaced it once under warranty and it crack again and ford say it is out of warranty.I will never buy a ford again in my life.sorry I will buy a Japanese make car next

- Frederick Y., Lakewood, CA, US

problem #83

Jun 262008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

thought the crack was caused by the rear window being shut on groceries or something until I started counting the explorers with the same crack. counted 10 on our ride back to Atlanta from Myrtle Beach (6 hour ride). Almost every Explorer I see of the same year has an identical crack. Googled the problem and came up w/ this site... Haven't attempted to contact ford yet, don't expect a good outcome. I'm very disappointed.

- djonesga, Locust Grove, GA, US

problem #82

May 092008

Explorer Sport 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

Seriously! What is up with this crack below my window? I have a feeling it has something to do with how hard it is to get the window to latch. Sometimes you have to slam it pretty hard for the latch to catch. Maybe they should test these plastic parts in multiple weather conditions before installing them on the vehicles. We should all unite and have them fix the plastic part for free.

- Carrie S., Justin, TX, US

problem #81

Jun 272008

Explorer LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

From a friend I found this page and can not believe Ford has not recalled this cracked panel. It is obvious that it is defect in engineering. One would think think w/the way things are that they would want to fix the problem. This was my first Ford and could very well be my last.

- Tom Z., Golden, CO, US

problem #80

Feb 192008

Explorer XLT 4.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

I guess I made the same mistake like everyone else of buying a FORD EXPLORER. The newest problem is the rear panel cracked out of no where. That just adds to the other 5 or so problems this horrible vehicle has given me. I was a Ford guy too before I owned this Explorer.

- Greg V., Savannah, GA, US

problem #79

Mar 212008

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,437 miles

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

Same problem as everyone else, not much to add. This is a serious quality issue and should finally be addressed by Ford Motor Company.

- Hermann W., Glendale, CA, US

problem #78

May 112008

Explorer XLS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles

noticed the cracked tailgate, went for a run around the neighborhood..saw 4 more like it ..ford dealers said call customer service..cust. ser. said not yet a recall due to not enough complaints..then i went to this web site..are they kidding?

my last ford was the 2000 explorer "roll over edition"...in time all will have cracks, keep calling ford..if no help it will be my last ford

- Charles M., Lake Charles, LA, US

problem #77

Jun 032008

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I want to voice my complaint along with everyone else regarding the cracked rear panel and side window motor of my 2004 Explorer. I called Ford Customer Service to ask for a financial resolution before making an appt with my local Ford dealership. I was instructed to go to the dealership for a diagnosis and discuss financial assistance with them. If the dealership didn't come thru' Ford customer service would then offer some kind of assistance. The dealership wanted to charge me over $1200 to repair both problems. I told them about my conversation with customer service and was charged ONLY a $100 deductible. PLEASE, anyone with the same problem - talk to Ford Customer Service first!

- J G., Hayward, CA, US

problem #76

Sep 052007

Explorer XLT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

All of a sudden my back panel below the rear window split for no reason at all. I did not hit the panel or do any damage at all, it just split. I've had transmission problems, differential problems, electrical problems and radio problems with this piece of crap!!! Never again will I buy a FORD. I'll be watching for class action lawsuits and/or recalls on this turd of a vehicle.

- Wynn W., Jacksonville Beach, FL, US

problem #75

Mar 012008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

Bought the suv second hand, crack appeared shortly after. Have talked to numerous other '04 explorer owners, very common problem. Why isn't ford fixing this? Last ford I will ever own, I'll stick to jeeps, at least they stand behind their product.

- Trevor K., Moncks Corner, SC, US

problem #74

Apr 242008

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW - WENT TO DEALER - WAS TOLD THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN HOWEVER I HAD TO PAY 60.00 AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT A SAETY ISSUE. IF I HAD GONE IN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO COST- I ASKED WHY I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT- THEY SAID IT IS NT A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO TELL CONSUMER

ANOTHER FORD RIP OFF !!!

CAN YOU SPELL FOREIGN CARS

- Robert S., Pompano Beach, FL, US

problem #73

Jan 122008

Explorer Eddie B 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,400 miles

OK from the exchanges here it's obvious this is a severe design flaw and no one is getting satisfaction from Ford. I had decided to fix it myself and after reading the complaints here I'm glad I did. The part can be found on the internet for under $50. Buy some primer and a can of matching paing for at most $40 and you can fix it yourself. Pry off the Ford emblem from the old one and save it. Scrape off the old one without breaking the glass. Paint the new one. Glue on the new one. Before you put the emblem back on, buy some of the foam expanding stuff you spray in cracks to seal them. Drill a hole in the panel behind where the emblem will go. Squirt in a bunch of the foam expanding crack sealer stuff. The idea here is to fill the gap between the window and the panel so it can't flex every time you press on it to close the window. Hence no future cracks. Reinstall the emblem and your done for under $100. Oh, you might like the panel in flat black instead of a matching color. That will save you a few more bucks.

- Paul B., Pueblo West, CO, US

problem #72

May 282008

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,960 miles

I did not realize that I had a problem until today. I went to the local Ford dealer to find out what can be done and I am still waiting for a resolution. I suspect that I will have to pay for the fix myself, even though this appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. This will be the last explorer I purchase, I have had other problems with this vehicle, fortunately the former problems were covered under warranty. I have read in the other complaints that they all appear to be the same, a crack in the plastic under the rear hatch window, where the Ford logo is. Like many others, I garage my vehicle so being in the weather is not an issue.

- arknuke, Roscoe, MT, US

problem #71

May 212008

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,001 miles

I just noticed this problem. When I went to the dealer there was another car identical to mine with the same crack. My car is well taken care of and is in the garage most of the time, I even have it Auto butlered every six months to protect the paint, this problem is extremely annoying to say the least. I have been quoted $338.66 to fix it.

- Robbin J., San Diego, CA, US

problem #70

Jan 162008

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My family is a Ford family. We have always had Ford cars, but now...this is getting out of hand. The plastic under the back window cracked one day and Ford won't do anything about it (unless I pay) because it is not under warranty. I think this is crap because this not wear-and-tear, this is cheap product! This is my second explorer (the only vehicle I have ever driven) and it will be my last. I will NOT buy another Ford ever again.

- srnensky, Lubbock, TX, US

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