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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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$560
Average Mileage:
121,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. rebuild brake (1 reports)
2004 Ford Explorer brakes problems

brakes problem

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2004 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #1

Feb 172012

Explorer XLT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

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

When washing the car I noticed a lot of steam coming off the front passenger side brake rotor. I took it in and found out one of the pistons was stuck in the brake position. I've owned this car about 3 years and am still making payments and I've already replaced the transmission once at this point and now this.

- tnthorne, Denver, CO, US

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