2004 Ford Explorer: won't start

Filed Aug 17, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 180,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Engine · 78,000 miles · KS

Came home from work friday evening and sat. Morning the vehicle would not start. Took battery in and tested, it was dead. Replaced the battery and the car still would not start. Only clicked, relay and starter were fine. Had to tow it to a mechanic who has determined that the anti-theft system has shut down my engine for no reason. The key no longer connects to the system. Why is there not a recall on this issue?? I have seen online forums and many complaints about this issue. Now I have to tow my vehicle to a dealer 40 miles away and pay to have my vehicle and keys reprogrammed. Over $120!!! This issue left me stranded with no vehicle for over a week. I think ford should be responsible for the repair and tow costs!!!

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 39,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2014 · Acceleration · IA

Driving through town was out in intersection and it just took off speeding slammed on brakes and I shut it off. Started it back up and like lost all power no control of foot feet explorer started shaking and died tried to start no success. Towed it home had mechanic put it on computer and got p2111 ford -throttle actuator control system stuck open. And I changed the tps and no luck changed the whole throttle body no luck still won't start. Was doing research and several fords have been having same problem but when I called dealership he said he couldn't do anything about it because my VIN. # wasn't on the list. If other people are having the same thing happen to them that I am having why can't he help me too.

Filed Nov 22, 2012 · Brakes, Fuel system · 114,000 miles · TN

On april 6th of this year I purchased a 2004 ford explorer. The next day I took the car for city inspection...it passed. The very next day (sunday) the check engine light came on. The ABS light would also illuminate. I took the car to autozone to have it diagnosed (egr valve). Only the check engine light could be diagnosed because the ABS light came on at random while I was driving. The car was still under the 1000 mile warranty so the egr valve was replaced and a speed sensor believed to be the problem with the ABS light. I purchased an independent extended warranty so I would be covered for any surprise expenses. I had my chance to use it in just a few months later when the car ran hot. The repair was not covered. This happened in july, just a few months after buying the car. Earlier this month (november 2012) the service engine light came on again but it didn't stay on so I couldn't get it diagnosed. No need to have it diagnosed because the battery light came on too. I took it to autozone once again and the battery tested bad. It wouldn't start at the store. I bought the battery, it was installed and checked again. The alternator showed it wasn't charging. I had to have the alternator replaced. With the cold weather, I discovered the defrost vents don't work. Air only blows from front vents. On the morning of november 19th, I was taking my son to school and the overdrive light started flashing. It happened again while on my way home from work on november 21st. So now I suppose I have transmission problems. Ford needs to answer for their horrible engineering.

Filed Sep 25, 2007 · Acceleration, Body · 63,000 miles · TX · fire

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

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Steering · TX

On friday, august 24, 2007, I was attempting to back out of a driveway. I put my foot on the brake, started my 2004 ford explorer and began shifting the gear out of park into reverse when the shift broke. I could not do anything, the engine wouldn't turn over or anything. Since it was late friday, I left the SUV parked until saturday, the next morning, when I had it towed to doug stanley ford in desoto, texas, where I purchased the vehicle. A service technician told me they would have to order a needed part to repair the SUV. He said he thought they'd receive the part by monday or tuesday. On monday, he told me they wouldn't get it until november 12. He said that he'd called all around and had to get the part from the manufacturer. I checked online and others have experienced this very same problem. I am thankful I wasn't somewhere far from home when this happened. I have a new baby and need reliable transportation. I have never heard of a dealership needing 2 months to get a part. I truly think this is a serious defect that could eventually get someone hurt.

Filed Mar 30, 2006 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Feb 8, 2006 · Fuel system · 37,050 miles · NH

5 months after purchasing car new in 8/04 it would not start(1/05) ;was able to reset fuel pump shut-off switch and start car. Dealer (muzi ford, needham, mass.)examined car and found nothing. In 2/05 car would not start,could not reset fuel pump shut off switch; dealer replaced it. In 4/05 same problem occurred and dealer replaced switch , stating it was 'burned out'.in 2/06 identical problem occurred and both switch and computer were replaced by dealer. Fuel pump shut-off switch has been replaced three times at this point. The car is a 2004 ford explorer xls.

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Transmission · 1,389 miles · IL

We bought this vehicle new in december of 2004 and it has been in the service dept. 8 times in the past 7 months for warranty repairs. It has been in 4 times for "hard cranks but no start", 4 times for rough idling, 1 time for an RPM problem (and in next week for a different one- it stays around 3 RPM after accelerating- I have to let off of the gas pedal for it to shift down), and it has been in for misc. Issues (whistling noise at front window, rattling console, etc.). Each time it has been brought in for the mechanical problems, they "upgrade the PCM". I have contacted the dealership and I have contacted ford directly numerous times for a repurchase because of my daughter's medical condition. It requires that she has reliable and safe transportation available at all times. The dealership knew about her needs when we bought this SUV. However, I keep getting shuttled back and forth between the dealership, (schimmer ford, illinois) and ford motor company. As a long time purchaser of ford vehicles, I am really disappointed in the treatment that I am receiving.

Filed Jun 27, 2005 · Lights, Transmission · 1,000 miles · SC

Dt: the car will not start in the mornings, and sometimes when it sits for a while it will not start. Consumer had the vehicle into dealership for this problem. Dealership could not find out why it will not start. Dealership kept the vehicle for a week, and vehicle started correctly after that. After a couple of months this problem came back. Owner has not taken the vehicle back for repairs yet. The rear brake light cover is lose and coming off. The consumer bought the vehicle in january of 2004. The consumer has not contacted ford at this time. Ford was contacted with the first time when the vehicle was in the shop. The consumer has not filed a complaint with ford, but wa going today.

Filed Nov 19, 2004 · Acceleration, Suspension · 1,095 miles · ID

Car has a hard time engaging into gear, when backing up it feels like I've hit another vehicle. The vehicle just jumps in revers.I have almost ran over someone because of a delay in engaging into reverse. In drive it does the same thing. I worry that I am going to hit a car that might be parked in front of me or even a person. Not only that I worry that if I did hit another car I wouldn't know that I did it. The car has had problems starting. It has left us almost stranded twice. The cars battery has died for no reason, even after driving a couple of hours prior to trying to restart it. The front and rear window motors have gone out, the rear windows were stuck open in a rain storm with my two children in the back seat. The vehicle has lost power driving down the interstate and a warning light came on in the dash, the vehicle had only 5,000 miles on the odometer. The keyless entry quite working, wich also kept our key chain lockers from working. The car would not turn over, it would just make a click, when it would turn over, it sounded like gears were grinding. The vehicle went in for to be serviced for the first time a month after we bought the vehicle, dec. 5, 2003 and has gone in atleast once every two months since. The car has been in for servicing a total of 3 months out of the year that we have owned it. We have requested since it has been for the same problem 8 times and it has not been fixed that the dealership lemon the vehicle. But nothing has been done about it. The dealership doesn't know what the problem is and they have told us that they cannot fix it.we still have the same problem now. It can potentially hurt someone.