2004 Ford Explorer suspension problems

Filed Jun 20, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 99,735 miles · OH

My steering column broke right off! Trying to put it in drive @99,735 mi. Had to tow it to shop, and replace the steering column. I see other people had this same problem. There should be a recall for this!!! I also had to replace the transmission @ 103,000 miles it would skip 3rd gear. Seems everyone else has to replace the transmission. Also back bearings!! What a disgrace. Recall this disgraceful workmanship! No honor!

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Engine, Suspension · TX · 1 injury

Transmission shifts harder and shakes the entire SUV. When I press the gas and get to about 35-40 it will start knocking really bad and feels like it's losing power. When I stop the exact same thing happens with the knocking. I was going 35 around a slight curve on I-45 freeway by little york shepard gulf bank area to be exact and the SUV was driving fine. I was just getting onto the freeway at this time. Hints the reason I'm not going so face. When I started picking up speed the transmission jerked so hard I flew into the next lane. Luckily no one was around me but image if I was in traffic and this happen.

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Suspension · 185,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While driving at 35 MPH, a loud abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle and it started to swerve out of control. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 185,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Body, Brakes · 17,000 miles · NY

Exact dates are various , vehicle has 39000 miles on it presently , have multiple vehicles , drive over the road truck driver ... Changed brakes and rotors twice , emergency brake not working , had fixed , had to have ekg replaced and some exhaust sensor , tires wore out at 29000 , exhaust system replaced , both ball joints replaced , pinion gear gasket leaking from rear end , both cv joints leaking , appears right cv joint needs replacing , gets 14 mpg ( 4.0 liter ) paint peeling from roof for quite awhile now , rusting around fuel tank door , as all are ...... Vehicle has been a nightmare , getting rid of this at 39000 miles , ford has a better idea , buy another one !

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · OH

Every since we've financed this lousy SUV 08/2012 we've had a clicking noise from the rear and still cant figured out what that is,but the transmission has been slipping and shifting hard,we have replace front left wheel bearing and ABS sensor just a few months ago and the bearing is bad again and the front right wheel has a bad ball joint and the visibility thru windshield is horrible,always have a hard time seeing, cna only see a few inches ahead!!! This car needs serious recalls the air conditioner stopped working in less then a yr!!! And we bought this car with only 68,506 miles!! We already spend over a grand for a fuel pump!!! This car sucks!!! Plz help we still owe thousands and everytime we blink an eye it's not safe to drive because of wheel problems!!!!

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Suspension · 117,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the dome over the shock absorber was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 117,000. Updated 08/11/2014*lj the consumer stated ford would not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was traded in to ford with a reduced amount to the trade in allowance because of the failure. Updated 08/12/2014

Filed Sep 22, 2012 · Acceleration, Body · 106,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 80,000 miles · NY

I currently own a 2004 ford explorer and purchased new in 2005. Have had to replace, the 2 front hubs 3 times, the rack and pinion steering and the transmission slips excessively. This vehicle is driven by my wife to school and home and used for transporting my family. I keep seeing the same problems online but no action by ford. Can you say piece of junk?

Filed Jun 16, 2011 · Suspension, Transmission · 49,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact placed the gear shifter into reverse to drive and noticed that the transmission would hesitate before engaging. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians replaced the solenoid in the transmission. After the repairs were performed, the contact continued to experience the failure. There was also an abnormal grinding from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the rear end bearing, three rear axles, the pinion bar and seals and a shaft kit was installed. The dealer also advised that the failure was caused by an over torque by the manufacturer. In addition, the contact stated that the driver and passenger side sun visor joints were failing sporadically and causing the visors to obstruct the contact's vision of the roadway. The sun visors were not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Suspension · 29,700 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 25 to 55 MPH when he noticed an abnormal howling from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised that they would shim the pinion and ring gears to silence them. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred twice after the repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 29,700.