I have a 2004 ford explorer. Last year at 38,000 miles, the key locked in the ignition and I have been unable to get it out. Portsmouth ford n.h. Says too bad: it is out of warranty and it will cost me $400 to get it out. Today I have 56,000 miles on my explorer and the key is still in the ignition. It is a pain. I was hoping for a recall. Have you heard of this problem?
2004 Ford Explorer electrical complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 55 of 55, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Without warning, my 2004 ford explorer turns off while I am driving. The lights on the dash flash (check charging system on message center) then I lose the power steering when the engine cuts off. Each time I have been able to pull over safely and start the vehicle again. It has happened 5 times in the last 5 months. The dealership checked for codes after the fact but there were none (possibly because the battery gauge spiked during the incident). Then the dealership replaced the alternator, only for this to happen again 2 times after that. Yesterday the dealership installed a dvr recording device. Clearly, this is very dangerous.
2004 explorer has stalled two 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 and they say they can't duplicate. See several of same complaints on your site. Very dangerous. Has happened numerous times don't know what to put for incident date.
Transmission slamming into reverse / drive, took to dealership, solenoid pack replaced 6 months ago, started having same problems and now this time also, rpms shoot up to 7 when accelerating. Took back to dealer, said they had to replace the solenoid pack again. Won't honor warranty after the $800.00 problem was just fixed! Also, have serious suspension problems! Front sway bar bushings, rear shocks (leaking), replace front lower ball joints.
Dt*:the contact stated that the battery on the vehicle ran out due to the driver leaving the lights on overnight. However, when the vehicle was given a jump-start, all the dashboard lights came on, but the motor did not start. The battery was replaced with a semi-used battery, and the vehicle still did not start. No mechanic was consulted.
The issue I am encountering with my ford 2004 is on several occasion while driving the fail safe indicator came on and shuts the entire vehicle down. Well after these incidents I decided to report the matter to one off the dealer''s, after a week of holding on to it the report came back that they could fine nothing wrong with the vehicle and there is nothing that they can do to help. Well after shutting down in the middle of the road while driving, something is definitely wrong.
Within three days of buying the vehicle, I encountered problems with remote, sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. Driver's rear window , sometimes it would work and other times, it wouldn't. I took it back to dealer three times for same things. Rear end makes a very loud whining noise. It has been to dealer's three times also for fixing. Dealer states that there is nothing they can do and all of them are doing it. Vehicle, while in gear, would jump/jerk. Dealer replaced solenoid, it still does it sometimes.
There have been several issues with my 2004 ford explorer. 1st) my transmission has been making a clunk or thud sound almost everytime. The dealership replaced the solenoid assembly. I still feel some of the same symptoms when reversing and slowing down. 2nd) my explorer now fails to start. I drove to pick up some friends. I drove a maximum of 40 miles that day before I went to his house. After 30 min I came outside and tried to start my vehicle but it would not even turn over. There is enough power, the battery has a green light, and the fuse is good. I used to be a loyal ford man but after these problems I am seriously thinking of trading this vehicle in for a different brown.
When driving on cruise control and decreasing speed to around 25 MPH using the cruise control features, the vehicle will stall while in drive, locking up the steering wheel and making it difficult to control the vehicle. Remedies used were placing the vehicle in park after coasting to a stop and applying the brakes and turning the ignition to the off position and restarting the vehicle. We are able to replicate this issue.
Vehicle has been in repair shop three times for not starting. The starter was replaced. Then, second time, a computer chip was replaced. Dealer has the vehicle after being towed, and the defect could not be found.
Since new, I have intermittent hard start issues with the vehicle. On about 7 occasions, the dealer was notified and they simply told me since it started that there was nothing they could do since there wasn't a light on the dash did not come on. Therefore there would not be any codes. Finally at 10,345 miles, the car broke down. They replaced the throttle position sensor. The kept getting about 4 or 5 codes and they were unable to clear them. Replaced the ECM and reprogrammed. I still have the intermittent hard start issue which is intermittent. The ECM has been updated 3 times. I also have an issue with the tire pressure indicator light flashing for about 20 seconds after start up, they claim, unable to duplicate. I also had a exhaust gasket replaced as there was an annoying noise that would go on and on while the vehicle was left running while in park. Lastly - transmission issues. The vehicle has poor shift quality. It likes to hang up and hesitate in 3d gear, you will be running 55-60 and go to pass another vehicle and doesn't want to shift until it hits 80-85mph and by then you are at 6 on the tachometer.they have replaced the solenoid body and the hydraulic pump and the car still is not fixed. It also likes to hesitate when accelerating from a stop sign or stop light. It is currently in the shop as we speak. I purchased the vehicle new in november of 2003 and the current mileage is 12,850.
Complete failure of the gauge pod, radio, interior lights, power windows at 2,300 miles. No speedometer, odometer, tach, fuel gauge, temp, oil, battery, radio (nothing in the dashboard functions except the airbag light). *ak ford dealer in allentown pa was very rude and went out of their way to not work in a timely manner and keep us in the dark. Drove vehicle to texas (with no gauges) to dealership where purchased. At the shop right now. Transmission also hesitates excessively between shifts.
The consumer experienced a problem with the cruise control. The consumer would set the cruise control and then it will shut down by itself. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who as of today, was unable to find a defect. *jb the failure resulted in a life threatening situation when the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 100 MPH on it's own while hitting the resume button in cruise control. The vehicle had been in to the dealer for the repair of the braking and tire pressure gauges, throttle control, transmission slippage, cruise control, traction control default, general computer defaults and the rear trim piece at the liftgate opening was distorted.
While driving at approximately 20 MPH other vehicles were pointing at consumer's vehicle, indicating that the vehicle was on fire. Smoke was coming from the hood, the base of the chassis, the vents, and from the tire hub. The hub caps melted. The fire also disinterested the brakes. Vehicle had to be stopped by the use of the emergency brake. Consumer took the vehicle to a ford dealership, who advised the consumer to take it to the dealership where it was purchased. This dealership provided no assistance. Consumer refused to drive the vehicle to the other dealership because of the condition of the vehicle, which was currently under warranty. Dealer stated that the cause of the fire was undetermined.
Problems with the starter and wheels not returning to center position after making a turn. (nar) *ph *cb there was a possibility that the wrong type of sway bar had been installed on the vehicle at the factory. The power steering unit was the problem. The problem still existed. The steering wheel did not return to the center after turning, especially when turned to the right. The consumer would have to physically bring the vehicle back to the center, or it would continue running of the road. *sc
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