2004 Ford Explorer: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Feb 25, 2011 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · UT

The fuel gauge shows a false full and the tank does not fill all the way. The fuel gauge shows a false empty showing you have a half a tank when you may actually have 3 gallons. Running out of fuel on the highway is not safe. The gas stations pump shuts off automatically giving you the impression that the tank is full and is confirmed full by an inaccurate gas gauge which shows full. So you might have 18 gallons in a tank that should have 22.5 gallons and the gauge shows a half tank when you have 3-4 gallons.

Filed May 29, 2008 · Fuel system · 42,000 miles · MI

2004 ford explorer limited with faulty gas gauge. Car said 70 miles to empty yet my wife and two kids (ages 3&5) ran out of gas on the highway. They had to hike 1 mile down the expressway to get assistance. This is obviously a serious safety concern. The only thing worse than no gas gauge is one that does not read accurately. Thankfully they eventually arrived home safely with the assistance of strangers.

Filed May 4, 2008 · Body, Fuel system · 58,000 miles · TN

My gas gauge on my 2004 ford explorer has failed me many times. I took it to my dealership & they told me to add some fuel additive to my gas tank & this would cure the problem. Well it has not & my warranty is out!!! I'm very concerned for my wife's safety if she runs out of gas, so we have to keep a written log as to the mileage before fill-up's. I'm told the sensor is bad & would cost close to $1,000.00 to repair. I have complained to ford & they refuse to repair since the warranty is out. I have also complained to ford about a back hatch panel that has cracked for no apparent reason directly under the exterior ford emblem & they will not repair this since it is out of warranty. These are both for sure manufacturer defects, that ford should be made to repair at their cost.

Filed Jan 15, 2007 · Transmission · 200 miles · CO

Within a week of buying my 2004 explorer I experienced problems when shifting out of reverse. I also experienced a loud "clang" while doing steady interstate driving (over 200 miles). Over time transmission shifting became sluggish, untimely, and loud. A recall was received and a transmission additive was added. Problems continued with the transmission (same as noted above). In june '06- dealership replaced some parts of the transmission (under warranty). Five months later, I'm continuing with problems. Loud "clang" during long road trip. Jerky, hesitant shifting continues. Took car to dealership and no problems were found with the transmission and dealership was not able to duplicate during 30 mile test drive. Car stalled in parking lot this week, jerky motion continues going up steep incline and loud "clang" exists on long roadtrip. Warranty is about to run out in about 400 miles. I have contacted customer care center resulting in no help. Also have repeated problems with fuel gauge not registering properly.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 17,978 miles · NY

Dt: while driving on september 16, 2005 the ABS failed. When this occurred it caused the consumer's vehicle to almost hit another vehicle. The ABS, maintenance, and four wheel lights came on and blinked when he lost the brakes. A diagnosis test was performed, and it showed that there was a problem with the speed sensor. The dealership replaced the speed sensor in the rear which was called asy-t. The fuel gauge broke. It showed the fuel tank level was higher than what it really was. The driver's rear window motor had to be replaced. The cover over the hatchback handle had to be replaced. Also, had to replace the weather stripping. There has been a repair done to the four by four unit. There were multiple problems with the vehicle.

Filed Jan 22, 2005 · Fuel system · 9,500 miles · MD

Ford explorer 2004 - xlt - gas gauge reads incorrectly following fueling vehicle (full tank). Gauge will display 1/2 tank. Occurred three times over 60 day period. Took vehicle to dealer. Could not find problem. Check gauges, fuel tank sensor, etc. Gauge is working normally at this time.

Filed Jan 18, 2005 · Fuel system · 200 miles · NJ

On two separate occasions the vehicle ran out of fuel while driving at highway speed (55-60 MPH). But the fuel gauge registered a full tank of fuel. The dealer was notified. The dealer informed the consumer that problem was not covered under a recall.

Filed Nov 30, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 2,300 miles · TX

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.