Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford expedition. While parked in the drive-way, she turned on the ignition, and then shifted the vehicle into drive. The vehicle accelerated out of the drive-way for 50 feet, without intention. The vehicle ran over a large roadway curb, and came to a complete stop at the neighbor's property. A police report was filed. The driver sustained no personal injury. The insurance company was notified of the malfunction. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.
2004 Ford Explorer acceleration complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal would stick and cause the vehicle to lurch forward and sometimes stall. A technician stated that the throttle sensor assembly was the cause of the failure. He further stated that there were only four parts in the united states that were available for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 75,200. Updated 0/01/09 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle has since been repaired, however it took a total of 7 weeks, due to issues with parts. Also the vehicle would stall at times. Updated 09/09/09
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine failed when the speed control switch was activated. The failure occurred without warning whenever the speed control selector was activated. The engine was able to be restarted and resume normal operation. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the recall. The federal safety agency campaign id number could not be found online. The failure mileage was 73,000 and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 04/15/09. *lj updated 04/16/09.
When you engage cruise control it shuts down the engine.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. When the contact started the ignition and depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle unexpectedly lunged forward. The failure occurs whenever the gear shifter is in the drive or reverse positions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 50,000.
On december 17, 2008 at around 6:50 a.m., I was driving my wife to work. We live in a quiet village type residential area. After two minutes or so after I pulled out of our driveway, my 2004 ford explorer suddenly accelerated at a very high speed, without my stepping on the gas pedal. I estimate the vehicle reached 45 MPH or more in a very short span of time, and apparently increasing. The vehicle speed was out of my control for 3 seconds or more, despite my foot being away from the accelerator. At first I thought I was skidding on black ice, but I realized this couldn't be because the engine was increasingly roaring and getting louder as I gained speed. It reminded me of the sensation when cruise control picks up speed on the freeway. Besides, I wasn't losing control of the steering wheel. It felt like my gas pedal was not only stuck, but was being pressed even further more. When I realized I wasn't skidding, I quickly applied the brakes and vehicle slowed down. Good thing, the street was deserted. The most significant memory was the sudden roaring of the engine and the rapid acceleration despite my foot being off the gas pedal. The temperature outside was 38f, with a slight drizzle.
Details: on going problem with throttle control, when you are stopped or just starting out and give gas it dose not start to go so you give it a little bit more gas and then it will jump forward or backward( if you are backing up) to appoint that it will some times squeal the tires. The transmission also would shift so hard it feels like you are hit from behind. In for repair at sellers sexton ford, st robert mo.
I have a 2004 explorer limited and just turned 14,000 miles and my ABS light comes on every time I start the car and accelerate. Also the cruise stopped working. From what I have read it sounds like the ABS module which ford has apparently been aware off. Not happy!! I would not expect this sort of problem with only 14,000 miles.
Of the numerous issues with this vehicle, the worst is the transmission (40,000 miles ). Same old story. Started with clunking and hesitation and surging when shifting into reverse and now is 'clunking' into gears 2 and 3 during normal driving. The rear drivers side window motor has been replaced twice. The rear window panel has a vertical crack to the left of the ford symbol that just mysteriously occurred even though we don't even use the window. The truck stalls when the cruise control is applied below 45 miles an hour. My wife and I really loved this truck but like many others we have become embarrassed by our purchase. If this kind of fraud were to occur with any other product we would have some sort of recourse but not surprisingly the motor company's seem to enjoy a certain level of protection. The 'better business bureau' won't even listen to car complaints. Given the severe and ubiquitous nature of the complaints about this vehicle it comes as no surprise that no remediations is forth coming from this organization, the manufacturer or any other. The cost of these vehicles is a burden to say the least and is financially devastating to those of us who purchased them in good faith only to have a 30,000 dollar vehicle become useless and dangerous before reaching 50000 miles. Like all the other 'victims' of fraud, I am wasting yet more of my time by complaining about it.
I have discovered that my 2004 ford limited v8 cruise control can kill the engine while the car is in motion. I have been using the coast button on my cruise control to reduce speed as I approach a speed sign lower than my existing speed. If I hold the button as the car slows to a speed below 35mph (approximate) the engine quits leaving me with no power steering or vacuum braking. I've tried it several time and the fault is consistent. Whenever the car slows to below the minimum cruise control the device should disengage, not stall the engine. I think this is a serious issue and owners should be aware of it.
When driving the vehicle will properly engage the cruise control. If you press the accelerate or decelerate buttons the engine will shut off while the vehicle is still moving. This occurs every time the cruise control system is used. The vehicle becomes very difficult to control and stop when the engine shuts off as the vehicle is moving. I have stopped using the cruise control as I am afraid for the safety of my family. I have not repaired this problem as I thought it was a ford defect and subsequently used your website to search for recalls. No recalls or current investigations are currently listed regarding this problem. Please investigate this issue so that ford may repair it.
I own a 2004 ford explorer xlt. When I attempt to use my cruise control around 30 -35 MPH my vehicle turns off and all the gauges turn on. The first time it occurred I was on a curve going about 32 MPH and I nearly ran head on to the car in the only lane because you loose power steering and it gets difficult. Everytime I have to pull over and turn the vehicle back on. It only happens at this speeds and driving on a military post where the speed limit is 30mph can be dangerous.
Parked car outside garage @ 23:00 hours. Approx. 01:15 am neighbors were banging on our windows to wake us up saying our car and house were on fire.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The cruise control switch was disconnected on october 16, 2007 under recall number 05s28. The dealer stated that the part may not be available until march of 2008. The contact felt that this was an unreasonable amount of time for the repair. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 74,000.
2004 ford explorer limited-owned SUV for 38k been in shop repeatedly-from minor to major things. Suv is a $ 34,000 turd. Currently needing to go back to shop for multiple repairs. The day our warranty expires car is gone.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. She depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle started and began to vibrate. She then placed the vehicle in reverse and heard a loud clunking noise. She smelled a strong gas odor inside the passenger compartment. The contact looked in her rearview mirror and noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the exhaust system. She parked the vehicle and had it towed. She then noticed that all of the radiator fluid leaked out. The mechanic stated that the valve failed and damaged the entire engine. The mechanic also stated that the engine needed to be replaced and appeared to be a manufacturer defect. The current and failure mileages were 63,000. The consumer also stated had problems prior to incident with sun visor falling off, gear shaft would not shift into park, engine sluggish, and while using cruise control vehicle would just shut off. Updated 10/22/07
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle shut off completely. The contact was able to pull off the road and restart the vehicle. The vehicle has not been to the dealer. The current mileage was 33,300 and failure mileage was 32,900.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 30-40 MPH, the engine stalls and the brakes fail without warning. The dealer suggested that the throttle body could be the cause of failure. The contact stated that whenever the coast button is pressed, the engine shuts down completely. The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 82,000 and failure mileage was 81,000.
The vehicle is a 2004 ford explorer. When I set the cruise control at certain speeds it sometimes shuts the engine off. Ford has done nothing to correct the problem. They tell me that they cannot duplicate the problem. I have taken three of their technicians in the car with me and shown them that it shuts the engine off. However, they say they don't know what causes it. Even though this problem has existed since the first day I owned the ca, they now want me to pay to diagnose and fix it.
Auto-transmission hesitates when put into reverse then lunges once transmission is engaged. When shifting from reverse to drive there is a loud clunking sound. Automatic transmission shifts hard sometimes while in drive. Ford service said they could not reproduce and found no problem. This began happening at about 15,000 miles. Vehicle now has almost 36,000 miles and problem has gotten much worse. Engine dies when traveling low speeds and using the cruise control. Each time I try to use the cruise control when traveling 40 MPH or less the engine dies. This creates a very dangerous situation when your driving along then suddenly you lose power to the steering and brakes because the engine has died! The seats are also problematic. The 2 back seats fold down. Both of the release mechanisms have been replaced and one needs to be replaced again. Both handles have broken off twice. The leather on the drivers seat has cracked and worn prematurely. The lumbar support knob on the drivers seat fell off but I didn't notice when it happened so it was lost and ford will not replace it without the defective part. Also the handle that is used to adjust the back of the seat has fallen off. I am a 53 year old women and 98% I am the only one using this vehicle. I do not routinely haul kids or other cargo around in this vehicle so you would think the seats would be holding up much better.
Dt*: the contact stated intermittently the vehicle stalls while releasing the accelerator pedal at 20-4 0mph. No warning lights have illuminated. After stalling the vehicle will restart, surge and stall again. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership four times. The last visit to the dealership the element, filter, complete module engine, the key was reprogrammed and the cool return was replaced. The next time the vehicle was driven after the repairs were performed the vehicle stalled while crossing a rail road track. The vehicle has stalled a total of five times. It was towed to the dealership four of the five times. The manufacturer has been alerted. The fuel pump was replaced. Updated 05/02/06.
2004 explorer has stalled several times without any warning. Restarts fine. Seems to be with cruise on and going down hill at speeds between 30 and 40. Has been to dealership 3 times and they say they can't duplicate. Have called ford they say take to dealershp. See several of same complaints on your site. Very dangerous. Has happened numerous times don't know what to put for incident date.
Dt: the consumer stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated while coming to a stop. The consumer was pulling into the garage with her foot on the brake. The tires started squealing and spinning. The vehicle then had gone out of control and lunged forward. The vehicle proceeded to go through a set of cabinets and pinned the consumers husband between a wall and the vehicle. The vehicle suffered major damage and was not drivable. The consumers husband sustained major injuries and spent a week in the trauma unit. The accident had been investigated by the police department. Pictures and other documentation are available. There was other property damage. *ak (12/08/05)
Dt: the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. She brought the vehicle to the dealership six times since 8-23-05. The car stalled at 40 MPH or less. The dealership replaced the computer chip and an air filter piece. It still stalled. The dealership could not duplicate the problem. The first incident occurred on 8-19-05. There were no lights that come on prior to stalling. The rpms dropped dramatically before this happened. This did happen only when she took foot off of the accelerator. She did not qualify for the lemon law because of the mileage on the car, 25,500 miles. The miles the first time this happened the mileage was 23,800. She spoke to the manufacturer , and said they were not sympathetic.
2004 ford explorer experiencing problems with acceleration. *mr the throttle response surges at low speeds. Ford issued actions to be taken to reflash the accelerator control but it did not fix the problem. This was a dangerous surge that accelerates 3-5 MPH from speeds between 10 to 15 MPH with a dead spot proceeding the surge. *sc
While driving vehicle suddenly started accelerating uncontrollably. Driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Vehicle continued to accelerate excessively. While making a right turn driver hit the curb and flipped four times landing upside down in a ditch. Driver and passenger sustained injuries, and were transported by an ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.
While driving 70 MPH check engine light came on, then, moments later the engine revved up and down, and the brakes failed, not allowing the vehicle to stop. Dealer stated the vehicle jumped timing.
Vehicle was parked in a parking garage and the attendant saw smoke coming from the roof of the vehicle, and it automatically burned while parked.
When using the cruise control engine stalled. Consumer contacted the dealership and the manufacturer, and was told that they were aware of the defect. However, they were unable to correct the defect.
While stopped at an intersection our 2003 ford explorer accelerated without touching the accelerator pedal. If the brake hadn't been firmly pressed the vehicle would have shot into the oncoming traffic. In order to temporarily correct the problem, the transmission was shifted into park and then back to drive where we were able to accelerate normally. Dealer cannot reproduce problem and suggested a computer software upgrade.
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