2004 Ford Explorer: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Apr 24, 2015 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the service engine soon warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle restarted and started blowing fuel fumes into the driver's cabin. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plug blew out of the cylinder and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Ma 08/06/15 updated 10/11/2017

Filed Aug 7, 2012 · Body · 78,460 miles · NJ

Upon opening the rear lift gate, the hinges completely gave out and the lift gate fell away from the truck. I was fortunate in that I was able to catch and hold it, as my 5 year old son was standing beneath in order to hand me his beach toys, at the time of the incident. I had to hold the (very heavy) lift gate until a mechanic arrived to detach electrical components and placed the lift gate inside the 2004 ford explorer. I then had to drive home with no lift gate while exhaust fumes filled the truck. It should be noted that prior to this incident, the tailgate cracked, which I see is a common issue with this particular vehicle and the subject of a class action lawsuit.

Filed Apr 19, 2011 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Engine · 112,000 miles · MA

Driving my 2004 ford explorer with the 4.6l engine on the highway at 60 MPH the vehicle blow it rear drivers side spark plug. The engine started shaking violently and there was a strong smell of fuel in the passenger compartment. The original factory installed plugs were still installed. The threads in the cylinder heads were striped. The repair was the installation of a heli-coil in to the cylinder head at a cost of $600.

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 Jan 14, 2006 · Fuel system · VA

Gasoline odor.