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 have owned 3 explorers, and have passed them on to other family members.
I have always felt good knowing that they were in good working condition and
the body had been taken care of. I was looking forward to giving my 2004 explorer to my son this year for his birthday.I came home from a trip, and my wife said, what did you do to the car. I looked and there was a crack on the back panel around the
ford logo on the tailgate. I went to the local dealership and I got know where. They
said that it looked like it had been hit, or been slammed shut to hard. They quoted
$450.00 to fix it. I shopped around to other autobody places, they then told me this
wasn't the only one of these they had seen in recent months. I too started to
notice, I wasn't the only explorer out there with a (CRACK). I called
Ford, and got the same run around. They know there is a problem. I would
like to see them set up to the plate and fix the problem. I even noticed a explorer
on the way to work for sell with a (CRACK) I called the # and told them to complain
also.
This just happened and I haven't had a chance to fix it yet, but it already is a pain in the ass. By they way....pain in the ass (a 5 rating) sounds much worse than really awful (a 5 rating).
The crack is deep. I imagine I got it from using my rear window defrost on a cold, cold day. But that's how you get frost off the window. Frost usually happens on cold days. If this problem is due to a design flaw (which it is) Ford should fix it.
I guess I'll just trade it in for a Saturn Outlook. Better quality.
I just found this yesterday. I'd never heard of the body of a car just cracking, but clearly from this it's a common problem. I'm going to point it out to the dealer, but don't expect any help. The crack goes from the window past the logo all the way down, with a second smaller crack from the window to the first crack in a sort of y. I've had other annoying problems with my 2004 Explorer (gas gauge not resetting, sun visors had to be replaced because little plastic part holding it in breaks). My service guy at the dealership acknowledges some shoddy manufacturing. I think I've bought my last American car. That's really sad.
Everytime I see an Explorer on the road I take a moment to check if my problem exists with their vehicle. I've noticed over 20 such instances. Ford Quality one....I don't think so.
Just wanted to update everyone on my Explorer. Ford Dealership in San Antonio is going to fix the crack on the back window of my Explorer. They are going to to pay 80% and I'm going to pay 20%. My costs is only $100.00. I'm happy that they are going to fix this problem. Now that they are working with me, I'll buy another car from Ford.
Belinda S.
Lakehills, Texas
- Belinda S.,
Lakehills, TX, US
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I don't know if I feel better or worse now that I know so many people have the same problems with their Explorer as I do, namely the cracked lift gate! (But also includes the hard shifting and unreliable window motors) I have noticed the newer models have an all-glass lift gate now. So, Ford fixed the problem, but too late for us.
I noticed when I was returning to my car from shopping that the rear panel below the window was cracked. I looked to make sure that nothing hit me as I was in a parking lot and never noticed it before but found no dents/dings around the crack. I have not called the dealership as I am out of warranty and have decided if I do get it fixed I will be taking it to a local bodyshop to hopefully get a better deal. I am completely fed up with Ford as this is not the first problem I have had with this vehicle which was brought brand new.I am and have vowed my next SUV purchase will be a Toyota.
My tail gate cracked yesterday. It was fine when I went into a store, came out, and it was cracked. It was the coldest weather we have had in Tampa a very long time but that is no excuse. My husband has a 2002 Explorer and this tail gate cracked months ago. Mine has an extended warranty but they are saying it is not covered. Obviously this is a known defect and Ford should be covering the cost.
I have a 2004 Ford Explorer that has a cracked panel in the back. It starts at the window and goes around the ford emblem. I am not exactly sure when it happened but we had a day of cold weather and it was right about that time I noticed it. I have called the dealership and they told me it would be around $300.00 to fix it. I called Ford to see if they would fix it since this is a defect with their vehicles. They said they talk to the dealership that I bought it from and they have said they would give me a 20% discount how thoughtful of them!! I have seen other Explorers around town with the exact same crack. I called the State of Florida and they said their is nothing they can do either. Please let me know if anyone has any more information. I am going to check into this further.
We have an extended warranty and Ford is saying they do not cover this. The strip that is cracked under the rear window is plastic and it cracked under the heat of course. We are going to file as many complaints necessary until Ford fixes it. It's not like it's a $100 fix. They charge $850 to replace this stupid piece. Can somebody help me. There have been so many complaints about this same problem on all the new Ford Explorers.
Closed the rear hatch one day and noticed the rear panel was cracked. The crack has gotten alot wider over time. Ford says it's not their problem and that the rear hatch must have been damaged due to contact with something. Wrong!!!!!!!!!
I'm so upset with Ford Motor Company. I have the same problem with the crack down the middle from the window through the Ford emblem where it opens. I noticed the
crack one morning as I was leaving for work. I took it the Red McCombs Dealership in San Antonio, and was told I had to pay for it. The service department said there were two to three other complaints about this same problem. It's about a quarter of an inch crack, and about 12 to 14 inches long. I was told by a service representative over the phone, that the whole panel was made out of plastic.
Something needs to be done about this. I'll never buy another Ford automobile again.
This is a defect and Ford should replace it, at no charge to the customer.
The rear panel under the rear glass just cracked in the middle for no reason. I asked the dealership if this was uncommon and his reply was no, that he'd seen this many times for no reason. If Ford knows that they have a deficiency in their product then they should cover that item.
Ford told us this happens all the time, but does no real harm. What sort of company has body panels that crack all the time, and does nothing about it? A company I'll never do business with again...and we were about to buy a Ford F-250.
Mine is the same as everyone else I just haven't called my dealer yet.I am an employee at ford motor co. I really hope they make me happy and fix this pos
I am absolutely pissed off at Ford Mo. for the way they are handling this issue. Obviously this issue is not small as it ranges from 2000 to 2004 at least! The dealer doesn't want to deal with me and the corp. office keeps saying they will do what they can after I pay for a review of the vehicle BUT they know they will not be able to cover all the expenses. I have been Ford through and through since my first vehicle, but not it is time to go Toyota or GMC all the way. I use to tell everyone how I wouldn't own anything other than a F150, Mustang, or Explorer but the customer service of Ford has ruined my love for their vehicles.
This is about a 1/8th inch crack from right under the hatchback glass that goes around the Ford emblem and then continues down to the hatchback handle. A huge eye sore and even bigger loss on my part when I trade it in for a GMC!
As all the others, just noticed a crack on the rear lift window on my Explorer. Have not had any problems until now. Went to the service dept and was told this has happened to others but since it is not a "safety issue", Ford has not issued a recall. This is clearly a design defect, and I should not and will not agree to pay to have it replaced. If Ford won't replace it, then this will be the last Ford product I ever buy.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have owned 3 explorers, and have passed them on to other family members. I have always felt good knowing that they were in good working condition and the body had been taken care of. I was looking forward to giving my 2004 explorer to my son this year for his birthday.I came home from a trip, and my wife said, what did you do to the car. I looked and there was a crack on the back panel around the ford logo on the tailgate. I went to the local dealership and I got know where. They said that it looked like it had been hit, or been slammed shut to hard. They quoted $450.00 to fix it. I shopped around to other autobody places, they then told me this wasn't the only one of these they had seen in recent months. I too started to notice, I wasn't the only explorer out there with a (CRACK). I called Ford, and got the same run around. They know there is a problem. I would like to see them set up to the plate and fix the problem. I even noticed a explorer on the way to work for sell with a (CRACK) I called the # and told them to complain also.
- Daniel B., Layton, UT, US