I purchased a 2004 ford explorer in july 0f 2011, and traded in my 2001 oldsmobile of 5 years. I also purchased the 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. Before driving it off the lot I had the dealer fix the ABS system because the light was on. There is a crack going down the back of the trunk but nothing else was wrong at the time so I left the crack alone. In april of 2012 I took it to the dealership for a belt, check trans, shocks, ball joints, and a ticking in the heater when knob was turned to heat (not cool). I told him to just fix what was on the warranty and also give it a oil change. He informed me that the trans was fine. After getting the car back my heat went out and I was told by a mechanic buddy that my brakes, rotters, emergency brake pads and the back tires were shot. So I had him replaced them because this was also not covered on warranty. Just last week my RPM started jumping with miles over 65.(no lights were on at the time)so I took it to 6 different places getting estimates on what could be wrong. All shops said the same thing. "start with fuel filter, oil filters and oil change". The day after I paid for all this the service engine light came on. (egr valve code) the man at auto zone told me to take it off and clean it with spray and let it dry before replacing. I took it to a shop and had them do this. The same day I picked up the car my service engine light came on again, o/d light and the car was driving like I was hauling a bus and jumping. I took it back the next day and he replaced the egr valve new since the same code was showing up. Later that day after getting it back the car started doing the same thing after driving for 5 miles this was friday 9/21/12.
2004 Ford Explorer engine complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 114, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Transmission shifts very hard so bad that it jerks me and my children's heads forward when it happens. This occurs the worst when going into reverse and into 2nd and 3rd gears. Brakes lock up/stick after being pressed for 3 seconds.
I had just purchased this vehicle to tow with. I was driving in the country with the cruise control on and set at about 45mph. All of a sudden I realized I the vehicle had turned itself off. No power steering, no brakes nothing. It did start right back up after getting off the road. Later in the day returning home it did the same exact thing at 50mph with cruise engaged. I talked with ford shop and they say it is a known problem with no known fix. This is very dangerous.
Transmission is slipping, not fully gone yet, only a matter of time before it completely goes. I do not have the $2500.00 to replace the transmission. Every person I have talked to say this is a common problem with the ford explorers. I have taken into the garage over 10 times. Ford should be forced to recall these transmissions and ford should have to pay for it.
2004 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to crankshaft pulley failure *tgw the consumer stated he was unable to move the vehicle from the road and had it towed to a repair shop, but was unable to make the repairs, due to other damage to one of the components. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where they informed the consumer the crankshaft pulley had failed, broke the v-belt, which in turn hit and damaged the crankshaft position sensor.
I was driving down the street and heard a noise. We turned around and the liftgate had fallen off its on hinges and was hanging loose on both sides. We had to hold it on and drive the car back home. The car has not been driven since that date in 2010. Ford needs to be responsible for the 2004 model and all of its defective products. This is the second complaint that I have filed against ford concerning this car. The first was a #2 valve falling in the engine and causing the engine to blow up. The federal safety agency please do something about ford. Someone has to make car manufacturers responsible to the consumer. Every time that the federal safety agency is contacted nothing is done until millions are negatively affected.
Bought the car used with about 85,000 miles on it. After one year of average use (no towing or off-roading) the transmission failed (about 97,000 miles). Had it rebuilt and now 2 years and four months later it is failing again (at 122,000 miles).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the engine transitioned into safe mode and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the PCM, throttle, jack shaft chain, and bearings were replaced. The failure continued. Both the dealer and manufacturer stated that the failure could not be diagnosed. They recommended attempting various trial and error remedies. The contact stated that the PCM and throttle again needed to be replaced. The failures continued. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 118,861.
On 1/17/12 driving on highway and noticed a burning smell. It was a strong smell. Noticed a glow under the dashboard and pulled into a empty parking lot. The truck went up in flames. Called ford and they said prove what happened. Not sure but the vehicle was in very good condition with no problems that I knew of before this fire. No one was hurt.
Transmission failure, slips between gears, replacement required.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that when driving anywhere from 30-50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle would have to be placed in neutral in order to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised the contact that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact was driving 50 MPH when the engine stalled and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The instrumental panel gauges were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle restarted immediately, and was taken the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, however the vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage 42,933. Updated 9/16/11 *cn updated 2/23/12
Tl*the contact owns a owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH the contact heard a loud pop noise followed by banging noises coming from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed exhaust fumes were coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told one of the spark plugs broke. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
I purchased a 2004 ford explorer from a toyota dealership on 1/28/11. The car was a certified / warranted vehicle. I was assured by the toyota salesman that any problem with the car would be fixed under the warranty. Several problems which the car has include: mismatched tires, inoperable sunroof, leak in the differential seal & noise in the differential. I had the car inspected at a ford dealership & was told these problems needed repair. The toyota dealership has not returned numerous phone calls, emails & when I brought the car back to them, I was told all these repairs had been fixed & later found out that nothing was done.
Rattling noise and shaking has been coming from engine area for some time now. Could not find the cause until recently, and when looking for information online I found it is a very common problem. The harmonic balancer / crankshaft pulley goes bad. The inner ring breaks, causing the sensor to eventually wear down and also need replacement. This repair on average costs people more than $350. To replace.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer xls. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH she experienced a violent shake in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they advised her that she needed a new engine because the timing belt had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the engine needed for the vehicle was no longer being manufactured. The failure and current mileage was approximately 40,000.
2004 ford explorer: engine seized for no apparent or obvious reason at 53,000 miles. Not repairable. Also, rear plastic panel beneath window cracked. Just read that this is a very common occurrence.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving approximately 35 MPH he heard a noise and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. He was advised by the dealer that the number three piston broke and ceased the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. He called the manufacturer for assistance and he was advised that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The approximate failure and current mileages were 67,800.
My wife was driving our 2004 ford explorer eddie bauer uphill on a mountain road when she felt like the engine is loosing power. She stopped, exited the vehicle and saw smoke coming from under the car in the engine area. Then some people stopped and pulled her away because from the point my wife was standing she could not see the actual fire. As a result the engine compartment burned down completely creating a big hole in the hood. The car had about 120k miles on odometer and we have not missed any service maintenance points. She said besides that power loss there was no indication that there is something wrong with the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The failure occurred three different times. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,100. Updated 02/23/11*lj updated 05/04/11
I backed SUV out of garage and put in park, got out of vehicle while still running (to close garage door), closed the SUV door, turned around and saw that SUV was moving forward into my garage. I opened the SUV door while it was moving and jumped in the drivers seat, pushed on the brake and SUV did not stop, I was looking down at the floor to see why SUV did not stop, pulled up my foot and placed it back down on the brake. Suv still did not stop. It then made a loud noise like the engine was reeving up and then the SUV took off forward, ran through the back of my garage, ran through my back yard, ran over a tree in the yard, ran through my back yard fence and my neighbor's fence and crashed into the back side of neighbor's house. All while this was occurring, I was inside of the vehicle with my left leg sticking out of the car (since I jumped in the SUV in a hurry, I didn't realize that my leg was still out of the SUV), I continually attempted to step on the brakes (each time lifting my foot up so that I could place it directly on the brake), the engine reeved up again while going through the yard. The only thing that stopped the SUV was the tall concrete foundation of my neighbor's house that it ran into. I jumped out of the SUV, fell to the ground and laid there for a few seconds before I realized that my SUV was still running, then I jumped back into the SUV and turned the ignition off.
Tl*the contact owns a ford 2004 ford explorer. While the contact was driving approximately between 55-60 MPH, the engine completely stalled and the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle restarted and resumed without the illumination of the warning indicators. The failure occurred on numerous occasions and became progressively worse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 01/13/11*lj the consumer stated the engine stalls at any speed. Updated 03/23/11
There are numerous complaints on the internet regarding the 2004 ford explorer. The car jerks violently when going into first, second and reverse gears. The first repair was on 10/07 at 15,690 miles. The dealership replaced the solenoid and assured the problem was resolved. At 24,190 miles the same problem recurred and the dealership recalibrated and charged $118. Now at 26,900 miles the problem has recurred and again they are going to replace the solenoid. Of course at my expense. There is obviously something wrong and ford is refusing to address the problem. They should at least guarantee the work that was done under warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the check engine lights continued to illuminate every two months after the vehicle was repaired. Each time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, she was charged a diagnostic fee to perform the test and repair a different problem. The contact did not know what repairs were performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was called who stated that they would send her information on how to trade the vehicle in for another vehicle, which included additional discounts; however, she had not heard from them. The failure mileage was 59,078.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 65 MPH the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, diagnosed and stated that the failure was caused by the engines timing chain. The vehicle will be repaired. The manufacturer took report 1644590504, but didn't offer to assist with the repairs, because the motor wasn't covered by warranty. The current and failure mileages were 70,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer . While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the contact had to get the battery jumped in order to drive to her residence. The alternator failed and was replaced; however, after the alternator was replaced the contact was unable to move the vehicle even when the accelerator pedal was engaged. There was a wrench symbol that illuminated on the instrument panel where the dealer stated that the computer shifted into limp mode. There have been no additional repairs to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began making an abnormal squealing noise from the front end. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the harmonic balancer failed and caused the air conditioning line to fail. He also stated that the serpentine belt would need replacing. The mechanic repaired all components at the contact's expense. Neither the dealer nor the 'manufacturer was contacted to report the failure. The failure mileage was 78,350 and the current mileage was 78,470.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated the ABS warning light illuminated and the vehicle was repaired. Following repairs, the contact was driving at an unknown speed when the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer advised that the failure was due to the rear cassette fracturing and causing the timing chain to fail and destroy the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 140,000.
I own a 2004 ford explorer that has experienced two overheating incidents, the second resulted in replacing the engine. The first incident was caused by a stuck thermostat and the second by a leaking hose between the thermostat housing and the engine. In both incidents when the engine temperature warning activated, the temperature was buried in the hot end of the gauge. In both incidents, I immediately decelerated and pulled off the road but in the second incident, the engine was already ruined. An article in the april 2010 issue of design news (made by monkeys, pg 10) about a similar incident with a mazda LED me to believe mine was not an isolated occurrence but a result of increased use of aluminum and better cooling systems. In the mazda incident, the engine had been replaced once and was saved from a second replacement only because the driver was looking at the gauge when it suddenly pegged into the hot end. The problem is there in no warning of low coolant until the level drops below the water pump which results in a sudden and often catastrophic rise in engine temperature. The explorer is the most heavily instrumented automobile I have ever owned yet the cooling system warning is stuck in 60s when cars had cast iron blocks, overheated gradually and were forgiving of overtemps.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. He stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast off the roadway where the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer advised the timing belt had broken and destroyed the engine. The entire engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure and current mileages were 136,000.
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