Print this page

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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,906 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 8 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #68

Jan 182010

Explorer

  • 81,000 miles

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

My 2004 Ford Explorer back hatch has a big crack on the left side of the Ford emblem. This happened overnight with the weather change. I have researched the internet to see thousands od similar stories with the same issue.

- Hickory Creek, TX, USA

problem #67

Oct 272009

Explorer

  • 86,000 miles
The rear panel under the back window of my 2004 Ford Explorer is crack, there were no events leading to this failure, like so many others it just cracked.

- Maynardville, TN, USA

problem #66

Jan 102010

Explorer

  • miles
A crack on my 2004 Explorer under the back window. There are 1000's of others on the road also have see all the complaints on the internet. This has to be recalled before the back window falls out.

- Centerville, IA, USA

problem #65

Jan 032009

Explorer

  • 66,452 miles

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

My back gate to my 2004 Ford Explorer has cracked and I have read where this is a severe problem as my window could fall out. This is a very serious problem and by reading online there are hundreds of thousands of these that have done this. Which means there needs to be a recall.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #64

Aug 142007

Explorer

  • miles
Months after purchasing this car the rear lift gate panel cracked due poor design.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #63

Dec 232009

Explorer

  • 60,456 miles
2004 Ford Explorer XLT V6 rear panel under window on tailgate cracking and falling off also transmission failure at 60,000 miles was outraged by Ford when they stated that after the car leaves the factory its not their problem.

- Depew, NY, USA

problem #62

Feb 102008

Explorer

  • 75,000 miles

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

A crack formed below the rear glass panel on our 2004 Ford Explorer. The crack formed due to a flaw in the rear door panel. I have noticed the same crack on the same spot on either side of the Ford emblem on nearly 80% of the Ford Explorer's we see on the highway 's in the atlanta area.

- Locust Grove, GA, USA

problem #61

Aug 182009

Explorer

  • 74,636 miles
2004 Explorer/eddie bauer - the plastic trim below the rear widow cracked. As stated in many of the other complaints, the Ford dealer says there is nothing they can do, it's a Ford problem. Current mileage is 76,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #60

Dec 082009

Explorer

  • 56,000 miles
Cracks appeared below the rear window of my Ford Explorer. There was no accident.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #59

Dec 052009

Explorer

  • 88,000 miles
2005 Ford Explorer has a crack in the rear hatch. Our friends had the same issue and the rear window eventually shattered while they were driving. This seems to be dangerous but Ford has not issued a recall.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #58

Nov 272009

Explorer

  • 61,000 miles

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

Cracked tailgate panel where "Ford" emblem is. Cracked while vehicle was sitting in driveway. Have noticed a lot of other Explorer with same cracks. I believe it's defective materials being used and Ford should take care of the problem.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #57

Nov 172009

Explorer

  • 77,460 miles
My 2004 Ford Explorer XLT has a crack in the tailgate/back hatch. It starts under the window seal and continues down to the hatch lever. I'm afraid the glass will become compromised due to the defect in craftmanship. I was on another forum where 387 complaints for the same issue. www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml I don't have the money to pay for poor craftmanship issues. I feel as if Ford should rectify the situation immediately at no cost to it's customers.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #56

Jan 312008

Explorer

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. When he activated the cruise control while driving, it deactivated itself without warning. He had to restart the vehicle to re-set the error code. The failure occurred intermittently, and mostly on the interstate. Also when he would turn on the turn signals, the automatic warning system would make an alarm noise and blink until the turn signal would cut off. The automatic transmission appeared to lose fluid, when he shifted into reverse. He heard a roaring noise near the tire area. He was told by the dealer that the hubs needed to be replaced. Lastly, the aesthetic piece on the lower half of the hatch-back had cracked and separated from the vehicle. He took the vehicle back to the dealership and was advised that there was an electrical failure. No repairs were made. The manufacturer referred him to NHTSA. The current mileage was approximately 68,000. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #55

May 132009

Explorer

  • 55,000 miles
Rear panel of the 2004 Ford Explorer is cracked, we are afraid to open and close with the possibility that the window will fall out and possible hurt some one.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #54

Mar 012009

Explorer

  • 87,000 miles
Liftgate glass applique cracked.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #53

Jul 082009

Explorer

  • 145,000 miles
I noticed my 2004 Ford Explorer has developed a vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the rear window left of the Ford emblem. I took it to the dealership and they recognized it as a common problem with the 2004 Explorer and also warned me the hinges on the rear glass fail often as was the case on my vehicle. Service tech stated there was no recall as yet and I got to pay for the new hinges and holding off on the crack thinking Ford made do the right thing and repair the fault.

- Paradise Valley, AZ, USA

problem #52

Jul 282009

Explorer

  • 76,000 miles
The panel below my rear window has cracked on my 2004 Ford Explorer. I did not drive it that day, so I know I was not hit, or the door was not slammed.

- West Salem, OH, USA

problem #51

Jul 022009

Explorer

  • 72,000 miles
My 2004 Ford Explorer has a crack in the rear hatch. It appeared out of nowhere. It was not preceded by an accident or anything. Upon talking to a friend whose car has the same problem, I researched this problem on the internet and found that it happens a lot.

- Aston, PA, USA

problem #50

Mar 102009

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles
Paint on roof of vehicle is chipping and body is rusting.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #49

Feb 012009

Explorer

  • miles
2004 Ford Explorer; rear panel below window cracked.

- Davie, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?