FaultScore

2004 Ford Explorer electrical problems

57 of the 1,647 complaints about the 2004 Ford Explorer are about the electrical system — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 51,000 miles.

A

57

Complaints

1

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 46 80.7%
Starter Assembly 3 5.3%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 3 5.3%
Ignition 2 3.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery 1 1.8%
Front Underhood 1 1.8%
Switch 1 1.8%

Electrical System across every Ford Explorer year

1991 62 2.7%
1992 53 2.3%
1993 49 2.1%
1994 86 3.8%
1995 58 2.5%
1996 47 2.1%
1997 86 3.8%
1998 120 5.2%
1999 93 4.1%
2000 79 3.5%
2001 29 1.3%
2002 151 6.6%
2003 54 2.4%
2004 57 2.5%
2005 37 1.6%
2006 39 1.7%
2007 25 1.1%
2008 39 1.7%
2010 12 0.5%
2011 95 4.2%
2012 63 2.8%
2013 163 7.1%
2014 101 4.4%
2015 90 3.9%
2016 128 5.6%
2017 94 4.1%
2018 59 2.6%
2019 21 0.9%
2020 185 8.1%
2021 41 1.8%
2022 38 1.7%
2023 13 0.6%
2025 21 0.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 50,000 miles Miller Place, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PLASTICE PARTS ARE DETERIORATING, DESOLVING IN FRONT INSIDE DRIVE SUN VISOR-LIGHTED VISOR BROKE OFF; CENTERL REAR A/C AND HEAT MOON ROOF LIGHT CONSOLE FALLS OFF-PLASTICE CLIPS DESOLVED AND WILL NOT FASTEN INTO ROOF ASSEMBLY, CAUSING BLOCKED EYESIGHT AND AT TIME ON RIGHT TURN HITTING HEAD OR EYES . THIS IS UNSAFE AND FORD MOTOR KNOWS OF COMPLAINST. PART ARE NOT AVAILBLE. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUE. THE MODEL WAS THE EDDIE BAUER TOP OF THE LINE $40,,835 CAR FMV $5000 ONLY 54000 MILES PRI LEVEL CODE 450240U74 SHIP WGT 4357

NHTSA complaint #11233554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blairsville, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALL FOUR SEALS WHERE LEAKING INCLUDING PINION SEALS. CLUNKING NOISE 40 TO 50MPH WHEN YOU LET GO OF THE GAS ,HOLDS BACK,HEATER GAUGE+MPH GAUGE DON'T WORK MOST.OF THE TIME.PAINT CHIPPING AWAY ALL OVER.REPLACED ALL SEALS 5 TIMES +YOKE CVHALF SHAFT. REPLACED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL STILL MAKING THE NOISE.POOR LIGHTING AT NIGHT.IT HAS A MISS FIRE GAVE IT A TUNEUP AND STILL IS DOING IT. RADIO VOLUME WON'T TURN DOWN IT GOES LOUDER WHEN TURNING DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11048123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Sioux Falls, SD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND AT A STANDSTILL. I COULD PULL THE ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE BUT WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. WHEN DRIVING IT MUST HAVE BEEN CONFUSING TO PEOPLE BEHIND ME THINKING I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACE AND FOUND THAT THERE WASN'T A REPLACEMENT SWITCH AVAILABLE AND A DIFFERENT ONE HD TO BE WIRED IN AT THE COST OF OVER $180.00.

NHTSA complaint #11046647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Milton, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE, BUT WHEN I DEEXCELLERATED USING THE THE STEERING WHEEL CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS DOWN TO A SPEED BELOW 40, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND POWER STEERING OFF, WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON THE STREET. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND CRANK UP AGAIN (WHICH ALMOST DIDN'T CRANK BACK UP), TO GET BACK RUNNING. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME USING MY CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE AND HAVE READ OTHER HORROR STORIES OF THEIR FORD EXPLORER SHUTTING OFF MID DRIVE DUE TO USING THE DECEL BUTTON DURING CRUISE CONTROL. MUST BE RECALLED FOR HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE SAFETY HAZARD IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10896480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,155 miles Chicago, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AFTER STARTING. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND ENGINE SERVICE WARNING LIGHTS LIT ON DASH. ENGINE WOULD NOT REV OVER 1000 RPM. HAD TO GET ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT A COST OF $875 PLUS $65 TOWING. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL FAILURE HAS BEEN COMMON FORDS GOING BACK TO 2002. FORD HAS REPLACED OVER 1.6 MILLION UNITS UNDER THEIR CONSUMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL. CALLED FORD, AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE #, HOWEVER, FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH PAYMENT. VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. 31,155 ACTUAL MILEAGE

NHTSA complaint #10873256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Waynesboro, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SUV SHUTS OFF, AT FULL SPEED!!! I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE, DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER MECHANICS..... IT IS AN ISSUE THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE! IT IS SO COMMON THAT MECHANICS KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BEFORE YOU FINISH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S ALSOI COMMON FOR INDIVIDUALS TO REPLACE MOTORS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES SHUT OFF ON THEM, AT FULL SPEED!!!. I AM AFRAID FOR MY CHILD'S SAFETY, AS WELL AS MY OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10745411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED 2 DAYS PREVIOUS BUT DID NOT YET MAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC. COMPUTER READING SUGGESTED A SENSOR PROBLEM. ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL SYSTEMS. ENGINE RESTARTED BUT NOW IDLES ROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10716949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Kennett Square, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 10:52 PM AND WITH NO WARNING THE ENTIRE TRUCK SHUT DOWN/OFF. ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT SHUT OFF, ENGINE SHUT OFF, NO POWER TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. COASTED TO A STOP, PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON - THE TRUCK STARTED RIGHT UP WITH OUT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10681433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Boca Raton, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GOOD MORNING, MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, 11:15PM, WHEN HORN STARTED TO CONTINUOUSLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. SMELT WIRES BURNING. I STARTED THE CAR AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE IT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND UPON DRIVING, I TAPPED THE HORN AND IT STOPPED. SMELL OF WIRES BURNING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YESTERDAY AM AND TODAY AM, ON THE WAY TO GO, AND I HIT THE HORN AND IT STOPPED. CAN THIS BE AIRBAG RELATED??? I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR, FEARING THE AIRBAG WILL OPEN OR A FIRE IS GOING TO START.

NHTSA complaint #10679926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,817 miles Hornell, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB AND WHEEL BEARING, THE REAR SPRINGS, THE THREE PASSENGER GEAR CALIPERS, FOUR REAR DRIVER SIDE CALIPERS, THE BATTERY, FIVE REAR BRAKE PADS, AND SIX REAR ROTORS PLUS AN OIL CHANGE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,817.

NHTSA complaint #10676692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Cedar Park, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR IS IN PARKING CONDITION AT WORK AND AFTER A LONG AWHILE IT WOULD NOT START EVEN THE FULL BATTERY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE LOTS OF CHECKS FOR ALL COMPONENT LIKE RELAYS, FUSES AND WIRING CONNECTION THEY ARE ALL FINE, IN GOOD CONDITION. BUT FINDING OUT THE STARTER RELAY HAD NO POWER, NO CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH IT. I BELIEF THAT THE FAULTY IS ( PCM UNIT ) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT BLOCKED A CURRENT FROM THE STARTER RELAY.

NHTSA complaint #10662584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Tucson, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD JUST REV. THE CARS BEHIND ME STARTED HONKING. I PUT IT IN THE LOWER GEARS AND FINALLY STARTED MOVING FORWARD AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE LOWER GEARS THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR WHILE IN TRAFFIC, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO 3 AND IT STARTED MOVING FORWARD AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR WILL JUST SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND STOP MOVING FORWARD. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,200, THIS IS AFTER I JUST HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWO MONTHS AGO AT A COST OF $1,800. FORD NEED TO DO A RECALL IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS IT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10643694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Fitchburg, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ANOTHER ALTERNATOR, EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE IS 100% FACTORY SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THAT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING HAS VANISHED. I CHECKED ALL THE BELTS MADE SURE EVERYTHING IS RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE CORRECT PLACE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEEMS TO BE PUMPING BUT NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10632465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Hedgesville, WV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT PROPERLY SPECIFY WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10587881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Columbus, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON THE BODY THE TAILGATE PANEL KEEPS CRACKING THIS MAKES MY TRUCK LOOK BAD COMPARED TO THE MONEY I PUT INTO IT. MY ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG IT IS NOT SHIFTING GEAR RIGHT. ON THE ELECTRICAL TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND IT ALSO KEEPS LEAKING WATER FROM SOMEWHERE. FORD NEEDS TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS FOR SELLING THESE PIECES OF JUNK. IT MAKES NO SENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10537794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Wheatley Heights, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #10537284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lomita, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CAR WON'T SHIFT IN TO GEAR ANY MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10503499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles Brookville, IN Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE BACK UP SENSOR FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #10460121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900,000 miles Mcdonough, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE - ROTATING SHIFT HANDLE MOUNT BROKE OFF- REQUIRED TOWING AND $1800 REPAIR COST. HAVE SEEN SIMILAR INSTANCES ON CONSUMER COMPLAINT BOARDS - FORD FAILS TO RECOGNIZE AS BEING A SAFETY MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10452057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,000 miles Paradise, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CRUISE CONTROL IS INTERMITTENT, SOMETIMES ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY ESPECIALLY WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF. SO FAR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP CAR, BUT IT IS A SCARY SITUATION. ALSO, REAR WARNING INDICATOR WORKS ONLY OCCASIONALLY. COULD RUN OVER OR INTO SOMEONE IF DEPENDING ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10439307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,000 miles Watertown, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ALL FOUR WINDOWS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000. (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT SHE COULD FILE A CLAIM AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #10428672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HELLO, I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER TRUCK WITH A CRACK ON THE BACK OF THE HATCH DOOR. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS CRACK CAME FROM. I CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY AREN'T WILLING TO HELP. I FIRST NOTICE THE CRACK ABOUT A YEAR AGO. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT IF THIS WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT A LOT OF THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE ALL HAVE A CRACK ON THE SAME PORTION OF THE TRUCK. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A FORD EXPLORER AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE CRACK ON THE BACK OF HER TRUCK CAME FROM EITHER. WE THINK THIS MAYBE A RECALL ISSUE. I JUST STARTED WRITING DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS OF THE VARIOUS EXPLORER TRUCKS I SEE WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR CRACK ON THE BACK HATCH. ALTHOUGH I ONLY HAVE SIX TAG NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, I KNOW THAT THEIR ARE MANY MORE TRUCKS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEEN MORE TRUCKS BUT AT THE TIME I WASN'T DOCUMENTING THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE HATCH WINDOW IN 2003 FOR THE FORD EXPLORER TRUCK. IN 2007, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2003 RECALL ON MY 2004 VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED MYSELF BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A RECALL REPORTED FOR 2004. ALTHOUGH IT WAS A YEAR LATER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ISSUE WASN'T RESOLVED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A BREAK LIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE HAS YOUR BREAK LIGHTS RANDOMLY COMING ON ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY AND CAUSES YOU TO HAVE TO GET THE BRAKE SWITCH FIXED AND A NEW BATTERY. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAD NO LUCK WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN RESOLVING THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10384649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Sterling Heights, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO AND WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED FOR A DURATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1-5 MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ALSO DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10382599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henrico, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2004 FORD EXPLORER WHICH WHILE DRIVING LAST YEAR I WAS TOLD THAT MY HUB ASSEMBLY ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE WAS BAD AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT. I REPLACED IT WITH A HUB ASSEMBLY FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS IN JAN 2010. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART AGAIN IN DEC 2010. I LOST BREAKS. I ALSO HAVE A HORRIBLE JERKING WHEN I AM BACKING UP FROM A TIGHT SPOT AND THE WHEELS ARE TURNED SHARPLY. MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED OR THE VEHICLE IS CRANKED UNLESS I TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON WHEN THE DOORS OPEN POSITION. I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE REVIEWED TWICE IN THE PAST. I HAVE HAD THE JERKING LOOKED AT WITH NO REASON GIVEN MORE THAN ONCE. I HAD MY VEHICLE INSPECTED ON NOV 30TH AND NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE TERRIBLE CONDITION THE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS IN NOR THE BEARINGS THAT A MOBILE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WERE TERRIBLY WORN. I AM REPLACING THEM SOON. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FORD MUST KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP THE CONSUMER IN FIXING SINCE MOST FORD BUYERS ARE DIEHARD FORD OWNERS LIKE MYSELF.

NHTSA complaint #10370674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Johnstown, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2004 FORD EXPLORER ANOTHER BAD TRANSMISSION ! 3000.00 REBUILD OVER DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING , INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON , WINDOWS DON'T GO DOWN, DOOR OPEN LIGHTS ON DASH ARE ON .. SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF THESE COMPLAINTS I BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET ! FORD HAD TO HAVE SOME FAULT IN ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ????

NHTSA complaint #10335864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,820 miles NEW Castle, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR HAD FAILED. THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,820.

NHTSA complaint #10332462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Florence, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* 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.

NHTSA complaint #10291050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Richmond, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2004 FORD EXPLORER XLS, 41,000 MILES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF, LOOSING POWER FOR THE BRAKES AND STEERING. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING AT A STOPLIGHT, OR EVEN DECELERATING OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR OF FIVE TIMES AND I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY EACH TIME TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER, PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART IT. THE CAR HAS NO TROUBLE STARTING BACK UP. I'VE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE 2004 FORD EXPLORER CAN BE VERY UNSAFE IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF FAILURE. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #10266188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Bumpass, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS AT ANY SPEED AND THEN STALLS. THE VEHICLE MUST BE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO RESTART. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC IS NOT PROVIDING A PROPER DTC ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE COMPUTER INDICATED WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT ALL REPAIRS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 2/23/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST POWER ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/25/09.

NHTSA complaint #10256466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Santa Rosa, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. IN 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY FLASHED AND LOST POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED A HOSE, WHICH CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS. ON NOVEMBER 2, 2008, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #10247882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 2004 Ford Explorer report