The rear window latch on the right side facing the vehicle broke off and nearly caused the right side to also break. I am uncertain as to whether or not the hydraulic lift for the window failed or the latch just broke.
2004 Ford Explorer visibility complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 112, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While opening the smaller window in the back of the car, the window started to fall. Luckily there were two people to catch it. I noticed the passenger side hinge was broken. We usually take our infant around to the back of the car while we load things. Fortunately, we had already buckled her in. Had the glass fallen or we not paid attention , it could have seriously injured her or us.
In winter the blend for actuator went out in explorer and left me with no great so when I drive I have to continue to try and wipe frost off of the inside of windshield it is dangerous to have to drive vehicle in winter and always wiping windows especially with kids in the car there are many reports of this happening in this model and year of vehicle this is definitely a safety issue you are driving down road at night and as soon as you pass a car the cars headlights mess with frost on window and it is blinding not to mention when it rains and the windows steam up and you can't see then either.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass unexpectedly shattered without accessing the door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. ...updated 04-10-14 *bf updated 04/22/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while loading the vehicle, the hydraulic arm failed and the glass of the lift gate struck a passenger in the head. The passenger suffered a laceration to the head. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the hinges for both the driver and passenger's side sun visors became fractured, making the visors unusable. The contact stated that due to the defect he was unable to reposition the visors in order to block the sun when driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 65,000.
My 13 yr old was loading groceries while the window was popped up it fell w/o warning severely hurting her head rt bracket on upper window broke can cause serious injury.
I opened the lift gate window to load groceries when the right side of the window suddenly let go up near the hinge. This caused the right side of the window to drop and then the left hinge broke, causing the entire rear window to drop. I was able to catch it so it didn't break and eventually release the support struts so I could get it into the back of the vehicle. It appears that the fastener near the hinge was corroded through and when I tried to open the window the weight was finally too much for it so it snapped, releasing the window on that side. Fortunately this fastener failed in a parking lot and not on a freeway or the whole rear window may have come off and posed a danger to the cars behind. Ford has already issued a recall for 2002 and 2003 models which used the same hinge assembly, don't know why 2004 was not included.
On may 31st of 2013 at approx. 4pm, after removing some items from the back of my 2004 ford explorer via the window hatch, I proceeded to shut the window and I heard a snap followed by the right side (as I am facing the vehicle)of the window fall. I was able to catch the window and began to try and line the window back up and close it by securing it to the locking mechanism at the base. Noticing me struggle with the window a gentleman came over and began trying to help me, only to find that the window would not budge due to the right side (as I am facing the vehicle) shock/support/strut being froze. We could not get the shock to retract which prevented the window from closing. While I continued to hold the window up the gentleman went to get his tools to remove the shock/support/strut. With the shock/ support/ strut removed we could then align the window and close it by locking it into the locking mechanism at the base. I strongly believe that due to the sock/support/strut on the right side freezing up, it prevented the window hatch from closing properly which in turn caused the right side hinge to snap under the pressure. I have not opened the rear window hatch since and will be contacting ford as to what their course of action will be for such a failure. Any assistance with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the sun visor became detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000 and the current mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that none of the windows were able to be opened when engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. ...updated 05/29/13
The rear window hinge pin (passenger side) has corroded and broken allowing the window to fall off of the rear tail gate. I noticed the broken hinge before using the lift gate which has prevented it from falling off thus far. I have read that this is a very common problem on this vehicle and ford will not own up to the problem.
After a day of shopping I pulled into my driveway and parked my SUV. I went to open the rear window hatch when the left side came apart from the vehicle and landed on top of me. Fortunately the right side of the window was able to stay intact while my husband was able to run to my aid to lift the door up. I am four months pregnant and my three year old son was standing by my side. I have read that many complaints about this issue have been made to the ford corporation regarding this problem but they continue not to rectify the issue at hand; while leaving vehicle owners helpless when this situation occurs. I read that this was a good avenue to report this issue since ford continues to ignore the problem and wonder if my husband would not have been in shouting distance what would've happen to my son, unborn child and myself!!!!!
Rear hatch window hinge (left side) broke and released the glass while driving. Window fell to one side. I had to make an immediate emergency stop. It was difficult to prop window to a safe position and lock down. It must remain locked down until I can fix it.
The rear liftgate window hinge broke off and the entire rear window fell on my wife. The hinges are made of a white type of metal that has corroded and sheared off. The pins inside apparently broke and it didn't appear to be falling off, it just came off. The window hit my wife in the arm and leg. We were lucky it wasn't one of our kids closing the gate at the time or that they weren't inside when it happened or this could have been a lot worse. After searching online for information about this issue I found thousands of complaints about this exact issue and hundreds of post of injuries incurred from this. Ford recalled other vehicles with the same issue with the same part and yet the 2004 was never included. Something needs to be done. A part over time shouldn't break off and cause a safety hazard.
4 years ago the plastic next to the ford emblem cracked right of the emblem on my back hatch. I looked into it and there was 10's of thousands of the same complaint that I had at an average cost of only $800. Then tonight my wife got some chairs out of the rear hatch then when closing it the rear glass falls out of the explorer because " the aluminum rear hatch hinge on the right side broke" which has an average cost of $300. Mind you the little piece that holds the window hinge on is only the size of an eraser head, both of the rear hatch defects are not under any recall yet many complaints have been filed and or posted via the internet. This is a safety concern to families as it should be to the ford motor company " which seems not to care " and also to the federal safety agency as it could be a huge safety issue if this was to have happened traveling down the high way at 70 MPH.
When closing the rear window hatch, the left hinge that holds the glass completely let go of the glass. Fortunatley my husband was the one closing it and was able to catch the glass before it broke the other hinge and pulled the glass off completely. The right hinge was also bent, as the window will now not sit level to be put back into place. This should be recalled, as there is a large hazard of th window falling. What if my daughter had been standing underneath as usual, or he had not been able to catch the window and it broke and sen "exploding" glass pieces everywhere. I see that this appears to be a very widespead issue when looking through complaints. Also, the tailgate in my explorer has also experienced the same mysterious crack that so many other vehicles have had. One day it was fine, then it was cracked. Could these issues be somehow releated? Or is the entire hatch just full of flaws.
This issue involves the driver side sun visor. The plastic piece on the left side of the visor that holds it in place on the ceiling has broken off. When you hit a bump or dip in the road the visor falls down and blocks your view to see what is going on in front of you. This is a real safety concern to me. I don't want to hit someone or something because of this. I am asking for a recall to be issued. Thanks
I had to have the heater blend door replaced on my ford explorer. The cost was over $1000.00. The entire dashboard had to be removed. I know that a tsb was issued by ford on this problem,many owners have had the same problem as I did. This is an engineering/manufacturing defect that is not only costly to repair,but in my opinion can cause the windshield to fog up while driving because you can not control the heater function. This can lead to a poor or non visibility situation and could cause an accident. Please look into this problem to avoid any possible accidents. I have read numerous reports from other owners online regarding this problem.please contact ford about this potentially hazardous problem and issue a recall notice. The blend door is not strong enough to withstand the blowers air pressure. Thank you for your help in this matter.
The hinges that hold on the rear window are starting to break. The 02 and 03 model explorers were recalled for this but ford refuses to issue a recall for the 2004 models even though this appears to be a huge issue affecting a large numbers of explorers. I have caught it before total failure but many people have had the glass come loose and injure them. It is a huge safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the hinge of rear passenger glass fractured, causing the window glass to shatter. The contact was able to notice wear on the rear driver's side, but the driver side had not broken. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection, but no repair was made. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 97,102.
On 19 apr 2012 while opening the back hatch window, the passenger side hinge of the window failed. When this occurred the driver side hinge was bent and the hydrulic lifts popped open the window rather rapidly which could have severely injured me if it hit me. I was unable to close the window myself so I could drive again. A bystander helped me out to close it. After reading other reports and complaints online, this is not an isolated incident for 2004 ford explorers.
While loading groceries, I noticed the hinges to my rear window were cracked. I quit using the window in fear of it breaking. The cost to replace the plastic hinge is completely outrageous! I also had a friend call today and his hinge broke, thankfully the glass did not break. Ford knows the hinges are defective. Why would a major company like ford overlook this problem and take a chance of many law suits due to their negligence? There are over 1600 complaints recorded. How many more is needed for a recall? Ford needs to stand behind their product. I hesitated buying this ford because my first ford caught fire while I was driving it. Thirty years later I still think of all the bad stories and now, I want my chevy back.
Rear window hinge fractured causing glass to fall off of rear door. This is the same problem as the 2002-2003 ford recall #04s20. Ref the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v442000. Ford does not include the 2004 explorer in their recall but the problem is the same. I have heard of other 2004 explorer owners having the same problem and the service manager at the dealer who replaced the hinge said it is a common problem on the 2004 model year. I feel that the problem extended into the 2004 models and should have been included in the recall of the 2002-2003 models.
The hinges that hold on the rear window are failing and I cannot open the rear window because I am afraid that it will fall off. Other year explorers were recalled for this very reason and I cannot understand why the 2004 model was not recalled. The parts are the same as they were in other years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that heat no longer flowed through the vents and she was unable to defrost the windshield. As a result, her vision was obstructed while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they informed her that the blend door needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 36,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A year ago my rear left window hinge broke. Cost to repair $50 for part. Now the right rear window hinge broke cost now has increased to $80 for repair. Rear panel cracked when heat wave occurred. Ford says no recalls for each issue. This seems to be an issue on this model of ford. Ford holds no recall for both issues.
While at work my rear lift gate window exploded. At first site I thought it was vandalism but nothing (car chargers/cd's/ road side kit etc) was taken. After further investigating, things just didn't add up nor were consistent with the site of my destructive rear window and uplifting of the panel underneath the shattered glass (which was mostly on the ground as opposed to being inside my vehicle.)
The rear passenger window hinge broke causing the glass to fall on top of me and hit me in the head and knock me down to the ground.
Cracked panel below rear window. Also, rear window appears loose.
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